Quartz vs. Automatic
Discussion
Hi All
Mrs Bikemonster and I are contemplating treating ourselves to nice (subjective, I know) watches. We have both been looking at Longines - a HydroConquest for me and Dolce Vita or Evidenza for SWMBO.
Is there a difference in automatic vs. quartz in terms of a watch's ability to hold value? We are not buying to resell, but at the same time I'd like to think that the money spent on a decent watch is not psssst against the wall.
FWIW, I do have a preference for an automatic watch for no other reason than that, rightly or wrongly, I feel that there is something a bit special about a mechanical device that can measure the time with a degree of accuracy.
Opinions please....
James
Mrs Bikemonster and I are contemplating treating ourselves to nice (subjective, I know) watches. We have both been looking at Longines - a HydroConquest for me and Dolce Vita or Evidenza for SWMBO.
Is there a difference in automatic vs. quartz in terms of a watch's ability to hold value? We are not buying to resell, but at the same time I'd like to think that the money spent on a decent watch is not psssst against the wall.
FWIW, I do have a preference for an automatic watch for no other reason than that, rightly or wrongly, I feel that there is something a bit special about a mechanical device that can measure the time with a degree of accuracy.
Opinions please....
James
A quartz watch will always be more accurate than an automatic watch and depending on the watch, will offer more features for less money. However an automatic watch will appeal more to buyers if you do choose to sell and therefore be worth more second hand 
I'd personally opt for an automatic, as I feel it is far more special and gives the watch more character. Think of the engineering behind the movement; the unwinding of the mainspring, the balance wheel moving tens of thousands of times per hour and the hairspring controlling the oscillations ... Also, I quite like the fact that it relies on my motion to power the watch It does mean you have to wear the watch often (or buy a watch winder!) if you don't want to keep setting the time and date constantly.
Here is some automatic porn:
I'd personally opt for an automatic, as I feel it is far more special and gives the watch more character. Think of the engineering behind the movement; the unwinding of the mainspring, the balance wheel moving tens of thousands of times per hour and the hairspring controlling the oscillations ... Also, I quite like the fact that it relies on my motion to power the watch
It does mean you have to wear the watch often (or buy a watch winder!) if you don't want to keep setting the time and date constantly. Here is some automatic porn:
Thanks guys - nice to see that I'm thinking sort of straight.
I'm not worried about depreciation, just checking whether my own prejudices are weird or in line with everybody else's.
As I posted in a watch winder thread, I have an old Omega Constelation automatic, so I am familiar with the hassles of adjusting an automatic watch after it has been sitting for a while. And with that watch the only way to adjust the date is by winding through the days. So changing the date from e.g., the 20th to the 19th means advancing the watch through a month!
Agreed with the comments re: the wonderful intricacy of a mechanical (non quartz) movement.
James
I'm not worried about depreciation, just checking whether my own prejudices are weird or in line with everybody else's.
As I posted in a watch winder thread, I have an old Omega Constelation automatic, so I am familiar with the hassles of adjusting an automatic watch after it has been sitting for a while. And with that watch the only way to adjust the date is by winding through the days. So changing the date from e.g., the 20th to the 19th means advancing the watch through a month!
Agreed with the comments re: the wonderful intricacy of a mechanical (non quartz) movement.
James
As stated, there is more character and desirability to an automatic, and the engineering is a big step up from a quartz.
That said, I've a few watches, mostly automatics, but my everyday tool watch is Breitling quartz which I've had for 10 years. I got it for just that - everyday functionality. It's tough as old boots, keeps perfect time, and withstands the day to day knocks brilliantly, while still being distictly Breitling. So, I'm deslighted with it.
I personally think that I would prefer automatics for 'occasion' watches, or non-everyday ones. When I want to tell the time, and not worry about the complexities of the automatic. It's just engineering snobbery, to be honest. I love good automatic movements, as I said, but you'll have to get the movement serviced at similar intervals as battery changing on a decent quartz, so you won't save that way.
That said, I've a few watches, mostly automatics, but my everyday tool watch is Breitling quartz which I've had for 10 years. I got it for just that - everyday functionality. It's tough as old boots, keeps perfect time, and withstands the day to day knocks brilliantly, while still being distictly Breitling. So, I'm deslighted with it.
