# WHERE CAN I GET A WATCH WITH WORKS IN IT THAT CAN BE WOUND? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 16, 2000, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924 "2000-12-16T17:56:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/21 "2000-12-18T16:31:23Z")
I’m assuming, for the sake of the argument, that you’re typing this whilst simultaneously running the threadmill that powers your computer? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/22 "2000-12-18T17:39:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by don willard \* > [BWhen I was a child living in Chicago we NEVER HAD A POWER FAILUR. According to some reports, the heavy underground current-carrying cables of my yesteryear ARE STILL THERE TODAY and worn out. \*\* Yeah those electrons will beat the hell out even the best copper over a couple of decades. ---
**Author:** ![don\_willard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@don\_willard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_willard)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/23 "2000-12-18T19:41:50Z")
Well whatever it is that deteriorates, the electric company hasn’t kept up with keeping it up. ---
**Author:** ![Kyberneticist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kyberneticist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyberneticist)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/24 "2000-12-18T20:42:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*Watch geek here. > There are several basic ways of powering movements and some combinations. > > Electrical - battery driven - > Solar assisted electric - > Mechanical self generating electric - ie Seiko Kinetic > Automatic - mechanical self winding with no stem winding option > Manual Stem Wound - > Automatic with manual stem winding option > \*\* [http://www1.seiko-corp.co.jp/english/press\_releases/1999/04/1999\_04\_30\_03.html](http://www1.seiko-corp.co.jp/english/press_releases/1999/04/1999_04_30_03.html) ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/25 "2000-12-18T21:27:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > **You don’t have to worry that the batteries will eventually become impossible to find. This can happen (as with my OM-1 camera) if the battery is discontinued (in this case because of environmental concerns. Another battery will fit, but the light meter will have to be recalibrated.)** :eek: I got a new battery for my OM-1 a few years ago…when were the original ones DC’ed? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/26 "2000-12-18T21:49:16Z")
> [@](#): > > I got a new battery for my OM-1 a few years ago… when were the original ones DC’ed? I don’t know. I bought my OM-1 used a few years ago, and the mercury batteries were banned then. I understand the Krasnagorsk-3 (16mm film camera) has the same problem. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/27 "2000-12-18T22:02:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by don willard \* > > [BWhen I was a child living in Chicago we NEVER HAD A POWER FAILUR. According to some reports, the heavy underground current-carrying cables of my yesteryear ARE STILL THERE TODAY and worn out. \*\* > > Yeah those electrons will beat the hell out even the best copper over a couple of decades. \*\* Well, um, ok. A more likely explanation, besides _environmental_ wear on the cables, is that there are probably a hell of a lot more people, buildings, and equipment using those wires now than when you were a kid. . . ---
**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/28 "2000-12-18T23:31:36Z")
One word- “eBay”. Scads, and at way better prices than pawnshops. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/29 "2000-12-18T23:53:04Z")
> [@](#): > > One word- “eBay”. Scads, and at way better prices than pawnshops. If you look on e-bay for Rolexes, you must be _extremely_ careful. There are a lot of fakes out there. I saw one once where a guy was trying to pass off a really bad fake as real, and the bidding was at $800. IANAE, but even I could tell it was fake. The trouble is that there are some fake Rolexes out there that are indistinguishable from the real thing, except to an expert. Some of the more expensive counterfeits will even use Rolex parts, including less expensive Rolex movements. Unless you know what you’re doing, I’d stay well away from e-bay. Get a new fine watch from a reputable dealer, or a used fine watch from a reputable jeweler. Same goes for the other Swiss brands, but Rolexes seem to be the main target. If you’re buying a vintage Seiko (dad’s stainless & blue “Bellmatic” is an excellent watch – YMMV) you probably won’t have much trouble with counterfeits. ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/30 "2000-12-26T06:09:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by justwannano \* > \*\*Red Dragon > Please see my post above. > Those are Vostok watches. > I got two.The paratrooper and the commando. > Is the sub watch different from the specs I mentioned? > If so I may order one of those too. \*\* The one I just bought is the “Submarine Commander Amfibian” model. The standard Sub model is the same as yours (except for the graphics), but the Amfibian is waterproof to **200** meters. That’s twice the crush depth of my old Timex digital, and a lot better looking to boot 😃 [Here it is, if you’re interested.](http://www.russianartsoul.com/view/item.php3?grouploc=watch/commander&item=wv6_1) ---
**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/31 "2000-12-26T07:50:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > One word- “eBay”. Scads, and at way better prices than pawnshops. > > If you look on e-bay for Rolexes, you must be Unless you know what you’re doing, I’d stay well away from e-bay. > \*\* Actually, I was not recommending a Rolex- which is WAY overpriced. Those russian watches, and some older American watches can be bought from any reputable eBay dealer. You should be able to get a fine, running timepiece, for under $200. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924/32 "2000-12-26T15:57:20Z")
**DintWD** , there’s probably no need to go to e-bay to look for a good price on a watch that isn’t a ROlex, Cartier, Omega, etc. I went over to [The Sovietski Collection](http://www.sovietski.com) and found these: [Mechanical, 17-jewel “submariner-style” watch](http://secure.sovietski.com/cgi-bin/Sovietski.storefront/3a48bcae0468b3ba273fac1003030658/Product/View/200116S). They also have “paratroop” and “tanker” styles. Water resistant to 20 meters. **$39.00** [KGP Commemorative watch](http://secure.sovietski.com/cgi-bin/Sovietski.storefront/3a48bcae0468b3ba273fac1003030658/Product/View/200215). Self-winding, 31-jewel, water resistant to 200 meters. **$49.00** [Cosmonaut watch](http://secure.sovietski.com/cgi-bin/Sovietski.storefront/3a48bcae0468b3ba273fac1003030658/Product/View/200220). Mechanical 23-jewel movement, “almost identical to the one worn by Yuri Gagarin.” **$169.00** [Shturmanskiye watches](http://secure.sovietski.com/cgi-bin/Sovietski.storefront/3a48bcae0468b3ba273fac1003030658/Catalog/1054). Another watch “mechanically identical” to Yuri Gagarin’s. 23-jewel mechanical movement, ehibition back, blue or white dial. **$249.00** They have others, but I’m not going to list them all. Enter “watch” into the site’s search option for a full list. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-watch-with-works-in-it-that-can-be-wound/45924.md?page=1)