Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms What watches should I wear when driving a Morgan?

Very unusual watches I believe Moser and Cie, beautifully finished movements.

I can't remember when I bought mine but it's been my everyday watch for several years. Snapped here at Goodwood...

Watches are fascinating objects, I like them, I wear them but rarely look at the time on them, I often don’t bother setting them so I’ve no idea why I bother with one. They can look good though.

I agree - I often watch the Repair Shop and am in awe of that bloke that can take them to pieces and restore them. I'd love to have those kind of skills and patience.

However, when I look at the vastly inflated sums that some of them change hands for, I can't help but think of 'a fool and his money'......

They are fascinating and the skill, and craftsmanship, behind a mechanical watch is nothing short of impressive.

As for price, that was my point in a post a few back, they don't have to be inflated. There are plenty of people making interesting, mechanical watches, at reasonable sums; yes, they may use mass produced movements but often these are excellent ones and nothing to be scoffed at.

A few people have mentioned Smiths. This UK company owns the license and now makes some quality time pieces at a reasonable price point for a low volume mechanical watch: https://www.timefactors.com/collections/smiths

The Black Shadow may appeal to a few Morgan owners... https://www.timefactors.com/collections/smiths/products/smiths-black-shadow-prs-38

In terms of the fascination of watches, for those who haven't read it, the book Longitude by Dava Sobel is worth a read.

I've been intrigued by these kits - may be a retirement project.....

https://www.watch-supply.co.uk/coll...Xzxc5pKgJW69Dxrk6qb-CoDpmC_siimwUB1EAZ__

I wear my Seiko self winding watch that has been with me since I joined the military, it has been through thick and thin including numerous combat zones never let me down when keeping time was critical.

Not always, I know lot's of people who have made very, very serious money out of watches and watch collecting brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe. it maybe for some a high entry cost, but buy the right watches and you can make very serious money out of a hobby, all of which is CGT free.

Of course like classic cars, the point at which you first enter the market and then leave it can be critical to the size of the return on investment.It can take years of understanding the brands and which to collect and those that always bomb in value as soon as you take them out of the shop.

So what some may consider to be fools, are often actually quite switched on to the opportunities out there. It can also be a very rewarding and involving hobby and require detailed research eg I researched the ( completely unknown outside of the industry) adoption of Tritium and it's sources, in replacing Radium in the 60's to paint dials and hands and how that change manifested itself on Rolex dial markings. A real case of knowledge is power. (scientia potentia est) .............

Some may find that a little obscure but can influence relative values especially at cutover periods and short term dial markings especially relative rarity. and often the prices commanded..

I have three watches and chose which one to wear when out and about based on a couple of seconds risk assessment

Expendable
Medium
Safe environment

Snap ! As advertised in Classic Cars in January 2009 when my Roadster was first registered.