What does it mean to wear a watch these days?
Is there any reason to wear a watch nowadays?
However, we all know the reality is that many wear a watch not for actually telling the time but as a show piece just like any other jewellery that may be worn by the individual. Hence the individuals who have a collection of watches and maybe wear a different watch each day of the week. Watches can be a statement about "this that and the other" if the viewer wants them to be. Notice I said "statement", not "status". The latter can only be put into play where an item is of extreme cost, ie way, way above the average cost of even of the best equivalent product.
So that answers the question as to why all modern watches in manufacture today are not simply solar. Solar in reality would be the best for the environment, and not just from a technological standpoint of keeping accurate time.
There is a current trend of modification of production time pieces in order to own a customised watch. this may or may not come at the detriment of voiding warranties, disrupting "waterproofness" if the "modder" (as apposed to watchmaker) can not guarantee waterproofness after reassembling the watch.
Not all production watches of course can be easily modified but there are a certain set which I believe manufacturer's purposely churn out, maybe even with poor time keeping abilities simply as a marketing ploy to keep manufacturing these models.
For example: some classic SEIKO SKX automatic diving watches.
There will always be some mod from someone/company to satisfy the niche market.
Allowing easy modifications, and yes the smart manufacturers do ALLOW this, serve only one purpose for the manufacturer and that is to keep up the demand for such time pieces by creating the "individual look" from something which wasn't.
Individuality doesn't have to be a super pricey Rolex, it can be obtained in numerous ways and one way is via a modification of the watch, if not just a band.
Built in inaccuracy fo mechanical designs
Hacking is supposed to be a feature but this is hardly a feature if the watch itself can not keep good time.
Modifying or affectionately known as "modding" or in the old language-"custom builds"!
How much can one "fiddle" with a watch?
Casio are masters of this marketing psychology
eg (G Shock range)- G stands for "Ginormous" by the way! Just kidding!
If you want a watch which you can press buttons on 24/7 then look no further than a Casio G Shock, not just digital models but analogue models as well.
What about "fiddle-less" watches
Straight out and out time pieces?
The Citizen Eco Drive watch known amongst the aficionados as the "Eco Zilla" ie the:
BJ8050-08E and similar variants-
Changing bands, adapters etc. for this model; re luming the dials with different color phosphors. I seriously doubt but will stand corrected if the modders in this case can guarantee that once sealed back up your Eco Zilla is watertight to 300m! I know you are saying no one but the most hardcore pro is going to dive to 300m. To understand what 300m waterproofness actually means is important here. I'm going to take a leaf out of Casio's book here. If for example a watch is labelled 100m water resist, what is really means is that it can withstand a static force of water equivalent to 100m pressure. This sort of pressure can easily be obtained from your average garden hose set to squirt, jumping off a 10m waterfall, blasting your watch under the shower nozzle (if you have a good shower nozzle).
But if the actual watch says it's good for diving then it means it can stay submerged for an indefinite length of time or a particular time a stated by the manufacturer.
Or maybe a 100m watch could be taken down to 100m but one could not be pressing in buttons (if there were buttons to press) at that depth.
The need to fiddle, has been accommodated by: "Hacking" (well heck, just being able to line up the second hand for a time piece which may not in actual fact keep great time); rotating bezels (many wear diver's type watches with bezels and never go diving-yes a dive watch is still important in my view as a SCUBA diver- not to rely upon a computer fully-that's another story).
To be able to push buttons and receive some information (Casio has this totally sewn up)
The knowing that your watch can communicate, albeit on the most low level with satellite signals, to give the wearer the feeling of high technology upon their wrists. (Forget the technology inside of a mobile phone) eg "Satellite wave-whatever Citizen Watch Company)
Watches of function other than simply telling the time
Certified Dive watches (not look a-likes)
Durability
Elapsed time
Readability at depth
Durability as in shock proof, not abrasion proof (full metal jackets excepted)
Casio G Shock series and or the `tough Solar series of watches
Not necessarily as durable as a full metal bodied dive watch.
Casio do make exceptions and these are the full metal case models. These watch prices are on par with good quality full metal case watches from other manufacturers.
A Professional wears a watch
It's no good not wearing a watch if you job dictates you must have some reliable way to tell the time. Carrying a mobile phone may not be a great option if your work entails entering sensitive areas where all mobile phones are banned (for obvious reasons) or inside a mine (electrical/explosion hazards)
If you work around water all the time or a professional diver ,a solid rugged water proof watch is a must. If you are a scientist trying to record data/ time experiments etc, then a wrist watch is a must. Mobile phones can and do interfere with electrical equipment. Ask any pilot if it is true if mobile phones can interfere with aircraft electronics. They will answer yes. There is no secret plots involved when carriers tell you to turn off your mobile phone and/or put it into safe mode, fact.
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