Are quartz movement superior to automatic one's

[leginigel]

Are quartz movements superior to automatic one's,I have been asked this on a early thead.My answer was,The only thing I put batterys in does not tell the time.my wife pointed out we allso have the TV remote control!But giveing this some thought what about the Bell&ross Hydromax,beats my Rolex sub and my dayley beater the Omega Seamaster both automatic,am I just set in my ways or could I end up with a quartz?

[BigAlinEmbra]

Depends what you mean by superior. Quartz probably keeps more accurate time, but then there's more engineering in a mechanical movement.

A toyota yaris is more likely to start after being left standing in the snow for a fortnight than an F355, which is "superior"?

[leginigel]

I was asked which was superior and yours is a point.I would go along with you automatic way in front.

[leginigel]

Sould of just said the 355,haveing driven both,all be it a F1.

[ATG]

If a watch's purpose is to keep accurate time, then quartz is obviously superior. From an enginerring purpose quartz is simpler, cheaper, more reliable ... superior. But there's not much romance in quartz. One could say an automatic movemnet is superior in romance if one wanted to, but it sounds a bit odd.

[ShadownINja]

Indeed, if it is about accuracy, then irrespective of the "engineering", you want to know the time to the precise second, then quartz is the way forward. However, I don't mind being a minute early or late. My life doesn't require that degree of accuracy. If I need to catch the 11.50 train, I'll get there at 11.45.

[BigAlinEmbra]

ShadownINja said:

Indeed, if it is about accuracy, then irrespective of the "engineering", you want to know the time to the precise second, then quartz is the way forward. However, I don't mind being a minute early or late. My life doesn't require that degree of accuracy. If I need to catch the 11.50 train, I'll get there at 11.45.

And wait 35 mins instead of a mere half hour.

[ShadownINja]

[leginigel]

To be superior I think it's got to be the best overall and do not think they are,neither has automatic the right to be call superior,but a few come close with their exceptional time keeping and non-reset calendars.

[Asterix]

ATG said:

If a watch's purpose is to keep accurate time, then quartz is obviously superior. From an enginerring purpose quartz is simpler, cheaper, more reliable ... superior. But there's not much romance in quartz. One could say an automatic movemnet is superior in romance if one wanted to, but it sounds a bit odd.

Another reason why an Automatic is superior is that a battery can run out. Unless your arm stops moving (and barring mechanical faliure which could affect a quartz as well) then you have something that will keep going and not stop without warning.

[Invisible man]

Asterix said:

ATG said:

If a watch's purpose is to keep accurate time, then quartz is obviously superior. From an enginerring purpose quartz is simpler, cheaper, more reliable ... superior. But there's not much romance in quartz. One could say an automatic movemnet is superior in romance if one wanted to, but it sounds a bit odd.

Another reason why an Automatic is superior is that a battery can run out. Unless your arm stops moving (and barring mechanical faliure which could affect a quartz as well) then you have something that will keep going and not stop without warning.

Most good quality Quartz watches have a low battery indicator

[Slagathore]

Invisible man said:

Asterix said:

ATG said:

If a watch's purpose is to keep accurate time, then quartz is obviously superior. From an enginerring purpose quartz is simpler, cheaper, more reliable ... superior. But there's not much romance in quartz. One could say an automatic movemnet is superior in romance if one wanted to, but it sounds a bit odd.

Another reason why an Automatic is superior is that a battery can run out. Unless your arm stops moving (and barring mechanical faliure which could affect a quartz as well) then you have something that will keep going and not stop without warning.

Most good quality Quartz watches have a low battery indicator

Yup!

In the Sinn manual, it says when the battery is low the second hand will start jumping every 4 seconds instead of one. It will carry on for 1-2 weeks aswell.

[BigAlinEmbra]

Slagathore said:

Invisible man said:

Asterix said:

ATG said:

If a watch's purpose is to keep accurate time, then quartz is obviously superior. From an enginerring purpose quartz is simpler, cheaper, more reliable ... superior. But there's not much romance in quartz. One could say an automatic movemnet is superior in romance if one wanted to, but it sounds a bit odd.

Another reason why an Automatic is superior is that a battery can run out. Unless your arm stops moving (and barring mechanical faliure which could affect a quartz as well) then you have something that will keep going and not stop without warning.

Most good quality Quartz watches have a low battery indicator

Yup!

In the Sinn manual, it says when the battery is low the second hand will start jumping every 4 seconds instead of one. It will carry on for 1-2 weeks aswell.

