Club Obi Wan

If not, what type of watch do you THINK he would of worn, considering the era that the movies take place?

This sounds like something for Michaelson.

Regards,
Swindy

Tanis Dig scene, somewhere in there you can see Ford wearing a black leather band analog watch. I believe it was due to time constraints, he needed to keep track of time because they were running out of time to shoot so he left it on. It's a theory, don't know if there's anything more to it than that.

Since my gold-plated 13 yr old Timex didn't go well with my Wested, and the band tends to scuff up the satin liner of the cuff, as a wedding gift, my father gave me a Tissot watch with a leather band that goes VERY well with the Wested/khaki's.

http://www.tissot.ch/cgi-bin/cgi2.exe?i ... OD_PRODUCT

The strap is a nice brown leather, and the face is that off-cream colour that old globes and maps have. In my opinion, it has been a nice addition to my gear.

I believe most are proponent to the pocket watch idea for Indy, but I can only carry mine with a suit. I feel nekkid without a wristwatch. But that's just me.

I have a Camel with a brown leather band. It's one that's quite similar to Gater's, only with less options (no extra dials inside the main view)

But, I think a real '30s adventurer would've worn a watch. I don't know what one, because watches weren't as common as they are now.

The first time a lot of watches were needed for synchronisation purposes, was in World War I. Maybe Indy would've worn his watch as a reminder of his time in the trenches?

The watch question is the first one I ever asked here...in an e-mail to Michaelson. He said the only watch ever mentioned was in the novels and was a pocketwatch.

As for a wristwatch, I have a 1933 Elgin which I wear when I'm trying to feel Indyish, or Bogeyish. It's a wind-up, it keeps great time, and it ticks!

Some other alternatives for Indy...a Hamilton, a Bulova, a Waltham, or a Rolex.

Conjecture of course but the Breitling Swiiss chrono was issued to the R A F in the thirties. Most of Indy's gear is military tried & tested.....

You may want to check an old post by Indiana on Jul Fri 12, 2002 10:12 pm Post subject: Watch under General Gear.

I thought of this same question a day ago and wondered if I could find somewhere in the movies where he wore a watch. I would suppose as a college professor that you'd really need a watch to stay on time for teaching his classes. I don't see it in his adventurer costume but could see it while wearing his business suit attire.

I have a 1900 Elgin basic pocket watch. I wear it with my Indy gear at times. More elegant than a wrist watch, I believe.

Flash Gordon wrote:The watch question is the first one I ever asked here...in an e-mail to Michaelson. He said the only watch ever mentioned was in the novels and was a pocketwatch.

There is also mention in the Raiders novelization of Indy borrowing a wristwatch from Sallah. And I believe it was for use in the maproom.

In the novelization, his watch is specifically described as a 'large silver pocketwatch', so anything in a 16 to 18 size will suit the purpose. I'm also partial to Elgins, but carry a Waltham as well in that size, myself. Regards. Michaelson

This may be archived somewhere and if this is a repeat, my apologies. In the video, Great Movie Stunts & The Making of ROTLA there is a scene where Harrison Ford and Speilberg or walking through a scene trying to get the timing right as he avoids the Nazi patrol and ducks into the tent where Marion is being held. Harrison is walking around with his shirt off and he is wearing a watch with dark leather band. This might explain the quick glimpse that was mentioned being seen in the movie. Just my 2 cents. Regards,Williamson.

I guess we need clarification on the question then...are you asking whether 'Indiana Jones' ever wore a watch, or did Harrison Ford ever wear one in a movie? Those are two different questions. Regards. Michaelson

Well he would NEED a time piece, as the "sun hits the maproom around Nine O'Clock". I personally don't think a pocket watch would be a good plan for the rough and tumble activities that indy got up too; plus with that whole Sheet clothing he's got on, not sure of the name, but either way I doubt he has pockets in it and a pocket watch underneath the disguise would be hard to get at.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but right after Indy asks Sallah what time the sun hits the maproom, do they not check the time on something?

Regards,

Farn

They probably had to ask that vendor in the street who sold the pocketwatch to Belloq...but then HE probably didn't know because he had sold the watch, right? Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:They probably had to ask that vendor in the street who sold the pocketwatch to Belloq...but then HE probably didn't know because he had sold the watch, right? Regards. Michaelson

And then of course it was buried in the sand for a thousand years!

