Community Stories

Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock.....

Mac5
Posts
358
Likes
404
I noticed that when the house is real quiet. Usually late at night, and I pass by my four vintage watches. I can hear the faint sounds of the watches happily ticking away doing their thing. Seems like such a small thing, but isn't life about the little things. Thought I'd share one of the small pleasures of life and why we collect them. Sorry, pics not that good. Two vintage Omega's (one 1951 honeycomb dial bumber, one 1966 speedmaster companion). One vintage Wyler Incaflex Superior Dynawind and lastly a vintage Gubelin hand wind.
 
SpaceDad1.jpg SpaceDad2.jpg
Canuck
Posts
15,478
Likes
45,847
You can HEAR your wrist watches running! Lucky you! Many of us no longer are able to enjoy the sound of any watch other than a pocket watch.
 
Mac5
Posts
358
Likes
404
Believe me. I have to listen carefully. Usually, when I am close to the dresser.
 
Fritz
Posts
3,819
Likes
16,164
I have a display case my lovely wife had made for my pocket watches.

Once in a while I’ll wind them all up, it sounds like a box of grasshoppers.
 
Canuck
Posts
15,478
Likes
45,847
Recently, 2 of us pooled our Accutrons for an exhibit. 34 of them, all running, an all but 3 running in the pitch of 360 hertz, or C natural. THAT bunch I could hear! And during the exhibit, when things were quiet, I could hear the 88 pocket watches, all set to time and running. But one watch? Uh uh!
 
Fritz
Posts
3,819
Likes
16,164
Canuck Canuck
Recently, 2 of us pooled our Accutrons for an exhibit. 34 of them, all running, an all but 3 running in the pitch of 360 hertz, or C natural. THAT bunch I could hear! And during the exhibit, when things were quiet, I could hear the 88 pocket watches, all set to time and running. But one watch? Uh uh!
That must have sounded really cool... sorta like a mosquito choir.
 
TwinPeaks
Posts
74
Likes
457
I leave my main watch on my nightstand next to my bed, and once everything is settled I can hear it tick away, very relaxing IMHO
 
Mad Dog
Posts
6,584
Likes
78,274
Fritz Fritz
I have a display case my lovely wife had made for my pocket watches.

Once in a while I’ll wind them all up, it sounds like a box of grasshoppers.
Yeppers! 👍

The two Elgin railroad machines pictured below [23j Veritas 376 and 23j B.W. Raymond 494] are by far my loudest watches...I can literally hear them banging away in the next room...and when I wear them to Church, I get funny looks from the Church people because they can hear them banging away in my pockets. 👍

D26A5344-0502-4EA2-8149-814035CF8F6D.jpeg
 
J
Posts
68
Likes
82
Fritz Fritz
That must have sounded really cool... sorta like a mosquito choir.

More like a swarm of bees. I had about 50 Accutron watches at the same time a few years ago and they lived in a large drawer together away from my other watches. It was a sound to behold when the drawer was open.

By far, my MegaSonic makes the most interesting hum of all the tuning fork watches
 
DaveK
Posts
5,082
Likes
15,701
Fritz Fritz
I have a display case my lovely wife had made for my pocket watches.

Once in a while I’ll wind them all up, it sounds like a box of grasshoppers.
Oh, can you share a pic of the display case?
 
gostang9
Posts
2,675
Likes
7,487
Mad Dog Mad Dog
...and when I wear them to Church, I get funny looks from the Church people because they can hear them banging away in my pockets. 👍
Maybe it's the Metallica t-shirt? 😉

As for hearing my watches, nope. I have them stored in my office near the printer, router, PC and guitar amp. I also often have the ceiling fan running. At any rate, I don't hear them.

I do tend to wear a watch to bed, and I notice the distinct sound when I put my arm so that the watch touches the pillow. When it happens, I find myself focusing on the sound and wanting to check the time, so I move my hand so as not to hear it. 😗
 
kkt
Posts
1,699
Likes
1,654
Well, I have a hummer I can hear just fine when the drawer is open. And sometimes just when it's very quiet.
 
Ville_W
Posts
242
Likes
2,453
Yea! I can still hear my watches on the table beside the bed in the night. Fascinating to follow the sound change during the minute the second hand make a turn.
 
Fritz
Posts
3,819
Likes
16,164
DaveK DaveK
Oh, can you share a pic of the display case?
I don't have access to the better pictures right now, but thats it to the right of the clock...

17 b.JPG
 
Canuck
Posts
15,478
Likes
45,847
A Seth Thomas # 17 regulator, no less.🥰 What is your address, and when are you away on vacation?😁
 
Wryfox
Posts
3,093
Likes
14,459
I loved walking into my favorite watchmakers shop (who is sadly no longer with us), to hear the tic toc of all the clocks on his walls, the soft bonging of the chimes...to me it was heaven. I'd just sit around listening and chatting him up.
Edited:
 
Spruce
Posts
8,627
Likes
71,335
Not being used because Mrs S has 20:20 hearing (or the audiological equivalent) and says that it ticks TOO LOUDLY!

A198FB13-667F-4F2A-BDB1-F97F2D9BE71A.jpeg
 
DaveK
Posts
5,082
Likes
15,701
Fritz Fritz
I don't have access to the better pictures right now, but thats it to the right of the clock...

17 b.JPG
Cool, that’s a nice way to enjoy a stable of pocket watches 😀
 
Fritz
Posts
3,819
Likes
16,164
DaveK DaveK
Cool, that’s a nice way to enjoy a stable of pocket watches 😀
and there's almost always one with me.
 
Fritz
Posts
3,819
Likes
16,164
Canuck Canuck
A Seth Thomas # 17 regulator, no less.🥰 What is your address, and when are you away on vacation?😁
Ex Canadian National (GTR in those days)... We have the other two clocks from that station as well!
P1000985.JPG

DaveK DaveK
Cool, that’s a nice way to enjoy a stable of pocket watches 😀

P1010820.JPG


I've gotta update these photos.... that case is full of railway watches now, nothing less gets a look in!
 
1 More Post...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

gatorcpa

I’ll take “Tick Tock” for $2,000, Ken.

gatorcpa Open Discussion
sheepdoll
sheepdoll
Posts
103
Views
5K
Wryfox

Tick Tock Tick Tock

Wryfox Open Discussion
Fritz
Fritz
Posts
9
Views
2K
Tom Dick

Tick-tock I've Bought A Clock: Seriously Cool 1970's Omega Content

Tom Dick Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Privateday7
Privateday7
Posts
2
Views
1K