Why do we own watches with automatic movements?

[BillA]

Why do we own watches with automatic movements?

Is it because the watch manufactures make them, charge more than quartz and say they are better quality?

With our automatic movement Rolex watches, we set them down a few days, they stop, we reset, many enthusiasts just don’t reset but reset to Time.Gov or another service.

I recently bought and returned an automatic Shinola as a gift for a family member. Of course when I got it, I wound it, set it to Time.Gov and the next day noticed it was off by a big margin. I called the company and chatted with them and got three different answers anywhere from +/- 1 minute per day to 15 seconds per day within their spec. Now I realize it is a fraction of the cost of a Rolex, but still 1 minute per day or even 15 seconds per day is not good.

We get angry when our watches don’t keep good time. Let’s be honest all the automatic movements are off after a few days. If you can live with that, fine, but many enthusiasts want accuracy. Hey, we paid a lot of money for a Rolex watch.

I have been thinking about this recently. I bought a Breitling Endurance Pro recently, it is quartz movement. I set it to Time.Gov and a few days later I checked it. It was spot on! So now I am thinking I have a beautiful time piece and it keeps accurate time all the time, so why do I want an automatic watch?

[Old Expat Beast]

It's at least partly because of the oft-repeated line, instigated I believe by the Swiss watch industry in the 1970s, that quartz movements don't have "soul". Quite how a natural-grown crystal mysteriously beating in perfect time with the universe, though, is somehow soul-less compared to a chemically treated balance wheel is beyond me.

[Maxy]

It is not about Automatic or Quartz. Both has it's pros and cons. I own 2 highly rated quartz in Grand Seiko and Breitling Endurance Pro (1 formal, 1 casual) and both are better than many automatics in their own range and in general. My life is not dependent on 1 or 2 seconds time difference per day so for me Automatics if within Chronometer specs is there, it is just fine. We try to buy the best automatic movement possible and best quartz movement possible.

If you need perfect time all the time to the milli second - then pop up your iPhone or mobile device and not wrist watch will beat it and you don't need a watch ever!

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It's at least partly because of the oft-repeated line, instigated I believe by the Swiss watch industry in the 1970s, that quartz movements don't have "soul". Quite how a natural-grown crystal mysteriously beating in perfect time with the universe, though, is somehow soul-less compared to a chemically treated balance wheel is beyond me.

I do feel this way genuinely. When you have to wind a manual watch or start an automatic watch and with an exhibition back particularly when you can see what it does, it does feel more like it’s somehow alive. I can literally see my wife falling asleep at this part of the explanation

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It's at least partly because of the oft-repeated line, instigated I believe by the Swiss watch industry in the 1970s, that quartz movements don't have "soul". Quite how a natural-grown crystal mysteriously beating in perfect time with the universe, though, is somehow soul-less compared to a chemically treated balance wheel is beyond me.

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[Db7566]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It's at least partly because of the oft-repeated line, instigated I believe by the Swiss watch industry in the 1970s, that quartz movements don't have "soul". Quite how a natural-grown crystal mysteriously beating in perfect time with the universe, though, is somehow soul-less compared to a chemically treated balance wheel is beyond me.

Looks like I am due for some reading on quarts movements.


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[TimeAZ]

Bracelet, case, clasp, design/aesthetic are factors that are equally important to me. This is why I wear my automatic Rolex... because most other watches fall short in those other parameters.

In terms of movement, I think GS 9F quartz and GS spring drives are the cream-of-the-crop and top shelf movements in the entire market. Unfortunately GS falls short in bracelet, clasp, and case dimensions.

[Brew]

Since tracking time is a human invention, I think it’s only right that we provide the energy necessary to keep our folly going.


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[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by BillA

Why do we own watches with automatic movements?

To save daily winding

[NachoNeal]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

To save daily winding

and the hassle of battery replacement.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by NachoNeal

and the hassle of battery replacement.

That's easier than changing straps, and it's once every few years.

