I made this video 2 months ago, and it helped push me over the 1000 subscriber threshold in early July. For some reason there has a been a huge spike in traffic in the last day on it. So this video has once again helped push me over a threshold. This time just over 2000 subscribers. Thank you to everyone who has just joined!
This is a very good video. Saved it to my favorites. Good advice at the end on the perils of gifting mechanical watches. I gave watches to my wife and son this Christmas and made sure they were quartz 😉.
Congratulations for your video ! I really appreciate your subtle reasoning ... far from the usual cleaving content we can find on social networks (“Quartz = no interest”, and more often “a Quartz fan is a strange concept”)
I really don't understand why or how anyone could sit through that droning monologue. I gave thumbs down because you were so uninspiring. Public speaking is not your fortay.
I think the main problem with quartz movements is, there is no problem with quartz movements. The reality is they're more accurate and more reliable than mechanical movements. I appreciate the engineering that goes into mechanical movements but the problem with quartz is that a lot of"watch people" are just snobs.
I think the whole "has no soul" argument is only sorta valid (sorta) if your talking about a high end, made almost entirely by hand, watch. I don't think a lower end automatic moment, that is cranked out an assembly line is much different that a quartz watch at the same price.
I have a high-end ($$$) automatic watch, an inexpensive wind-up, and three quarts watches. I wear each one at different times. Right now I am wearing my Vostok Komandirskie mechanical wind-up. If a friend says to me, "Look at my new quartz watch" or "Look at my replica Rolex, or "Look at my (real) Patek Phillipe", my response to each? "Nice watch". Whatever watch makes one happy is a nice watch.
Totally agree. Some of those believe that a mechanical watch requires higher engineering, which is totally not true. A quartz with high accuracy like the citizen with 1sec deviation per year is the real engineering piece. Those with GPS, RC or Bluetooth sync with atomic clocks are most innovative in engineering system design. Mechanical watches should be viewed as an art or craftsmanship, their values are more on the decorative and artistic side.
Funny becuase my baume et mercier is also "accurate". Be honest, quartz is for people who dont want to spend thousands on a true timepiece and only want something that looks nice.
I've had my quartz Seiko for 41 years now (cost was £28) and have bought automatics including a couple of Swiss ones over the years but my quartz Seiko does one basic thing that the automatics cannot do - it tells me the time - accurately. No frustration, as with automatics, having to check and reset my quartz Seiko. I'm absolutely in awe of the craftsmen who make automatic movements but the bottom line is that a watch is a device to be used for telling the time - accurately. It can be a fashion accessory and my stainless steel bracelet strap along with the white face and clean and simple Seiko lines is a classic look and looks good on me so I'm sticking with quartz and Seiko.
@@dakshsharma4946The need for battery change is actually much lesser than a mechanical watch requirement for maintenance. He can also DIY his own battery change easily. Solar watches nowadays runs in replaceable capacitor and one easily last for 10-20 years before you even feel anything lesser on it. They can run a whole day with few minutes of direct sun and a full charged watch will last for months to year.
@@dakshsharma4946 FAR fewer than the number of times he would have needed to have a mechanical watch stripped to individual components, cleaned, lubricated, reassembled, and adjusted during the same period. And even then it would have cost him hundreds more (each time) than the cost of one battery and he would still be left with a less accurate and less reliable timepiece.
@bullsballs just to make it clear i love both mechanical and quartz watches. (I do prefer automatic simply because i consider it art) Check the Seiko King Turtle Save the Ocean Manta Ray edition (to see what i mean) that watch creates feelings that other doesn't. That said. My all time favorite is and always will be the Seiko Tuna 1000m quartz. Cheers.
If every watch came in quartz and mechanical I would buy quartz almost every time. I shiver to think what it would cost to service all my mechanical watches!! A car??
I use to work at Bell Labs, and enjoy the science behind the quartz watch technology (poor understood by most). I now really appreciate the meca quartz movements from Seiko, and have several watches with that movement. The are highly accurate and the sweeping second hand is smooth. A COSC certified Quartz movement is really special as well.
You don't have to favor one over the other. I love my Seiko SKX and appreciate it's craftsmanship. But without quartz we wouldn't have G-Shocks, which are one of the most amazing watches ever made!
I have many quartz watches and several automatics. I tell you the difference. I never come home after work and check my quartz watch to see if it lost time or if it's within its tolerance. Owning automatics is a pain in the ass.
@@yiannisr3784Yeah, because that happens all the time. Also, if you’re in a deserted place, what difference does it make what time it is? Quartz is inarguably better and anyone who disagrees is just bitter because of all the money they’ve thrown away on mechanical watches.
@@yiannisr3784 i take my $100 solar casio and if i don't make it out in the 10-15 years it's battery lasts, i have way bigger problems than accurate time telling
The precisionist sweep is amazing. Only problem is they tend to be rather huge and power hungry. At one point they made an accutron ii line that was basically the precisionist movement but minus the extra accurate bits. Let the watch be smaller, but still keep the same sweep. Not sure why, but it didn't last long. Line is gone now.
For my work as mariner I need accurate time. That is why I use quartz watches. When I get onboard I adjust the watch from GPS and forget it and after 30 days when I go home they have usually creeped 15-30 sec. Now I am using Casio Tough Solar and it´s price is under 80 usd. To get similar accuracy from a mechanical watch I would have to pay thousands of usd. The Casio has even other functions which I use, world time, alarms, timers.... none available from mechanical watches. I believe that there are many others like me who need these qualities in work and are very happy to pay little and get much. Thanks for a nice video and calm opinions on this subject!
I recommend a Bulova Accutron 262KHz high accuracy Moon Watch chrono with a sapphire crystal. Check Amazon and Ebay. Mine is PHENOMENALLY ACCURATE. +/- 2 sec/year!
I own both Quartz and Mechanical, and i love/hate them for different/same reasons, I have a high end Seiko solar radio control, always dead accurate, always. I love that about it but to be honest, I also hate that about it. There is nothing to futz around with, no winding, setting, checking the accuracy, temperature, face up? face down? .. conversely all the things I love/hate about my mechanicals.. I love futzing with them, I love/hate that they are +6 seconds a day, then +7 the next.. did I wind it? etc.. So for me it's great to have both, depending on my mood and what I need to do on any given day. Sometimes Quartz. Sometimes Mech. I love/hate them both.. Is this a hobby or just OCD? ;)
It's probably both! But I'm the same way. One thing I love about automatics, is that each individual watch is different And I enjoy discovering the specifics of each one, as well as occasionally trying to tinker and improve that. But some days, I may not be in the mood to deal with it.
I have a solar seiko as well... and I'm buying an snk809 now (an automatic) I guess mechanical things just have a soul - also I don't understand why people just don't use the arguement that you're not reliant on batteries with autos :p
@@viktordelta247 Just what I needed, It's going to act as a beater (I've just joined the military.) But still has the little something special in general to me and to look at through the clear backing. It is my first mechanical/automatic watch!
I think very few people realize what it actually takes to create a quartz watch - not only the mechanical work, but also the process of designing and production of the integrated circuit, even a relatively simple one with quartz crystal oscillator and set of dividers. I prefer quartz, for practicality.
You don't buy a mechanical watch for what it does, but how it does it. It's like a piece of jewelry. The moment you start thinking about practicality and functionality a smart watch will always be the best option.
@@oxaile4021 you can't see the mechanical watch working when you're wearing it. It looks exactly like a quartz. You're just a snob if you only wear mech watch.
In todays day, I don’t think the mechanical watch is a tremendous achievement. Gimme quartz for accuracy, size, and cost. Gimme a $200 boluva precision over a $10k Rolex. I wear my $20 Casio to work everyday. My Swiss mechanical fortis marine master has been in my drawer for years collection dust.
@@MayDayDevinci This. And furthermore, the usual argument for "you can know and see how mechanical watch works" is, in most cases, pure hoax. No average people, least the average Rolex people in suits, understand how mechanical clockwork works. I, as an anti-snobby nerd, who would never spend money for an overpriced watch, but who is interested in all kinds of technical things and their deep inner workings, and finding both mechanical clockworks and quartz ones technically interesting, I can honestly say that the working principles, with all the complications, of mechanical clockworks are *way* more difficult to understand than of the simple quartz circuitry and dividers!
I’m a watch collector and own both mechanical and quartz watches. You are correct in saying that mechanical watches are more appreciated than quartz watches mainly because of the intricate workmanship however maintaining a sizable mechanical collection is expensive. I enjoy my quality quartz watches as a marvel of engineering and don’t need to have them serviced nearly as often and they are more rugged than mechanical watches. There is a place for both designs. Thanks
Thanks Sam - I'm feel the same. I have high-end automatics stored in a watch winder case - then quartz on the other side of the closet in another small case. So\, I get up each morning and ask myself... Tissot? Rolex? Omega?... after I have selected my automatic for the day, I take it over to the quartz box to know what time to set! 5 shiny ticking faces all with the exact same time. I love both kinds.
Same for me, Citizen Eco-drive is simply AMAZING. Most light powered watches or chronographs are Solar powered, which means it doesn't work with artificial light. But Eco-drive works with all types of light. Not with the same efficiency, but I have one time charged reasonably mine with my flashlight in less than ¼ h.
Great first 90 seconds, both fun, laconically delivered and spot on. Mechanical movements can be almost hypnotical in their beauty, and that's something a quartz movement will never be able to match. That is, unless one finds beauty in precision and the unfathomable accuracy of a +/- 1 second deviation in a whole year of time keeping in a wrist watch being charged by available light. Both can be mind blowing in their own right.
This is very true. When I was reviewing a hamilton khaki mechanical, I noticed a very faint musical bell like ting that was within the normal movements ticking. But the pitch and tone changed ever so slightly as the hand went around the dial. It was strangely peaceful and beautiful. At first I thought I was hearing things, but I did find a few others commenting the same thing. Just something with that movement I guess.
What a bullshit cliche thing to say! If your hearing the mechanical movement of your watches then you need to start spending more on your watches pal 😂
Very true. I learned some very basic electrical engineering in some Comp Sci courses. But I majored in chemistry. So I've spent a lot of time learning about things that are more conceptual. I think most people who like watches don't hate quartz. I think it's more just a very very vocal minority. Thanks for watchin!
Well I had curciut anaylsis class (for analog electronics ;-;) and I wasnt very good at that class but I searched watch movements. Well still need a lot more to learn but what I learn is more than enough to respect quartz watches. Still I like mechanical watches more not because of quartz watches or worse technology no not because of that. It because we cannot fix (actually we did not choose to fix) electronics thus I cannot make bound to quartz watches because I know someday they will have Electronic malfunctions and will turned to thrash. So its not like we dont like the technology ist more like they represent "use it and put it to thrash" culture. I like collecting memories with a relatively immortal device and pass it to another person thing.
I’m an electrical engineer, so I’m highly driven by making things “faster, better, cheaper, lower power, more accurate, etc.”. Considering only such technical factors, mechanical watches have no reason for being. However, as much as I like those technical factors, I admire genius, ingenuity, and creativity more. John Harrison’s clocks are astonishing. He solved the longitude problem. His clocks are beautiful works of art and are mechanically masterful. Ironically, it was Eric Vittoz, a Swiss guy, who devised circuitry to run the tiny quartz tuning forks on tiny batteries for around a year. I attended a lecture by Vittoz. Very bright guy and also humble. I’ve employed his design methods to build quartz crystal oscillators just like those in our wristwatches. I greatly admire Vittoz. And atomic clocks make quartz clocks seem crude. But, jewelry is another art form and is also valuable. Art takes many forms. Genius is expressed in all of those forms.
