Amazing general relativity themed watches!

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    General Relativity
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around luxury watches themed around general relativity, exploring their artistic and conceptual significance, as well as their high price points. Participants express varying opinions on the value and appeal of such watches, touching on themes of materialism and personal preference in timekeeping devices.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for the craftsmanship of expensive watches, while others find them ridiculous and unnecessary.
  • There are differing views on the relevance of general relativity to the watches, with some arguing that they symbolize concepts like time dilation, while others question the need for relativity in their design.
  • A participant notes that the watches do not measure time dilation and suggests that their connection to spacetime is more artistic than scientific.
  • Concerns are raised about the watches' lack of practical features compared to smartwatches, with some participants emphasizing the aesthetic appeal of traditional watches.
  • Participants discuss personal preferences for types of watches, including digital and jewelry watches, highlighting the functional needs of certain professions.
  • There is a mention of the cultural implications of luxury watches as symbols of wealth and status.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus on the value and significance of the watches. While some appreciate their artistic qualities, others criticize their expense and practicality. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the connection between the watches and the principles of general relativity.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the watches' scientific claims, particularly regarding their connection to general relativity and whether they incorporate empirical methods related to it. There are also references to personal experiences with different watch brands and types, indicating a variety of preferences and needs.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in luxury watches, collectors, those curious about the intersection of art and science, and participants in discussions about materialism and consumer culture may find this thread relevant.

BadgerBadger92
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I was always big with watches, and I just have stumbled on a few that are masterpieces. Unfortunately they cost $500,000. What do you think?



 
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I think such outrageously expensive baubles are utterly ridiculous but then I haven't worn a watch in 40 years. Don't care for them. Wouldn't wear one if you gave it to me.
 
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phinds said:
I think such outrageously expensive baubles are utterly ridiculous but then I haven't worn a watch in 40 years. Don't care for them. Wouldn't wear one if you gave it to me.
If I were a millionaire I MIGHT buy one, but yes I agree that they are outrageously expensive. They are still cool models though.
 
phinds said:
I think such outrageously expensive baubles are utterly ridiculous but then I haven't worn a watch in 40 years. Don't care for them. Wouldn't wear one if you gave it to me.
Also some models of the astronomia are over $1,000,000
 
BadgerBadger92 said:
I was always big with watches, and I just have stumbled on a few that are masterpieces. Unfortunately they cost $500,000. What do you think?
The title reads like fake advertisement. What's so "general relativitist" about it? It still measures proper time right?
 
pines-demon said:
The title reads like fake advertisement. What's so "general relativitist" about it? It still measures proper time right?
The planets orbit the watch including the actual watch part of the watch.

The way I perceive it it represents Time dilation in a gravitational field (general relativity) and when something (the watch) moves around. (Special relativity)

I guess the idea that people perceive art as a personal experience could describe why you don’t see it. Art is in the eye of the beholder
 
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BadgerBadger92 said:
The planets orbit the watch including the actual watch part of the watch.

The way I perceive it it represents Time dilation in a gravitational field (general relativity) and when something (the watch) moves around. (Special relativity)
Why do you need relativity for this? Newtonian astronomy does this well, it is not like if the watch is made of stretchable rubber. If we are allowed to generalize, the watch is "quantum" because it's made of atoms.
 
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pines-demon said:
Why do you need relativity for this? Newtonian astronomy does this well, it is not like if the watch is made of stretchable rubber. If we are allowed to generalize, the watch is "quantum" because it's made of atoms.
I didn’t think Newton discovered time dilation . For me that’s the point of the watch moving and that it’s orbiting in a gravitational field.
 
BadgerBadger92 said:
I didn’t think Newton discovered time dilation
He did not. Does the watch measure time dilation? Note that the official website says nothing of relativity.
 
  • #10
pines-demon said:
He did not. Does the watch measure time dilation? Note that the official website says nothing of relativity.
It doesn’t measure time dilation, no.

In the reviews I have watched they mention it was inspired by spacetime.

Like I said earlier it’s all in the eye of the beholder.
 
  • #11
pines-demon said:
... the watch is "quantum" because it's made of atoms.
And why stop there? It's a Bitcoin, AI-powered watch!
 
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  • #12
BadgerBadger92 said:
It doesn’t measure time dilation, no.

In the reviews I have watched they mention it was inspired by spacetime.

Like I said earlier it’s all in the eye of the beholder.
I guess it does not even correct for the precession of Mercury, one the predictions of general relativity!

Edit: even if it did, we knew the corrections since the 19th century, but the question is if this watch uses an empirical method or one based in general relativity in any way.
 
  • #13
pines-demon said:
I guess it does not even correct for the precession of Mercury, one the predictions of general relativity!

Edit: even if it did, we knew the corrections since the 19th century, but the question is if this watch uses an empirical method or one based in general relativity in any way.
actually the midnight planetarium watch (I assume that’s the watch you’re talking about) keeps track of the position of the planets and displays where they are, which is pretty cool.