NEVER a good thing for a time piece. BELIEVE me! (grins) Regards. Michaelson

I just recently picked up a WW1 trench watch on eBay, which I think is quite tasteful. Maybe like something Indy would have worn... utilitarian, not showy.

That's a cool looking watch. Is that original?

Sure looks like an original. Final looking watch! Regards. Michaelson

I too wear a World War I field watch, with a shrapnel guard. As Cojones said, functional, not showy. Mine, however, is not an original, but a nice reproduction. VERY nice watch there, Cojones!

Peace,
Cliffhanger

Shrapnel guard? Interesting addition. 'Yes sir, the poor man was blown to bits in the blast, but fortunately his watch was saved by it's shrapnel guard!' Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Shrapnel guard? Interesting addition. 'Yes sir, the poor man was blown to bits in the blast, but fortunately his watch was saved by it's shrapnel guard!' Regards. Michaelson

HA! My students always compliment my watch, but then ask, "Why would you care what time it is while shrapnel is flying around you?" Good point...ahh, the mind of the 7th Grader!

Peace,
Cliffhanger

P.S. Mine is like this one, only my guard is more ornate and the strap is green fabric (which I like better than leather).

Sort of like the proud statement on my Carvelle diving watch dial, stating water proof at 330 feet! Heck, the LAST thing I'd be wondering about if I suddenly found myself 330 feet under water would be if my WATCH were running! Regards. Michaelson

Wonderful watches! Where did you find the replica? The one I got off ebay is definitely an original movement, with a hallmarked silver case.. I have some doubts about the dial, as it appears to be almost too nice for its age, just one small chip between the 4 and 5. Still, it makes me happy, and that's what counts.

I'm now looking around trying to find a "shrapnel guard" for this watch, but haven't the slightest idea where to look. When I was in England they seemed to be a dime a dozen, but they seem oddly hard to find on the net. Even a reproduction would be fine.

Oh, and those of you with trench watches might be interested in this:

http://www.cornhusker.net/~pflc/militaria.htm#watchband

Also, for those interested on other WW1 era trench watches, here's a site with a number of them. Maybe a bit pricey, but a nice selection:

http://www.allwatches.co.uk/Wrist_A-M_1 ... a-m_1.html

The watch was a birthday present from a Signals catalog, from Marshall Field's. I was actually trying to find a pic of it last night, but came up with nothing. I think it has been discontinued. I am sure somewhere there exists a website/company that makes repro WWI field watches.

Thanks for the links Cojones, and I absolutely LOVE your watch. Good luck and happy hunting!

Peace,
Cliffhanger

D'oh. My new watch has already stopped. The seller mentioned that it "may need cleaning." Apparently he was right.. it was working when I received it, but stopped within a day. I tried gently nudging the balance wheel, but it doesn't want to turn far, so something appears to be stuck.

CoJones,

Did you buy your watch off of ebay from some people in Ohio? I have one almost identical to yours except it has the other style band. It ran great when I first got it, but after a few weeks it started acting up. I took it to a watchmaker and he repaired the winding stem (some screw rusted out), but he said that there wasn't much he good do for the movement. It seems to work fine as long as I wear it, but if I just leave it set on my dresser (even if it is wound) it will stop. So it goes.

Here is a link to a place in the US that has some trench watched for sale (although pricey).

http://www.classicwatches.com/trench/trench.htm


Cheers,

--Scott

I never thought about adding a watch to my attire. Hmmm, Christmas IS coming, and those are some nice looking watches you guys have there
Janice

This, along with the underwear question, seems to come up on a quarterly basis, as Sergei recently pointed out. But I have always wondered why they decided not to have Indy wear a watch. They're very useful things, watches are. Although some people apparently regard them as merely another piece of jewelry, as evidenced by a conversation I had with a 7-year-old piano student of mine.

Wondering what time it was, I asked, "Do you have a watch?"
"No," she said, "just earrings."

I had a friend in grade school who came to school after the holidays with a nice new gold watch. I asked him what time it was , and he said he didn't know. He couldn't tell time without a digital watch.
And this was 8th grade!

skbellis wrote:Did you buy your watch off of ebay from some people in Ohio? I have one almost identical to yours except it has the other style band. It ran great when I first got it, but after a few weeks it started acting up. I took it to a watchmaker and he repaired the winding stem (some screw rusted out), but he said that there wasn't much he good do for the movement. It seems to work fine as long as I wear it, but if I just leave it set on my dresser (even if it is wound) it will stop. So it goes.