I really don't care about which movement a watch has. I care about if I am getting a good deal for my money at the price range. Sometimes that's quarts, sometimes it's a mechanical. I just like having a good watch.
the watch collecting communities prejudice against quartz is little more than a load of pretentious bollox and snobbery that belongs in the 19th century. i find solar movements more appealing these days for a growing watch collection , they are basically maintenance free and will run accurately without fuss for the best part of 20 years. Accuracy on most mechs are a pile of crap , with a power reserve rarely extending past 3 days - i dont find that appealling or practical in any way to be honest.
Sounds like you are on the side of practicality and functionality. Judging from the majority of comments I've gotten, I think it's a small minority of watch collectors that are anti quartz. It's just they are very vocal about it.
I bought a Sekio Solar diver this summer and love it. It shares space with several Swiss and German mechanical watches (Omega and Glashütte Original to name two) all of which I could sell for considerably more than I paid for my quartz Seiko. Mechanical watch snobs are usually new to the hobby and rarely own anything of real significance, objectively speaking. Their arrogance comes off more like insecurity than expertise, which is why they bang on quartz. Most I know with an impressive collection have and appreciate quartz watches, which makes sense given their understanding of horology.
Quite an interesting topic. You did a great job discussing this topic. I believe there is nothing wrong with quartz. The biggest problem with mechanical is the ever increasing costs involved with fine watchmaking. There are several additional points that one might consider in relation to the topic also. One of those is upkeep. Higher end watches are expensive to maintain with a typical service cost running about $1000 for a service. The more complicated the watch, the higher the cost. If you are maintaining a mechanical watch on a regular frequency than these maintenance costs compared to quartz are quite high. A battery change every 5 years is inexpensive for quartz compared to that. Even a solar quartz drops that maintenance even further as long as the battery/capacitor is not allowed to sit depleted for a very long time. Also, there is also a new genre of mechanical watch "snobbery" for lack of a better term. These are the "never silicon" enthusiasts who consider any watch contain any form of silicon part to be rubbish. This includes any parts of springs that may be made from silicon. Watch giants like Patek Philippe, and Rolex already have balance springs made with silicon and these are frowned upon by these watch "purists". It make me wonder what one of the greatest watchmakers of all time would think. I believe that the great innovator, Abraham Louis Breguet, would probably embrace silicon being used in watches if it was to improve timekeeping because that was a part of his ethos.
I really like watches, and the idea of having a specific object in my person that measures time. As with all my tools, I like them to be as precise and flawless ass possible, but wrist watches aren’t just tools, but fashion accessories too. The way a mechanical movement looks is insanely captivating, much more than a quartz movement. I just wish someone created a beautiful quartz movement that could look as good as a mechanical, and for the brands that boast about their in-house mechanical movements to stop covering them with a metal back, all that price tag just so the service guy can appreciate it.
If you need superior accuracy, buy a quartz watch. However for me it's the feeling that a mechanical watch is almost 'alive' and only works because I wind it.
I think that mechanical watches are great, but once you get past "Swiss craftsmanship". And you see the copper coils, circuitry, mechanical parts, solar panel, quartz, of watches like Citizen eco-drive you truly see the magic. At the end of the day electricity is much more magical then miniature hamners, gears, and springs.
Picked up my first mechanical watch a few days ago. I've worn a quartz watch for the last few years and decided to take the plunge, not gonna lie, it's not as accurate and it does irritate me a little.
@@takethecurseOFFwashingmachine Hello! So I purchased a second automatic Seiko up after my first one, it was much more accurate and I still own it to this day. I tend to wear a smart watch more often than not nowadays but on the days I don't I wear my Seiko. I appreciate the mechanics of how the watch works and the beauty that comes with that too.
The Seiko VH31 is a quartz movement that operates at 4 beats per second. Think of it as 2/3rds as smooth as an automatic with the accuracy of a quartz. The Vario Eclipse and Kingsbury Monarch are two examples of this.
I have both automatic and quartz, and I like them all. Of my two favorites, one is automatic and one is quartz. What I'm a snob about, is the quality, and that it's a watch that pleases me. It doesn't need to be expensive, but I want to enjoy looking at it in months 2, 3, 4 and on. Too many seem to be out there trying to check off somebody else's list of the right watches to owe. Sure, one needs to do some research so as not to be a total rube, but it's your money, your wrist and your joy. Nobody neeeeeeds a Rolex, worthy though they are.
That's a very good point. I think a lot of people chase Rolex, and specifically a subby, because it's the watch "they are supposed to want". And they don't really think about if it's what they really want until after they buy it.
I've got a brother who's a quartz guy. I see him as a bit of a philistine. He got me a tan wallet off of Amazon for my birthday, without consulting me first. It was just a quick grab, for him. Whereas my black Samsonite wallet, which I love, still hangs together great and IS great. So now the tan one he got me lives in a drawer. So, I have ordered him a 44mm Steeldive Willard homage, from Ali Express, with the venerable Seiko NH35A movement, inside, for his Christmas. As we say, where I live, 'He can like it or lump it'.
read the first few chapters of "Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" and you will understand that, there is no difference between quartz and mechanical.
“The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed.” ― Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
Your video did not match the list of watches. What is the model with the exhibition caseback after the Alpha Daytona and before the Timex? Never mind, thanks, I see it IS the Alpha Daytona flipped upside down. That's a beautiful looking movement on an unattractive watch!
Very true. I think some people forget their is a difference between a dirt cheap quartz watch, and a good quartz watch. It's a big difference in quality, same as a cheap off brand Chinese mechanical movement, and a real japanese or swiss movement.
I have a Braun BN0106. (since 2014). I just love that watch. People forget that a LCD quartz watch doesn't have to be a plastic Casio or Timex. There are still some made with a steel case. And some nice design's.
Very interesting. I haven't heard of braun before. But your right, when I think of a nice digital watch, I pretty much think of casio and G-Shocks. At least for non smart watches. Although sony has an e-ink watch I'm curious about.
I use the analogy that a quartz watch is like a photograph, whereas a mechanical watch is like a painting, one is a more accurate representation, the other is something more intangible, but lovely. (however using a 'pagani design' watch to illustrate your point is a bit like the painting being done by a 6 year old with moms lipstick).
Very well said. As well as OUCH! I would of hoped It would of at least qualified as a crayon drawing, maybe an etch-a-sketch? 😀 Although in all seriousness, I try to work with what i have, when I can. I figure it's better to use my own footage then grab a photo off the web that I may, or may not have fair usage of. Plus it has a much more dramtic effect from a film making standpoint. Although I also thought I was making a good point about the Filson as well. Since it's technically a Shinola, the argument is frequently that it's no better then any fashion or even chinese watch.
I feel like there is just as much craftsmanship in a quartz movement as in a mechanical one and a lot of people that don't like quartz just don't understand how it works. I like and own both movement types but I think quartz is really underappreciated.
The problem with quartz is.....quartz won. Plain and simple. The term Quartz Crisis is based on perspective of the Swiss Watch manufacturer. Not the consumer. The quartz revolution was a big win for consumers. It brought with it unparalleled accuracy over mechanical counterparts. Less moving parts, so lower maintenance, and grab and go convenience that requires the user to replace the battery only every few years. And at an incredibly low price. Roughly 96% of all watches produced globally are quartz watches. The ongoing snobbery about mechanical watches makes almost as much sense as someone claiming that Cathode Ray Tube televisions are superior to the LCD ones we have now. Yes, mechanical watches are wonderful machines, and they are mesmerizing to look at. But there is no mechanical watch that can keep better time than a happy meal kids digital watch. And really the primary purpose of a wrist watch is to keep time. I have my share of mechanical watches and I love them. But they are not better than any of my quartz watches by any objective measure.
Don't be too sure about that.Cheap uartz watches aren't very accurate and are out by multiple seconds every day.An expensive quartz movement is much better, but cost much more.I'm more surprised how accurate a nice mechanical watch is.
One of the cheap Chinese watches I’ve reviewed was a torbollo. If I remember right it gained a few seconds a day. Absolutely horrible for quartz, but accuracy wise it’s still better then most mechanicals.
I absolutely love quartz watches because the whole point of wearing a wristwatch is to be able to accurately measure time. Quartz is superior in this most important criteria. Besides, of you're a "regular joe", it borders on the irresponsible side to spend hundreds of dollars on a watch when you have a family.
Nah the thing is a nice expensive mechanical watch can be passed down as a family heirloom. I had my grandfathers classic Seiko chronograph and bellmatics passed down to me and they will also be passed down. Not irresponsible at all. A well looked after mechanical watch will last multiple lifetimes, my children need not spend anything on a classic beautiful mechanical watch or any watch for that matter except for servicing
@@Nick-wh4jt A quartz watch just needs a battery change every 5 years or so, of course it can be passed down. It just needs the build quality to last. Princess Diana gave her sons quartz Omega Speedmasters when they were little. Prince William is wearing his still and I'm sure he'll pass it on. They're Omegas so they're built to last. Not every quartz watch is a walmart cheapo.
@@MakerInMotion the point of my comment was that quartz is not superior to mechanical despite the original comment. To each their own but to just flat out say quartz is superior is definitely not just open to one’s opinion.
My friend there's a lot more to wearing a watch than just telling time. To many watch collectors, a watch can represent achievements, become a treasured family heirloom, and, for myself is the ultimate expression of masculine style. There is a difference between wearing a quarts or apple watch and wearing one of my Rolexes or my Cartier. There is a difference betweenpeople who aren't collectors and those of us who are.
For me the problem with Quartz is that most of them are powered by disposable batteries. So the watch spends 3 years slowly dying, then you have to take it to a shop and it will inevitably get small scratches when they open up the case to change the battery (and if you don't change it in time, the electrolyte leaks from the battery and corrodes your watch). That's why all my Quartz watches are solar-powered (no battery change needed for 20 years), and all my more expensive watches are automatic (it's just more fun to see a spinning balance wheel through the transparent case back).
My wife is an architect, my father in law is a structural engineer. Both of them are no longer working with drawing boards, slide rule and table books. Like with PVC record players, video recorders and such - nice, but simply outdated for the purpose. We’ve an open fireplace, good for Christmas and so, but 95% of the heating comes from central gas heating - and thanks God! My automatic watches are in the drawer now, instead of 400-600 quid every two years for repairs and maintenance- may they rest in peace.
Brilliant analogy with the car engine! Personally, I love Mechanical watches. There’s something about giving a watch the ‘Seiko Shuffle’ at night before bed! 😉 You are right about giving a watch to someone. If you know their preference, great. If not it would be better just to give them a Quartz watch. Nothing wrong with that. Thx for the video dude
Well the gift thing is from personal experience. I got a small automatic for my wife, she never wears it because she doens't want to set the time. I got her a nice quartz watch, and she loves it. I got my nephew a seiko snk, and for months he kept asking me if something was wrong with it, because it kept stopping. Thanks again!
The way I see it, quartz vs mechanical = solid state (transistor) vs tube amps Are tube amps obsolete? Yes Are tube amps special with their glowing tubes, their imperfect yet so rich and mellow sound? Yes And that's the reason why I invested many thousands dollars in an obsolete technology, a high-end tube amp, 8 years ago. There's something organic and unique in imperfection
I was seduced into the world of mechanical watches a couple of years ago, building up a small 12-15 piece collection. It has slowly dawned on me, however, the extent to which I've been had! I have enough mechanicals that I switch them out day to day and so have to reset and wind whichever watch I'm going to use for the day. I'm constantly concerned that I don't accidentally smack or drop one of these complicated and fragile beauties. I live with the fact that none of my watches are as accurate or durable as the $25 timex I can buy at the local Target, even though all of them cost considerably more! I've also realized that all of these silly beasts will require expensive servicing in the not too distant future! And for what? A smooth sweeping second hand? The benefits of heritage and prestige and the celebration of craftspersonship are just not worth it, at least for me, not for the significantly greater costs over the life of each watch. The only thing that I know I will miss is the amazing variety and creativity that is poured into the mechanical watch business. I'm now in the process of liquidating my mechanical collection and starting again with quality quartz. I've found that while there are less options for quality and creative quartz watches, they are still out there, and perhaps the increased rarity will make the hunting that much more enjoyable.