Don’t think it applies to what you’re saying though.

I always tend to view physics themed watches as symbolism for the concept of time anyway.

Did you watch the videos? They’re pretty cool. Just too friggin expensive.
 
  • #14
BadgerBadger92 said:
I was always big with watches, and I just have stumbled on a few that are masterpieces. Unfortunately they cost $500,000. What do you think?




Late stage capitalism and materialism in a nutshell. Luxury wrist-mounted timekeeping devices are pretty pointless when one can get a smartwatch instead.
 
  • #15
AlexB23 said:
Luxury wrist-mounted timekeeping devices are pretty pointless when one can get a smartwatch instead.
Of course, but a smart watch would not scream "LOOK HOW FILTHY RICH I AM !!! "
 
  • #16
phinds said:
Of course, but a smart watch would not scream "LOOK HOW FILTHY RICH I AM !!! "
True that. I like when uber rich people keep their wealth subtle, instead of announcing it to everyone.
 
  • #17
AlexB23 said:
Late stage capitalism and materialism in a nutshell. Luxury wrist-mounted timekeeping devices are pretty pointless when one can get a smartwatch instead.
I was never big with how smart watches look. I always preferred jewelry watches. Part of the fun of wearing a watch to me is how cool they look.
 
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  • #18
BadgerBadger92 said:
I was never big with how smart watches look. I always preferred jewelry watches. Part of the fun of wearing a watch to me is how cool they look.
I agree with you on that as well, but one does not need a $500K watch for that
 
  • #19
AlexB23 said:
I agree with you on that as well, but one does not need a $500K watch for that
I agree with that, but I fantasize of having one. I’ll never afford it.

I’m a big watch collector. It’s quite a fun hobby
 
  • #20
BadgerBadger92 said:
I agree with that, but I fantasize of having one. I’ll never afford it.

I’m a big watch collector. It’s quite a fun hobby
Fascinating.

 
  • #21
BadgerBadger92 said:
I always preferred jewelry watches. Part of the fun of wearing a watch to me is how cool they look.
I learned early-on in my EMS work that I need a digital watch that shows me:
  • Time in military 24-hour format (including seconds for taking vital signs)
  • Day of the week
  • Date (month/day)
in large, easy to read numbers with a backlight available for reading in the dark. When I am working multiple 12+ hour late-night medic shifts, I need that info for documentation and taking vitals, but I also need it because part of assessing a patient is asking "do you know what day of the week it is?" and "do you know about what time it is?". When working back-to-back late shifts like that, it is easy for me to lose track of what day or time it is... :wink:
 
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  • #22
berkeman said:
I learned early-on in my EMS work that I need a digital watch that shows me:
  • Time in military 24-hour format (including seconds for taking vital signs)
  • Day of the week
  • Date (month/day)
in large, easy to read numbers with a backlight available for reading in the dark. When I am working multiple 12+ hour late-night medic shifts, I need that info for documentation and taking vitals, but I also need it because part of assessing a patient is asking "do you know what day of the week it is?" and "do you know about what time it is?". When working back-to-back late shifts like that, it is easy for me to lose track of what day or time it is... :wink:
This sounds like a Casio watch. I had two Casio solar watches in 2017-2019 and 2019-2021.
 
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  • #23
AlexB23 said:
This sounds like a Casio watch. I had two Casio solar watches in 2017-2019 and 2019-2021.
I think I've used Casio watches in the past, but lately have settled on the Timex Ironman watches:

1734659805267.png
 
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  • #24
berkeman said:
I think I've used Casio watches in the past, but lately have settled on the Timex Ironman watches:

View attachment 354674
Timex is another good brand. High quality as well. :) Not solar powered, but the batteries probably last long. My Casios died, partly cos I showered without removing the watch, and the soap ate away at the seals.
 
  • #25
AlexB23 said:
Timex is another good brand. High quality as well. :) Not solar powered, but the batteries probably last long. My Casios died, partly cos I showered without removing the watch, and the soap ate away at the seals.
I’ve got a Timex, it was only $100 and is a replica of the Rolex submariner.

My dad had a Rolex submariner and gave it to me in his will after he died a few years ago. Needs some repair though.
 
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  • #26
BadgerBadger92 said:
I’ve got a Timex, it was only $100 and is a replica of the Rolex submariner.

My dad had a Rolex submariner and gave it to me in his will after he died a few years ago. Needs some repair though.
Keep that Rolex, and repair it at a trustworthy store. Rolex is a timeless classic.
 
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  • #27
AlexB23 said:
Keep that Rolex, and repair it at a trustworthy store. Rolex is a timeless classic.
I barely ever wear it. Too afraid of it getting stolen. I want to pass it down each generation as a reminder of our family.
 
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  • #28
BadgerBadger92 said:
I barely ever wear it. Too afraid of it getting stolen. I want to pass it down each generation as a reminder of our family.
Keep it in a display case, and pass it down to your grandsons.
 
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