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DSJ · 11 February 2009, 02:44 AM

It's almost like a political thread (but safe for debate on TRF!), considering the (mostly con) opinions about quartz on TRF, but I think it would make for good conversation this week.

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. Currently McDonalds is including a digital quartz watch with a kids' Happy Meal.

Because of this, the "WIS-perspective" towards quartz movements tends to be more negative than positive, and this may also be in light of quartz nearly supplanting mechanical watches. Another side effect, and one of my frustrations is that I can no longer find a Synchronous clock (60hz) for my kitchen that I would love to have.

Despite the fact that many of us strongly prefer mechanical timepieces (and I'm including clocks, as I am a clock fan too), 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. Even our own Rolex had a quartz watch (interesting in its own right) for many years.

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

Here's a link for those who like to learn more...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz_clock

Mosco · 11 February 2009, 02:54 AM

Soulless.... Cheap... With the exception of Breitling Emergency, of course! Pull out the antenna and have emergency crews hovering over your head in no time - that is, indeed, sweet.

DSJ · 11 February 2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosco

Soulless.... Cheap... With the exception of Breitling Emergency, of course! Pull out the antenna and have emergency crews hovering over your head in no time - that is, indeed, sweet.

Soulless?
http://www.oysterquartz.net/the_5035_movement.htm

No more than a hybrid car is soulless, compared to a traditional internal combustion engine!

jas55 · 11 February 2009, 03:07 AM

They are still good watches.

Mosco · 11 February 2009, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSJ

Soulless?
http://www.oysterquartz.net/the_5035_movement.htm

No more than a hybrid car is soulless, compared to a traditional internal combustion engine!

I disagree with the analogy. Just ask a watch purist - odds are, they will agree. Besides, first ever timepieces were mechanical - same as first ever engines had variations of internal combustion. Hybrids are deviation from those fundamentals - thusly, you will never see a hybrid Ferrari.

Rebel · 11 February 2009, 03:50 AM

I like my jogging watch with the alarm function. However, if I could have only one watch.......it would be my mechanical for sure.

DSJ · 11 February 2009, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosco

Hybrids are deviation from those fundamentals - thusly, you will never see a hybrid Ferrari.

Oops!

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...lasts_off.html

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/15/...ybrid-by-2015/

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07...-cars-by-2015/

Never is a long time. Although the auto purist in me also wonders about this.

BTW, I am enjoying our debate, and please don't think I'm contradicting you for contradicting sake!

WatchTimes · 11 February 2009, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosco

Soulless.... Cheap... With the exception of Breitling Emergency, of course! Pull out the antenna and have emergency crews hovering over your head in no time - that is, indeed, sweet.

The Breitling Emergency was a great watch BUT the frequency they used is not really in use anymore...

DSJ · 11 February 2009, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JYogi

The Breitling Emergency was a great watch BUT the frequency they used is not really in use anymore...

That's not good, so nobody's listening? Retrofit?

DSJ · 11 February 2009, 04:17 AM

This is interesting:
http://invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/quartz/

ijen0311 · 11 February 2009, 04:41 AM

Let's talk about quartz, baby... let's talk aaaaabout quartz.

My Breitling is a quartz. It's a sweet watch.

gettocard · 11 February 2009, 05:22 AM

I love my Suunto and my Timex !!!

gettocard · 11 February 2009, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSJ

That's not good, so nobody's listening? Retrofit?

it is still used. They are just upgrading it to a new one. My local dealer is a sucker that wants to sell the old version without letting know customers about the upgrade.....

doghouse · 11 February 2009, 05:36 AM

Quartz are fine if you want to tell time. My mechanicals are my only "man jewelry" I wear.

DSJ · 11 February 2009, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doghouse

Quartz are fine if you want to tell time. My mechanicals are my only "man jewelry" I wear.

Can we just call it Mewelry?

cody p · 11 February 2009, 05:47 AM

i love the smooth sweep of the shadow of my sundial.

i like quartz, especially heq stuff. would love to have a gs with the 9f.

i like mech for 2 reasons: the retro aspect, and the fact that the piece on my wrist is not ubiquitous.

Mosco · 11 February 2009, 06:44 AM

i will join this discussion shortly - friggin crazy day!

mailman · 11 February 2009, 09:22 AM

I love my Timex Ironman and check the accuracy of my mechanicals with my G-Shock

Mosco · 11 February 2009, 11:08 AM

I own a quartz watch - a Hamilton Multi-Touch - but not for the watch aspect. It is an altimeter, alarm, tachymeter, compass and has a temperature gauge - all for under $500. However, I do not consider it a watch anymore than I consider my microwave a watch.

Now as far as women's watches are concerned - it is a different story. My female clients care about the case, precious metals/stones, etc, but not so much the movement. Hence the current line of Patek Twenty-4's. If you want accuracy and care-free maintenance, get a quartz watch. If you are more interested to have various components working together in unison driven by momentum and spring tension only (not an outside interchangeable power source), then, of course, mechanical is for you. Naturally, me being a watch - snob (LOL), I prefer the latter.