Ever since I was young boy I’ve been fascinated by watches. Over the years I’ve learned by knowledge and what works. I wear both quartz and mechanical. Depends on the mood I’m in. Quartz watches have there place for the majority. But because I love things mechanical and know what goes into the making. Mechanical watches have there own power source no battery/ no waste. Sure they need help sometimes. But if your a student of the game. Learning to maintain and care for them is rewarding and unique to you. Just like some folks change there own oil and look after there car because they find it rewarding and cost effective these days. Thank you for this content.
I am a "watch Addict" . . . not really a collector even though I have over 30 pieces . . . all quartz. I acquired my first automatic a few weeks ago. Very nice GEVRIL. I will be honest . . . after owning only quartz watches . . . I am having a problem with the lack of accuracy and the fact I had to put it on a winder to keep it going. I guess I am just one of those people that like a good looking, low maintenance watch that is accurate and ready to go without a lot of baby sitting. I am keeping the Automatic and I do appreciate the work that goes into them but when my Automatic gains 26 seconds PER DAY and all my Quartz might gain or lose 10 SECONDS PER MONTH . . . my passion stays with Quartz. Just my 2 cents.
Excellent tutorial. I believe you were spot on with your summary of, the age old, quartz vs mechanical question. I myself appreciate a good quality quartz movement just as much as a well made mechanical movement. There are manufacturers that produce some truly amazing quartz calibers, that are every bit as complex, (if not more so) than most mechanical movements. Grand Seiko for example makes some impressive, top notch quartz calibers. I both own and appreciate both types, and like you, feel that they both have a time and a place in my life style. Excellent presentation. Thanks for sharing
Partly personal and practical for me. I've always wanted a watch that you wouldn't run out of power for, in case of power outages and also if you can't get a new battery for them. A mechanical watch, the power for the watch running is simply just you essentially, as you wind it up. You could be stranded on a desert island, and you could always know what time it is and it would also be a cure for boredom, as it athletically is very beautiful to look at. And also, I have wanted a wine up pocket watch and not a battery run pocket watch. The battery could begin to leak, etc. so, I was curious and looked online and found many beautiful pocket watches, and also, ones where you could see the engine of gear work. So I bought one and, not having to rely upon battery power, really makes it feel more independent as if it is completely self contained. I love it. And it was not over 20 dollars too
I appreciate both for their complexity and the research and development that went into both but mechanical movements will never come close to quartz for it's simplicity, effectiveness and accuracy.
Smart phones had an ironic effect on watches. They made automatic and mechanical watches popular again. Quartz was for the in between era from the 70s to late 2000s.
I use to avoid Quartz like the plague. But that was before I took watch collecting a step further. Started getting into Vintage Seiko watches and that is when I came across the 80's Seiko with the 7a28 and 7548 Quartz movements. These 2 are no mickey mouse Quartz but a highly engineered and serviceable movement with mostly if not all metal components with jewels. Got myself a 7548 dive watch and a 7a28-7039 synchrotimer and never been happier. I still have Automatic for the majority of my watches but once you get a better understanding of Quartz tech it becomes alot more interesting.
I think a lot of people forget there is a difference between a good quartz movement, and a cheap $5 quartz watch. As well as the skill it takes to engineer and design a highly accurate well made quartz movement.
Some people get mesmerized by the wheels going round and round, I’m good with putting a $3 battery in myself every couple years. I bought a Accutron in 1976 when I started working on the railroad and it was a requirement to have an approved watch. They were sold and maintained by a vendor that stopped at the train yard and all cost went thru a payroll deduction, I wore that watch for 26yrs I eventually went with cheap timex watches and the last one which is a Expedition indiglow is beat up but retired to the nightstand drawer now still keeping great time. Present day, i bought a nice Seiko automatic and fell in love with it and the exhibition caseback, checked the time after a couple days and it had lost 15 seconds a day. I kept it and a couple days later noticed it had gone dead by what I attribute to my arm not moving enough thru the day to keep it wound, I took it back for a refund. Then I watched a RUclips video on the Accutron ii watch and purchased a new Bulova snorkel 262khz and fell in love with it and the less than a second off a month against (the World Clock) app on my phone. Why would I need another watch ?, maybe because it was too nice to wear everyday, so back to EBay and bought the 262khz Bulova military dial 26b230 to wear during workdays. Now if I was a collector I would buy old Accutrons or a nice Omega f300hz but, try to find someone to work on those who really are reputable nowadays. I’ll stick with my 2 Bulovas, the old Timex’s in the drawer and money in my pocket till I’m chasing old women in the rest home, which is not too far away.
From a military and field aspect. I’d rather have to deal with changing a battery every 5 years than having to reset the time every few days. If you’re nostalgic then go mechanical. If you don’t care about what people think and want something practical then go quartz.
Prefer automatic’s myself which brand would you recommend? All my previous automatic’s tended to loose accuracy over time. They all seem to slow down overtime. And the wrist pins that hold the band on tended to break because being an athlete they don’t hold up.
There are watches with fixed bars depending on the price level you are willing to go but you will be restricted to NATOs, Single Pass, or Screw on Leather Straps. From $300 to $9000. Without proper on time servicing... Autos will start to go wonky over time especially with hard use or winding them often rather than using movement to wind them.
Quartz is what I reach for when there’s work to be done. But compared to a mechanical or auto it seems dead and lifeless. Like there was no love that went into its creation. However the opposite is true for autos and mechanics, there’s a paradoxical love that went into the creation of something not alive. Tho interestingly enough it’s not as reliable as a quartz, yet it feels again paradoxically more alive. I’m mesmerized by the strange power of an automatic movement, yet my citizen eco drive is my go to for day to day activities. As someone else said in the comment section said quartz for work mechanical for play. It’s hard to discount a creation of genuine genius for something better in every way. I don’t want to forget are past.
I own x2 Citizern promaster eco-drives --one diver and a PM Tough. They work flawlessly. I also own x2 automatic watches that work flawlessly ---but are off by a few seconds a day...no big deal. Enjoy what you like.
I think quartz is a great way to add a chronograph to your collection without breaking the bank. I have a Timex flyback intelligent quartz chronograph. Quartz watches are obsoleted by our cell phones, which get GPS time from the pilot signals of cellular base stations and so your phone is synchronized within 1 microsecond of GPS time, which is an accuracy that quartz movements have no hope of approaching. So, all watches are obsolete and its just a question of what is the coolest obsolete tech you can wear on your wrist?
I think that like many things, horology is a hobby where one grows over time. I myself have been guilty of the "mechanical movement or bust" snobbery in the past. As I learned more, however, I began to appreciate the design, accuracy, and durability of quartz. Today, my collection ranges from a GS 9F and Casio Oceanus (with Sallaz-polished titanium and Casio tough quartz movement) to your standard ETA 2824-2 or Seiko 6R15 pieces. I love them all and wear them proudly.
I'm sure we all agree that clocks and watches originated as TOOLS for telling the time. FUNCTION came first, FORM came later. Til this day, a watch's main FUNCTION continues to be a TOOL for telling the time. Modern technology has created time pieces that give more accurate time, and for less money. What's wrong with that?More accurate time is superior to a less accurate time. Everything else... the name brand, its status, its history, how it functions as a piece of jewelry, and the romance of long-ago technology, are afterthoughts from the original idea of FUNCTION. Nothing wrong with enjoying yesterday's technology. Unfortunately, those who can afford the higher price tag, sometimes use it more as a way of indicating their social status while looking down at those who cannot afford it. Some snobbery is attached to it.
Friend, I wear Rolexes and Cartier watches because how they make feel and an expression of masculine style. If your butt hurt, because someone can afford something you can't thats a you problem. When I look at one of my watches, it symbolizes what I have achieved coming to America as a 3 year old boy with nothing, to where I've gotten to by working my ass off. Maybe you should focus on working harder yourself, not judging, and being less envious of others.
I remember when i was a young child and everytime my father went on holiday he brought home a watch for me. a rado, a seiko. the seiko 5 automatic was truly my childhood. I remember setting it to exactly match the home clock, then being surprised and not understanding why the second hand had lost 5 seconds the next few days. I didn't realise at the time, I had a COSC level entry level mechanical watch.
the problem with quartz, from a watch enthusiast’s perspective is that the beauty of a watch movement is it’s ability to run without a battery accurately and for a long period of time
It's 5:00 here. My self-winding automatic watch says it's 3:25. Happens about once a week, even though I wear it everyday. My cheap "fashion" watch, which I seldom wear, has the correct time.
This is my second comment (my first was 2 years ago). I love quartz. I own 8 watches. 7 are quartz. 1 is mechanical and annoying because I have to babysit it by winding it every day, or else, it will stop ticking. And to reset the time and date is a hassle when you are in a rush. Quartz is grab and go. Easy.
This is a very good video! I agree with your opinion and I share them. I am on a limited budget and have not had an automatic watch in a very long time simply because I can't afford them. My personal favorite watch now is an inexpensive analog and my only issue is that the style I have does not have a day function. I was looking at the internet recently and was surprised to see a watch listed for several thousand dollars.
My favorite watch company is Timex so far. They have really great designs, built-in night lights in the dials, and are super accurate (loud though), but unfortunately are not of horological value because they are cheap, and quartz. Well, what can you do. They are recently coming out with some “lower end” automatic movements. I guess they’ve never really been a company that wants to make luxury or higher end pieces. More so durable, accurate watches.
Even though Timex watches are known as "disposable watches", they are excellent and last forever. My Timex that is 41 years old still runs (when I can wind it). the Stem is so polished smooth it's hard to turn and wind it, but it still ticks along.
durable yes but accurate no. they have been absolute bottom of the barrel for years. they will leak water and they will get dirty and scratch easily but keep running. you can order everything you own from China. some of it will work good enough, but if you look at or use something quite a lot, it can be good to invest in something of good quality. this is true for any tool and watches are no different quartz or no.
I have a question, do quartz watches break more easily than mechanic watches? Because I’ve found a quartz watch I think looks really good but I’m worried that maybe it will sometime break, since I want to be able to have the watch my whole life. Maybe I sound unknowing when I say this which I am, I just want help to know if I should buy this watch
Some people may have a different opinion, but generally I think quartz watches are more durable. Too much physical activity and shock can disrupt and occasional break a mechanical. Although some are always better than others. The trick however is that once a quartz watch has an issue, it's pretty much dead. Very hard to repair, and often you need to swap out the whole movement. Think of it this way, a few drops of water in a mechanical is an issue, but one that can be repaired. A drop of water on a circuit board, and the entire thing is fried. So there is always some positives and negatives to each in that regard. A mechanical can last you your lifetime, but you will need to have it serviced every decade or two (which can add up). While a Quartz can go 10-30 years no problem, but after that it's probably dead.
@@RelativeTimequartz can also.be serviced ,and at a.much lower cost than mechanical movements ,etas ronda 715 citizen eco drive ,all designed to be serviced
For me, the only thing I don't like about quartz is the 1 tick per second. That's it. Everything else about quartz is undeniably superior. They can be made smaller and thinner, they are more accurate, and more reliable. And because of this, the design space for the quartz watch is so much larger, there's so much more room for the experimentation in form once you've mastered the function. And as for the ugly sweep of quartz, there are solutions for that too isn't there (Precisionist and Spring Drive)?
Why don't they just make Quartz watches that tick 8 times a second? That's more than cheaper mechanicals, is a power of 2, and even if it draws more power than one tick/sec, they can just use a bigger battery.
