# Tell me a watch to buy (and also, how to fix my laptop) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 19, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320 "2017-10-19T21:05:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/1 "2017-10-19T21:05:13Z")
Okay, I know you guys don’t believe I really stop watches. And I admit, I don’t always STOP them. Sometimes they just don’t keep the proper time. So tell me a watch I can buy that I can afford (hint: No Patek Philippe or Rolex). I have ruined watches by wearing them (but some of them worked fine when kept on my dresser, that is, they worked fine until they were actually on my wrist): Omega, Bulova, Citizen, Timex (lots of those because they had a 30-day guarantee and they usually stopped working well before the 30 days), Casio. I had really good luck with the Casios until the first time I changed the battery and then they, too, started jumping ahead approximately 1 minute per month. For the last couple of years I have been relying on my cell phone, and that works pretty well. But I would also like a real timekeeping watch. I would go for a man’s watch but I do have excessively skinny wrists so I don’t know how that would go. $150 or less. Now to the laptop. It is a laptop, often it sits on my lap and now it, too, is jumping ahead, approximately 1 minute per month. It picked up the proper time when we switched to Daylight and is now 8 minutes ahead. Somewhere in its being it does know the correct time because now when I send an email, as soon as I’ve sent it it says I sent it 8 minutes ago! I have found a place where I can change the HOUR, but not the minute. I could also change it to EDT, or something called Zulu time, in other words I can change where it thinks it is. But I can’t adjust the time to account for those missing minutes. I really think a computer ought to be able to pick this up off the interwaves or whatever, but it only does that when switching from D to S, which I guess will happen in a couple of weeks. It is a Dell XPS 12. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/2 "2017-10-19T21:28:28Z")
Try a solar watch like a Bulova Marinestar or a Citizen Ecodrive. I bought the former for my wife who is murder on watches three years ago and it’s still working. As far as your laptop, What version of Windows are you using? You should be able to right click on the clock and see if it says “Set Time Automatically”. If not, a bit of looking around there should allow you to let it be set by the network. It should say something like [nist.time.gov](http://nist.time.gov) or [time.windows.com](http://time.windows.com) or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![dstarfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dstarfire/32/5762_2.png) [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/3 "2017-10-19T23:34:08Z")
I’d have a talk with your parents. Souds like one of your ancestors had a dalliance with Dr. Who. Seriously, though. For the laptop problem, you can set your clock to automatically synchronize with a time server (basically a clock connected to the internet). In Windows go to: Control Panel \> Date and Time\* \> Internet Time tab . There’s a checkbox there to choose if it syncs or not. Make sure that’s checked. You can try changing time servers (shouldn’t make a difference), or click update now to temporarily set the clock right. Obviously, you need an internet connection for this to work. - if control panel is still set to category view (you’ve got 6-10 large icons with a bunch of links next to them) you’ll need to click ‘clock language and region’ and then ‘set the date and time’ (under date and time heading). ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/4 "2017-10-20T00:08:48Z")
I’ve really enjoyed my Apple Watch. Not sure if you like Apple products, or how techie you want to get. I like seeing who is calling, what my upcoming appointments are, being able to change my watch face, being able to read and send texts, even answer calls. It’s been more useful than I thought it would be. I’ve had my eye on [this watch](https://www.amazon.com/Swatch-Blooded-Blueberry-Unisex-SVCK4048AG/dp/B003ZAK110/ref=cts_wa_1_vtp?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2897711222&pf_rd_r=3e0f66b3-b52a-11e7-802d-9f97d0cb9941&pd_rd_wg=NLSEY&pf_rd_s=desktop-detail-softlines&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B003ZAK110&pd_rd_w=2cVlE&pf_rd_i=desktop-detail-softlines&pd_rd_r=3e0f66b3-b52a-11e7-802d-9f97d0cb9941&_encoding=UTF8) for a few years now (a friend had one). It’s “unisex”, for whatever that’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/5 "2017-10-20T00:28:54Z")