[NachoNeal]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

That's easier than changing straps, and it's once every few years.

True but if you have five watches that's five times as much hassle.

[Xenophon]

I've never understood why quartz is frowned upon in certain circles either.

[Etschell]

I own a g shock. I'm not opposed to quartz.

[Tikandtokalot]

The joy and appreciation of micro engineering without the advent of electronics.
Small mechanical marvels to enjoy.

[Xerxes77]

Originally Posted by BillA

Why do we own watches with automatic movements?

Is it because the watch manufactures make them, charge more than quartz and say they are better quality?

With our automatic movement Rolex watches, we set them down a few days, they stop, we reset, many enthusiasts just don’t reset but reset to Time.Gov or another service.

I recently bought and returned an automatic Shinola as a gift for a family member. Of course when I got it, I wound it, set it to Time.Gov and the next day noticed it was off by a big margin. I called the company and chatted with them and got three different answers anywhere from +/- 1 minute per day to 15 seconds per day within their spec. Now I realize it is a fraction of the cost of a Rolex, but still 1 minute per day or even 15 seconds per day is not good.

We get angry when our watches don’t keep good time. Let’s be honest all the automatic movements are off after a few days. If you can live with that, fine, but many enthusiasts want accuracy. Hey, we paid a lot of money for a Rolex watch.

I have been thinking about this recently. I bought a Breitling Endurance Pro recently, it is quartz movement. I set it to Time.Gov and a few days later I checked it. It was spot on! So now I am thinking I have a beautiful time piece and it keeps accurate time all the time, so why do I want an automatic watch?

My BLRO work 0 seconds after 2 weeks wear so like your quartz Breitling
Also a mechanical watch have a “heart” who tic ….

[Krash]

If you have only 1 watch, it’s nice having an automatic. You can go months and months without having to wind it. I wore my Submariner almost exclusively for a couple years. I rotate it with others now, so I do have to wind it now.

RE: quartz watches, I’ll take it a step further. Why not get an Apple Watch then? It’s even more accurate than a quartz watch, it even knows what time zone you’re in, and resets itself it for daylight savings time. You never have to re-set the date, and it’s a perpetual calendar too.


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[trfChris]

Originally Posted by Krash

RE: quartz watches, I’ll take it a step further. Why not get an Apple Watch then? It’s even more accurate than a quartz watch, it even knows what time zone you’re in, and resets itself it for daylight savings time. You never have to re-set the date, and it’s a perpetual calendar too.

Yep, the Apple Watch is indeed a great watch.

[1William]

Convenience, Workmanship on movements and many other reasons.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by 1William

Convenience, Workmanship on movements and many other reasons.

I dunno, I mean the grand Seiko 9F is arguably better finished than the average Rolex automatic movement (some models even have exhibition casebacks), and is supposed not to need a service for 50 years. My Grand Seiko SBGT235 hasn't gained or lost a second in over six months, and has a fully jewelled gear train. I can also change the battery in two minutes (every three years), or Seiko will do it free with new seals and a pressure test. That's pretty convenient.

[7enderbender]

If you have to ask you don’t get it and maybe never will. It’s for the same reasons we own cars with manual transmission (I do and will never have anything else), fountain pens, analog film cameras, and many other marvels of traditional precision engineering. Those are art forms that are slowly getting lost (and still being perfected in small pockets of excellence).
Yes, nobody actually needs a watch at all these days since we’re all carrying cell phones that have the processing power of many times the computer that brought men to the moon. Yet the mechanical watch that saved the Apollo 13 mission still goes nicely along with it for instance. In fact, I’d rather toss my iPhone than my mechanical watches. It’s actually a thought that has seriously crossed my mind lately. Get a simple small flip phone for calls and text and be done with the 24h madness and distractions. I’ve already killed off all social media with the exception of a few old fashioned forums like this one where you’re still anonymous. And cable TV is gone too. My life has improved. The 24h news cycle and mass hysteria is bringing us down. Guess what, when you check “the news” several hours later the world is still going down the drain. And the junk accumulating in my inbox can also wait.
I’m on my way back from a week long of hiking and climbing in my watches’ homeland. Things are still slower here but not all backwards.
I can live with a few seconds over the course of a month that need resetting.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