MobiusCoin i refuse to pay much for quartz. And if you check virtual any supplier, their quartz is cheap. It can be stamped out via robotics, if you have mass produced electronics.for those that launch space shuttles or navy seal team, you need supper accurate. No normal person needs time accuracy down to few seconds. Be real. I do have some quartz they are for cheap beater. Sometimes I will buy a quartz watch watch of a type to see if I like it. Plus i have been with first responders, never saw them write down things to the second. Never seem someone say ‘you 3 seconds late. There are stop watches for athletes. Most people with chronos simply time their steak or hard boil egg, of some other fun thing. And after newness wears off, they seldom use it. They drive you crazy when they first get it, & want to time everything around them & annoy people with lectures on accuracy. But few need that.
I believe that's an Alpha Daytona homage. Although the movement should be a seagull ST19. A lot more watches use it today than when I made this. most of which will also have an exhibition case back. The most famous of which is probably the Seagull 1963.
I have both quartz and automatics and even a digital G shock. Most of the watches occupy different niches. Growing up I only had quartz watches (they were cheap, well spec'ed and worked) throughout school I had a cheap Casio digital which I had to change the strap for a Velcro g10 like strap which worked great until the lug snapped, I then had a couple of "surf" watches which were fashionable in the late 90s (basically divers on g10 style Velcro straps) the problem I had with Quartz fashion watches were they were very much disposable, the cost of replacing a battery was close to the cost of the watch. Also as they were "fashion" watches by the time the battery died the watch was out of fashion. When I started my PhD I brought a cheap timex expedition field watch (I was doing a lot or field work and the brown leather and simple white face looked the part) two straps later and the watch is still with me (it looks a little worse for wear, the silver coating on the brass is wearing off, but it has sentimental value). I also have a sekonda moon phase Quartz dress watch that was an impulse buy on holiday, and a gshock. I also brought myself a few seiko five automatics, my first was a little 21jewel dress watch on steel band (similar to one my dad got for his 21st birthday) which is great, but as I spend a lot of time in the field the "30m water resistance " always worried me, so when I got my first full time post doc position I brought the seiko sports "fifty five fathoms" diver, as my "work watch" which was brought as it looked good in the office and would survive the field. A year after that I brought my last eat seiko five sport field watch for a dedicated field watch. I love automatics, and both my dad and my granddad both always wore automatics (although my dad now wears a kinetic) so I grew up with the idea that an automatic was a "grown ups" watch. One thing I love is that an automatic will last a lifetime, I have known people pull an automatic out of a draw after a few years, give it a shake and it keeps good time, if a Quartz goes in a draw for a few years the battery will leak and ruin the watch. But as always ymmv
@@deanwaller8283 and if my grandmother had wheels she would be a bicycle... The point was if both are ignored for a couple of years the quartz is dead, but the auto still ticks.
I love both types of movements. I have my quartz watches I wear through the week to work that I can grab and go like you say, and I have my Mechanical watches that I enjoy wearing on my time off.
How do you preserve a quartz watch to last long? I just got a quartz seiko and want to know how to preserve it for a good time, Do I leave the time running everyday and night? or do I stop it over night and set the time in the morning?
Never mind, it will work. However, when the battery needs to be changed, have it changed by a true expert who also cleans and lubricates the mechanical parts of the watch. Just changing the battery will cause mechanical issues with quartz as well as with mechanical watches.
I've recently purchased a kinetic quartz watch which I love. It's a nice bridge between mechanical and quartz. I have been a mechanical watch snob in the past, but am developing an appreciation for quartz.
I've got a kinetic that is almost 20 years old now. Love it, I'll never get rid of it. But as I bought more watches, I almost never wear it. Mostly because it's always dead, and the 2 second tick drives me crazy. Short of wearing only it for a week or so, I can never quite get enough juice in it.
Nothing beats the sound of ‘tick tick tick ‘ of a manual watch as for quartz watches they work but don’t give you the comfort of the ticking heartbeat of a manual watch & if you listen to the heartbeat you will realise that they tick differently the sound the rhythm it’s so beautiful that I listen to my watches as my comfort thing Watches love them ✅✅✅👍👍
Agreed! too many people said quartz is just a soulless item, but they could never really understood that designing a circuit board that regulates the quartz watch is as hard as making a mechanical movement, i.e. years of tough engineering school vs years of tough apprenticeship.
The biggest problem with quartz is a delayed end-of-life. Battery can go a year, five, ten years. And that very day when the quartz movement will stop might be when I will be on a boat, in the woods, in a car on a long highway and so on. That unsettling feeling that it will likely let you down in most inappropriate moment. Mechanical watches do not have that. The , there is this post-apocalypse...not even dream, but quartz is a dependent technology. Mechanical watches are virtually eternal. Of course they are not and then there are plenty of solar powered watches these days, kinetic movements and so on. Still, mechanical Watch is a bicycle of timekeeping. It’s just you and your watch whenever you are:) In a world going fully electronic problem with quartz is also in the fact that any next technology will wipe it without a trace. Smart watches most likely will wipe the quartz out because it does not have anything to counterweight, even if it is a nice fairy-tale (like mechanical watches), it plays in the same field, so to say. Regarding precision - most of my good watches are within 1-15 seconds a month - what to ask for more? Not every quartz does that! And there’s nothing that requires or even makes possible a greater precision...
Yes and no. First, as mentioned in the video that the mechanical might not be wound... if one forgets a daily thing (winding a watch) - how in the hell one will remember thing that happens one time in 7 years?:) Then, post-apocalyptic-boyscout says "what if you there's nowhere to get a new battery?":). Then, to change battery you have to kill the watch, open up it's belly, change it's stomach and resurrect it. Quartz is a zombie watch!:) And then, circuits and boards sometimes just die for no reason, somehow:( And of course, there are quartz watches with indication of low battery - divers ISO standards require that... "Quartz and mechanical" is like a "nuclear reactor and river mill" - that's it!:)
Of course! notice the amount of :)... But then, not one of my mechanicals ever failed me. But I do have several tea quartz and electronics in general dies always and quiet fast.
Even a mechanical watch will have an end of life. Although with proper care it can be extended much beyond a quartz watch. You could just look on ebay and see a vast number of seiko 5s from the 60's and 70s all brough back to life. Yet it's hard to find a quartz watch from the early 80s thats still working. But eventually gears and metal will wear with age.
i have two decent quartz watches from the 80ies and they both tick away as though they will last forever . also one from the 90's that is all beat to hell but still functions perfectly and probably will last a couple more decades or more . its the same with most quartz wall clocks and alarm clocks , if they are not abused they will last decades .
James Lee True. Although sometimes you get unlucky. I have my dad's old quartz dress watch from the late 90s. I don't think the movement is made anymore, so its a little harder to find, and expensive if you do. I'd like to get it going again some day. But it's one of those things that would cost 4-5 times as much as it's worth to repair it.
Sometimes a very similar watch is available in both quartz and mechanical. When the quartz watch is considerably cheaper and I want the particular style without the expense, I will chose quartz. Only problem is if i eventually love the style, I end up with the mechanical version too! :)
Mechanical or quartz I own both and both are great for me ,of course there are advantages and disadvantages and recently I'm admiring the grandseiko spring drive movement more like a hybrid it has a mechanical movement and yes it visible engine and a sweeping second hand also a dead accuracy watch
It really is. Citizen bought out Bulova a few years ago, I really wish they would start putting that in some of their other watches. Or at the very least expand out Bulovas line.
Own both. The cheapest quartz watch is more accurate than the most expensive automatic movements. When I’m in the hood I wear my timex. When I’m somewhere els I wear my seiko. I use a watch to tell time. Not make a social statement.
That's a hard question. Kind of depends on what you mean by worth it? If you find a high accuracy quartz you like, and plan to keep it forever. I think it's worth it. It will be well made, highly accurate, and you will only have to change the battery. Rather then have a mechanical serviced every 5-10 years. But once it has an issue, it's most likely dead. Unless you can find a replacement movement. Compared to Automatics, where a repair shop might be able to rebuild, and fix it. Although the cost to do that, might be as much as buying a new watch anyways.
In a world where humans can't even fart without their smartphone, a quartz wristwatch is something useless at best. In the other hand, a mechanical watch is a piece of art and as you said jewelry.
I appreciate Automatic watches and have a few (barely used), but you can't beat the convenience, accuracy and durability of a Quartz watch. I view my watches as a tool and a fashion accessory. It is not like the early days where a watch was a must to track time.
Great video. I have found myself going to the mechanical watch because of how all those parts work together and how the second hand moves. It make me appreciate it more. I have an atomic G Shock always available by my sink in the bathroom as a point of reference that I use for yard work, at home in the evening and working out. During the week going to work I'm now rotating an Orient M- Force diver and Bulova Sea King diver with the UHF movement. The best of both worlds.
Thanks! I need to check out more Bulova watches. With the UHF, percisitonist, and accutron lines, they do seem to give you the best of both worlds. How do you like the m-force? I was looking at the Triton, which seems to be a smaller version.
@@RelativeTime I really like the M Force it has the crown on the left side which is great for me since I use it on my left wrist. Love the power reserve since I use it every other day you can see it powering up slowly during the day.
I made this video 2 months ago, and it helped push me over the 1000 subscriber threshold in early July. For some reason there has a been a huge spike in traffic in the last day on it. So this video has once again helped push me over a threshold. This time just over 2000 subscribers. Thank you to everyone who has just joined!
just joined after getting my Seiko snk! love the Chanel very straight foward
On some pieces, like Bulova, I prefer quartz, because de history included. But generally mechanical watches have more personal appeal.
This is a very good video. Saved it to my favorites. Good advice at the end on the perils of gifting mechanical watches. I gave watches to my wife and son this Christmas and made sure they were quartz 😉.
Congratulations for your video ! I really appreciate your subtle reasoning ... far from the usual cleaving content we can find on social networks (“Quartz = no interest”, and more often “a Quartz fan is a strange concept”)
I really don't understand why or how anyone could sit through that droning monologue. I gave thumbs down because you were so uninspiring. Public speaking is not your fortay.
I think the main problem with quartz movements is, there is no problem with quartz movements. The reality is they're more accurate and more reliable than mechanical movements. I appreciate the engineering that goes into mechanical movements but the problem with quartz is that a lot of"watch people" are just snobs.
I think the whole "has no soul" argument is only sorta valid (sorta) if your talking about a high end, made almost entirely by hand, watch. I don't think a lower end automatic moment, that is cranked out an assembly line is much different that a quartz watch at the same price.
I have a high-end ($$$) automatic watch, an inexpensive wind-up, and three quarts watches. I wear each one at different times.
Right now I am wearing my Vostok Komandirskie mechanical wind-up.
If a friend says to me, "Look at my new quartz watch" or "Look at my replica Rolex, or "Look at my (real) Patek Phillipe", my response to each? "Nice watch".
Whatever watch makes one happy is a nice watch.
@@RelativeTime That's a good point. Think of Seiko's 7s26. Or some old watchmaker, some old artisan creating a watch with the utmost care and passion.
Totally agree. Some of those believe that a mechanical watch requires higher engineering, which is totally not true. A quartz with high accuracy like the citizen with 1sec deviation per year is the real engineering piece. Those with GPS, RC or Bluetooth sync with atomic clocks are most innovative in engineering system design. Mechanical watches should be viewed as an art or craftsmanship, their values are more on the decorative and artistic side.
Funny becuase my baume et mercier is also "accurate". Be honest, quartz is for people who dont want to spend thousands on a true timepiece and only want something that looks nice.
I've had my quartz Seiko for 41 years now (cost was £28) and have bought automatics including a couple of Swiss ones over the years but my quartz Seiko does one basic thing that the automatics cannot do - it tells me the time - accurately. No frustration, as with automatics, having to check and reset my quartz Seiko. I'm absolutely in awe of the craftsmen who make automatic movements but the bottom line is that a watch is a device to be used for telling the time - accurately. It can be a fashion accessory and my stainless steel bracelet strap along with the white face and clean and simple Seiko lines is a classic look and looks good on me so I'm sticking with quartz and Seiko.
Totally agree . . . same experience here.