I got it off ebay from a guy in Australia. Paid $89 for it, which means even if it needs some work, it's still far less than Classic Watches wants for theirs. I called a local watch repair place, and they quoted around $50 or so over the phone, but of course they need to see it to know what's really involved. The inner movement is really nothing fancy, so if it turns out not to be reasonably repairable, I could always try and replace it.

This really has me wondering. There was an ad in Sunday's New York Times (All the News That Fits Our Slant) for exactly the same watch, only it purports to be a replica of a 1922 Stauer. I've never heard of Stauer or Steinhausen, but the watch looks identical. The ad claims only 7 were produced in 1922, but you can buy a replica for 3 easy payments of $49. "This Stauer is a limited series, allowing you to wear a watch far more exclusive than many Rolex, Movado, TAG Heuer or Breitling watches." This last claim sets off three distinct alarm bells in my head:

1. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. You get what you pay for.
3. Caveat emptor -- buyer beware.

Those who have spent any time in this hobby have learned that quality doesn't come cheap. Maybe you could buy a really nice watch in 1923 for $200, but those days are over.

If they were up front about it, I wouldn't be bothered so much, but to compare a $200 watch to a $5,000 Rolex, Movado, TAG Heuer, or Breitling is pretty gutsy. Those watches have wheels made of gold rather than brass, and their movements are sent to Switzerland to be certified "official chronometers" by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control.

The last $200 watch I bought lasted less than six months. Hands kept falling off, functions kept failing... and this looks like more of the same.

Then again, I never thought I'd be able to buy a Waterman fountain pen for $35. It's plastic, but it works and it looks nice. I guess anything's possible...

schwammy wrote:This really has me wondering. There was an ad in Sunday's New York Times (All the News That Fits Our Slant) for exactly the same watch, only it purports to be a replica of a 1922 Stauer. I've never heard of Stauer or Steinhausen, but the watch looks identical. The ad claims only 7 were produced in 1922, but you can buy a replica for 3 easy payments of $49. "This Stauer is a limited series, allowing you to wear a watch far more exclusive than many Rolex, Movado, TAG Heuer or Breitling watches." This last claim sets off three distinct alarm bells in my head:

1. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. You get what you pay for.
3. Caveat emptor -- buyer beware.

Those who have spent any time in this hobby have learned that quality doesn't come cheap. Maybe you could buy a really nice watch in 1923 for $200, but those days are over.

If they were up front about it, I wouldn't be bothered so much, but to compare a $200 watch to a $5,000 Rolex, Movado, TAG Heuer, or Breitling is pretty gutsy. Those watches have wheels made of gold rather than brass, and their movements are sent to Switzerland to be certified "official chronometers" by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control.

The last $200 watch I bought lasted less than six months. Hands kept falling off, functions kept failing... and this looks like more of the same.

Then again, I never thought I'd be able to buy a Waterman fountain pen for $35. It's plastic, but it works and it looks nice. I guess anything's possible...

Yeah, but your Waterman fountain pen only has maybe, what, 3 moving parts? A mechanical watch, on the other hand...

I've always been fascinated by mechanical watches and clocks. The precision and design that goes into them absolutely amazes me. However, like most people, I can't justify a "really nice" mechanical, particularly when the companies that sell them advise getting them serviced every couple years at a cost of a few hundred dollars a pop.

I bought a replica Chronoswiss off the web a while back, which I really have enjoyed. It's a fully automatic watch, and keeps good time. Sadly, the month hand (it's got a calendar) broke off when I wacked the watch into a wall, but I had it glued on and the watch still runs fine. I realize these things are bought in Asia for probably $30 each and then resold here for over a hundred, but all things considered I think they're still a good deal. If you're looking for a nice watch, but can't afford the next step up to Rolex or Breitling, consider a replica. Just be aware that the companies that sell these watches online usually disappear within a few months.

