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.

[Old Expat Beast]

Maybe the new CEO is an OQ guy.

[cop414]

I would be interested for sure.

[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....

[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

[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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Onikage]

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

[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!!!!!!

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[Nycturbovr6]

I might be interested

[sea-dweller]

Not for me, thanks.

[Tombstone]

A friend and fellow collector said he was always teased by people who did not know a Rolex from a hole in the ground. People would accuse him of having a fake Rolex since there was no sweeping movement of the second hand.

[Blackdog]

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?

Now this is a good question….

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? 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.

Ahhh, the old myth of the hand building… Hand assembly would be more like it, and it would apply to the OQ too.

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by beshannon

It would not interest me at all.
Just because they can make a quartz watch does not mean they should.

This is a difficult argument to rebut, I have to admit….

Originally Posted by Starbucksboss

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.

I am so in agreement with you !!
Now that I have an age and bank account that would maybe allow me to buy a spicier than average car they want to convince me that it's up to me to save the planet !!

[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.