[time-nuts] How good are mechanical watches

[Thomas A. Frank]

On Apr 20, 2007, at 5:28 PM, Hal Murray wrote:

>> John (who still wears a mechanical watch)
>
> Speaking of mechanical watches...
>
> Does anybody make good ones anymore?


Define "good".

For wrist watches, if you mean fairly accurate (blasphemy here to 
suggest only fairly, I know), yes, there are any number of makers of 
nice mechanical watches.

I like Fortis.  Omega, Rolex, Brietling, there are plenty of nice 
mechanical watches - most with movements by ebauche makers Lemania or 
ETA.

If you mean attractive movements, not really.  The industry seems to 
have lost the ability (or is that the desire?) to make a really nice 
looking movement (when compared to what was being turned out in the 
early 1900's).  Even those watches with display backs aren't nearly as 
pretty as ones made in the good old days (although today's watch may 
keep better time).

If you are thinking pocket watches, very little decent exists these 
days except in the completely custom area.

> Is there a good web page on this area?

Many, depending on your interest.  Specifically?

> Many many ago, a friend showed me his new toy, an accurate pocket 
> watch.  I
> forget the brand.  I think he said it was from the railroad days.  
> I'll bet
> he still has it.

American railroad watches were the epitomy of technology in their day.  
The spec required them to hold time within 30 seconds per week; they 
were pulled from service and fixed if they exceed this (and they were 
checked daily before hitting the road).  All will do much better most 
of the time.

Not bad for 1890.

My 992B (Hamilton circa 1950) will hold better than 2 seconds per week 
when freshly cleaned.

Tom Frank