How may times did you change the battery?
@@dakshsharma4946That’s the best you got. How much was your last 5 year service. Enjoy what you wear. 🤓
@@dakshsharma4946The need for battery change is actually much lesser than a mechanical watch requirement for maintenance. He can also DIY his own battery change easily. Solar watches nowadays runs in replaceable capacitor and one easily last for 10-20 years before you even feel anything lesser on it. They can run a whole day with few minutes of direct sun and a full charged watch will last for months to year.
@@dakshsharma4946 FAR fewer than the number of times he would have needed to have a mechanical watch stripped to individual components, cleaned, lubricated, reassembled, and adjusted during the same period. And even then it would have cost him hundreds more (each time) than the cost of one battery and he would still be left with a less accurate and less reliable timepiece.
Quartz: what you use to set your mechanical watches.
There is a lot of truth to that.
I actually use my phone
@@danielhristov6175 Which have quartz in itself.
@@brutalvous Smartphones don't use quartz movement to measure time, they just take the time from the signal in the air.
@bullsballs just to make it clear i love both mechanical and quartz watches.
(I do prefer automatic simply because i consider it art)
Check the Seiko King Turtle Save the Ocean Manta Ray edition (to see what i mean) that watch creates feelings that other doesn't.
That said. My all time favorite is and always will be the Seiko Tuna 1000m quartz.
Cheers.
If every watch came in quartz and mechanical I would buy quartz almost every time. I shiver to think what it would cost to service all my mechanical watches!! A car??
If you appreciate horology and love timepieces, you will appreciate all movements
Well said!👍
How about Bowel movements?
D. C. Only when you eat enough fiber...
if you appreciate whoreology, you will appreciate all whores
Amen
I use to work at Bell Labs, and enjoy the science behind the quartz watch technology (poor understood by most). I now really appreciate the meca quartz movements from Seiko, and have several watches with that movement. The are highly accurate and the sweeping second hand is smooth. A COSC certified Quartz movement is really special as well.
You don't have to favor one over the other. I love my Seiko SKX and appreciate it's craftsmanship. But without quartz we wouldn't have G-Shocks, which are one of the most amazing watches ever made!
Well put
totally agree! Love CASIO G-SHOCK and SEIKO ASTRON too, these watches can offer atomic time and they are solar too, for a good value for money.
I would add Victorinox Inox as a heavy duty quartz watch for what they bring.
You mean we would not have affordable watches for the masses.
Indeed !
I have many quartz watches and several automatics. I tell you the difference. I never come home after work and check my quartz watch to see if it lost time or if it's within its tolerance. Owning automatics is a pain in the ass.
if you are in a deserted place and the battery runs out what do you do then
@@yiannisr3784Yeah, because that happens all the time. Also, if you’re in a deserted place, what difference does it make what time it is? Quartz is inarguably better and anyone who disagrees is just bitter because of all the money they’ve thrown away on mechanical watches.
@@yiannisr3784 i take my $100 solar casio and if i don't make it out in the 10-15 years it's battery lasts, i have way bigger problems than accurate time telling
@@yiannisr3784 Solar power.
My Swiss mechanical stays in my dresser drawer. My favorite watch is my casio 91
Some people prefer vinyl records over CD too. Some people prefer things that are technically inferior.
With emphasis on inferior...
Bulova Precisionist has the smoothest movement. 16 movements per second. 57,600 bph and its quartz. Less than £200.
The precisionist sweep is amazing. Only problem is they tend to be rather huge and power hungry.
At one point they made an accutron ii line that was basically the precisionist movement but minus the extra accurate bits. Let the watch be smaller, but still keep the same sweep.
Not sure why, but it didn't last long. Line is gone now.
For my work as mariner I need accurate time. That is why I use quartz watches. When I get onboard I adjust the watch from GPS and forget it and after 30 days when I go home they have usually creeped 15-30 sec. Now I am using Casio Tough Solar and it´s price is under 80 usd. To get similar accuracy from a mechanical watch I would have to pay thousands of usd. The Casio has even other functions which I use, world time, alarms, timers.... none available from mechanical watches.
I believe that there are many others like me who need these qualities in work and are very happy to pay little and get much.
Thanks for a nice video and calm opinions on this subject!
That's a great example of when quartz is better off. Thank you for sharing!
My Casio loses about 8 seconds a month. Which isn't bad. thats like 2 minutes a year.
15-30 sec/month isn't typical for a quartz. My regular quartz watches are 2-10 sec/month. My high accuracy quartz are less than 1 sec per month.
I recommend a Bulova Accutron 262KHz high accuracy Moon Watch chrono with a sapphire crystal. Check Amazon and Ebay. Mine is PHENOMENALLY ACCURATE. +/- 2 sec/year!
@The Truth Do you REALLY need an internet connection? I seriously doubt it.
There is a nostalgic element to automatic watches and the idea of the movement mimicking a heartbeat.
I own both Quartz and Mechanical, and i love/hate them for different/same reasons, I have a high end Seiko solar radio control, always dead accurate, always. I love that about it but to be honest, I also hate that about it. There is nothing to futz around with, no winding, setting, checking the accuracy, temperature, face up? face down? .. conversely all the things I love/hate about my mechanicals.. I love futzing with them, I love/hate that they are +6 seconds a day, then +7 the next.. did I wind it? etc.. So for me it's great to have both, depending on my mood and what I need to do on any given day. Sometimes Quartz. Sometimes Mech. I love/hate them both.. Is this a hobby or just OCD? ;)
It's probably both! But I'm the same way. One thing I love about automatics, is that each individual watch is different And I enjoy discovering the specifics of each one, as well as occasionally trying to tinker and improve that. But some days, I may not be in the mood to deal with it.
Giles: Just not used to automatic transmission. I loathe this just sitting here, not contributing. No, no, no, it's just not working out.
I have a solar seiko as well... and I'm buying an snk809 now (an automatic) I guess mechanical things just have a soul - also I don't understand why people just don't use the arguement that you're not reliant on batteries with autos :p
You'll enjoy the 809, great honest little watch.. love mine.. Nice choice. Is this your first mechanical?
@@viktordelta247 Just what I needed, It's going to act as a beater (I've just joined the military.) But still has the little something special in general to me and to look at through the clear backing. It is my first mechanical/automatic watch!
I think very few people realize what it actually takes to create a quartz watch - not only the mechanical work, but also the process of designing and production of the integrated circuit, even a relatively simple one with quartz crystal oscillator and set of dividers.
I prefer quartz, for practicality.
You don't buy a mechanical watch for what it does, but how it does it. It's like a piece of jewelry. The moment you start thinking about practicality and functionality a smart watch will always be the best option.
Until you hit rain and a traditional digital will keep on swapping options
@@oxaile4021 you can't see the mechanical watch working when you're wearing it. It looks exactly like a quartz. You're just a snob if you only wear mech watch.
In todays day, I don’t think the mechanical watch is a tremendous achievement. Gimme quartz for accuracy, size, and cost. Gimme a $200 boluva precision over a $10k Rolex. I wear my $20 Casio to work everyday. My Swiss mechanical fortis marine master has been in my drawer for years collection dust.
@@MayDayDevinci This. And furthermore, the usual argument for "you can know and see how mechanical watch works" is, in most cases, pure hoax.
No average people, least the average Rolex people in suits, understand how mechanical clockwork works.
I, as an anti-snobby nerd, who would never spend money for an overpriced watch, but who is interested in all kinds of technical things and their deep inner workings, and finding both mechanical clockworks and quartz ones technically interesting, I can honestly say that the working principles, with all the complications, of mechanical clockworks are *way* more difficult to understand than of the simple quartz circuitry and dividers!
I’m a watch collector and own both mechanical and quartz watches. You are correct in saying that mechanical watches are more appreciated than quartz watches mainly because of the intricate workmanship however maintaining a sizable mechanical collection is expensive. I enjoy my quality quartz watches as a marvel of engineering and don’t need to have them serviced nearly as often and they are more rugged than mechanical watches. There is a place for both designs. Thanks
Thanks Sam - I'm feel the same. I have high-end automatics stored in a watch winder case - then quartz on the other side of the closet in another small case. So\, I get up each morning and ask myself... Tissot? Rolex? Omega?... after I have selected my automatic for the day, I take it over to the quartz box to know what time to set! 5 shiny ticking faces all with the exact same time. I love both kinds.
I love my Citizen Eco-drive i've had it since 2006 and it's still going strong!
Mine from 2002 - zero problems till now 2021...
@@alexandrberg3712 Not bad going! So whats happened to it?
Same with mine. Had them about 10 years.
Same for me, Citizen Eco-drive is simply AMAZING.
Most light powered watches or chronographs are Solar powered, which means it doesn't work with artificial light. But Eco-drive works with all types of light.
Not with the same efficiency, but I have one time charged reasonably mine with my flashlight in less than ¼ h.
Got mine for retirement at work and it is running strong. So nice I hate to wear it for everyday stuff.
Great first 90 seconds, both fun, laconically delivered and spot on. Mechanical movements can be almost hypnotical in their beauty, and that's something a quartz movement will never be able to match. That is, unless one finds beauty in precision and the unfathomable accuracy of a +/- 1 second deviation in a whole year of time keeping in a wrist watch being charged by available light. Both can be mind blowing in their own right.
I grew up in 60’s. everyone had hand wind watches. Few forgot to wind their main watch.
Maybe a batter way to look at this is if your life depended on it witch one would you use?
Possibly. Although these days how often does that happen?
I like both quartz and mechanical. But seeing and hearing the ticking of a mechanical movement relaxes me. It is nothing less than a small miracle.
This is very true. When I was reviewing a hamilton khaki mechanical, I noticed a very faint musical bell like ting that was within the normal movements ticking. But the pitch and tone changed ever so slightly as the hand went around the dial. It was strangely peaceful and beautiful. At first I thought I was hearing things, but I did find a few others commenting the same thing. Just something with that movement I guess.
@@RelativeTime man I might have to get one just for that. I love to listen to my glycine tick away.
Quartz watches tick as well, try it put one to your ear
What a bullshit cliche thing to say! If your hearing the mechanical movement of your watches then you need to start spending more on your watches pal 😂
SG M I'm a bit Mutt 'n Jeff...!
People who look down upon quartz watches have never taken a circuit analysis class. That said I own both mechanical and quartz watches.
Very true. I learned some very basic electrical engineering in some Comp Sci courses. But I majored in chemistry. So I've spent a lot of time learning about things that are more conceptual. I think most people who like watches don't hate quartz. I think it's more just a very very vocal minority. Thanks for watchin!
Many of us have no interest in electronics. I'd rather watch blades of grass grow.
@@tancreddehauteville764 I would rather watch paint dry than read a Gobshite’s comments
Well I had curciut anaylsis class (for analog electronics ;-;) and I wasnt very good at that class but I searched watch movements. Well still need a lot more to learn but what I learn is more than enough to respect quartz watches. Still I like mechanical watches more not because of quartz watches or worse technology no not because of that. It because we cannot fix (actually we did not choose to fix) electronics thus I cannot make bound to quartz watches because I know someday they will have Electronic malfunctions and will turned to thrash.
So its not like we dont like the technology ist more like they represent "use it and put it to thrash" culture. I like collecting memories with a relatively immortal device and pass it to another person thing.
I’m an electrical engineer, so I’m highly driven by making things “faster, better, cheaper, lower power, more accurate, etc.”. Considering only such technical factors, mechanical watches have no reason for being.
However, as much as I like those technical factors, I admire genius, ingenuity, and creativity more. John Harrison’s clocks are astonishing. He solved the longitude problem. His clocks are beautiful works of art and are mechanically masterful.
Ironically, it was Eric Vittoz, a Swiss guy, who devised circuitry to run the tiny quartz tuning forks on tiny batteries for around a year. I attended a lecture by Vittoz. Very bright guy and also humble. I’ve employed his design methods to build quartz crystal oscillators just like those in our wristwatches. I greatly admire Vittoz.
