A comeback of the OQ, unthinkable ? Would it interest you ?

[Blackdog]

Sorry for the long post, bear with me on this little brainstorming excercise…

Web browsing I stumbled upon some of the Seiko Kinetic divers. I find the Kinetic thing a very clever idea, after all the need for frequent battery changes have always been the achilles heel of water resistant quartz watches. I thought that, for the price, it would probably be fun to get one as a beater and eventually take it underwater.

But then I thought about the kind of watches I own and like to wear (Speedies, Reversos, and specifically for diving a trusty 16610, a BlackBay and a recently acquired 16600 SD) and realized that most likely I would never wear the Seiko.

That got me thinking, what if a company like Rolex did something like that. What if they were to rethink the quartz movement and make something like an evolution of the Oysterquartz.

[brainstorm]
A concept along the lines of the Kinetic is a must, with the self-winding rotor gears moving a generator charging a battery, but they could also go a bit further: Why not a sweeping seconds hand quartz movement. Let's say they keep the top quality watch movement concept and just design a quartz-driven escapement. No more hairspring, quartz accuracy and virtually impervious to magnetic fields. The Electro-Perpetual, Hybrid movement.

Throw an Oyster case and a Triplock crown in the mix and that would be a much more interesting upgrade to a Sub than just a bigger case and a ceramic insert. I would likely buy and wear a watch like that.
Such a movement could be their "3135" for the 21st century.

The beauty of a quartz escapement is that you could also use it in other platforms, a traditional chronograph would also be possible. Hybrid Daytona anyone ?
[/brainstorm]

I know it's almost science fiction to even imagine that Rolex would spend a single Swiss-franc in that kind of R&D when they can sell us the 3135 packaged in different precious metals for enourmoulsy big $, over and over again for years to come… But if they did, would such a watch be interesting to you ?

[travisb]

I'd welcome a re-intro of the OQ.

[Old Expat Beast]

I'd be interested, but I'm already an OQ fan.

[The Joker]

Think Rolex is too snobby to reintroduce it. Breitling has a thermocompensated quartz, it's like an atomic clock, and an 8 year battery life. Think there could be a market for it if Rolex re-introduced one.

[crowncollection]

Yes great watch an engineering marvel


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[Cru Jones]

what appeals to me about the OQ is the design and feeling from a certain time and era. not sure that a "new OQ" would have that same charm, but, a new movement would be fun.

[cop414]

I would be interested for sure.

[adamlea]

I can see where a contemporary in-house quartz movement could generate some collector interest - as a novelty, if nothing else. Maybe it's me, but I just don't see that much horological razzmatazz in the OQ.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

what appeals to me about the OQ is the design and feeling from a certain time and era. not sure that a "new OQ" would have that same charm, but, a new movement would be fun.

They should revive this one, but with a quickset movement

[MaxCargo]

meh.... maybe if the price is right

[Old Expat Beast]

Maybe the new CEO is an OQ guy.

[up2nogood]

I like the case shape. More than AP's if I'm being honest. Suppose I could live with something I don't have to set the date....

[roger0770]

Originally Posted by up2nogood

I like the case shape. More than AP's if I'm being honest. Suppose I could live with something I don't have to set the date....

Now you mentioned it, I never thought about the similarity between the two watches until now. It'd be interesting to see.

[beshannon]

It would not interest me at all.

The soul of mechanical manufacture movements is what makes these watches special.

Just because they can make a quartz watch does not mean they should.

[Chewbacca]

i think at the least rolex should reintro the case design. its by far the best of the datejust cases from the 70's - 2000's imo and would give other similar looking modern-retro watches a run for the money. see ref#1530 for some interesting notes.

that era of Genta-esque blending of sport and formal is stunning and ended too soon.

this thread gave me an idea... INCOMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by beshannon

it would not interest me at all.

The soul of mechanical manufacture movements is what makes these watches special.

Just because they can make a quartz watch does not mean they should.

x2!!!!!!

[Starbucksboss]

Originally Posted by beshannon

It would not interest me at all.

The soul of mechanical manufacture movements is what makes these watches special.

Just because they can make a quartz watch does not mean they should.

I agree and thats why I am delighted to have been part of the internal combustion engine era...you can keep your electric Ferrari. I'll cycle.

[Tridor]

Originally Posted by beshannon

It would not interest me at all.

The soul of mechanical manufacture movements is what makes these watches special.

Just because they can make a quartz watch does not mean they should.

This!

[drfaulkner]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Just because they can make a quartz watch does not mean they should.

x2

[Onikage]

If the price was right. The Royal Oak doesn't seem to have done AP any harm. Similar styling.

[GradyPhilpott]

I think that Rolex would still be making quartz Oysters if they had been big sellers.

Rolex hasn't completely abandoned quartz, as there are at least a couple in the Cellini line.

I just don't think that there is enough demand for Rolex to go back to the Oysterquartz.

By the way, Bulova's Precisionist movements have sweeping second hands.

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I think that Rolex would still be making quartz Oysters if they had been big sellers.

Rolex hasn't completely abandoned quartz, as there are at least a couple in the Cellini line.

I just don't think that there is enough demand for Rolex to go back to the Oysterquartz.

By the way, Bulova's Precisionist movements have sweeping second hands.

You're probably right. BTW I didn't know about the Bulova, thanks for the info.

[Blackdog]

I see that the few that would be interested are more into a re-issue of the original OQ design, mostly for nostalgic reasons, than any new and radical techno-marvel.

It would seem that when it comes to spending big $ most people will look into mechanical pieces and still look down a bit on quartz watches in general.

[Metalheart]

I'd love the introduction of the OQ. Heck if there is a brand I want to own a quartz from, that would be Rolex. We all know they can design classic timeless watches that feel quite in place in any generation.

I am also a Breitling fan and they make some very accurate and attractive quartz pieces, but put it next to an OQ and you know which one wins.

[Old Expat Beast]

Can anyone explain to me how a mechanical movement powered by an unwinding clockwork spring has any more 'soul' than a movement regulated by an essentially organic crystal?

[10:11:31 28]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Can anyone explain to me how a mechanical movement powered by an unwinding clockwork spring has any more 'soul' than a movement regulated by an essentially organic crystal?

Because the mechanical movement was made by a human and the quartz movement was made by a machine? I'd still like to see them reintroduce the OQ line if it was a high accuracy quartz to within 10 seconds or better. An updated version of the angular OQ case and a sweeping second hard would be a nice.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by 10:11:31 28

Because the mechanical movement was made by a human and the quartz movement was made by a machine?

The OQ movement was made by humans (or Swiss gnomes), too, and is largely mechanical, with 11 jewels.

[adamlea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Can anyone explain to me how a mechanical movement powered by an unwinding clockwork spring has any more 'soul' than a movement regulated by an essentially organic crystal?

Good question - figured I'd take a crack at it. I'd say that it's exactly what you pointed out: it's perpetually regulated by a quartz crystal, which means its output never varies. It never runs too fast, it never runs too slow, it never needs to be regulated. In other words, it's automated.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by adamlea

Good question - figured I'd take a crack at it. I'd say that it's exactly what you pointed out: it's perpetually regulated by a quartz crystal, which means its output never varies. It never runs too fast, it never runs too slow, it never needs to be regulated. In other words, it's automated.

My OQ runs about 2 secs fast per month, and talks to me once per second from the other side of the room.

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

... and talks to me once per second from the other side of the room.

Yes, but I bet it talks like R2D2...