My watches always stopped too, now I just use my cellphone. The time server advice is right, but it wouldn’t hurt to change your CMOS battery. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/6 "2017-10-20T01:49:50Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > I changed the battery and then they, too, started jumping ahead approximately 1 minute per month. > > It is a laptop, often it sits on my lap and now it, too, is jumping ahead, approximately 1 minute per month. Are you sure you’re not secretly traveling at 0.7% the speed of light and just not realizing it? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/7 "2017-10-20T01:54:17Z")
I have a citizen’s eco-watch, too. It might be a little more expensive than you are looking for, but it’s awesome. It’s solar powered and waterproof. I’ve worn it swimming several times with no issues, and I haven’t had to deal with batteries (or winding, remember that?) since I got it. I set it when I cross time zones, or for daylight savings time, so a couple of times a year. It’s never off by more than a few seconds, to it keeps time very well when I’m not messing with it. They come in a variety of attractive styles, and many are very legible. Yeah, I’m a fan. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/8 "2017-10-20T01:56:25Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > Try a solar watch like a Bulova Marinestar For $150 or less? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/9 "2017-10-20T03:13:25Z")
Citizens has some close to your price: [http://us.citizenwatch.com/us/en/ladies-chandler/EW2440-53A.html](http://us.citizenwatch.com/us/en/ladies-chandler/EW2440-53A.html) ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/10 "2017-10-20T14:26:32Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > For $150 or less? [One here.](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bulova-Womens-Watch-Solar-Powered-New-/152744125726?hash=item239042651e:g:IxAAAOSw5cNYjrUZ) or [world of watches](https://www.worldofwatches.com/womens-watches?features=3636&product_list_order=price) if you want more options… ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/11 "2017-10-20T14:39:32Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > [One here.](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bulova-Womens-Watch-Solar-Powered-New-/152744125726?hash=item239042651e:g:IxAAAOSw5cNYjrUZ) I’ve never seen a Marine Star that didn’t say “Marine Star” on its face. I doubt that’s a Marine Star. > [@](#): > > or [world of watches](https://www.worldofwatches.com/womens-watches?features=3636&product_list_order=price) if you want more options… Where? You linked to the women’s solar watches on that site, and there are none that are Bulova, let alone Marine Star. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/12 "2017-10-20T17:40:40Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > I’ve never seen a Marine Star that didn’t say “Marine Star” on its face. I doubt that’s a Marine Star. > > Where? You linked to the women’s solar watches on that site, and there are none that are Bulova, let alone Marine Star. Is there any particular reason you have a bee in your bonnet about this? I owe you an apology of sorts in that the watch I linked to is a Bulova solar, but not a Marine Star. However,… I’ve bought mine new over 20 years ago ([Link](https://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/L127899.jpg) to the same model I have) and while the MSRP was something like $600 the jewelry store was clearing it out and I paid less than $200 so deals can be had if you look. I also said “if you want more options…” or is your reading comprehension that bad? ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/13 "2017-10-20T19:28:25Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > I have found a place where I can change the HOUR, but not the minute. I could also change it to EDT, or something called Zulu time “Zulu” time is GMT, also called Coordinated Universal Time. The name comes from the Navy time zone map, where the 24 time zones are given letters (besides I and O, which the Navy does not like to use as they get confused with one and zero); GMT is time zone Z, or “Zulu” in the NATO phonetic alphabet. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/14 "2017-10-20T19:38:06Z")