Flaxmoore · 11 February 2009, 03:39 PM

No problem with quartz here. Being a poor grad student, an "expensive" watch is $100, not the thousands that a Rolex will run, or the $500 for a mechanical Victorinox or something similar. My beater Citizen is all-stainless, which is vital- Timex, for some reason, rusts out on my wrist. Even the "stainless" models will rust in a year or so, giving me hives when I wear it.

Kind of sucks- I had one that reminds me of the Tudor Minisub that I had to retire due to rusting.

DSJ · 12 February 2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaxmoore

No problem with quartz here. Being a poor grad student, an "expensive" watch is $100, not the thousands that a Rolex will run, or the $500 for a mechanical Victorinox or something similar. My beater Citizen is all-stainless, which is vital- Timex, for some reason, rusts out on my wrist. Even the "stainless" models will rust in a year or so, giving me hives when I wear it.

Kind of sucks- I had one that reminds me of the Tudor Minisub that I had to retire due to rusting.

Wow, you have any pics of the corrosion on your Tudor and/or Timexes? You're definitely a candidate for someone who NEEDS 316 or 409 SS!

DSJ · 12 February 2009, 01:41 AM

More commentary anyone? Please???

DSJ · 12 February 2009, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosco

I own a quartz watch - a Hamilton Multi-Touch - but not for the watch aspect. It is an altimeter, alarm, tachymeter, compass and has a temperature gauge - all for under $500. However, I do not consider it a watch anymore than I consider my microwave a watch.

Now as far as women's watches are concerned - it is a different story. My female clients care about the case, precious metals/stones, etc, but not so much the movement. Hence the current line of Patek Twenty-4's. If you want accuracy and care-free maintenance, get a quartz watch. If you are more interested to have various components working together in unison driven by momentum and spring tension only (not an outside interchangeable power source), then, of course, mechanical is for you. Naturally, me being a watch - snob (LOL), I prefer the latter.

I like the Multi-Touch. A friend who's a cop uses it as his on-duty/uniform watch, rather than his Submariner.

A colleague has a Patek 24. Stunning watch, but yes, quartz movement. Unlike my mother and wife, who have "bought in" to the idea that a Rolex can be worn every day as an only watch, many women use watches as jewelry accessories, and change them as often as their earrings, necklaces, etc., so quartz makes a lot of sense as it would be tedious to reset the watch every few days/weeks.

topcat30093 · 12 February 2009, 03:01 AM

I believe that a quartz watch have become part of every day life.

DSJ · 12 February 2009, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topcat30093

I believe that a quartz watch have become part of every day life.

Fully agree.

JJ Irani · 12 February 2009, 03:09 AM

Now that you mention it, David......I'm pretty sure there are much more Quartz watches out there as compared with the mechanical ones.

The majority of the people out there buy a watch merely to tell time. The number of "cheapo" quartz watches must number in the several millions and must be also very, very affordable to all and sundry.

So, yes, I'd say Quartz still rules!!

JJ

DSJ · 12 February 2009, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Now that you mention it, David......I'm pretty sure there are much more Quartz watches out there as compared with the mechanical ones.

The majority of the people out there buy a watch merely to tell time. The number of "cheapo" quartz watches must number in the several millions and must be also very, very affordable to all and sundry.

So, yes, I'd say Quartz still rules!!

JJ

Yes, something I read yesterday in researching this topic said that only 13% of watches sold these days are mechanical, so 87% are quartz. I was actually surprised that a full 13% are still mechanical, actually!

Heck, even your current Omega is quartz, JJ!

JJ Irani · 12 February 2009, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSJ

Heck, even your current Omega is quartz, JJ!

What quartz OMEGA? This one?

Flaxmoore · 12 February 2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSJ

Wow, you have any pics of the corrosion on your Tudor and/or Timexes? You're definitely a candidate for someone who NEEDS 316 or 409 SS!

I misspoke, I suppose. I don't have a Tudor, just a Timex that reminds me of one. I just spent 20 minutes trying to get a good picture, but I can't for some reason. The wrist side of the watch body, to describe it, looks like a combination of steel and pumice- lots of little pits and dings, all of them sharp!

DSJ · 12 February 2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

What quartz OMEGA? This one?

You got it baby!