And atomic clocks make quartz clocks seem crude.
But, jewelry is another art form and is also valuable.
Art takes many forms. Genius is expressed in all of those forms.
I really don't care about which movement a watch has. I care about if I am getting a good deal for my money at the price range. Sometimes that's quarts, sometimes it's a mechanical. I just like having a good watch.
Exactly!
the watch collecting communities prejudice against quartz is little more than a load of pretentious bollox and snobbery that belongs in the 19th century.
i find solar movements more appealing these days for a growing watch collection , they are basically maintenance free and will run accurately without fuss for the best part of 20 years.
Accuracy on most mechs are a pile of crap , with a power reserve rarely extending past 3 days - i dont find that appealling or practical in any way to be honest.
Sounds like you are on the side of practicality and functionality. Judging from the majority of comments I've gotten, I think it's a small minority of watch collectors that are anti quartz. It's just they are very vocal about it.
I bought a Sekio Solar diver this summer and love it. It shares space with several Swiss and German mechanical watches (Omega and Glashütte Original to name two) all of which I could sell for considerably more than I paid for my quartz Seiko. Mechanical watch snobs are usually new to the hobby and rarely own anything of real significance, objectively speaking. Their arrogance comes off more like insecurity than expertise, which is why they bang on quartz. Most I know with an impressive collection have and appreciate quartz watches, which makes sense given their understanding of horology.
Ttt
Damn WTF?
Unless it is your primary watch or part of your core
I love my Seiko Monster and I equally love my Citizen Eco Drive. Both are amazing in their own, special ways.
Quite an interesting topic. You did a great job discussing this topic. I believe there is nothing wrong with quartz. The biggest problem with mechanical is the ever increasing costs involved with fine watchmaking. There are several additional points that one might consider in relation to the topic also. One of those is upkeep. Higher end watches are expensive to maintain with a typical service cost running about $1000 for a service. The more complicated the watch, the higher the cost. If you are maintaining a mechanical watch on a regular frequency than these maintenance costs compared to quartz are quite high. A battery change every 5 years is inexpensive for quartz compared to that. Even a solar quartz drops that maintenance even further as long as the battery/capacitor is not allowed to sit depleted for a very long time. Also, there is also a new genre of mechanical watch "snobbery" for lack of a better term. These are the "never silicon" enthusiasts who consider any watch contain any form of silicon part to be rubbish. This includes any parts of springs that may be made from silicon. Watch giants like Patek Philippe, and Rolex already have balance springs made with silicon and these are frowned upon by these watch "purists". It make me wonder what one of the greatest watchmakers of all time would think. I believe that the great innovator, Abraham Louis Breguet, would probably embrace silicon being used in watches if it was to improve timekeeping because that was a part of his ethos.
I really like watches, and the idea of having a specific object in my person that measures time. As with all my tools, I like them to be as precise and flawless ass possible, but wrist watches aren’t just tools, but fashion accessories too.
The way a mechanical movement looks is insanely captivating, much more than a quartz movement. I just wish someone created a beautiful quartz movement that could look as good as a mechanical, and for the brands that boast about their in-house mechanical movements to stop covering them with a metal back, all that price tag just so the service guy can appreciate it.
Real human being created the quartz watch. John Harrison would have been thrilled by the quartz watch!
If you need superior accuracy, buy a quartz watch. However for me it's the feeling that a mechanical watch is almost 'alive' and only works because I wind it.
maybe your watch have ghost in it snob
Not finding your watch stopped due to a dead battery is cool; just move the auto or wind.
Nyzma Kumala why do you have to be a stick in the mud
A mechanical watch works because a skilled watchmaker put it together.
An automatic watch is like a tapeworm, it is only alive as long as you are.
I think that mechanical watches are great, but once you get past "Swiss craftsmanship".
And you see the copper coils, circuitry, mechanical parts, solar panel, quartz, of watches like Citizen eco-drive you truly see the magic.
At the end of the day electricity is much more magical then miniature hamners, gears, and springs.
Picked up my first mechanical watch a few days ago. I've worn a quartz watch for the last few years and decided to take the plunge, not gonna lie, it's not as accurate and it does irritate me a little.
You will get used it and it will settle in. You might find yourself not being being just on time
So three years later, what’s your take on mechanical vs quartz?
@@takethecurseOFFwashingmachine Hello! So I purchased a second automatic Seiko up after my first one, it was much more accurate and I still own it to this day.
I tend to wear a smart watch more often than not nowadays but on the days I don't I wear my Seiko. I appreciate the mechanics of how the watch works and the beauty that comes with that too.
I appreciate both. But fundamentally the chief function of a watch IMO is to tell the time accurately and thus in that regard quartz wins.
The Seiko VH31 is a quartz movement that operates at 4 beats per second. Think of it as 2/3rds as smooth as an automatic with the accuracy of a quartz. The Vario Eclipse and Kingsbury Monarch are two examples of this.
@@marc4199 Sure, I own an addiesdive with that movement. And it's very accurate: +3 seconds in 10 months on my sample.
I have both automatic and quartz, and I like them all. Of my two favorites, one is automatic and one is quartz. What I'm a snob about, is the quality, and that it's a watch that pleases me. It doesn't need to be expensive, but I want to enjoy looking at it in months 2, 3, 4 and on. Too many seem to be out there trying to check off somebody else's list of the right watches to owe. Sure, one needs to do some research so as not to be a total rube, but it's your money, your wrist and your joy. Nobody neeeeeeds a Rolex, worthy though they are.
That's a very good point. I think a lot of people chase Rolex, and specifically a subby, because it's the watch "they are supposed to want". And they don't really think about if it's what they really want until after they buy it.
I've got a brother who's a quartz guy. I see him as a bit of a philistine. He got me a tan wallet off of Amazon for my birthday, without consulting me first. It was just a quick grab, for him. Whereas my black Samsonite wallet, which I love, still hangs together great and IS great. So now the tan one he got me lives in a drawer.
So, I have ordered him a 44mm Steeldive Willard homage, from Ali Express, with the venerable Seiko NH35A movement, inside, for his Christmas.
As we say, where I live, 'He can like it or lump it'.
read the first few chapters of "Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" and you will understand that, there is no difference between quartz and mechanical.
“The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed.”
― Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
Your video did not match the list of watches. What is the model with the exhibition caseback after the Alpha Daytona and before the Timex?
Never mind, thanks, I see it IS the Alpha Daytona flipped upside down. That's a beautiful looking movement on an unattractive watch!
The majority of my watches are mechanical, but I do own quartz. You’re not a true watch lover if you don’t own both! ;-)
Very true. I think some people forget their is a difference between a dirt cheap quartz watch, and a good quartz watch. It's a big difference in quality, same as a cheap off brand Chinese mechanical movement, and a real japanese or swiss movement.
I have a Braun BN0106. (since 2014). I just love that watch. People forget that a LCD quartz watch doesn't have to be a plastic Casio or Timex. There are still some made with a steel case. And some nice design's.
Very interesting. I haven't heard of braun before. But your right, when I think of a nice digital watch, I pretty much think of casio and G-Shocks. At least for non smart watches. Although sony has an e-ink watch I'm curious about.
One Is None I can’t agree with you more!!
We can all agree on the fact both will last donkeys compared to smart watches
I use the analogy that a quartz watch is like a photograph, whereas a mechanical watch is like a painting, one is a more accurate representation, the other is something more intangible, but lovely. (however using a 'pagani design' watch to illustrate your point is a bit like the painting being done by a 6 year old with moms lipstick).
Very well said. As well as OUCH! I would of hoped It would of at least qualified as a crayon drawing, maybe an etch-a-sketch? 😀
Although in all seriousness, I try to work with what i have, when I can. I figure it's better to use my own footage then grab a photo off the web that I may, or may not have fair usage of. Plus it has a much more dramtic effect from a film making standpoint.
Although I also thought I was making a good point about the Filson as well. Since it's technically a Shinola, the argument is frequently that it's no better then any fashion or even chinese watch.
Im going to use this line someday
I would say that quartz is like a digital photography, mechanical like analogue photo and big old clocks with pendulum like paintings.
Perfect analogy.
@Ginja Ninjaaa I don't believe that analogy is valid.
I feel like there is just as much craftsmanship in a quartz movement as in a mechanical one and a lot of people that don't like quartz just don't understand how it works. I like and own both movement types but I think quartz is really underappreciated.
The problem with quartz is.....quartz won. Plain and simple. The term Quartz Crisis is based on perspective of the Swiss Watch manufacturer. Not the consumer.
The quartz revolution was a big win for consumers. It brought with it unparalleled accuracy over mechanical counterparts. Less moving parts, so lower maintenance, and grab and go convenience that requires the user to replace the battery only every few years.
And at an incredibly low price.
Roughly 96% of all watches produced globally are quartz watches.
The ongoing snobbery about mechanical watches makes almost as much sense as someone claiming that Cathode Ray Tube televisions are superior to the LCD ones we have now.
Yes, mechanical watches are wonderful machines, and they are mesmerizing to look at. But there is no mechanical watch that can keep better time than a happy meal kids digital watch. And really the primary purpose of a wrist watch is to keep time.
I have my share of mechanical watches and I love them. But they are not better than any of my quartz watches by any objective measure.
I own lots of different watches, from auto to mechanical to solar. Quartz is 100% best choice, its cheaper, practical and far more accurate than auto.
Don't be too sure about that.Cheap uartz watches aren't very accurate and are out by multiple seconds every day.An expensive quartz movement is much better, but cost much more.I'm more surprised how accurate a nice mechanical watch is.
One of the cheap Chinese watches I’ve reviewed was a torbollo. If I remember right it gained a few seconds a day. Absolutely horrible for quartz, but accuracy wise it’s still better then most mechanicals.
if you can afford it. get a grand seiko spring drive. a mechanical quartz movement. (no battery)
yes more accurate.. agreed with you.
Until the battery runs out!
I absolutely love quartz watches because the whole point of wearing a wristwatch is to be able to accurately measure time. Quartz is superior in this most important criteria. Besides, of you're a "regular joe", it borders on the irresponsible side to spend hundreds of dollars on a watch when you have a family.
A quartz watch is also great if you own multiple watches and wear each one infrequently.
Nah the thing is a nice expensive mechanical watch can be passed down as a family heirloom. I had my grandfathers classic Seiko chronograph and bellmatics passed down to me and they will also be passed down. Not irresponsible at all. A well looked after mechanical watch will last multiple lifetimes, my children need not spend anything on a classic beautiful mechanical watch or any watch for that matter except for servicing
@@Nick-wh4jt A quartz watch just needs a battery change every 5 years or so, of course it can be passed down. It just needs the build quality to last. Princess Diana gave her sons quartz Omega Speedmasters when they were little. Prince William is wearing his still and I'm sure he'll pass it on. They're Omegas so they're built to last. Not every quartz watch is a walmart cheapo.
@@MakerInMotion the point of my comment was that quartz is not superior to mechanical despite the original comment. To each their own but to just flat out say quartz is superior is definitely not just open to one’s opinion.
My friend there's a lot more to wearing a watch than just telling time.
To many watch collectors, a watch can represent achievements, become a treasured family heirloom, and, for myself is the ultimate expression of masculine style.
There is a difference between wearing a quarts or apple watch and wearing one of my Rolexes or my Cartier.
There is a difference betweenpeople who aren't collectors and those of us who are.
For me the problem with Quartz is that most of them are powered by disposable batteries. So the watch spends 3 years slowly dying, then you have to take it to a shop and it will inevitably get small scratches when they open up the case to change the battery (and if you don't change it in time, the electrolyte leaks from the battery and corrodes your watch).
That's why all my Quartz watches are solar-powered (no battery change needed for 20 years), and all my more expensive watches are automatic (it's just more fun to see a spinning balance wheel through the transparent case back).
