Does shooting ruin watches?

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peteinct

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Hi all, I'm wondering if I'm ruining my watches wearing them when I shoot pistols. I have several timex chronographs that have all failed the same way. The stopwatch function has become messed up. I don"t know if they just crap out like that anyway. I'm scared to wear any of my pricier watches for fear of ruining them. I know there are a lot of watch enthusiasts on the board so I would like some help.


Thanks, pete
 
The stopwatch function is messed up how??

I have a fairly large collection of watches, most of them chrono's, and I have never had a problem. They run from fairly cheap ... $60 to fairly expensive... $guess.

I never ever think which watch I'm wearing...
 
I don't see how, I mean most of us wear a wristwatch on the weak wrist so it is not much subject to recoil. But maybe that means I just don't know enough.

I don't wear my good watch shooting any more because when I did, I once made a fast draw at an IPSC shoot, the band unlatched and I saw something shiny in the air as it slung off my wrist as I was raising my left hand to support position. It went straight out in front of me. If I were a faster draw, I would have put a bullet through my Omega. So I wear a cheaper watch on a strap to the range.
 
Well Mongo, The latest one, a timex ironman chrono the stopwatch won't reset to zero it stops at about 10 oclock and another the reset button doesn't work and the stopwatch wouldn't start. I know I'm tough on them in general. I work in a chemical plant they see heat,water and vibration.

I think they would see recoil when you shoot two handed. I just wonder if it could mess them up.

I like watches and would hate to see an Omega get shot.

pete
 
Analog watches? Possibly.

Digital? Well, if you shoot a revolver and hold the watch on the side of the gun where it gets blasted, maybe, but you'd also get some nasty burns! I've gotten some real nasty ones from a black powder revolver and one from a Smith .357 (oops).

Self-winding watches? Take them off! But what REALLY destroys them, even Rolexes, is wearing them while using a jackhammer. I knew someone whose grandfather went through at least two Rolexes that way. (My dad has been known to change motor oil in nice white slacks and designer shirts, so I won't say anything about grandpa.):)
 
I take off my automatic watch when I go shooting, i cant imagine that it is healthy for the thing. I generally dont worry about quartz watches though (but i own cheap quartz watches so im not overly concerned about them).
 
peteinct said:
Well Mongo, The latest one, a timex ironman chrono the stopwatch won't reset to zero it stops at about 10 oclock
Click to expand...
Pete, quick trick. To reset the second hand on a chrono, pull the stem and hit the start button. (I had a gal knock $25 off the price of one in a jewelry store when I pointed out it wouldn't zero... bought the watch (Citizen Pro-Master 100th second chrono), went outside, set the second hand and laughed). Most of mine reset that way..
 
Mongo, I tried the stem trick and no dice. I know the timexes are not high quality but they are for work and shooting and they don't look bad at all. After all they are just jewelry for men. I wear them, break them, then buy new ones.
My most expensive is a casio oceanus and although it looks solid it might not be at all. I think that an eco-drive is in my future.

pete
 
Jeez. I can't finish off my old Dakota watch. I wear it while doing everything that causes shock, including shooting my Contender with a .45/70 barrel. Even wore it on my strong side while doind a lot of hammering for some home projects. I'd like to get a new one but am too cheap to just buy it if I don't "need" it. Just can't kill this one. Good thing that with guns I always "need" another one.
 
Casio G-Shock watch

I have a casio thats attached to the handlebars of my Suzuki Marauder and has been for almost 40,000 miles now and it works flawlessly. I can't see that a watch (unless its a cheapy) could be damaged by short shooting sessions. I would think about contacting the maker and tell them what has happened to several watches you have purchased. You may just get a freebee.
 
Oldnamvet said:
Jeez. I can't finish off my old Dakota watch. I wear it while doing everything that causes shock, including shooting my Contender with a .45/70 barrel. Even wore it on my strong side while doind a lot of hammering for some home projects. I'd like to get a new one but am too cheap to just buy it if I don't "need" it. Just can't kill this one. Good thing that with guns I always "need" another one.
Click to expand...

Put it in FRONT of the barrel and you'll need a new one. :D
 
I've been wondering the same thing - if shooting is bad for my watch. I've been wearing my cheapie when I shoot just to be on the safe side. :scrutiny:
 
peteinct said:
Hi all, I'm wondering if I'm ruining my watches wearing them when I shoot pistols. I have several timex chronographs that have all failed the same way. The stopwatch function has become messed up. I don"t know if they just crap out like that anyway. I'm scared to wear any of my pricier watches for fear of ruining them. I know there are a lot of watch enthusiasts on the board so I would like some help.


Thanks, pete
Click to expand...

Heh. Well, glad to see the post is of THAT nature. I'd only seen the headline and thought "Well, yes, shooting a watch does generally tend to cause it to cease functioning...."
 
I agree with the others that I would not think that the vibration/kinetic energy from shooting would harm a Timex Ironman. I wonder if there is something else going on. Based on some material I have read over the years, I do not wear my automatic (self-winding) watches while shooting handguns. Many experts think that shooting can damage the relatively more delicate internal mechanisms of those watches, thus requiring more frequent repair.
 
I've been wearing the same watch for 9 years now. It's a timex expedition. I havent wrecked it yet and have only replaced the battery once and that was because i was begining to worry that it might wear out at an inconvienent time.
 
Hi All-

My expensive mechanical automatics go in my pocket before shooting. There is no sensible reason to expose them to that extreme level of shock and vibration when it can be easily prevented. Just reach into your pocket if you MUST see what time it is.

This is a great reason to buy yourself a digital Casio G-Shock or Suunto!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Thanks for your replies everyone. I'll just keep going with those timex watches so if they break I just won't care. As an aside I don't think they are built as tough as in the old days.

pete
 
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