I’ve had issues with changing watch batteries myself. When I found a Casio with a reputed ten year battery, I grabbed it. The ten years haven’t passed yet (maybe six or seven), but it’s still going strong. I also grabbed a Casio solar powered watch. I don’t remember what either of them cost, but neither of them were over $60 because that’s pretty much my limit for watches. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/15 "2017-10-20T21:43:37Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > Is there any particular reason you have a bee in your bonnet about this? I owe you an apology of sorts in that the watch I linked to is a Bulova solar, but not a Marine Star. I was surprised that you said Marine Star, as I am aware they are more than $150. So I asked you. You linked to two sites, neither of which were to Marine Stars. Was I not supposed to mention it? Is that the etiquette you believe I should have followed? I disagree. I merely stated that those links aren’t to Marine Stars. Pretty usual response on a message board. > [@](#): > > However,… > > I’ve bought mine new over 20 years ago ([Link](https://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/L127899.jpg) to the same model I have) and while the MSRP was something like $600 the jewelry store was clearing it out and I paid less than $200 so deals can be had if you look. How is you buying one 20 years relevant? Deals can be had _20 years ago_? > [@](#): > > also said “if you want more options…” or is your reading comprehension that bad? Whose bonnet has the bee, exactly? It was natural to assume that you meant more options for a Marine Star, since that is what I inquired about, as I never asked if there are any solar watches in the $150 range. That’s already obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/16 "2017-10-20T23:36:20Z")
> [@dstarfire](#): > > I’d have a talk with your parents. Souds like one of your ancestors had a dalliance with Dr. Who. > > Seriously, though. For the laptop problem, you can set your clock to automatically synchronize with a time server (basically a clock connected to the internet). In Windows go to: Control Panel \> Date and Time\* \> Internet Time tab . There’s a checkbox there to choose if it syncs or not. Make sure that’s checked. You can try changing time servers (shouldn’t make a difference), or click update now to temporarily set the clock right. Obviously, you need an internet connection for this to work. > > - if control panel is still set to category view (you’ve got 6-10 large icons with a bunch of links next to them) you’ll need to click ‘clock language and region’ and then ‘set the date and time’ (under date and time heading). Well, it did not work like this at all, but I did manage with these helpful hints to find it. My computer now says the correct time. But when I send an email it immediately says, “Sent 6 seconds ago.” No, really, it was more like 2. But hey. So thanks for the tips! ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/17 "2017-10-20T23:38:04Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > “Zulu” time is GMT, also called Coordinated Universal Time. The name comes from the Navy time zone map, where the 24 time zones are given letters (besides I and O, which the Navy does not like to use as they get confused with one and zero); GMT is time zone Z, or “Zulu” in the NATO phonetic alphabet. Ooh, I love the phrase Coordinated Universal Time. But it’s odd that it should be Z rather than A since it looks like everything else keys on it (GMT +7, GMT -3). ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/18 "2017-10-20T23:59:58Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > O But it’s odd that it should be Z rather than A since it looks like everything else keys on it (GMT +7, GMT -3). It’s z because z stands for zero hours. ---
**Author:** ![Flughund4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f17d59/32.png) [@Flughund4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flughund4)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-a-watch-to-buy-and-also-how-to-fix-my-laptop/799320/19 "2017-10-21T02:10:49Z")
For the timepiece, I use the Casio A158WA-1 digital watch, available from [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Casio-Mens-A158WA-1DF-Digital-Watch/dp/B000GAYQJ0) or [ebay](http://www.ebay.ca/itm/like/201594873881?chn=ps&dispItem=1). It’s inexpensive, reliable, simple to use, looks nice, and yet rugged enough for everyday use. It’s a man’s watch, but it’s not bulky at all, so it’s suitable for skinny wrists. The low profile also doesn’t catch against coat/shirt sleeve cuffs. I bought mine for $15 just over 4 years ago from a local department store and it hasn’t given me any problems other than losing a few seconds over the course of each month. The original battery is still going strong. The brushed metal band has gotten scuffed from everyday use, but that’s because I wear it while doing physical work. The many micro-scratches don’t make it unattractive though, as they don’t stand out unless you’re looking closely. Overall, a durable, attractive, economical piece that I would easily buy again if it ever broke. Bonus: I’ve gotten several compliments on this watch for its retro look, but I didn’t have that in mind when I bought it. I just liked its silver/chrome metallic appearance.