Tissot Couturier

[cure]

Good evening,

I am about to buy a quartz Tissot Couturier. I really liked the automatic one, but ~800 pounds is a bit much at the moment. Is the quartz a worthy alternative? What do you guys think about it, are there similar watches out there that would be a better buy? Is there something else I need to know? It would be my first.



Thanks.

[PJ S]

How much is this one costing you?
What's your budget?
Are you looking for a chronograph specifically?
Would you prefer an automatic watch, so you can see the movement and rotor in the rear?

[andy tims]

Its a nice looking watch, but if price matters try for a pre-owned one. You might even find an auto is within reach.

Edit

£260 on Amazon right now - you can't go wrong at that price

Edited by andy tims on Monday 3rd February 20:47

[cure]

This one would be 300 pounds. I prefer the look of a chrono but I don't expect myself to be using it. I just like the extra dials. Doesn't have to be an automatic, although I really like the mechanicals of one.

Should I be looking on chrono24 for a pre owned one? I only seem to come across new adverts.

[yeti]

Lots of lovely Steinhart, Chris Ward, Stowa, Sinn and Damaskos for that money too.

Lovely stuyff on here http://www.pageandcooper.com/

Or as mentioned, seek out a pre-owned one and get twice as much for your budget.

(Almost) always mechanical over quartz.

[cure]

This would be my first choice, but at three times the cost, I'm not sure if it's worth it. Anyone here who knows where to find one that's been owned?



I really like the day display.

[Bradgate]

This is my Couturier quartz : (pls excuse crappy ipad photo!)



I have had it for 3 years, and wear it every day. It has a real quality look & feel, the bracelet in particular feels like it cost many times the actual price. I would highly recommend them.

[AnimalBob]

I think with that budget my money would be on a Smiths Everest for £245. Not a chrono but its a good looking black faced automatic.



http://www.timefactors.com/smiths.htm

[Hoofy]

andy tims said:

Its a nice looking watch, but if price matters try for a pre-owned one. You might even find an auto is within reach.

Edit

£260 on Amazon right now - you can't go wrong at that price

Edited by andy tims on Monday 3rd February 20:47

This one? http://amzn.to/1fHCqPW

They need to sort out the description!

[PJ S]

cure said:

This would be my first choice, but at three times the cost, I'm not sure if it's worth it. Anyone here who knows where to find one that's been owned?

I really like the day display.

Nothing showing up pre-owned.

https://www.chrono24.com/en/tissot/couturier-chron... – cheapest day/date, and the strap version is only £60 less, so the bracelet makes more sense.

If you can live without the day display, then http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Tissot-Couturier-Gents... is the cheapest I've seen.
The difference is that the back has a small viewing window, like a porthole on a ship's cabin – mickey mouse, IMNSHO!

From what I can see, it looks to be a discontinued model, so the self-import from the US dealer there, might be your only hope.

Otherwise, play with C24 and your budget, to see what else might float your boat.

[delays]

cure said:

Is the quartz a worthy alternative?

Re: this point specifically, I think quartz is always a worthy alternative for a watch you can rely upon.

For example, my dad gets less excited about watches than I do, and therefore is starting mumbling about "going back to quartz" after getting annoyed at his auto unwinding, losing time, etc - the nuances of autos that the rest of us accept as part of the fun!

So, I can see the point in quartz and it's a shame the (luxury) watch industry can get a bit sniffy about quartz movements.

[mikeveal]

Here are the main differences between quartz and mechanical movements. I'll try and place them in in order of importance, with the most important first.

• Because of the next two bullet points, quartz watches have no soul.

• Quartz watches use an off the shelf chunk of crystal to run an electronic oscillator at 32.768KHz. The electrical circuit could be designed by any first year degree student and most of them look like they have been. There is no art and no presentation in the design of a quartz watch mechanism.

• Mechanical watches are horrendously complicated mechanical oscillators. The design of which requires an intimate knowledge of mechanics, of material science (material hardness, thermal co-efficient of expansion, lubrication) and an insane and obsessive attention to detail especially with regard to efficiency. Watch designers also have an appreciation and intimate knowledge of hundreds of years of horological evolution. Not only is the design of watch mechanics a bit of an art form, the designers often go to extreme lengths to decorate the movements, even when they are hidden from view.

• The second hand on a mechanical watch will sweep around the dial in a way that is soothing to watch, whereas the second hand of a quartz watch jerks gratingly at one second intervals.

• Quartz watches go "Tick-------Tick-------Tick-------" whereas mechanicals go "TicktockTicktockTicktockTicktock", in quiet moments you will listen to your mechanical watch and be filled with joy.

• With a quartz watch you just set it and forget it. You are denied the joy of adjusting and winding a mechanical movement.

• Quartz watches will not require a 5-10 year service. A mechanical will need to sent to a watchmaker to be stripped down, cleaned, lubricated and regulated. Another chance to lavish care and attention on your mechanical masterpiece.

• When you're wearing a mechanical watch, you'll never know exactly what the time is. When someone asks you the time you'll be able to say "it's roughly ...". Even the very best mechanical watches are only specified to be accurate within -4 / +6 seconds a day, whereas a cheap quartz watch will be accurate to an irritating +/- 1 second a month. Wearing a mechanical watch will therefore give you a new and more relaxed approach to time and time keeping.

I hope this helps you with your decision. I think it should be clear from this that quartz watches are inferior in every way.

[yeti]

mikeveal said:

I hope this helps you with your decision. I think it should be clear from this that quartz watches are inferior in every way.

Probably the best post I have ever seen in this section, thanks

[mikeveal]

Why thank you! Just trying to help the young lad understand the basics.