Here’s why I figure it might not be totally OT: We mostly all like gadgets. We pretty much all wear a watch. Watches are gadgets.
So, I’m wearing a Casio G-Shock analog bought in Hong Kong at a duty free. I’m waiting on the new Timex OVA (Optimal Viewing Angle) Ironman watch, which might be out very soon.
I collect watches, but the ones I usually wear relatively inexpensive sport/digital/analog jobbies when I don’t wear my HRM.
I’m interested to hear where you guys are at with watches. What do you wear? What do want? What do you think is cool?
Bikes, scuba gear and cameras are cool. Nothing cool about watches. All they do is keep time. I’ve got some $29.95 Timex model that keeps accurate time. That’s cool enough for me.
I have a weird quirk with this. If I am taking a day off or have completed training for the day then I wear an Omega Seasmaster my grandfather gave me. But 90% f the time I just wear my Polar S520. I know what you’re thinking; a geeky and idiosynchratic triathlete. Go figure!
just bought the new timex ova and i really like it for running. it’s very easy to read, keeping track of interval times are not distracting. the numbers are big enough that i can see them without bringing it closer. i thought it might get caught on things as it is on the side of the wrist but i haven’t had any problems. it looks cool and sleek. it’s a timex and the functions are the same and it keeps on ticking.
"So, I’m wearing a Casio G-Shock analog bought in Hong Kong at a duty free. I’m waiting on the new Timex OVA (Optimal Viewing Angle) Ironman watch, which might be out very soon. "
So are you gonna be selling the new Timex OVA Ironman watch at Bikesport?
Daily use is a Nike Ascent, mostly b/c I like the design and it fits my wrist well. Not too small, not too big.
I bought an Oakley D1 for the same reasons, but the button design is about as idiotic for real life use as can be. Using the face button for the T1/T2 switch, activated with single, unsustained push is infuriating. Also, I had to send it back 3x to get the chrono working correctly with the laps. (After bashing it here, though, if anyone wants to buy the latest “new” one I got back from Oakley, holler at me)
I’ve also got a first model Timex S&D that I like pretty well. Good for everyday use as well too.
Finally, I finally bought a Polar S120 after years of trying to cheap out on HR’s and I love it. Good size, weight, shape, and all the features I want, none that I don’t need.
I’m in the watches are cool camp. They are a combination gadget/jewelry. I occasionally wear a titanium swiss watch I got for a gift (not a super expensive one), but usually wear a big clunky Swiss Army watch with a lot of features and a black rubber band that I found cheap on the internet. I wouldn’t mind getting a cool Suunto if I could find one on the cheap. I have a very old, thin gold Omega from my grandfather in a safe deposit box that I’ve never worn. I think it works, though. I like the idea of it, but it’s just not my style.
I just wear a cheap Timex Ironman, it gets the job done for me.
I ran in a marathon with a guy I work with, he’s older in his 50’s, a very seasoned runner, over 50 full marathons, all he wears is a analog watch. But the amazing thing is he tracks all of his mile times using his analog watch he memorizes all 26 of his mile splits & then writes them down the next day!
I have a few. First is the Times S+D watch, that I pretty much only wear for outdoor runs where I don’t know the distance of the route (or I’m feeling adventurous and will just “go”). Then I have a Timex I-control that I wear most of the time for general wear. And lastly, there’s the Citizen EcoDrive watch that I love, but don’t wear too often (dressy). Perpetual calendar, and the face is a solar cell that charges the battery. And it has a power-save measure that stops the hands from running if it doesn’t get light for X amount of time (second hand stops after 1 minute, the minute and hour hand stop after 3 days). And then when it gets enough light, the hands move to the correct time. Very cool. I have a few other cheap ones that I almost never wear…
Digital watches should be worn ONLY when working out. There is nothing cool about wearing a digital watch with street clothing. I equate that to wearing sneakers with a suit.
For anything other than training, get a steel watch. I saw a few recommendations for Swiss Army, those are nice and not too pricey. Personally I like Tag Heuers, sporty but plenty of bling. However you could get a descent bike for the price of those, hence I have a more affordable Citizen Eco Drive.
Best watch ever was my Nike Triax Speed, super thin, curved to fit your wrist, super light, and both (I had two) died a couple of weeks ago after 3 or so years of service…
The new Timex OVA is awesome! Granted the fit needs to be dialed in a bit to make it perfect, but it makes the angled display on the Nikes seem prehistoric. Pus the display is scary vivid and clear. Easy button navigation, clean looks, interval timers. I just wish you could toggle the display lines for the stopwatch, switch the lap times to the big display line. Guess my Polar has made me spoiled and the Nike had had that feature as well.
I wear a blackface Seiko that my dad gave me in 1980. I was still in the Army and the watch has been to several countries. It annoys my wife because she bought me a really nice Bulova for our anniversary. When the battery went, I fell right back to wearing the Seiko and haven’t gone to get a new battery in months.
I have quite a few watches. I wear a Polar S710i for races and most training, along with a Timex S+D when running. I wear a 100 lap Timex Ironman watch while swimming (great timers). At work, I rotate between an OakleyD2, Suunto Vector, and a ‘dressy’ Jaguar. I’ll occasionally wear a Swatch Skin, or Seiko diving watch. For going out, I have a Movado museum watch, and my father’s Rolex Datejust. I have some other Swatches that I don’t wear, and a Vlasic watch. I think that’s it.