11 February 2009, 02:44 AM	#1
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	Let's talk about Quartz It's almost like a political thread (but safe for debate on TRF!), considering the (mostly con) opinions about quartz on TRF, but I think it would make for good conversation this week. 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. Currently McDonalds is including a digital quartz watch with a kids' Happy Meal. Because of this, the "WIS-perspective" towards quartz movements tends to be more negative than positive, and this may also be in light of quartz nearly supplanting mechanical watches. Another side effect, and one of my frustrations is that I can no longer find a Synchronous clock (60hz) for my kitchen that I would love to have. Despite the fact that many of us strongly prefer mechanical timepieces (and I'm including clocks, as I am a clock fan too), 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. Even our own Rolex had a quartz watch (interesting in its own right) for many years. So, good, bad, or indifferent, what do you think? Let's discuss! Here's a link for those who like to learn more... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz_clock __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

11 February 2009, 02:54 AM	#2
Mosco "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Greg Location: Cincinnati Watch: I like to... Posts: 18,567	Soulless.... Cheap... With the exception of Breitling Emergency, of course! Pull out the antenna and have emergency crews hovering over your head in no time - that is, indeed, sweet. __________________ Instagram - @CaliberSwiss *“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” - Hunter S. Thompson*

11 February 2009, 03:07 AM	#4
jas55 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Lach Location: Western Australia Posts: 759	They are still good watches. __________________ Explorer 2-Polar Omega Seamaster Quartz

11 February 2009, 03:50 AM	#6
Rebel "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Dr Mark R Nail Location: New Albany Watch: Tudor Sub 75090 Posts: 8,241	I like my jogging watch with the alarm function. However, if I could have only one watch.......it would be my mechanical for sure. __________________ ------------------------------- Member of the Nylon Nation

11 February 2009, 04:17 AM	#10
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	This is interesting: http://invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/quartz/ __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

11 February 2009, 04:41 AM	#11
ijen0311 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Jen Location: Jax, FL Watch: Sea-Dweller Posts: 3,977	Let's talk about quartz, baby... let's talk aaaaabout quartz. My Breitling is a quartz. It's a sweet watch.

11 February 2009, 05:22 AM	#12
gettocard Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Andy Location: EU Watch: them come and go.. Posts: 2,052	I love my Suunto and my Timex !!!

11 February 2009, 05:36 AM	#14
doghouse Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Real Name: mark Location: Utah Watch: submariner Posts: 255	Quartz are fine if you want to tell time. My mechanicals are my only "man jewelry" I wear.

11 February 2009, 05:47 AM	#16
cody p "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Watch: Air-King 114200 Posts: 2,878	i love the smooth sweep of the shadow of my sundial. i like quartz, especially heq stuff. would love to have a gs with the 9f. i like mech for 2 reasons: the retro aspect, and the fact that the piece on my wrist is not ubiquitous.

11 February 2009, 06:44 AM	#17
Mosco "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Greg Location: Cincinnati Watch: I like to... Posts: 18,567	i will join this discussion shortly - friggin crazy day! __________________ Instagram - @CaliberSwiss *“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” - Hunter S. Thompson*

11 February 2009, 09:22 AM	#18
mailman TRF Moderator & SubLV41 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,504	I love my Timex Ironman and check the accuracy of my mechanicals with my G-Shock __________________ JJ

11 February 2009, 11:08 AM	#19
Mosco "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Greg Location: Cincinnati Watch: I like to... Posts: 18,567	I own a quartz watch - a Hamilton Multi-Touch - but not for the watch aspect. It is an altimeter, alarm, tachymeter, compass and has a temperature gauge - all for under $500. However, I do not consider it a watch anymore than I consider my microwave a watch. Now as far as women's watches are concerned - it is a different story. My female clients care about the case, precious metals/stones, etc, but not so much the movement. Hence the current line of Patek Twenty-4's. If you want accuracy and care-free maintenance, get a quartz watch. If you are more interested to have various components working together in unison driven by momentum and spring tension only (not an outside interchangeable power source), then, of course, mechanical is for you. Naturally, me being a watch - snob (LOL), I prefer the latter. __________________ Instagram - @CaliberSwiss *“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” - Hunter S. Thompson*

11 February 2009, 03:39 PM	#20
Flaxmoore Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Casey Location: Toledo, Ohio Watch: Alpha Milsub Posts: 704	No problem with quartz here. Being a poor grad student, an "expensive" watch is $100, not the thousands that a Rolex will run, or the $500 for a mechanical Victorinox or something similar. My beater Citizen is all-stainless, which is vital- Timex, for some reason, rusts out on my wrist. Even the "stainless" models will rust in a year or so, giving me hives when I wear it. Kind of sucks- I had one that reminds me of the Tudor Minisub that I had to retire due to rusting.

12 February 2009, 01:41 AM	#22
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	More commentary anyone? Please??? __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

12 February 2009, 03:01 AM	#24
topcat30093 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Tony Location: England Posts: 5,449	I believe that a quartz watch have become part of every day life. __________________

12 February 2009, 03:09 AM	#26
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	Now that you mention it, David......I'm pretty sure there are much more Quartz watches out there as compared with the mechanical ones. The majority of the people out there buy a watch merely to tell time. The number of "cheapo" quartz watches must number in the several millions and must be also very, very affordable to all and sundry. So, yes, I'd say Quartz still rules!! JJ __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

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