Brilliant presentation and application of choice words.
Thank you!
I stumbled on this video by mistake and watched thinking it might actually disseminate some useful information.
Did it inform
@@oscarosullivan4513 for me it "confirmed", since I have been interested in watches for 10+ yrs.
My wife is an architect, my father in law is a structural engineer. Both of them are no longer working with drawing boards, slide rule and table books. Like with PVC record players, video recorders and such - nice, but simply outdated for the purpose. We’ve an open fireplace, good for Christmas and so, but 95% of the heating comes from central gas heating - and thanks God! My automatic watches are in the drawer now, instead of 400-600 quid every two years for repairs and maintenance- may they rest in peace.
Brilliant analogy with the car engine!
Personally, I love Mechanical watches. There’s something about giving a watch the ‘Seiko Shuffle’ at night before bed! 😉
You are right about giving a watch to someone. If you know their preference, great. If not it would be better just to give them a Quartz watch. Nothing wrong with that. Thx for the video dude
Well the gift thing is from personal experience. I got a small automatic for my wife, she never wears it because she doens't want to set the time. I got her a nice quartz watch, and she loves it. I got my nephew a seiko snk, and for months he kept asking me if something was wrong with it, because it kept stopping. Thanks again!
My girlfriend prefers the ladies Citizen eco-drive. She has 3 of them.
ha ha . quartz is always the better choice for woman .
of course she does
James Lee Always get the lady what she wants. Otherwise she will always remember.😋
The way I see it, quartz vs mechanical = solid state (transistor) vs tube amps
Are tube amps obsolete? Yes
Are tube amps special with their glowing tubes, their imperfect yet so rich and mellow sound? Yes
And that's the reason why I invested many thousands dollars in an obsolete technology, a high-end tube amp, 8 years ago. There's something organic and unique in imperfection
Great way of putting it.
I was seduced into the world of mechanical watches a couple of years ago, building up a small 12-15 piece collection. It has slowly dawned on me, however, the extent to which I've been had! I have enough mechanicals that I switch them out day to day and so have to reset and wind whichever watch I'm going to use for the day. I'm constantly concerned that I don't accidentally smack or drop one of these complicated and fragile beauties. I live with the fact that none of my watches are as accurate or durable as the $25 timex I can buy at the local Target, even though all of them cost considerably more! I've also realized that all of these silly beasts will require expensive servicing in the not too distant future! And for what? A smooth sweeping second hand? The benefits of heritage and prestige and the celebration of craftspersonship are just not worth it, at least for me, not for the significantly greater costs over the life of each watch. The only thing that I know I will miss is the amazing variety and creativity that is poured into the mechanical watch business. I'm now in the process of liquidating my mechanical collection and starting again with quality quartz. I've found that while there are less options for quality and creative quartz watches, they are still out there, and perhaps the increased rarity will make the hunting that much more enjoyable.
you might just want to get a Spring Drive and call it a day.
@@youarebeingfooled HAQ - Grand Seiko 9F and Citizen A060
Ever since I was young boy I’ve been fascinated by watches. Over the years I’ve learned by knowledge and what works. I wear both quartz and mechanical. Depends on the mood I’m in. Quartz watches have there place for the majority. But because I love things mechanical and know what goes into the making. Mechanical watches have there own power source no battery/ no waste. Sure they need help sometimes. But if your a student of the game. Learning to maintain and care for them is rewarding and unique to you. Just like some folks change there own oil and look after there car because they find it rewarding and cost effective these days. Thank you for this content.
In the same vain, we can compare analog vs. digital.
I am a "watch Addict" . . . not really a collector even though I have over 30 pieces . . . all quartz.
I acquired my first automatic a few weeks ago. Very nice GEVRIL.
I will be honest . . . after owning only quartz watches . . . I am having a problem with the
lack of accuracy and the fact I had to put it on a winder to keep it going.
I guess I am just one of those people that like a good looking, low maintenance watch that is accurate
and ready to go without a lot of baby sitting.
I am keeping the Automatic and I do appreciate the work that goes into them but
when my Automatic gains 26 seconds PER DAY and all my Quartz might gain or lose 10 SECONDS PER MONTH . . .
my passion stays with Quartz.
Just my 2 cents.
Excellent tutorial. I believe you were spot on with your summary of, the age old, quartz vs mechanical question. I myself appreciate a good quality quartz movement just as much as a well made mechanical movement. There are manufacturers that produce some truly amazing quartz calibers, that are every bit as complex, (if not more so) than most mechanical movements. Grand Seiko for example makes some impressive, top notch quartz calibers. I both own and appreciate both types, and like you, feel that they both have a time and a place in my life style. Excellent presentation. Thanks for sharing
Partly personal and practical for me. I've always wanted a watch that you wouldn't run out of power for, in case of power outages and also if you can't get a new battery for them. A mechanical watch, the power for the watch running is simply just you essentially, as you wind it up. You could be stranded on a desert island, and you could always know what time it is and it would also be a cure for boredom, as it athletically is very beautiful to look at. And also, I have wanted a wine up pocket watch and not a battery run pocket watch. The battery could begin to leak, etc. so, I was curious and looked online and found many beautiful pocket watches, and also, ones where you could see the engine of gear work. So I bought one and, not having to rely upon battery power, really makes it feel more independent as if it is completely self contained. I love it. And it was not over 20 dollars too
I appreciate both for their complexity and the research and development that went into both but mechanical movements will never come close to quartz for it's simplicity, effectiveness and accuracy.
Vice versa.
Smart phones had an ironic effect on watches. They made automatic and mechanical watches popular again. Quartz was for the in between era from the 70s to late 2000s.
I use to avoid Quartz like the plague. But that was before I took watch collecting a step further. Started getting into Vintage Seiko watches and that is when I came across the 80's Seiko with the 7a28 and 7548 Quartz movements. These 2 are no mickey mouse Quartz but a highly engineered and serviceable movement with mostly if not all metal components with jewels. Got myself a 7548 dive watch and a 7a28-7039 synchrotimer and never been happier. I still have Automatic for the majority of my watches but once you get a better understanding of Quartz tech it becomes alot more interesting.
I think a lot of people forget there is a difference between a good quartz movement, and a cheap $5 quartz watch. As well as the skill it takes to engineer and design a highly accurate well made quartz movement.
Some people get mesmerized by the wheels going round and round, I’m good with putting a $3 battery in myself every couple years. I bought a Accutron in 1976 when I started working on the railroad and it was a requirement to have an approved watch. They were sold and maintained by a vendor that stopped at the train yard and all cost went thru a payroll deduction, I wore that watch for 26yrs I eventually went with cheap timex watches and the last one which is a Expedition indiglow is beat up but retired to the nightstand drawer now still keeping great time.
Present day, i bought a nice Seiko automatic and fell in love with it and the exhibition caseback, checked the time after a couple days and it had lost 15 seconds a day. I kept it and a couple days later noticed it had gone dead by what I attribute to my arm not moving enough thru the day to keep it wound, I took it back for a refund. Then I watched a RUclips video on the Accutron ii watch and purchased a new Bulova snorkel 262khz and fell in love with it and the less than a second off a month against (the World Clock) app on my phone. Why would I need another watch ?, maybe because it was too nice to wear everyday, so back to EBay and bought the 262khz Bulova military dial 26b230 to wear during workdays. Now if I was a collector I would buy old Accutrons or a nice Omega f300hz but, try to find someone to work on those who really are reputable nowadays. I’ll stick with my 2 Bulovas, the old Timex’s in the drawer and money in my pocket till I’m chasing old women in the rest home, which is not too far away.
From a military and field aspect. I’d rather have to deal with changing a battery every 5 years than having to reset the time every few days. If you’re nostalgic then go mechanical. If you don’t care about what people think and want something practical then go quartz.
Prefer automatic’s myself which brand would you recommend? All my previous automatic’s tended to loose accuracy over time. They all seem to slow down overtime. And the wrist pins that hold the band on tended to break because being an athlete they don’t hold up.
There are watches with fixed bars depending on the price level you are willing to go but you will be restricted to NATOs, Single Pass, or Screw on Leather Straps. From $300 to $9000. Without proper on time servicing... Autos will start to go wonky over time especially with hard use or winding them often rather than using movement to wind them.
Was this video made before Seiko released their VH31 high beat quartz movement? That 14400 bph is a beauty.
I don’t know
Quartz is what I reach for when there’s work to be done. But compared to a mechanical or auto it seems dead and lifeless. Like there was no love that went into its creation. However the opposite is true for autos and mechanics, there’s a paradoxical love that went into the creation of something not alive. Tho interestingly enough it’s not as reliable as a quartz, yet it feels again paradoxically more alive. I’m mesmerized by the strange power of an automatic movement, yet my citizen eco drive is my go to for day to day activities. As someone else said in the comment section said quartz for work mechanical for play. It’s hard to discount a creation of genuine genius for something better in every way. I don’t want to forget are past.
Dress watch Automatic - Work watch Solar Quartz - Weekend & Activity G-shocks - - - There are no rules.
I own x2 Citizern promaster eco-drives --one diver and a PM Tough. They work flawlessly. I also own x2 automatic watches that work flawlessly ---but are off by a few seconds a day...no big deal. Enjoy what you like.
Agreed.
I like both worlds.
And I like the precision such a miniature machine is capable of providing.
I think quartz is a great way to add a chronograph to your collection without breaking the bank. I have a Timex flyback intelligent quartz chronograph. Quartz watches are obsoleted by our cell phones, which get GPS time from the pilot signals of cellular base stations and so your phone is synchronized within 1 microsecond of GPS time, which is an accuracy that quartz movements have no hope of approaching. So, all watches are obsolete and its just a question of what is the coolest obsolete tech you can wear on your wrist?
I think that like many things, horology is a hobby where one grows over time. I myself have been guilty of the "mechanical movement or bust" snobbery in the past. As I learned more, however, I began to appreciate the design, accuracy, and durability of quartz. Today, my collection ranges from a GS 9F and Casio Oceanus (with Sallaz-polished titanium and Casio tough quartz movement) to your standard ETA 2824-2 or Seiko 6R15 pieces. I love them all and wear them proudly.
I'm sure we all agree that clocks and watches originated as TOOLS for telling the time. FUNCTION came first, FORM came later. Til this day, a watch's main FUNCTION continues to be a TOOL for telling the time. Modern technology has created time pieces that give more accurate time, and for less money. What's wrong with that?More accurate time is superior to a less accurate time. Everything else... the name brand, its status, its history, how it functions as a piece of jewelry, and the romance of long-ago technology, are afterthoughts from the original idea of FUNCTION. Nothing wrong with enjoying yesterday's technology. Unfortunately, those who can afford the higher price tag, sometimes use it more as a way of indicating their social status while looking down at those who cannot afford it. Some snobbery is attached to it.
Friend, I wear Rolexes and Cartier watches because how they make feel and an expression of masculine style.
If your butt hurt, because someone can afford something you can't thats a you problem. When I look at one of my watches, it symbolizes what I have achieved coming to America as a 3 year old boy with nothing, to where I've gotten to by working my ass off.
Maybe you should focus on working harder yourself, not judging, and being less envious of others.
Thinking about winding even if it`s an automatic watch it`s the reason i have quartz watches.
I wear an Amphibia 710379 as my main watch
I remember when i was a young child and everytime my father went on holiday he brought home a watch for me. a rado, a seiko. the seiko 5 automatic was truly my childhood. I remember setting it to exactly match the home clock, then being surprised and not understanding why the second hand had lost 5 seconds the next few days. I didn't realise at the time, I had a COSC level entry level mechanical watch.
the problem with quartz, from a watch enthusiast’s perspective is that the beauty of a watch movement is it’s ability to run without a battery accurately and for a long period of time
It's 5:00 here. My self-winding automatic watch says it's 3:25. Happens about once a week, even though I wear it everyday. My cheap "fashion" watch, which I seldom wear, has the correct time.
