Horological Meandering

After looking online at some of the unfamiliar-to-me brands suggested, this is my short list of candidates:

Rolex Explorer

Sinn

Omega Seamaster

Ball

Marathon

Tutima

Breitling

Kobold

Some have several models that are suitable and, contrary to my earlier insistence, there are even a few quartz models under consideration like the Breitling Emergency and Aerospace (sorry for that)

Anyone have positive or negative experience with the above, or another brand/model that hasn't already been covered  in the earlier thread?  Appreciate all thoughts...

They have an Avalanche Extreme Regulator that behaves quite good in the snow...

I tried the first version with an ETA mechanism and was quite good  and I understood they have now an in-house version.

Regards.

Cristian 

Well, after hearing about the stellar performance of the ETA 2824 movement during the 2009 Chronometre Concours competitions, where Swatch and Tissot tied for fourth place using the calibre behind a trio of super-expensive tourbillons, I would absolutely consider a watch with an ETA movement.  And Alpina is a great historic brand too!

Out of those I think the Explorer is the classic choice.

Cheers,
Daniel

nt

...is which one you'll most want to keep wearing after the trip is done.

Personally, the Explorer and the Alpinist appeal most to me, but Sinn's are something that I've been intrigued by.

I don't want a "throw-away" watch, it will become a keepsake and reminder of the adventure.

To me, the choice is obvious - Rolex Explorer.

Well but  when you're out on the mountain at night, Ball watch is my 2nd option - Let there be light !

That feature makes Ball at the top of my list, but I'm just wondering if any other brand has those luminous gas tubes for index markers?

...There's a Marathon Navigator with tritium tubes, which is very similar in case shape to the Benrus Type I/II. No surprise as it's basically a grandson to the Benrus.

They come in both composite and stainless cases, but the tubes might be a bit dull on the Stainless ones as they're getting old...

 

 

Favre Leuba " Bivouac ".

Favre Leuba is a brand which fascinates me for its roiginal productions, especially on Diving watches.

It seems, for example, that F.L was the first brand, in the 60ies, to release a wrist watch including a depth meter.

On the Bivouac, you have a Barometer, and an Altimeter....

Honestly, isn't this THE perfect watch for your purpose?  ( Credit picture: W.O.T )



Best,

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-05-11 01:22:55

I find those two tempting because they are new to me, along with RGM.  Also, ever since I took a Vacheron on an expedition,  I like the idea of subjecting a so-called luxury brand to the trials of the real world, and Bulgari comes to mind.  If I consider instrument watches, I would include Breitling and Omega diver's watches.  A titanium watch and rubber strap would gain extra points for me as well.

Your vintage piece is very pretty but unfortunately I would be concerned about its age and lack of luminescence...also the altimeter would be useless at those altitudes.

Most current short list:

Ball Engineer, Alpina Extreme, RGM GMT, Bulgari Scuba, Breitling Superocean/Seawolf, Omega Seamaster/Planet Ocean/X33

For what it's worth, while I have no experience with the watch myself, I do have some acquaintances who were able to put the Breitling Emergency to use - flimsy looking thing when unwrapped apparently but it did the trick and they were rescued.  Not too shabby for for a watch!

Originally, the concept of the Emergency was to broadcast a signal on the aircraft emergency channel at 121.5 MHz, in hopes that a passing plane would receive it.  With much prior warning, that particular frequency was abandoned by airlines in 2009 when the FAA mandated a switch to satellite-based rescue monitoring at 406 MHz.

They continue to market the Breitling Emergency as a rescue aid despite that fact.  As of today, the 121.5 MHz frequency is only used for very short range locating once a 406 MHz signal has directed rescue personnel to within a few kilometers.  The power required for a 406 MHz signal would not be possible for a wristwatch-sized device, so by rights Breitling should discontinue the model and recall every one they sold since the change was announced in 2007.  NO ONE IS LISTENING!

From Wikipedia - "Breitling has announced that, as these frequencies will still be monitored by aviation, particularly during the localization phase of a rescue attempt, there are no plans to modify the signal's frequency."  With this brochure note from another forum referenced in the same article.  It seems the change in frequency means that once it is known you're missing that it will help with localization but not with the basic information that you are in fact missing.  In any case, it was interesting to research this topic a bit which seems to have been covered by others years ago. 

Well, that is complete hype!  I cannot imagine a rescue scenario where someone could attract attention with just the Breitling's frequency.  As I said...NO ONE IS LISTENING.  Their justification not to upgrade to a 406 MHz frequency is bogus because they know that the watch will not provide sufficient power.

So, let's pretend you are climbing a mountain and fall.  You break your leg!  Your partner (because only an idiot would go out alone) has a 12 hour hike back to the car and another four hours driving to cellphone range.  You also forget to leave an itinerary with relatives so that no one would notice if you are late.  Off he goes and, assuming nothing happens, he returns in a helicopter some 20 hours later.  In his panic, your friend forget which mountain he left you on and failed the basics of marking the site or building a fire, etc.  Now the Breitling Emergency might be useful, provinding you are still conscious and alive to activate it !?!?!

Or you could have purchased a proper Emergency Locator Beacon with built-in GPS at 1/3 the price of a Breitling Emergency and stayed with your friend until help arrived in less than half the time.