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Notes -
Is this a real scenario you've run into? But then, I don't wear any of my watches regularly enough, so I pretty much figure on setting the time every time I put it on.
Personally, for day to day function, I imagine using a chronograph all the time, but never do. But I use the rotating bezel of the dive watch all the time. It's a much more natural timer function, to note on my wrist when something started or when I need to end it, or adjusting timing.
I'd really like a good solar-analog watch. I can't stand non-solar quartz watches, because all the ones I've ever had are dead at inconvenient times. But I can't seem to find a single really good looking solar watch, outside the G Shocks which have a different style. All the citizen and seiko solar offerings I've seen are kind of goofy looking. I'm surprised we don't see more indie solars.
I admit this is highly job specific. My old job had the odd combination of having to manually supervise things and needing to be on time within roughly +/- 10 seconds. Obviously my boss’s boss didn't need to get his hands dirty with that kind of thing, so an automatic was more than accurate enough for him. I don't mind setting a watch I'm putting on for the first time in a while, but prefer not to have to think about it for my daily.
In ordinary life, I did exactly once find that we had exactly enough time to run between a train transfer and thus save 30 minutes on our journey from our planned transfer. This was in Switzerland though, in most places you don't need sub-minute accuracy to catch the train. This obviously means i need to buy a Patek Philippe next time I'm there...
Agreed that a rotating bezel can be very useful for casual wear.
For a watch that is somewhat unique, but not hideous, it does seem like the middle tier watch market has been entirely hollowed out by the smart watch market. In the sub €200 category, most classic designs available for the Seiko 7S26 movement have something in a similar price range with a Citizen Eco-Drive. The SEIKO SRPG3X series and the Citizen BM8180 series of field watches, for example. But looking at them now, man the watch market is crazy nowadays. I could have sworn you would be able to pick up either for $80-$90 street price in 2019. SMH over $200 for a Seiko 5 now.
I wonder if any of the Swatch Group Marquees produce entry level solar-quartz movements? I also wonder how their newer entry level mechanical movements hold up over time. I would imagine something like their sistem51 would be decently accurate initially, but seems difficult to have serviced. If they really don't have an adjustable regulator, then I guess you'll never get it back to factory accuracy once the lube dries out?
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