Mid range watches - Quartz or Automatic?
Discussion
Which would you advise?
I have a Steinhart Ocean 1 and love it, though this morning I caught myself bidding on a new Chris Ward C60 300 which is quartz and talked myself out of it on the basis my Stein is auto and therefore better...
But when buying a mid range watch (400-1000) should I be put off my quartz? I mean most Omega Seamasters in this range are quartz and they are fantastic watches...
I assume I'll answer my own question, but is it a case of horses for courses or like autos, not all quartz movements are created equal?
Oh and it goes without saying I regret not winning the CW!
I have a Steinhart Ocean 1 and love it, though this morning I caught myself bidding on a new Chris Ward C60 300 which is quartz and talked myself out of it on the basis my Stein is auto and therefore better...
But when buying a mid range watch (400-1000) should I be put off my quartz? I mean most Omega Seamasters in this range are quartz and they are fantastic watches...
I assume I'll answer my own question, but is it a case of horses for courses or like autos, not all quartz movements are created equal?
Oh and it goes without saying I regret not winning the CW!
I've got loads of watches (over 100) of all types- except for "expensive" quartz. Nothing wrong with them, I just can't justify the cost to myself. I think the most that I've spent on a quartz watch is £250.
I'll buy quartz if it does something not available in a mechanical watch.
Faced with two similar watches, I'll spend the extra and go mechanical.
I'll buy quartz if it does something not available in a mechanical watch.
Faced with two similar watches, I'll spend the extra and go mechanical.
I have a couple of expensive autos and a Steinhart Ocean One. All superb watches, however.. due to the nature of my collection they can get left unworn for days, weeks, months! So inevitably when I come to wear one I have to set the time.
Where as this is an insignificant 'issue'... sometimes grabbing a quartz out the box is just handy, so I also have a couple of(£50/£350) quartz watches for this purpose - they definitely have their place.
Although, I do think i would struggle to part with £1000+ for a quartz, paying that much you expect a level of effort, skill and time to have went in to the movement and thus wouldn't grudge the cost.
Where as this is an insignificant 'issue'... sometimes grabbing a quartz out the box is just handy, so I also have a couple of(£50/£350) quartz watches for this purpose - they definitely have their place.
Although, I do think i would struggle to part with £1000+ for a quartz, paying that much you expect a level of effort, skill and time to have went in to the movement and thus wouldn't grudge the cost.
This gets asked fairly frequently.
mikeveal's stock response said:
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 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. Unless you're the sum your parting with has far too many zeros on the wrong side of the decimal point, behind that fancy dial you'll be getting a plastic moulded mechanism.
In contrast 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. Mechanical 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, attention, and sterling 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.
Because of the next two 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. Unless you're the sum your parting with has far too many zeros on the wrong side of the decimal point, behind that fancy dial you'll be getting a plastic moulded mechanism.
In contrast 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. Mechanical 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, attention, and sterling 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.
Eh?
Benefits of a quartz watch? Can't think of any, all of the above are negative points.
But that said, today, yes, I'm wearing a quartz. One of these:
.
Wearing quartz is a pretty rare event for me. Of twenty plus watches in my collection, four are quartz and they don't get a lot of wrist wear.
Benefits of a quartz watch? Can't think of any, all of the above are negative points.
But that said, today, yes, I'm wearing a quartz. One of these:
. Wearing quartz is a pretty rare event for me. Of twenty plus watches in my collection, four are quartz and they don't get a lot of wrist wear.
I guess at that price point it is a trade off between brand and mecanism, personally I prefer to pay for something tangible, so went for an automatic watch from a less well known brand. A quartz watch would be the same as a much cheaper watch, just with a known brand to inflate the cost.
As well as my auto Steinhart, I've got a Raymond Weil dress watch (yeah I know they are not highly thought of) but it only ever gets used on the odd night out so quartz is fine. It's plain and elegant so looks the part and I don't have to worry about setting the time on it when I wear it. My other half bought me a Citizen Eco Drive for my birthday which is only going to get used for travel (it has the world time function)
Quartz watches are OK but anything mid range up over I'd be looking at an auto if I'm honest. There's a place for quartz and I own 3 but for a nicer watch, you can get some pretty good examples 2nd hand for not bad money.
Quartz watches are OK but anything mid range up over I'd be looking at an auto if I'm honest. There's a place for quartz and I own 3 but for a nicer watch, you can get some pretty good examples 2nd hand for not bad money.
mikeveal said:
SamHH said:
Being accurate, and not needing winding or servicing all seem quite good to me!
Those are disadvantages.
I bought a quartz Seamaster because I travel abroad every week and need reliability and cheap running costs, my Gf has an auto Seamaster which is lovely but needs to keep getting time updates from mine, just a hassle taking it for adjusting
I have a fair number of quartz watches, including one 'expensive' one, but I find I tend to wear my mechanical watches more often (looks at wrist and notices he's wearing neither today, it's a tuning fork electric watch 
).
I think the reason is that the quartz ones ARE always right and ready to go, but I rarely need that, so enjoy the process of setting and reactivating a mechanical watch.
I've a couple of cheap quartz watches I wear to the gym (I don't care if they get knocked) and a much loved Citizen Eco-Drive for diving in, but most of the time I'm wearing something mechanical...
I guess my point is, horribly obscured by waffle though it is, buy watches that appeal to you, whether they be mechanical or quartz, and don't get too hung up on what's inside.
M.
).I think the reason is that the quartz ones ARE always right and ready to go, but I rarely need that, so enjoy the process of setting and reactivating a mechanical watch.
I've a couple of cheap quartz watches I wear to the gym (I don't care if they get knocked) and a much loved Citizen Eco-Drive for diving in, but most of the time I'm wearing something mechanical...
I guess my point is, horribly obscured by waffle though it is, buy watches that appeal to you, whether they be mechanical or quartz, and don't get too hung up on what's inside.
M.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff