Let's talk about Quartz

[kelly56]

My Omega Seamaster is a quartz. I've had it for 12 years, replaced the battery 2x during that time, and it has always been dependable. I'm not wearing it as often now that I have my Sub Date, but it's a keeper.

[johnswatch]

The oysterquartz really educated me about quartz watches an it will probably be my next watch.
I have a lot of respect for quartz watches and Breitling do some very nice models with advanced movements.

[mretzloff]

Of course quartz watches are here to stay. So are cars with automatic transmission, TV dinners, and anything else that makes life easier.

I prefer mechanical because I love the ticking it makes.

[iwantagmt]

Hello I am new here, this is only my second post, but I just wanted to share my thoughts regarding quartz...when i first became interested in watches I looked down on the quartz watches as cheap imitations of real (mechanical) watches. However, as I get closer to actually shopping for a nice watch (I'm 22 and still trying to save up for something good) I realized that I might actually be happier with a quartz, due to not having to worry about hurting it (I know some ETA based watches cannot have ther date changed between certain hours) and constantly re-setting it if not worn for a few days.

Thus, as I get closer to a purchase, my thought process has changed from "a watch's value is based on the quality of the movement" to "a watch's value is based on the pleasure of wearing."

Unfortunately, there are very few good quartz watches in my mind, and I wish that more models were available in quartz. Right now my shopping list consists of a Seamaster 300M Pro Quartz (with Speedmaster bracelet), a Seamaster Aqua Terra Quartz, or a Breitling Colt II Quartz.

Bottom line, I definitely think that the quartz watch has its place in the world of fine watches.

[Widows Son]

I had distain for quartz until recently. I bought a very early (late 60's I think) Omega Seamaster dive watch in quartz. Bought it from a member here. Needed a good cleaning and a new movement. The dial is gorgeous. The lume has that yellowish glow of patina. It has a date and now it's my everyday work watch. The aging of the dial reminds me of the 60's Subs which are selling for a fortune today.

[cody p]

while we are talking quartz - i've just got to praise the high end japanese stuff - i think this is the direction my collection will go in if i ever do buy another. for those that are interested: check out seiya and higuchi (online vendors). i love seiko's 9fxx movement - a high end quartz movement which is specially sealed to require service once every 50 years; or citizen's a660 - which is rated at +/- 5 seconds a year and comes with a ten year warranty and guaranteed parts availability for life. the Japanese sure do know how to do HEQ!

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by iwantagmt

Hello I am new here, this is only my second post, but I just wanted to share my thoughts regarding quartz...when i first became interested in watches I looked down on the quartz watches as cheap imitations of real (mechanical) watches. However, as I get closer to actually shopping for a nice watch (I'm 22 and still trying to save up for something good) I realized that I might actually be happier with a quartz, due to not having to worry about hurting it (I know some ETA based watches cannot have ther date changed between certain hours) and constantly re-setting it if not worn for a few days.

Thus, as I get closer to a purchase, my thought process has changed from "a watch's value is based on the quality of the movement" to "a watch's value is based on the pleasure of wearing."

Unfortunately, there are very few good quartz watches in my mind, and I wish that more models were available in quartz. Right now my shopping list consists of a Seamaster 300M Pro Quartz (with Speedmaster bracelet), a Seamaster Aqua Terra Quartz, or a Breitling Colt II Quartz.

Bottom line, I definitely think that the quartz watch has its place in the world of fine watches.

Hey, welcome to TRF - I enjoyed your post.

I came close to buying a Timex Expedition yesterday at Target just for fun and to wear while gardening, mowing the lawn, etc.! I think the Indiglo technology is pretty neat, too.

I resisted though, I have enough watches - FOR NOW.

[gaopa]

I had not had a nice quartz watch until I got my electric blue Omega Seamaster. I have a manual Speedmaster and an automatic Seamaster as well. I must say that I like the quartz model as well as the other two and it is the most reliable time keeper of the three! Cheers, Bill P.

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by DSJ

.....

In the evolution of watches and clocks, no one can dispute the impact the quartz movements have had. I'm guessing there's not many of us who do not have a quartz watch or clock in our household (wall clock, alarm clock, microwave, coffee maker, VCR, etc., they're everywhere!). What was an expensive alternative to mechanical 30+ years ago has become an inexpensive way to provide timekeeping to the masses......