Gutsy? No, not necessairly. I'm a card carrying member of the NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors), and one of the biggest complaints (and one of the most discussed topics in the wrist watch forums) is the fact that companies like Rolex are charging TONS more monies for watches based entirely on the name rather than the works. They refuse to work on any of their own watches over 10 years old, and will not sell parts (movement or case) to a dealer of Rolex unless they are certified by Rolex (by paying a HUGE membership fee) as an authorized dealer of their watches. You need a new crystal? It's over 10 years old? Tough, buy a new watch. You don't like it? So sue us. (new official Rolex attitude) Individuals love them, but the serious collector and dealer have been clamouring for the governement to take a hard look at their business practices, as some very shady things have gone on in their present practices. In the business of horology, NEVER, I repeat, NEVER allow price to dictate decisions on quality. It's an industry that has gone completely over the line in terms of getting the most 'bang for the buck'. It began to go that way in the early 1960's when most of the major watch makers went out of business in the U.S., and began selling their name to foreign companies for use on THEIR watches. It's gone 'south' ever since. Ok, help me off my soap box....this is a topic that gets hammered literally every day at other horology forums I frequent. Regards. Michaelson

The most money I've ever spent on a watch was 30 dollars. Normally, I just pick up 2 or 3 every time I travel at the airports. The number of times I hop them off of stuff around the place, not much point in spendnig big bucks on a watch when the face get scratched up beyond readability. And, when they break, I take them to the fine local watch maker known as the Garbage Can.

Regards,

Farn

Michaelson, I defer to your wisdom here as usual. Are you suggesting that a $150 watch might be as good as a Rolex? My experience, too, has been that $30 watches tend to run fine, usually because they are simple and don't pretend to be anything but. The problems seem to arise when you buy a watch that wants to do all the things an expensive watch can do, with all the extra hands and buttons and such, while still costing only $200.

I personally think it's insane to spend $5,000 on something that can be taken by any schnook with a pistol, or, as I have seen, knocked into the Pacific by a wayward mainsail boom.

My watch:

<img src=http://www.argos.co.uk/wcsstore/argos/i ... 91131M.JPG>

Not very 1930's, but it's a Timex Expedition and it works for me

Round about $80 I think.

Al

I would hazard a guess that , for the most part, a $200 watch will run as well as a Rolex if you take care of it. The primary difference is really mostly in the quality of finishing (guilloche dial as opposed to stamped, polished pieces as opposed to rough, solid gold vs plated).

There are features you'll only find in more expensive watches, such as a parachute, which protects the balance-staff from breaking if the watch is hit sharply.

Most assuredly, a $200 watch will be as dependable as a $2000 watch, as in the mechanical watch movement, there's only so much that can be done to a watch movement beyond 19 jewels to make it perform to accuracy. Just about everything beyond that is window dressing. I had this discussion recently regarding pocketwatches at the NAWCC chapter 185 forum, of which I'm a member. I was specifically asking about the reasoning behind gold jewel cups, as no one but the original seller or watchmaker would ever see them. Apparently they lend no plus to the running of the watch, and in fact just added to the production time to install them, but it did add more 'value' to the watch, and therefore commanded a higher price from the seller. So the biggest thing that must be considered is the case, or specifically it's capacity to keep out dust and moisture, as well as the mentioned shock proof capabilty. Ok, off my soapbox. I'm not at the watch forum. (grins) Regards. Michaelson
UPDATE: I've just been handed my mail, and in it was the December issue of our NAWCC Bulletin . On the front page of 'The Mart', the bulletin sale paper is the very watch that started this string. Apparently the NAWCC has no problems with it either. Nice looking watch too.

Since I have a Tiger Tudor, I am a bit partial, but there are some vintage Tudors out there that are a bit rugged and for the adventurous sort but well made. I saw a Tudor on ebay this morning with the sweep movement that was supposedly from the 1930's. I saw another Tudor from 1940s.

Michaelson, since you are the watch expert here, what is a little bit of the Tudor history?

Depending on the mood, I use 3 variations. My old South Bend pocket watch, circa 1940's, My grand dads vintage Waltham, circa 1940's, or my Swiss Army Watch, circa 1980's.

http://members.tripod.com/austinhomesmart/storag2.jpg

I'm familiar with the name, Robert, but being a pocketwatch man myself, I really don't know the story behind the Tudor. I do recommend anyone honestly interested in finding out more about timepieces to check out the NAWCC Chapter 185 page, as it's the first and only international chapter, operated completely on the internet by and for folks interested in the hobby of horology. The link is
http://nawcc-ihc-mb.infopop.cc/
Go to that forum and post the question in the wrist watch section, and I'm sure you'll get your answer from one of the folks who collect and/or repair the Tudor. There are several internationally known and published experts of horology who are members of the 185. They LOVE talking shop, almost as much as we do here about Indygear. Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:UPDATE: I've just been handed my mail, and in it was the December issue of our NAWCC Bulletin . On the front page of 'The Mart', the bulletin sale paper is the very watch that started this string. Apparently the NAWCC has no problems with it either. Nice looking watch too.

