only apparently, I will have to work harder on this then...

I want one of those "all singing all dancing watches", preferably one that looks like Shakira.

A watch with a belly chain, eh? That'll be a bit of a novelty....

Casio G shock watches are pretty bomb proof I wear mine all the time for work using SDS tools and for play, it tells the time it's waterproof and I havn't killed it so it must be pretty good, 50 or 60 quid!

There seem to be several sets of Vector reviews - one lot in watches and one lot in altimeters - whoops!

As a "product update" I should point out that after a particularly epic trip in the Matukituki my Vector is now looking distinctly ropey - the bezel falls off, there's water getting through the button seals, the alarms have stopped working and some of the LCD cells (the ones that form the bottom edge of the time figures) have stopped working. It's over 3 years old and until now had no significant problems at all, but it may have to go back to Suunto when I get home.

John...I have an Omega Seamaster too, although I think mine is a little different from yours; mines a 1968 vintage. It WAS my dads but I inherited it when he died.

I totally agree about the buy a watch to last the rest of your life thing, but I certainly wouldn't wear either mine OR a new one out on the hills.

FWIW I have a Times Expedition watch wot cost me £20 to wear on the hills. It tells me the time (in 1 country) and has the notable feature of a second hand AND a Indiglo light. It's also waterproof to 50M which is always usefull on the summit of Snowdon.

Why wouldn't you wear it. They're made to be used... waterproof to 300m is a bit excessive!

John - the waterproofing is for a static test - nobody is going to dive to 300m - but you, of course, are a dynamic (i.e. moving) being. Therefore to dive to say 30m you need a buy a watch which is tested statically to 200m. Anything else is merely splashproof (lightly waterproof, maybe OK for a bit of a swim).

Anything rated below 200m/2ATM is not suitable for underwater use. My normal daily watch is a divers' watch because:
(a) it has a proper rotating bezel for elapsed time, good for nav
(b) it is luminous in the dark
(c) it has a second hand
(d) it is waterproof under ALL conditions
(e) it has a date - useful at work
(f) I dive

I still fancy an altimeter though

Just looked at mine, says -40 metres. Hey I'm a diver I didn't even know it.
:-)

NO NO MIKE!! You haven't been listening!
Unless it is rated at least to 200M, it ISN'T a diving watch....anything under 200M is only splashproof / swimable for short periods.
It's the difference between the rating (static) and the activity (dynamic).

<tongue out>

No Jeanie, I actually meant the reading on my altimeter is -40 meters. :-p

Oops sorry missed a 'n' out. (Do they do a watch with an onboard spell checker?)

I need a life with an onboard spool cheeker....

Now at -30, must be coming up for air.

Don't forget your decom stop...can't have you getting the bends...

Don't mention 'bends' to me... Spent Sunday unblocking the foul water drain.
:~{

Don't wonder you are coming up for air then LOL

Thank you people, for your help. I’m a farmer by the way, so I don’t buy anything that I can’t use… because I’m tight you see… And if I’m going to buy a watch that costs a lot, it bloody well better last a long time. Do they last??

Cheers
Huw

Well my Seamaster has lasted 34 years...and it's never needed a battery (it's an automatic in case you are wondering). Mind you I still will NEVER wear that on the hills.

Why not?