Anyone have a source for a high quality WIND-UP wrist watch? An American made one would be best, but I'll take what I can get!

We use rechargable batteries on most of our electronic stuff, but I've not been able to find a rechargable watch battery. I like the idea of not having to buy watch batteries anymore as they are expensive and sometimes hard to find.

-- Jason in S. Tenn. (AJAMA5@netscape.net), November 24, 2001

Answers

Jason, you can find them at www.vermontcountrystore.com This is about the only place I have seen them. I had been looking for one too. Kim in Indiana :-D

-- Kim in Indiana (kwcountrygirl@aol.com), November 24, 2001.

I have a basic Timex that is in its third year on the same battery, still going, Does your watch have internet connections or search light modes?

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), November 24, 2001.

I have a Timex Indiglo.....no special functions...just hands and a blue back-light when you press the button. Batteries seem to about a year....pretty good, but I would still like a wind up one.

-- Jason in S. Tenn. (AJAMA5@netscape.net), November 24, 2001.

I found a Timex windup at the local thrift shop for $5, it cost $15 to have it cleaned. Works great, when I remember to wind it!

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), November 24, 2001.

bought myself a watch about 2 months ago,, havnt had one in 15 years.. wanted a wind up,, the clerk looked at me and laughed,, said the only thing thats wind up anymore is a pocket watch,, , I STILL cant find one,, a regular TIMEX, nothign fancy,,, cant beleive they dont make them anymore

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), November 24, 2001.

Ever think of trying Ebay?

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), November 24, 2001.

Many years ago, I bought a Timex wind-up watch that I still use. Don't like the fact that batteries can conk out at the wrong time ~ and I only wear a watch if I have something important that I have to be at!

I couldn't find the watch at www.vermontcountrystore.com, but the purchase I made was from a place in Vermont. They carried all the old fashioned things that are no longer on the market ~ like non-electric typewriters. I haven't had their catalog for years. Don't know if the above is the same place, since some businesses don't have all their products on-line.

Perhaps you can send them an e-mail to see if they have the watch.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), November 24, 2001.

Jason I am sure there will be something in the Seiko range of watches to meet your needs. They are mid range (price wise). I am not sure what there will be in their range of 'wind-up' watches but I read your equiry to be 'non-battery' so I guess the self-winding style would be acceptable? I have a Seiko 'Kinetic' which is an electronic watch driven by its own internal electrical generator and activated from wrist movement. I am sure other makers still turn out 'senf- winders' too.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), November 24, 2001.

I have their paper catalog.

#31954 Men's Wind-Up Watch $39.95
#31955 Women's Wind-Up Watch $34.95

Says they had requests for them, but no luck finding a manufacturer, so they're making their own. And they're available in gold-tone or silver-tone (around the face).

I went to their site too, didn't find it by searching on "watch", but when I put the number in the search box, it popped right up! Hope this helps you.

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), November 24, 2001.

Oops, I'm talking about the Vermont Country Store, as mentioned above.

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), November 24, 2001.

I too have been searching for a wind-up watch. I had one for about 10 years, but it recently quit working. I asked at one store and they said they do sell them, in the "finer" jewelry department. they were over $100. I am still searching locally though, and hoping for a sale. I just don't like the battery ones. Seems like they are always going dead!

-- Melissa (cmnorris@1st.net), November 24, 2001.

Try pawnshops!

-- snoozy (bunny@northsound.net), November 24, 2001.

Swatch makes a self winding disposable watch which mean when it don't work anymore you toss it an buy a new on. I bought one to remind me of all that is wrong with todays society. Can you imagine a 17 jewel self winding disposeable watch? That almost as bad as the hamilton/beach electric can opener and am/fm radio.

-- Ed (smikula@bellsouth.net), November 24, 2001.

I found the one at Vermont Counrtry Store to be pretty nice looking. They don't make it themselves though....it comes from China. If I can't find one locally...as in used, cheap....I may get that one.

-- Jason in S. Tenn. (AJAMA5@netscape.net), November 24, 2001.

Thanks for the Ebay tip Gary!....I saw a nice Russian one. Anyone ever had a Russian watch? Any good?

-- Jason in S. Tenn. (AJAMA5@netscape.net), November 24, 2001.

Some GI surplus stores sell windup watches don't know where they get them from though. They are not hamiltons but look like the wwII watch.

-- Ed (smikula@bellsouth.net), November 24, 2001.

I did a search at www.google.com on "Swiss wind-up watch" and, among the thousand-dollar ones, there were "Vietnam-era" $27 ones with calendar (at http://www.dandfoutfitters.com/catalog/subcat126.htm ). You might also try searching on "self-winding watch" - which are preferable in my opinion to ones you have to remember to wind.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), November 25, 2001.

i think i saw timex ones on close out in a campmor or campmore camping catalogue. i think they are in the east.

-- j.s. (schlicker54@aol.com), November 25, 2001.

Campmor is at www.campmor.com. However, I don't see wind-up watches.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), November 25, 2001.

Jason, I bought my hubbie one of those Russian Pocket Watches (windup style) about 12 yrs ago. Still ticking, still keeping perfect time! :) tang

-- tang (tang@mtaonline.net), November 25, 2001.

Its funny they got ride of the wind up watchs [ still have my old wind up timex]and all of they new watchs need batterys. And they stopped making kodace 110 cameras with the telephoto lens [ one of the best cameras made]so now if you want tele lens you have to go to 35 mill and every one I have owned broke in under one year.I say bring back the tele 110s and the wind up watchs!

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), November 26, 2001.

My wife bought me a solar watch a couple of years ago . . . keeps good time, as long as it receives enough natural light to keep going.

She had also gave me a sundial type timepiece that hangs as a pendant; called the shepards watch, it keeps good time, as long as you aren't interested in split second timing. This keeps time about 20 minutes accurate.

But NEVER needs anything. As long as the sun shines, the time piece works.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), November 27, 2001.

Try ebay also. I just picked up a Waltham A-11 (WWII watch designed for Amry Air Force Pilots) and as of right now, out of the box it's keeping better time than my new quartz watch, pretty amazing for a watch that was made in 1945!!

One suggestion though, look for reputable sellers. I got burned on a Waltham 8 day car clock on e-bay.

-- Chris (USAAF-LHG@softhome.net), March 11, 2002.