To which watch are you referring? I'm a bit confused.

Sorry about that. I'm referring to the watch schwammy 'spoke' about seeing in the paper for less than $200. Regards. Michaelson

If I were a man in my 30's or 40's back in the 1930's and 1940's I might have worn a Gruen Curvex. It's a great looking watch and is still made today. Take a look at this one (if I can make this link work right).

http://community.webshots.com/album/36817731NyRfvK

Now here is the good part.......Value City purchased several hundred Gruen watches including some Curvex (these are quartz/battery operated). Now here is the best part..... The price is $19.99!!!!!! If you like the look of this "Retro"watch and have a Double Sawbuck, run don't walk to Value City and see if you can get one..........I did!!!!
Regards,
Forrestal

On the difference between 200 and 2000 dollar watches....

Jackets, bags, and watches are my downfall and finding this website as mad my wife a not so happy camper as my spending habits have increased. I have loved wrist watches since I can remember and have owned dozens in my lifetime. However, having made a good living (with a real job) after I graduated college I have owned some very nice time pieces. I have a Citizen Chrono and a Citizen Dive watch each bought for 300 to 450 dollars in the US. Recently(about 18 months ago), I bought a TAG in the Carribean while on vacation. I paid right at $1,550 US dollars (in the states the same watch retails around $2,200 + tax). The TAG is similar to my Citizen, its a Link Chrono, and there is a Huge difference in the two watches in the build of the watch. My Citizen is medium weight stainless steel and has a hardend glass crystal (which gets nicked up pretty easily). The band is a good weight but the links are hollow or at least feel like a light steel. My TAG however has a 100% clear sapphire crystal, sapphire is almost as hard as a diamond, I am VERY hard on my watches and have had the crystals replaced on both my Citizen twice, my TAG doesn't have a scratch on it and I recently hit it with a framing Hammer! by accident. The band on it is HEAVY solid stainless steel and the watch casing is cut from a single piece of steel. Its also water proof to 200meters...which is like 600ft (like Michaelson said...if I am at 600ft I really couldn't care what time it is). However, the movement in my TAG is really the same as the Citizens the only difference is that the TAG is "Offically Cert swiss Chrono".

As for service and repairs....Citizen was reasonable about $35-$40 to service, pressure test, replace battery and crystal. Turn around was about 25days and you can speak to a real person on the phone yourself and deal directly with Citizen watch Co. Citizen Warrenty is 5yrs. TAG service ***** the Warrenty is only 1yr (2yrs if you buy in US) and the service fees are high like $75-100 for battery and pressure test and you have to goto an jewelry store and let them handle the situation, my TAG stopped (while under warrently thankfully) and had to be sent in, it took 2.5 months to get my watch back. The thing that gets me is the warrenty $2000 buys you a year, for this money I would have thought it would be at least ten if not lifetime. As a side note I also have a number of Fossil watches.. they are very affordable $30-130 and come with a standard 5-10yr warrenty!! They also have a lot of retro looking leather watches out this year. Sorry this ran so long....

Later,
Reggie

You can usually get a decent Elgin pocket watch on EBay for under $50.00

Reggie, what I find so sad about all this is that you'll find most all Swiss watches have the exact same movement, just different amedities added such as the mineral crystal, heavier bands and cases and nicer dials. You're paying higher monies for the name and the goodies that have been added, as well as the higher end warrenty, but essentially, the current movements are all sourced from the same Swiss manufacturer. Regards Michaelson

p.s. agreed on the eBay Elgins, but most of them are 7j movements. Not a problem, though, as most 7j's are in better shape than the higher jeweled, as a lot of folks purchased them as a 'first' watch, then upgraded to a 15j. Most of the 100 old 7j movements have very little actual use in the long run, if you're just looking for a daily runner and not a big investment timekeeper. Some I've owned in the recent past have been pretty darn good timekeepers in themselves, which has been QUITE surprising.