Reply With QuoteI buy what watch I like the look of - the movement is rarely of much interest to me - this quartz or automatic is much the same to me.
After sticking with traditional auto watches for several decades, a few months ago I went for a Breitling Aerospace Evo. Unfortunately I'm finding the convenience of not having to keep on resetting the time and date when taking the watch out of the box is tending to mean this is rapidly becoming the watch of choice. The problem is I wear a different watch for the weekend/DiY so come Monday I've had to take a different watch out of the box and then set and wind it (which means finding if the stopped time is am or pm, changing the date, etc...). The convenience of just grabbing the Aerospace is becoming quite addictive. I have a Seiko auto for the weekend/DiY and I'm even thinking of replacing that with a quartz beater so I don't have to set that each weekend. I'd then end up with the situation where the other watches simply don't get worn :-(
I buy what watch I like the look of - the movement is rarely of much interest to me - this quartz or automatic is much the same to me.
But they've got no soul!
(I guess this means there won't be any quartz watches in heaven.)
I like to change the watch I wear frequently and was similarly taken with the convenience of quartz. I had a lovely GS diver and a PRS18. But the love affair didn't last and I'm back to all mechanical wearers now plus a g-shock for reference.
I think the soul comment sums it up for me.
Perhaps a 10 watch auto-winder is the answer ;-)
That was my first thought.Originally Posted by solwisesteve
Although there are some interesting choices when it comes to quartz 'beaters'. For example, sticking with Seiko, you could do far worse than one of these crackers:
My last two watches (almost a year apart) have been not too expensive quartz inc a lovely Seiko solar. Agree they're easier to live with, more accurate (natch), can leave for weeks/months on end with no issues, no servicing costs (usually) - and no constant accuracy checking as with mechanical (at least for me). Leaves me wondering why any sane person would bother with anything else - but then I don't suppose we're all that sane.
ISTR a post, ages ago, where someone mentioned that coming to appreciate quartz after mechanical is going full circle and completing the 'journey' or something to that effect. I can well see the his point.
What is the model name / number of this watch? It looks really good.That was my first thought.
Although there are some interesting choices when it comes to quartz 'beaters'. For example, sticking with Seiko, you could do far worse than one of these crackers:
It's a 7548. Long discontinued, but the quartz movement is solid as a rock.
Read Duncan's blog post for a good 101 on the movement.
https://thewatchbloke.co.uk/2015/03/16/seiko-7548-7000/
Yeah! Welcome to the 1980s!!! Don't worry, many people still haven't got here either.
Have you noticed that in addition to not having to set the date and time every time you put it on, its accuracy is far better than any bit of pricey clockwork????
My life is never timed to better than a few mins so, tbh, I didn't notice this no ;-) There are 6 clocks and 2 watches (that is the number of watches in actual use) in our house and only one of them is right; that's the tablet we got as a remote for the hifi but which has now been delegated to showing the weather all the time :-)
For similar reasons, I was after a grab & go quartz for work - where my Evo would be too toolish.
...so I jumped at the chance to buy this beauty...
It's not perfect - but it's perfect for me
...& it's got half a soul...
Here's some info on the Master Quartz (shameless cut & paste)
The vintage Jaeger LeCoultre Master-Quartz is the perfect example of a watch that bridges the gap between fine traditional watch making and very practical quartz technology. It has a large robust stainless steel case ( the watch has a width of 39mm) and looks effectively the same as a current model sitting in a jeweller’s window today.
The Master-Quartz dial is instantly recognisable by the very attractive pattern that runs around its outer edge in white, taking the place of a conventional minute track. These watches were sold on the basis of their high precision when new, and this “heartbeat monitor” type wave pattern does give the piece a very scientific appearance, almost in keeping with an item of specialised laboratory equipment.
The most significant reason for the purchase of this watch must be its spectacular movement. Jaeger LeCoultre is universally renowned as one of the very finest movement makers in the world and, fascinatingly, designed this unit, calibre 352, with arch competitor Girard-Perregaux to combine traditional fine mechanical watch making with the then-new quartz technology. Unlike a conventional quartz movement which almost dispenses of the entire gear train, this unit retains a large part of this mechanism, making it almost a hybrid enjoying the best features of both mechanical and quartz watches. As a complete aside, perhaps in an attempt to appear up to the minute, Jaeger never referred to these engines as movements in its advertising at the time, but instead preferred to term them “modules”.
