State of my watch collection 2021

Lesson #2: If the watch has a snap back case, I don't want it.

I prefer quartz movement watches because it's much cheaper and easier to change a battery yourself compared to bringing a mechanical watch in to be serviced every few years.

Generally speaking, there are four ways to get to the battery of a quartz watch. A screw-down case back that can be removed with the appropriate inexpensive tool, four little screws (which is most Casio digital watches), a flathead style button battery you can remove with a coin (many Swatch watches use this), or the dreaded snap back case.

The snap back case is pure evil. On the back of the case you will find a little slot where you stick in a very thin screwdriver, use as a lever, apply a little pressure and the case back pops off. That's easy. Getting the case snapped back is where the nightmare happens.

Only twice have I ever changed the battery on a watch with a snap back case. The first time I did it, I shattered the crystal and had to throw out the watch. The second time I just got lucky, and was genuinely surprised I was able to do it. And then I never did it again.

The only proper way to get a snap back case properly reinstalled is with a watch press. Yeah, getting one is cheap, but for me it's just not worth the bother.

Lesson #3: I don't like round watches - yet

Someday I may find a round watch that I actually like, but that day hasn't come yet.

Most new round watches are either way too big or way too small. And for the scant few I've found that are the right size where I like the style and don't weigh a ton, they end up being really loud tickers. I'm looking at you, Swatch and Timex.

In order to find the right round watch, I may have to go vintage. In the 1970's and 1980's there were several watch companies that put out genuinely decent proper men's quartz watches that were just the right size, right weight and looked great. And more often than not, as long as the quartz movement still works and the battery terminals aren't oxidized/corroded, the watch should keep good time even if it's over 30 years old.

Published 2021 Mar 4