My Seamaster ran months on the low battery indicator! About 6 iirc!

[ATG]

Asterix said:

ATG said:

If a watch's purpose is to keep accurate time, then quartz is obviously superior. From an enginerring purpose quartz is simpler, cheaper, more reliable ... superior. But there's not much romance in quartz. One could say an automatic movemnet is superior in romance if one wanted to, but it sounds a bit odd.

Another reason why an Automatic is superior is that a battery can run out. Unless your arm stops moving (and barring mechanical faliure which could affect a quartz as well) then you have something that will keep going and not stop without warning.

by the time a quartz's battery goes flat, an automatic will have gained or lost so much time a sundial will be a better bet. In any case, you can get solar or automatic stylee dynamo watches. By any objective measure quartz is best, but objectivity be damned ... automatics are much more fun in the same way that the impracticality built into a sports car is fun.

[deejuic]

ATG said:

Asterix said:

ATG said:

If a watch's purpose is to keep accurate time, then quartz is obviously superior. From an enginerring purpose quartz is simpler, cheaper, more reliable ... superior. But there's not much romance in quartz. One could say an automatic movemnet is superior in romance if one wanted to, but it sounds a bit odd.

Another reason why an Automatic is superior is that a battery can run out. Unless your arm stops moving (and barring mechanical faliure which could affect a quartz as well) then you have something that will keep going and not stop without warning.

by the time a quartz's battery goes flat, an automatic will have gained or lost so much time a sundial will be a better bet. In any case, you can get solar or automatic stylee dynamo watches. By any objective measure quartz is best, but objectivity be damned ... automatics are much more fun in the same way that the impracticality built into a sports car is fun.

Agreed. Could a similar argument not be made for automatic transmissions versus manual ones? Granted automatics are more technologically involved, there many reasons why many of us prefer manual transmissions over automatics. as quoted above. manuals are just more fun - like automatic watches.

Also, I would argue while the technology of quartz watches is now commonplace and no longer requires extensive engineering to manufacture, at the time of its creation, the circuitry behind it was a significant advancement of engineering. I would be hard pressed to counter anyone who says that electrical engineering and computer engineering are easier than the engineering required to develop a movement.

[leginigel]

There looks to be a place for both of these watches,the point about automatic or manual transmisson brings the argument in to perception,I love driveing my automatic car to and from work all 3 miles,but weekends it's 4 on the floor and driveing for fun.As for which vehicle is superior,TVR v Range Rover I don't want to go there!But it looks a simlar argument with no clear winner.

[Mr Noble]

Slagathore said:

the second hand will start jumping every 4 seconds instead of one.

Does that mean a day lasts 96 hours then?





Sounds like the OP needs one of these

[ShadownINja]

deejuic said:

ATG said:

Asterix said:

ATG said:

If a watch's purpose is to keep accurate time, then quartz is obviously superior. From an enginerring purpose quartz is simpler, cheaper, more reliable ... superior. But there's not much romance in quartz. One could say an automatic movemnet is superior in romance if one wanted to, but it sounds a bit odd.

Another reason why an Automatic is superior is that a battery can run out. Unless your arm stops moving (and barring mechanical faliure which could affect a quartz as well) then you have something that will keep going and not stop without warning.

by the time a quartz's battery goes flat, an automatic will have gained or lost so much time a sundial will be a better bet. In any case, you can get solar or automatic stylee dynamo watches. By any objective measure quartz is best, but objectivity be damned ... automatics are much more fun in the same way that the impracticality built into a sports car is fun.

Agreed. Could a similar argument not be made for automatic transmissions versus manual ones? Granted automatics are more technologically involved, there many reasons why many of us prefer manual transmissions over automatics. as quoted above. manuals are just more fun - like automatic watches.

Also, I would argue while the technology of quartz watches is now commonplace and no longer requires extensive engineering to manufacture, at the time of its creation, the circuitry behind it was a significant advancement of engineering. I would be hard pressed to counter anyone who says that electrical engineering and computer engineering are easier than the engineering required to develop a movement.

Are you lot saying a manual wind watch is better, then?

[ShadownINja]

Oh, those solar/eco/kinetic capacitor-based watches are brilliant... you may have to change the capacitor every 5-15 years depending on brand/model.

[NJH]

Quartz is also much tougher, if you want a watch purely as a tool go qaurtz. Remember also that an auto needs to be serviced just as often as a quartz will need a new battery.