Not Really News

[abem]

This isn't really news, but it's been pretty quiet around here lately so I thought I'd post an article run by The New York Times called "Watches Are Rediscovered by the Cellphone Generation". It's one of those "retro is the new black" type articles - no big surprises, but worth a look.

NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/07/fashi ... tch&st=cse
Slashdot:
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/0 ... s#comments

Also covered are the rediscovery of 80s era watches and the increase in popularity of "moderately priced" watches, luxury watches, large "statement" watches, and "fashion" watches.

Overall, you could say that rumors of the wristwatch's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

-abe.

[bruce wegmann]

Only a single use of the word "digital", and nothing about LEDs! There's a Bond-Rolex reference, but nothing about the P2! Blasphemy! Somebody needs to make this guy aware of cutting-edge 70s classics like the P1 and 18K Calculator (or a real eyebrow-raiser, the 14K Pulse-Time). I wouldn't trade any one of those for every IWC and Rolex he owns!

[retroleds]

Sure, the newbies would be nice - imagine the run on digitals pushing the prices to historic levels. But then they wouldn't be nearly as cool & edgy, would they?

My theory:It's quiet here and elsewhere, because 95% of the collectors live in the Northern Hemisphere. Meaning we are all collectively enjoying summer and not hyper-focusing on watches(which is a nice past-time when weather is less enjoyable). It used to worry me, now I see it is as consistent as the geese flying south in the fall.

[retroleds]

Overall, you could say that rumors of the wristwatch's demise have been greatly exaggerated.
-abe.

, I was

[abem]

At the risk of sounding like a watch snob, which I really would rather avoid, the collectors cited in that article do seem to lack a certain sense of personal style and history - at least the way that they were described.

Going for a Rolex, an IWC or an Omega Speedmaster "moon watch" seems so cliche. An Omega Dynamic would at least show a sense of history. A Rolex or IWC is just snobbery. The fabled "moon watch" selection was questionable and if you've ever known or worked with astronauts, you'll see that coming from an engineering background, they almost always wear digitals, not Omegas.

I like analog watches, but I'll take a good quality workingman's watch - a nice Bulova Accutron or a Hamilton over a status watch anyday.

Geez, that still came out sounding a bit snobby, didn't it?

-abe.

[retroleds]

Geez, that still came out sounding a bit snobby, didn't it?
-abe.

Oh yeah, total digital watch snob. Just kidding!

[abem]

Digital watch snob? Is that an oxymoron?

-abe.

[retroleds]

An Omega Dynamic would at least show a sense of history.

I remembered you mentioning the Omega Dynamic...one of my favs. for classy design. I stumbled on this very obvious "tip of the hat" to that design. $39.95, USD
The second picture is the real deal.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[abem]

Not bad - you'd have to really try to make an ugly Dynamic style watch. But if you want a Dynamic style watch and don't want to shell out Omega style bucks, there were plenty of 1970s era vintage rip-offs too!

Fortis Skylark:


Timex Dynabeat:


Bulova Accutron:


-abe.

[retroleds]

I can see the similarity on the dial of the Bulova, but they didn't really play on the ratio between the width of the bezel face at right/left vs top/bottom. Comes off looking round faced - totally missing the mark ,IMO.

Now that Fortis - there they real played on that ratio, pushing it higher.

I think the egg-shaped Dynamics with the two-tone faces carry their design elements through very consistently and gracefully. Some of the others mix curved and square elements on the same watch face with not nearly as delicate an eye, IMHO . The Omega has minute lines that taper in, the balance of contrasting colors maintains a balance that continues the curved effect and the rounded corner date window finishes the effect.

Curb appeal of watches is so subjective.
Abem has great taste, despite my commentary! All of those are beauties.