The classic tool watch styles are the dive watch, pilot's watch, and field watch. Watches that ostensibly serve a purpose for some particular use case, but realistically most of us do not have that use case in our daily lives. Sure, you may find an occasional use for the bezel on a dive watch, but I'd guess that most of us here aren't regularly scuba diving.

So: what would the features of a watch be for an actual, regular use case that you have? Since I'm guessing many of us have desk jobs, let's say features for any particular use case that you have, be it your profession, or a hobby, or just something that shows up often in your daily life.

Bit big for my wrist but will get a battery in it and use it as a daily. Never had a Lige or know much about them, anyone know the model?

My current smartband just died due to salt water exposure, but I always adored timepieces, but being able to set multiple alarms (vibrating ones so that I don't wake others up) and having a step counter was really useful for me, so I'm currently looking for a hybrid smartwatch which is more like a traditional watch + smart functions, instead of a smartwatch, but kinda looks like a traditional watch.

I'm interested if you have any other alternatives or suggestions aside Kronaby, because I wasn't able to find any similarly good brand for my tastes.

My wishlist:

• Traditional watch look and looking great ofc
• Less screen slop, the better
• FOSS app or not being spyware too much
• Can set multiple vibrating /silent alarms and a step counter
• Atleast a 2-3 week battery life
• Quality materials

I have only discovered Pininfarina (bit too expensive, and software is apparently crap), Sequent (too expensive and doesn't look that appealing), Withings scanwatch 2 (Lot of criticism apparently on the corpo, screen is a bit too big and ruins the traditional look a bit)

Apparently the Casio G-Shock lineup has 5 alarm options too but this lineup looks to bulky for me and doesn't have silent alarm options according to my slight watch nerd friend.

New-to-me Raketa model 431104 from the USSR (1980s)! It's a 2610 caliber with a magnetic protection shield for use in high-EMF environments. So, it's basically a Soviet Milgauss.

I'm really digging the case shape, like nothing else in my collection.

23 jewels gold plated and at the time was the slimmest watch movement.

Under Stalins order Russia started producing watches to cut dependency on Swiss movements and eventually soviet watches dominated the wristwatch market.

The 2209 can be found in many Russian watches as it was in production from 1963 to mid 1970s and as most will know, the soviet mode of production created abundance. Apparently there are people to this day with NOS parts bins assembling these to sell.

What's your favourite caliber, brand or even country of origin?

Ordered a lathe and it arrived today, looking forward to making custom parts, first project is a winding stem for a 1930s trench watch.

Wish me luck.

Won automatic USSR export through eBay auction for a very low price, only needs minor fixes new acrylic, strap and an inspection/service. Looking forward to passing this one on.

The last month has been a wild ride. I knew next to nothing about horology and watchmaking until I put on my 10+ year-old Casio—first, a stunning patina, copper showing through the chrome plating. After a month, that copper patina gained its own patina: plastic. Turns out, Casio makes cases from plastic. This massively disappointed me. Capitalism had fucked me again—£50 for a watch that probably cost under a fiver to make.

So, how could I get a watch with materials worth a damn—something made to last, using real metal? That led me to Soviet watches. Now, I’m rocking a Rodina automatic on an orange NATO strap.

But I couldn’t just own a watch that demanded attention from a skilled watchmaker—I had to be the watchmaker. So I dove deeper: watching videos, downloading movement parts lists, scouring eBay auctions (recently snagged an Amphibia automatic for stupid cheap—and it’s ticking!). Then, I found this little gem:

A silver-cased WWII-era watch from SS&Co with a prestine movement. The caseback is clustered with previous watchmakers' marks—proof of its repair history. I got this one ticking again after being a non-runner, and in a week, I’ll have proper oils to make it even better. Total cost? £6.

So, in short: I fucking love antique watches. They embody history, craftsmanship, and maybe even a quiet defiance against capitalism’s planned obsolescence.

I ordered a Rodina automatic and I can't wait 😍😍😍 hoping it will arrive tomorrow.

I have a working Sekonda and a fualty but both I have been practising watchmaking on and this Rodina has been serviced so I won't need to mess with it and hopefully won't have that incessant itch to take it apart.

Soviet watch appreciation thread.

More of an ad to be true, but interesting for the enthusiast's.

Bought an early production 2209 movement, the movement itself has a 20nm gold plate and was at the time known as an ultra slim movement measuring just under 3ml and competed directly with Swiss watch makers.