If you have to ask you don’t get it and maybe never will. It’s for the same reasons we own cars with manual transmission (I do and will never have anything else), fountain pens, analog film cameras, and many other marvels of traditional precision engineering. Those are art forms that are slowly getting lost (and still being perfected in small pockets of excellence).
Yes, nobody actually needs a watch at all these days since we’re all carrying cell phones that have the processing power of many times the computer that brought men to the moon. Yet the mechanical watch that saved the Apollo 13 mission still goes nicely along with it for instance. In fact, I’d rather toss my iPhone than my mechanical watches. It’s actually a thought that has seriously crossed my mind lately. Get a simple small flip phone for calls and text and be done with the 24h madness and distractions. I’ve already killed off all social media with the exception of a few old fashioned forums like this one where you’re still anonymous. And cable TV is gone too. My life has improved. The 24h news cycle and mass hysteria is bringing us down. Guess what, when you check “the news” several hours later the world is still going down the drain. And the junk accumulating in my inbox can also wait.
I’m on my way back from a week long of hiking and climbing in my watches’ homeland. Things are still slower here but not all backwards.
I can live with a few seconds over the course of a month that need resetting.

Best reply of all!

[S.Explorer]

Mechanical watches = old school engineering.

Nothing wrong with quartz but I'd never pay hundreds for one.

[Swearengen]

I'm partial to Quartz, Autos and manual winds, but have a bit of a thing for high frequency quartz like the Omega Megaquartz 2.4MHz

[enjoythemusic]

i'm lazy, that's why we need auto-wind. Plus many of us NEVER take off our timepieces, so basically they run 24/7/365 without worry.

BTW, Shinola is a fun brand to experiment on for beginners. Go ahead and regulate the movement yourself. You can probably get it within +/-4 seconds a day all on your own, maybe even better

[Mystro]

When the robots rise up they can’t turn a mechanical watch against you.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Mystro

When the robots rise up they can’t turn a mechanical watch against you.

Actually this resonates with me in the sense that when I wear a mechanical watch, I think of it as a bit of a throw back to a bygone era.

Plus, I like knowing I’m wearing a little ‘machine like’ piece of art on my wrist.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Mystro

When the robots rise up they can’t turn a mechanical watch against you.

There's actually something to this. When western civilization melts down, cell towers collapse, the EMP blasts go off, and satellites fall from the sky all those cell phones and smart watches stop working everyone left standing will wish they had a nice indestructible mechanical watch on their wrist to reference.

Terminator was so ahead of its time!

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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by samson66

There's actually something to this. When western civilization melts down, cell towers collapse, the EMP blasts go off, and satellites fall from the sky all those cell phones and smart watches stop working everyone left standing will wish they had a nice indestructible mechanical watch on their wrist to reference.

Terminator was so ahead of its time!

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Until it gets magnetized or needs a service and the watchmakers are all gone. Solar powered quartz will likely be most viable....Seiko Arnie maybe?

[DJ2020]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Until it gets magnetized or needs a service and the watchmakers are all gone. Solar powered quartz will likely be most viable....Seiko Arnie maybe?

Thank goodness I have a Metas certified 15,000 gauss Omega.
I'm covered! Quartz accuracy?, not counting a Hyper accuracy Quartz like Longines HAQ or a grand Seiko, my 300M is more accurate. In 100 days and it's only +2 seconds. So 7 seconds a year is pretty good and I don't have to interrupt the time keeping to correct the date. My P.O. is following it's footsteps.

Maybe by the time I need a service, the world will have recovered and after being on the waiting list for the last 10 years I will get the call.