Watches

[Retreater]

My apologies if this is too random for this board, but I'm looking for good watch ideas. I've had a "smartwatch" (a Google Gear S2) for a few years, but I rarely used it because it wouldn't even stay charged through an 8-hour workday (regardless of the settings, switching on power saving mode, etc.)

I don't know if I want another smartwatch or just a regular, basic watch at this point. My job requires pretty punctual scheduling and I'm not allowed to carry a cellphone on me. Plus I'm of the generation where I feel naked without a timepiece.

Do you recommend any smartwatches? How many of you just use ordinary watches these days?

 

[Umbran]

Gotta love a policy that disallows the smart phone, but allows the smart watch.

I wear a plain Timex Expedition digital watch. Nothing fancy. If it gets whacked around it is pretty tough, and for when it isn't tough, it's cheap.

 

[tommybahama]

The Fitbit Versa 2 looks good with 6 day battery life.

Right now I wear a titanium Seiko Chronograph that my wife gave me as an engagement gift on one hand and a Fitbit Alta HR on the other. I had to have the gears changed in the Seiko and replaced the acrylic glass with sapphire crystal at the same time.

 

[Ryujin]

Be different. Wear something that won't snag your wrist while working. You can get a quartz pocketwatch relatively cheaply, or get an actual mechanical for a little more. Or, if you want to make an impression, go Tissot mechanical for the price of a used car.

This one was a little over US$100.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[generic]

Put your phone on a giant headband, held on with glue, and tie it to your wrist.

Problem solved.

 

[Retreater]

Well, do you need a smartwatch? Like ... will it be useful for you?

I don't know. In one way I can see how some features would be useful (setting alarms, seeing temperature, tracking my calendar), but on the other side I have nothing Apple in my life, don't want to get a plan for a watch, and I'm nervous about battery life based on my prior experience.

 

[Deset Gled]

Earlier this month I finally gave up my Pebble Time. I have replaced it with an Amazfit Bip Lite. It's pretty good. I get about about 30 days off of one charge if I leave the heart rate monitor off. Waterproof. Shows me notifications from my phone. That's all I really ask of it. It's got some exercise functions I don't use beyond counting steps.

On the downside, it only has one physical button (most interaction is done through a touchscreen, which I don't like as much). And the contrast on the screen is lower than a traditional digital watch or my old Pebble, but it's still decent. The software is OK, but not exceptional in any way. Still, if you like the idea of a light featured smart watch, I think it's about as good as you're going to find. And pretty cheap (~$50).

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Beleriphon]

If not, why not just get a nice watch? IMO, there's a big gap (in price) between watches that are good enough, and watches that are, well, yum. So unless you're planning on spending beaucoup bucks, you can get a very good quartz watch for under $300, and a great one for under $800. If you go beyond that you might as well start saving up for a real splurge.

I feel that Lowkey. I want an Omega Seamaster 300, or an Omega Speedmaster Darkside of the Moon Edition, but the $10000 price. Narita had an Omega store, they beautiful pieces of engineering to see in person. Only ¥16000000.

So for now I have a $200 Timex chronograph in matte black stainless steel.

I'd honestly suggest a nice time piece. I've found a few that had a digital and analogue face. I used one on my trip to Japan, changed the digital time to the local time in Tokyo, and kept the analogue the time home. I had a timer setting and a bunch of other digital features, but it looked like a classy analogue watch.