Despite the fact that many of us strongly prefer mechanical timepieces ........quartz is here and here to stay. Their use in watches range from nameless drug store watches, all they way up to haute horologie brands.

So, good, bad, or indifferent, what do you think? Let's discuss!

You are absolutely right David !!

We love mechanical watches, but, a true watch lover must have love for ALL watches.

I bought the SEIKO 100 Sports Quartz, in a sales offer in Toronto, Canada for 100+ Dollars in December 1978. In England at that time it was 100+ pounds, and I considered it expensive. In Canada, it was half price. At that time, I had a Sub Date and a Daytona. I was attracted by the advertised accuracy, within seconds per year, when the Sub and the DT had more than a minute loss/gain per month...

For 30 years now, it had followed me everywhere, in sea ( diving), land and air(parachutes), with no problems at all, and still going strong and accurately, less than 1-2 seconds per month. Box-original papers–owners manual, all available.





In December ( again !!!) of 2003, I found the CITIZEN, Eco-Drive, Radio Controlled, in Schiphol, Amsterdam, for Euro 485. I was attracted by the radio signal reception, and it has become part of the collection.



I have of course many more, but of less value, but of the same accuracy. I would never give away my love for my Rolexes, ( I had my first in 1971), but still, there is room for some good quartz movements as well.

[iwantagmt]

Originally Posted by DSJ

Hey, welcome to TRF - I enjoyed your post.

Thank you for the welcome! I am really enjoying this topic, as the attitude of the forum seems to be very progressive and logical. On other forums however, I see comments that imply that mechanical watches have soul and quartz watches do not.

However, I think this is simply a confusion of indirectly related qualities. For example, one could argue that a Rolex has more "soul" than a Casio, and conclude that this is because of the mechanical movement. However, I don't think anyone would try to argue that a eta-based Sinn has more "soul" than a quartz Patek Philippe 24. In my opinion (and I am new to this!) the models that have "soul" usually are mechanical, and those that do not, are usually quartz, and thus many people have connected mechanical with soul, even though the correlation is not direct, and one is not dependent on the other.

BTW, I have nothing against Casio or Sinn, they just seemed to be good examples for this line of thought.

[iwantagmt]

I hope I didn't ruin the mood!

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by iwantagmt

I hope I didn't ruin the mood!

Nah, it's just discussion, which I was hoping for! I too agree about this "soul" discussion, although the intricacies of mechanical watches are highly appealing. So is the ability to obtain a decent watch with phenominal accuracy for the less than 5 Starbucks lattes!

When I was looking at the Timex watches in Target, there were models at about $20USD that guaranteed a 10-year battery life! That's a lifetime of watches for under $200, assuming you actually replaced the whole watch, not just the battery. A lifetime of wrist timekeeping for less than half the cost of a Rolex servicing.

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by GeoGio Greece

You are absolutely right David !!

We love mechanical watches, but, a true watch lover must have love for ALL watches.

I bought the SEIKO 100 Sports Quartz, in a sales offer in Toronto, Canada for 100+ Dollars in December 1978. In England at that time it was 100+ pounds, and I considered it expensive. In Canada, it was half price. At that time, I had a Sub Date and a Daytona. I was attracted by the advertised accuracy, within seconds per year, when the Sub and the DT had more than a minute loss/gain per month...

For 30 years now, it had followed me everywhere, in sea ( diving), land and air(parachutes), with no problems at all, and still going strong and accurately, less than 1-2 seconds per month. Box-original papers–owners manual, all available.





In December ( again !!!) of 2003, I found the CITIZEN, Eco-Drive, Radio Controlled, in Schiphol, Amsterdam, for Euro 485. I was attracted by the radio signal reception, and it has become part of the collection.



I have of course many more, but of less value, but of the same accuracy. I would never give away my love for my Rolexes, ( I had my first in 1971), but still, there is room for some good quartz movements as well.

Nice post George!

[GeoGio Greece]

Thank You David, for giving us the chance to express our feelings and share our love for our watches. Keep going