As a side note, I have not seen this dial variant and have to say, its aged beautifully with a deep purple patina pushing through the midnight blue and the added sunbeam effect gives it a stunning oil slick visual.

I want to share a bit about my watch. I have been using it for quite some time now. I have always liked watches, but I was not familiar with micro-brands. I decided to start my journey with the Spinnaker Fleuss Marlborough Limited Edition. I got number 25 out of 500. Overall, I am satisfied with the watch. There are some aspects that disappointed me. The bezel is very stiff. I don't know if this is a defect or if it was designed this way. Other than that, everything is good. I am considering my next purchase, something from Helm, RZE, or Neotype. I especially like the Neotype LM01 TYPE D. Does anyone have experience with watches from these brands? I would appreciate your feedback.

I shot this in slo-mo on my iPhone 15 Pro though a 10x loupe. Just for y’all. Paying all the taxes.

OEM strap was a reddish-brown alligator. Wanted to wear it more often so I dressed it down with a blue FKM CTS rubber.

What do you think? I like the design, but I would have liked to see them solar powered.

Well, I will never afford a Rolex Explorer II so... I got this cheap homage or clone, I’m not sure how you’d classify it.

-1 minute every 2 or 3 days, NH 35 movement.

Setting time feels cheap, hands move with quite a bit of slack. But the casing and bracelet feels solid, the finish good for less than 80E.

The blue lume lasts a few minutes in the dark, it's a real joke.

The Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication not only has 41(!) complications but manages to squeeze them into an 18K white gold case with a 45mm diameter and a 14.99mm profile. It seems like the folks at Vacheron were determined for the watch to be less than 15mm thick. The new manufacture caliber 3655 has 1,521 components and 13 patent applications pending. It also contains 204 jewels and ticks away at 21,600 beats per hour. Despite its mind-boggling complexity, the caliber also offers 72 hours of power when fully wound. Let’s discover some of its marvelous movement’s many features.

Solaria Ultra Grand Complication La Première

Introducing: The Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication

Hi eveyone, I just bought a new watch it is a Seiko SRPH21K1 with a cream dial.

I believe this band would fit extraordinarily however I can not find where to get it from (found the marine nationale version, which I dont prefer) . Any idea ?

Also open to similar straps. But I like this very one because the light stripe is very narrow. Thanks

This post is not for political debate, its only to inform feature buyers and discuss anything else related to the tariffs on Swiss watches.

If you plan to buy a Swiss watch, it would be better to think first and then act!

Articles about tariffs and watches
How New U.S. Tariffs Are Rocking the Swiss Watch Industry
Swiss Watch Industry Shocked By Trump’s 31% Tariff Threat Hodinkee
Trump’s New Tariffs on Swiss Luxury Watches: Impact on the U.S. Market
Swiss Watch CEOs Plot Next Move As US Tariffs Threaten Industry Sales Hodinkee
Swiss watches will face some of the highest U.S. tariffs at 31%—and its ripple effects will change the industry’s dynamic What Is The Impact of U.S. Tariffs on the Swiss Watch Industry: Challenges and Potential Reactions
Tariffs On Swiss Watches: What It Could Mean For U.S. Consumers

I previously built a Rotate Watches kit but wanted to build something where I wasn't constrained by kits. It would let me chase the look I wanted and ensure that I had figured out how sizing and part compatibility works.

Seagull St3600 movement (about to be replaced with a genuine ETA 6497), sapphire crystals front and back.

I'm currently designing my own case and dial in CAD and am planning on trying to mill my own parts as my next step.

Let me know what you think!

Commemorative Soviet watch made in the late 80s or early 90s, for the Buran space shuttle.

Like the aircraft instruments like look of it and indiglow.

https://users.no/index.php/s/om78Faa9Wgd69qa

@[email protected] made a good point in my last post. I had some job/consulting interviews today and thought the Rolex might send a signal that I was too expensive… to the 1% of people who would look at someone’s watch over Zoom, identify it, and then judge them. So I went with something that signals “refined and luxe, but also good value for money.”

But wearing it made me remember what an awesome watch the Spirit 37 is. Reallyzen, if you’re reading this, you are right. I have to keep this one. The Hydroconquest 39 bico will go though. It feels like wearing a house at this point.

And for everyone else, the fisheye macro makes it seem like this watch is way too big for me. But it’s really not, I swear!