The Master-Quartz range was sold primarily on the basis of its remarkable accuracy. When new, this movement lost or gained a mere two seconds per month, a feat that would be simply impossible for any mechanical watch to compete with. These watches were actually the most expensive stainless steel items in the Jaeger LeCoultre range and were built to quality standards that still seem remarkable today. The Calibre 352 is now regarded as one of the all time classic early quartz luxury movements by any maker, not least because of its well-deserved reputation for reliability. A superb piece of engineering, which used the most expensive ultra high quality internal components available at the time, purposely designed by Jaeger LeCoultre without concern for expense.
z
Last edited by zelig; 17th July 2017 at 15:57.
Yes, you'd have thought that accuracy would be an appreciated quality in a watch, but apparently having a 'soul' is far more important ;)
My "soul" reference was harking back to the last time the knives came out when this subject came up. It was about 2012 I think. Some of the participants are still bleeding.
Since I can barely be assed to set a mechanical watch anymore, and have exactly zero people that I need to impress with my horological or sartorial tastes, I tend to pick up my G-Shock or my Citizen BM6400 most days. They suit my faded T-shirt and ragged jeans look better anyway.
No soul? This think ticks loud as hell, adjusting the time is butter smooth with super nice resistance. Also keeps time to about 1-2s/month. And looks fantastic!
Last edited by china; 17th July 2017 at 20:06.
I love my oysterquartz, if I wanted a soul I would have adopted a pet.
Sent from my Redmi 3S using Tapatalk
I do know what you mean by 'soul'. A mechanical watch feels almost alive with it ticks and bangs and moving parts :-)
So left the quartz on the dressing table this morning and grabbed the Monaco ;-)
Sounds like it needs a service!
I have found myself in the same position as the OP. A recent purchase of a Seiko Tuna has shown me that quartz watches can be characterful and interesting as well as practical. Maybe I should change my Speedmaster for a GS quartz?
Over the last year or so, my work beater has been an auto (seiko 5) and my 'smart' weekend/evening out watches have been quartz. First an Aqua Terra quartz, then a Breitling Colt. Loved just picking them up and putting them on to go out. Don't understand the "no soul" argument remotely.
Both have now made way for an auto however, a no date bb. This is fine because just setting the time when going out is quite nice and 'bonds' me with the watch, without the day and date faff I get if my 5 runs down over a long weekend.
It would be nice to wake up for work on a Monday though and a quartz beater is ticking merrily away, no setting to do with tired eyes. Thinking of getting a quartz as my beater for this reason.
I was in a similar situation; my work watch is usually quartz and my dressy watch is a GS Quartz. It was either quartz or no date and the GS came along first.
Only my evening and weekend watch is mechanical as it gets worn often enough to not wind down. Currently it's my Tag Link but usually it's the GMT.
I love my quartz. I have an ana-digi and a CWC diver.
Most people in the street would associate the ana-digi as a quartz - the CWC not so.
I couldn't have a collection which didn't include a quartz watch.
GS Quartz, good choice indeed. I work a weird shift pattern during the week with double backs, so just tend to leave the 5 on my wrist Mon-Fri. If I was home every evening I'd probably have a nice evening and weekend watch and a dressy watch for smart occasions (or simply because it's there) as you do.
The 5 usually winds down on the weekend, hence the Monday faff.
Yes that's the problem... one day of the week there is some faff. If you use an auto for week days and a different auto for the weekend then there are two lots of faff. Okay... it's not the end of the world but there you go! ;-) I already have an old eco-drive that I used to use for field/weekend/diy which, tbh, has been very good in that role but I fancied something different and went for the Seiko. The Saturday morning faff has now got to the stage where I don't bother checking if the date is correct or even if it's pm or am; just set the hands to the hour/minute and give it a couple of shakes. I feel an itch for a nice weekend quartz ;-)
No, it's not the end of the world you're right. Definitely a first world problem. But still a pain when not in the mood or in a rush. Follow that itch! ;)
Sent from my SM-A300FU using TZ-UK mobile app
For the most part I wear a Sinn U1 during the week and a BFK or a Tuna at the weekend (mainly the BFK actually).
On Sunday night I set the U1 and away we go again.
Having a quartz at the weekend does keep things simple.
I'll keep my eye on SC for something coming up.
I have had a few quartz watches, mostly Seiko and Casio. They were fine when I was working as there was a strong possibility of them being damaged. I can see the advantage of having a watch which can just be worn without having to adjust it before wearing it and that all that is required to keep it running is a battery change every few years but, despite the disadvantages I still prefer a mechanical movement. I certainly wouldn't have the same level of interest in watches if quartz movements had completely replaced mechanical.
