We don't like quartz, do we?

[Goodwatch]

Well, ‘we’, I’ll just speak for myself. There was a time, in a Galaxy far, far away, that I was awestruck by the first LED watch I saw. I must have been 14. I was mesmerized and at that time those watches were the final word in time keeping. Quartz accurate (1 minute deviation a month) and a clear way to tell time. Remember the advertisements in those days? The quality of the watch was measured by the number of functions. Hours, minutes, seconds, date, etc.

It was a big blow to the traditional watch industry. All of a sudden, everyone could make a watch. After the introduction (that first LED watch cost more than a Rolex!), the prices dropped rapidly and even Tandy started selling them. The Swiss watch industry (they did the initial research) was stabbed in the back by their own invention and even great houses like Patek Philippe sold out. It was a disaster. The turning point, in my humble view, came with the introduction of the analogue quartz watch. Again, some basic watch making skills became important and the introduction of the Swatch watch was the best thing that happened in a long time.

And now we are experiencing a genuine mechanical watch renaissance. And many, almost forgotten brand are riding that wave again. There is interest, enough interest to introduce very elaborate mechanical watches at elevated prices.

Seiko have introduced a watch that seems best of both worlds, an analogue quartz watch driven by a miniature, rotor power plant that charges a capacitor. A quartz automatic, so to speak. The better offerings from that range (beautiful workmanship) are in the $700 price class.

So buying a Citizen Aqualand dive watch seems the best thing you can do. Proven reliability, mature technology, bomb proof and accurate. Pop in a new battery every 3 years and Bob’s your uncle. Or buy an Eco Drive, no battery needed. Ever. Yes? No.

No. Not for a watch that should give something extra. To me a watch means much more than just a device that tells the time. I could use my cell phone for this. A mechanical watch is an anachronism. It goes against all logic. It needs constant attention, it wears out, even expensive exemplars can’t even begin to match quartz accuracy and they need to be wound. Be it by hand or with an inertia device.

But they have a soul. They carry with them the promise, the hint, that an old watchmaker with squinted eye and surrounded by tools has created yet another master piece. With the consent of the ghosts of geniuses like John Harrison and Christiaan Huygens.

Anyhoo. I have caught that bug a long time ago and am incurable. The electronic watch, with all it’s razor sharp accuracy and efficiency doesn’t make me warm inside. What is your story on this? And do you believe, like me, that some of the offerings are directed straight at the watch collector? Yes, very elaborate and beautifully made but a just tad out of place sometimes.

[roadcarver]

I like quartz but just not on the wrist :-) I use quartz for the home clock, alarm clock etc.

Seriously though, I always admired mechanical watches especially self winding ones.

[Rockrolex]

I feel pretty much the same way, Frans. I used to think that quartz watches were the be all and end all. That was before I discovered automatic mechanical watches. I've got a dozen quartz watches that I never wear anymore. Even my favorite quartz, a Casio atomic watch with analog dial, memory and several alarms, plus chrono, date, etc. It just sits in the watch box for when I need to set my other watches.

I don't think I would ever buy a quartz again. Although I did let a quartz YG DD get away from me a few years ago. But that was before I knew the value of that one.

[C.J.]

I think you summed it all up in one line there, bro. Our watches have SOUL. Quartz is fine, accurate, dependable and can provide amazing functions. But, none are as amazing to me as the intricate little workings that makes up the soul of my mechanical

[JJ Irani]

The ONLY quartz watch I ever owned was a Longines Conquest VHP (Very High Precision) with a thermocompensated quartz movement. Very, very accurate indeed, but that was while I was still having an affair with my Rollies!!

[mamas]

great post! agree with all you say!!

[padi56]

Myself prefer Mechanical, but for a diving tool watch would choose quartz.Now I respect companies like Seiko and Citizen some of there quartz watches are the most accurate in the world today.My own Citizen Promaster Aqualand 11 has seen a lot of serious underwater work.And has taken quite a few hard knocks but has never let me down,a great tool watch.And yes the mechanical watch is starting to make a comeback.And again we must thank the Japanese Miyota and Seiko,plus the Swiss ETA, without these so called lower priced mechanical watches,many would never be able to experience the joy of owning a mechanical watch in the first place.So today there is room for the two quartz and mechanical or any hybrids between the two.Good post Frans.

[BruceS]

I like this one



and this is my former "real dive watch"



Otherwise, yeah I prefer mechanical too.
Cheers,
Bruce

[padi56]

Originally Posted by BruceS

and this is my former "real dive watch"



Otherwise, yeah I prefer mechanical too.
Cheers,
Bruce

Almost a snap Bruce bought mine in Singapore it was about £140, at the time
the rip off UK price was around £299.

[BruceS]

Cool! I've got that one too, but I think the gold bits are smooth. The crystal is all scratched up from being dragged across rocks when I had the watch strapped to a d ring on my BC whilst wearing a dry suit

Don't remember what I paid for mine, but they weren't all that expensive. 'Course I bought 'em in the US. You sure are right about the prices here!!
Cheers,
Bruce

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

The ONLY quartz watch I ever owned was a Longines Conquest VHP (Very High Precision) with a thermocompensated quartz movement. Very, very accurate indeed, but that was while I was still having an affair with my Rollies!!

And now that you're having an affair with your sheep, are you off Rolexes or quartz?

[Rockrolex]

CBS "Sunday Morning" yesterday had a piece about the resurgence of mechanical watches. In the States, sales of mechanical watches has increased 20% in the past few years.

Mechanical watches will probably never again outsell quartz watches. First off, you can't get a mechanical watch as cheaply as a $10.00 quartz. Those things are throw aways. When they stop working, it's cheaper to replace the whole watch than it is to replace the battery.

Second, when you get people returning a mechanical watch because it stopped running two days after they bought it, these are the type of people who don't deserve to own a mechanical watch.