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I might have been about 10 years old, when my grandparents in Miami, bought me a Mickey Mouse watch. Not the collectible Mickey Mouse with the hands that move, this was some cheap novelty watch with Mickey on a clear plastic disk. Hand wound, and it lasted about 2-days. When I got older, junior hi or hi school, I picked out a dive watch at the mall. It was about $50...SS sub. Probably had hollow links. Not sure what happened to it, but it served me well for a while.
I remember in the late 70's digital LCD watches became available w/ built in calculators. Cost over $100. Of course that was way too much money for me, so when CASIO finally introduced an affordable LCD everyone got one w/ back light, built in alarm, stop watch function-- very cool. Used it for surfing w/ velcro straps. The rings on the velcro straps rusted, the velcro would last 1/2 a season surfing in Montauk, and the spring bars would rust, bend and break. I remember the watch flopping around on one spring bar, or just coming off and grabbing it before it sank to the bottom. Probably wore that watch all through college and law school, but the LCD eventually died. So much for CASIO -- I wanted something better.
1987 got my job working in NYC with an admiralty law firm, and needed a new watch. Rolex Submariner $1450 or a Tudor $1000? The watch store Torneau is about the biggest you will ever see. When it was rebuilt (last time I was there) the store was about 5-levels. The Tudor was too light and didn't feel right, the Rolex was about 1-month salary, so as much as I wanted the Sub -- I opted for a Seiko instead. Not sure where the Seiko is but it was kind of cool w/ Tachymeter scale, raised bezel, grey SS, might have had a dual display analog and digital. The bracelet was horrible, metal folded links that grabbed the hair on my wrist, and I never got used to wearing the rubber strap, so I put the watch aside.
SECTOR made a big blitz w/ advertising and "adventure". I bought a full lume dial chrono. Very nice case, angular lugs, solid bracelet. My search was complete -- then just before my brother's wedding 1994 the battery in the SECTOR died, so I went into an upscale "authorized" watch dealer on the corner of 57th St. The store was filled with TAG, Breitling, Omega, Movado, etc. I asked if they can replace the battery. I asked if they would pressure test it. I asked if they would purge the watch so as to remove moisture. I asked all the right questions. 5-minutes later they handed me my watch and 3-days later the lume was damaged because they let moisture into the case. I didn't have my cash receipt so I was out of luck. Sent the watch to SECTOR and they replaced the dial, but it wasn't the same and the watch never worked.
Well I still need a watch so I went to local surf shop and bought an ANIMAL watch "surfers against sewerage"... probably the funkiest little watch I've ever seen. Kept great time, and was my constant companion, until the green rubber strap broke, and I didn't know enough where to find a replacement.
Oh, did I mention Swatch ? They had a store at Pier 17 South Street Seaport. Hundreds of plastic watches on the wall. Collectible, limited edition, new watches every week. Like collecting beanie babies I guess. I imagine there must be someone in the world who cornered the market on beanie babies and Swatches.
Decided that I need a Swiss Watch no batteries, automatic movement, but still can't keep up with the rising price of Rolex, so I found the next best thing BERNE DIVER -- solid links, solid case 39mm, automatic "Swiss Mvt." I think Jeff Bernard might have been one of the first guys to explore the Chinese connection for cases and install Swiss Mvts. Want another watch story? I was chopping firewood for a home built hot tub. The crown must have loosened from all the chopping. Next day moisture in the watch -- so what did I do ? Put it in the oven on bake. Hey that seems to be working. Turn up the heat ---POP goes the crystal. Jeff Bernard was good enough to send me a replacement at his cost. BERNE DIVER no. 2 needs cleaning and maintenance so last fall, instead of paying $100 for maintenance, I put the money toward a new watch.
Searching for a new watch -- OCEAN7 LM-3 --- holy molly where have I been? DOXA ! Kobold ! Kremke ! Zinex ! Well Dr. Peter's review of the Seiko Monster sold me... that and all the other reviews Sieiko Monster lume, bracelet and all for under $200. (I bought a Zodiac chrono diver but returned it because it does not have a screw down crown).
Sorry, if this is the longest post, but it might make good reading. The search for the SEIKO MONSTER took me to WUS, and from there Benarus directed me to 3T. Took a while before I had the courage to post my first message, and now like the rest of you outstanding gentlemen -- I feel like I've found some long lost friends who have a common interest.
Thanks,
Jim