I personally think that I would prefer automatics for 'occasion' watches, or non-everyday ones. When I want to tell the time, and not worry about the complexities of the automatic. It's just engineering snobbery, to be honest. I love good automatic movements, as I said, but you'll have to get the movement serviced at similar intervals as battery changing on a decent quartz, so you won't save that way.
Also, don't forget that you will likely need to get the automatic serviced every 3-5-7 years which isn't cheap. Depending on whether you do send back to the factory vs. a local shop for a cleaning, you may end up spending a lot of money on maintenance, which makes the point of holding value somewhat moot.
The cost on replacing a battery is significantly cheaper.
The cost on replacing a battery is significantly cheaper.
My wife has a Dolce Vita -
They do the watch in a couple of sizes and with/without diamond hour markers.
She has the smaller size (tiny wrists) and wears it on a strap rather than the supplied bracelet.
I have to say that it is a lovely watch and when you read up on Longines, they have a fantastic history (Weems watch, Lindbergh watch etc).
I have taken to the brand to such an extent my next purchase is likely to be the dive watch from their historic range
- a really nice, understated piece. a guy has posted pics in the wrist watch thread if you are interested
They do the watch in a couple of sizes and with/without diamond hour markers.
She has the smaller size (tiny wrists) and wears it on a strap rather than the supplied bracelet.
I have to say that it is a lovely watch and when you read up on Longines, they have a fantastic history (Weems watch, Lindbergh watch etc).
I have taken to the brand to such an extent my next purchase is likely to be the dive watch from their historic range
- a really nice, understated piece. a guy has posted pics in the wrist watch thread if you are interested
Automatic is the obvious choice for a watch if you want it to be more than just a time indicator (that you don#t need if you carry your mobile phone...)
However this side of a rolex daytona 8and even here the hype has - thankfully stopped) you won't make money with a watch - you'll just loose less if you buy smart, look after it and need to sell
However this side of a rolex daytona 8and even here the hype has - thankfully stopped) you won't make money with a watch - you'll just loose less if you buy smart, look after it and need to sell
It looks very much like SWMBO will get a quartz Evidenza. The automatic is a special import here in Brightest Africa, which makes the automatic nearly twice the price of a quartz. That might be a wise move though, because Mrs Bikemonster doesn't get starry eyed about watches, so having to set the date and time after not wearing the watch for a few days/weeks will not impress her.
As for me, you guys would have had to have sais some really ugly stuff about automatic watches to sway me from them.
(Yes, I do know about watch winders, but no, I don't want one.)
James
As for me, you guys would have had to have sais some really ugly stuff about automatic watches to sway me from them.
(Yes, I do know about watch winders, but no, I don't want one.)
James
I know from automatic watches!
A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, for my 21st birthday I received a late 60's Omega Constellation which had belonged to my grandfather. On that particular watch the only way to move the date back by one is to move it forward by 30, which means 30x24 hours of winding forward. It's all part of what makes a special watch special.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, for my 21st birthday I received a late 60's Omega Constellation which had belonged to my grandfather. On that particular watch the only way to move the date back by one is to move it forward by 30, which means 30x24 hours of winding forward. It's all part of what makes a special watch special.
Gingerbread Man said:
A quartz watch will always be a battery powered watch.
http://www.watches1st.co.uk/acatalog/Mens-Seiko-Kinetic-Chronograph-SNL041P2.htmlhttp://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Citizen-E...
AB said:
Gingerbread Man said:
A quartz watch will always be a battery powered watch.
http://www.watches1st.co.uk/acatalog/Mens-Seiko-Kinetic-Chronograph-SNL041P2.htmlhttp://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Citizen-E...
Edited by andy_s on Monday 11th May 22:48
andy_s said:
AB said:
Gingerbread Man said:
A quartz watch will always be a battery powered watch.
http://www.watches1st.co.uk/acatalog/Mens-Seiko-Kinetic-Chronograph-SNL041P2.htmlhttp://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Citizen-E...
Edited by andy_s on Monday 11th May 22:48
"Citizen Eco-Drive technology never needs a battery; it harnesses the power from any natural or artificial light source and converts it into energy which is stored in an Eco-Drive energy cell. It recharges continuously in any kind of light to run forever."
hmm... wouldn't an Eco-Drive energy cell constitute a battery? I thought that was the definition of a battery. Battery = energy cell?
hmm... wouldn't an Eco-Drive energy cell constitute a battery? I thought that was the definition of a battery. Battery = energy cell?
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