Last edited by Bob Mc; 19th July 2017 at 19:19.
The GS Quartz is lovely.
I like quartz as well, especially vintage.
Since I bought my Blingling colt quartz, my other watches barely get touched, and the only one that sees much wear is my cwc - another quartz!
That's nice, very OQ!I like quartz as well, especially vintage.
Very nearly half of my collection is currently quartz;
1980 Seiko LCD alarm chrono (can't remember the model)
1995 Omega de Ville
Seiko SHC033 (two, one mint, one beater)
PRS 18Q
Bulova Moonwatch
G-shock GW5600 titanium/C-fibre - atomic and the watch all others are set by
The best of them by far are the SHC033's which have never skipped a beat, utterly reliable, bombproof and look great on rubber or zulu. Battery & seals every 5 years, one change of crystal and that's it in 20 years (Although I may have to mention one theft & replacement!)
Wearing my breitling aerospace today... it's pretty much turned into my watch of choice. Open watch box.... look at what's there... opt for the aerospace because it's set and running and I can't be bothered to spend 5 mins setting something else to wear for the day. If I do spend the time setting something else then I end up wearing it for several weeks simply because I'm too lazy to go through the setup process again with a different watch; or grab the aerospace which is the easy option.
Very sharp!I like quartz as well, especially vintage.
As for the OP post...there's always a room for a least one quartz in any collection. :-)
About a 1/3 of my watches are quartz (plus a 'hummer'), but in contrast to the OP, they're the ones I wear the least.
Part of it is that they're always running, so I don't feel the urge to wear them to spur them back into life.
Also, in the last couple of weeks, 3 batteries have died, so those watches are languishing awaiting new ones, whereas a mechanical watch will spring back into life with just a wind or two.
I don't have a dislike of quartz watches (a good looking watch is a good looking watch!), indeed I deliberately choose quartz watches for some options (eg my Moonphase) as I know I'll rarely wear them, but overall I do prefer mechanical watches.
M
PS I am wearing a quartz watch today, but one of its two batteries needs replacing!
I still have a few quartz watches, the only one I have bought recently is the A13-A Pilot Watch and it is being worn often.
I never really bought into the "quartz watches lack soul" argument. I completely understand the pleasingly mechanical nature of clockwork, and I enjoy the precision of the tiny parts involved, and the attention to detail that goes into a really well-finished watch. But I also enjoy the accuracy, robustness and (to me at least) almost magical technology of a quartz movement. And grab-and-go convenience is the icing on the cake.
I still can't get over my X-33's accuracy. 7.2 seconds in 372 days, or 0.02 seconds per day. Just about within COSC, I reckon... ;-)
I have a Heuer 980.006 quartz beater that I wear regularly and you certainly can’t be snobby about that. It’s a design classic!
I'm rather partial to the older quartz and there's only two models that are older than this one:
I agree that the JLC is quite timeless:
But there's nothing wrong with modern high end stuff either:
There's more to quartz than convenience.
Last edited by M4tt; 28th November 2017 at 20:11.
quartz for me too
and me! Convenience, accuracy and money saving
Last edited by Artium; 28th November 2017 at 21:19.
Mate. I love a bit of quartz. It's like having a gf you don't have to take out to dinner every time you fancy a bit of how's your father
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
Currently I’m mostly wearing my hummer, not quite quartz, not quite mechanical.
My other go to watch at the moment is my eco drive diver.
Tough, and always correct. Just how a time piece should be.
Dave
That's stunning. I love that style of quartz watch (the dial on the 'platform' of the case). It was very popular in the 80s, presumably homaging the Rolex OQ.
Thats lovely!
For similar reasons, I was after a grab & go quartz for work - where my Evo would be too toolish.
...so I jumped at the chance to buy this beauty...
It's not perfect - but it's perfect for me
...& it's got half a soul...
Here's some info on the Master Quartz (shameless cut & paste)
z
I love a quartz watch. Whole point is supreme accuracy and almost a set and forget watch. Citizen and Grand Seiko have amazing accuracy of 10s a year, without having to leech of atomic (like Casio).
Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk
Wear a cwc G10 for work, and I love my seamaster 1973 quartz. Thata all though, prefer mechanical otherwise. I like the connection of winding a hand wound.
Last edited by sestrel; 29th November 2017 at 19:23.
I prefer something a bit bigger and brash for my quartz, but I have a majority of auto and one manual wind in my little collection.
There's also the convenience of tuning forks, with the added loveliness of a smoothly sweeping seconds hand.
Posting Permissions