Accurately? So please go to quartz.
A solar watch doesn’t need to be worn and still is more accurate
@@alvo-oooo You need to synch your mech watch once a week - lazy wearers get what they deserve.
@@User-nu6km It does need to kept exposed to light.
This is my second comment (my first was 2 years ago).
I love quartz.
I own 8 watches. 7 are quartz. 1 is mechanical and annoying because I have to babysit it by winding it every day, or else, it will stop ticking. And to reset the time and date is a hassle when you are in a rush. Quartz is grab and go. Easy.
Well said. I'm still suprised this video is gettting as many views as it has.
This is a very good video! I agree with your opinion and I share them. I am on a limited budget and have not had an automatic watch in a very long time simply because I can't afford them. My personal favorite watch now is an inexpensive analog and my only issue is that the style I have does not have a day function.
I was looking at the internet recently and was surprised to see a watch listed for several thousand dollars.
Do newer quartz movements still burn out like the 1980's Seikos did?
Good question. I think it all depends on whos making it.
My favorite watch company is Timex so far. They have really great designs, built-in night lights in the dials, and are super accurate (loud though), but unfortunately are not of horological value because they are cheap, and quartz. Well, what can you do. They are recently coming out with some “lower end” automatic movements. I guess they’ve never really been a company that wants to make luxury or higher end pieces. More so durable, accurate watches.
Even though Timex watches are known as "disposable watches", they are excellent and last forever. My Timex that is 41 years old still runs (when I can wind it). the Stem is so polished smooth it's hard to turn and wind it, but it still ticks along.
Yes affordable and reliable.
durable yes but accurate no. they have been absolute bottom of the barrel for years. they will leak water and they will get dirty and scratch easily but keep running.
you can order everything you own from China. some of it will work good enough, but if you look at or use something quite a lot, it can be good to invest in something of good quality. this is true for any tool and watches are no different quartz or no.
I wear a $20 Casio to work everyday. My Swiss watch collects dust in my drawer. I regret ever purchasing my Swiss mechanical watch
I have a question, do quartz watches break more easily than mechanic watches? Because I’ve found a quartz watch I think looks really good but I’m worried that maybe it will sometime break, since I want to be able to have the watch my whole life. Maybe I sound unknowing when I say this which I am, I just want help to know if I should buy this watch
Some people may have a different opinion, but generally I think quartz watches are more durable. Too much physical activity and shock can disrupt and occasional break a mechanical. Although some are always better than others.
The trick however is that once a quartz watch has an issue, it's pretty much dead. Very hard to repair, and often you need to swap out the whole movement.
Think of it this way, a few drops of water in a mechanical is an issue, but one that can be repaired. A drop of water on a circuit board, and the entire thing is fried.
So there is always some positives and negatives to each in that regard. A mechanical can last you your lifetime, but you will need to have it serviced every decade or two (which can add up). While a Quartz can go 10-30 years no problem, but after that it's probably dead.
Ok, this was interesting to know. Thank you, I will consider this if I’ll buy a watch
@@RelativeTimequartz can also.be serviced ,and at a.much lower cost than mechanical movements ,etas ronda 715 citizen eco drive ,all designed to be serviced
@@RelativeTimewith a miyota I can just have the movement replaced. No biggie. Twenty quid for the movement which slots right in.
For me, the only thing I don't like about quartz is the 1 tick per second. That's it. Everything else about quartz is undeniably superior. They can be made smaller and thinner, they are more accurate, and more reliable. And because of this, the design space for the quartz watch is so much larger, there's so much more room for the experimentation in form once you've mastered the function. And as for the ugly sweep of quartz, there are solutions for that too isn't there (Precisionist and Spring Drive)?
I would love it, if they could make a solar or a kinetic with a sweeping second hand. But I think the power consumption is too great.
Grand Seiko watches have second hands that run as smooth as my Seiko Wall Clock. It's an amazing watch considering it has quartz in its movement.
Bulova's Precisionist/High Frequency Quartz movements have a smooth sweep second hand.
Why don't they just make Quartz watches that tick 8 times a second? That's more than cheaper mechanicals, is a power of 2, and even if it draws more power than one tick/sec, they can just use a bigger battery.
MobiusCoin i refuse to pay much for quartz. And if you check virtual any supplier, their quartz is cheap. It can be stamped out via robotics, if you have mass produced electronics.for those that launch space shuttles or navy seal team, you need supper accurate. No normal person needs time accuracy down to few seconds. Be real. I do have some quartz they are for cheap beater. Sometimes I will buy a quartz watch watch of a type to see if I like it. Plus i have been with first responders, never saw them write down things to the second. Never seem someone say ‘you 3 seconds late. There are stop watches for athletes. Most people with chronos simply time their steak or hard boil egg, of some other fun thing. And after newness wears off, they seldom use it. They drive you crazy when they first get it, & want to time everything around them & annoy people with lectures on accuracy. But few need that.
Good video! - which watch is that at 5:34 buddy?
I believe that's an Alpha Daytona homage. Although the movement should be a seagull ST19. A lot more watches use it today than when I made this. most of which will also have an exhibition case back. The most famous of which is probably the Seagull 1963.
I have both quartz and automatics and even a digital G shock. Most of the watches occupy different niches. Growing up I only had quartz watches (they were cheap, well spec'ed and worked) throughout school I had a cheap Casio digital which I had to change the strap for a Velcro g10 like strap which worked great until the lug snapped, I then had a couple of "surf" watches which were fashionable in the late 90s (basically divers on g10 style Velcro straps) the problem I had with Quartz fashion watches were they were very much disposable, the cost of replacing a battery was close to the cost of the watch. Also as they were "fashion" watches by the time the battery died the watch was out of fashion. When I started my PhD I brought a cheap timex expedition field watch (I was doing a lot or field work and the brown leather and simple white face looked the part) two straps later and the watch is still with me (it looks a little worse for wear, the silver coating on the brass is wearing off, but it has sentimental value). I also have a sekonda moon phase Quartz dress watch that was an impulse buy on holiday, and a gshock. I also brought myself a few seiko five automatics, my first was a little 21jewel dress watch on steel band (similar to one my dad got for his 21st birthday) which is great, but as I spend a lot of time in the field the "30m water resistance " always worried me, so when I got my first full time post doc position I brought the seiko sports "fifty five fathoms" diver, as my "work watch" which was brought as it looked good in the office and would survive the field. A year after that I brought my last eat seiko five sport field watch for a dedicated field watch. I love automatics, and both my dad and my granddad both always wore automatics (although my dad now wears a kinetic) so I grew up with the idea that an automatic was a "grown ups" watch. One thing I love is that an automatic will last a lifetime, I have known people pull an automatic out of a draw after a few years, give it a shake and it keeps good time, if a Quartz goes in a draw for a few years the battery will leak and ruin the watch. But as always ymmv
Keep.the battery changed and that quartz will last as long as.a mechanical watch
@@deanwaller8283 and if my grandmother had wheels she would be a bicycle... The point was if both are ignored for a couple of years the quartz is dead, but the auto still ticks.
Quartz watches are like Bic lighters. They work great do a good job.when they are done that's it
true. you dont really need a zippo.
I love both types of movements. I have my quartz watches I wear through the week to work that I can grab and go like you say, and I have my Mechanical watches that I enjoy wearing on my time off.
Exactly. I wear a G-Shock to work, and enjoy wearing something different during my free time.
How do you preserve a quartz watch to last long? I just got a quartz seiko and want to know how to preserve it for a good time, Do I leave the time running everyday and night? or do I stop it over night and set the time in the morning?
Never mind, it will work. However, when the battery needs to be changed, have it changed by a true expert who also cleans and lubricates the mechanical parts of the watch. Just changing the battery will cause mechanical issues with quartz as well as with mechanical watches.
I've recently purchased a kinetic quartz watch which I love. It's a nice bridge between mechanical and quartz. I have been a mechanical watch snob in the past, but am developing an appreciation for quartz.
I've got a kinetic that is almost 20 years old now. Love it, I'll never get rid of it. But as I bought more watches, I almost never wear it. Mostly because it's always dead, and the 2 second tick drives me crazy. Short of wearing only it for a week or so, I can never quite get enough juice in it.
You will learn to hate the kinetic as you are now it's slave.
Nothing beats the sound of ‘tick tick tick ‘ of a manual watch as for quartz watches they work but don’t give you the comfort of the ticking heartbeat of a manual watch & if you listen to the heartbeat you will realise that they tick differently the sound the rhythm it’s so beautiful that I listen to my watches as my comfort thing
Watches love them ✅✅✅👍👍
Agreed! too many people said quartz is just a soulless item, but they could never really understood that designing a circuit board that regulates the quartz watch is as hard as making a mechanical movement, i.e. years of tough engineering school vs years of tough apprenticeship.
Two very different, but dedicated skills.
If you like watches...ALL watches have their good and bad. Accuracy?, Hate battery changes< Solar? Atomic? They all have advantages and disadvantages.
The biggest problem with quartz is a delayed end-of-life. Battery can go a year, five, ten years. And that very day when the quartz movement will stop might be when I will be on a boat, in the woods, in a car on a long highway and so on. That unsettling feeling that it will likely let you down in most inappropriate moment. Mechanical watches do not have that.
The , there is this post-apocalypse...not even dream, but quartz is a dependent technology. Mechanical watches are virtually eternal. Of course they are not and then there are plenty of solar powered watches these days, kinetic movements and so on. Still, mechanical Watch is a bicycle of timekeeping. It’s just you and your watch whenever you are:)
In a world going fully electronic problem with quartz is also in the fact that any next technology will wipe it without a trace. Smart watches most likely will wipe the quartz out because it does not have anything to counterweight, even if it is a nice fairy-tale (like mechanical watches), it plays in the same field, so to say.
Regarding precision - most of my good watches are within 1-15 seconds a month - what to ask for more? Not every quartz does that! And there’s nothing that requires or even makes possible a greater precision...
Yes and no. First, as mentioned in the video that the mechanical might not be wound... if one forgets a daily thing (winding a watch) - how in the hell one will remember thing that happens one time in 7 years?:)
Then, post-apocalyptic-boyscout says "what if you there's nowhere to get a new battery?":).
Then, to change battery you have to kill the watch, open up it's belly, change it's stomach and resurrect it. Quartz is a zombie watch!:)
And then, circuits and boards sometimes just die for no reason, somehow:(
And of course, there are quartz watches with indication of low battery - divers ISO standards require that...
"Quartz and mechanical" is like a "nuclear reactor and river mill" - that's it!:)
Of course! notice the amount of :)... But then, not one of my mechanicals ever failed me. But I do have several tea quartz and electronics in general dies always and quiet fast.
Even a mechanical watch will have an end of life. Although with proper care it can be extended much beyond a quartz watch. You could just look on ebay and see a vast number of seiko 5s from the 60's and 70s all brough back to life. Yet it's hard to find a quartz watch from the early 80s thats still working.
But eventually gears and metal will wear with age.
i have two decent quartz watches from the 80ies and they both tick away as though they will last forever . also one from the 90's that is all beat to hell but still functions perfectly and probably will last a couple more decades or more . its the same with most quartz wall clocks and alarm clocks , if they are not abused they will last decades .
James Lee True. Although sometimes you get unlucky. I have my dad's old quartz dress watch from the late 90s. I don't think the movement is made anymore, so its a little harder to find, and expensive if you do. I'd like to get it going again some day. But it's one of those things that would cost 4-5 times as much as it's worth to repair it.
If buying a Chronograph why would you buy an inaccurate manual watch? My Bulova Luna Pilot is accurate to +/- 2 second per year.......yes per year.
Sometimes a very similar watch is available in both quartz and mechanical. When the quartz watch is considerably cheaper and I want the particular style without the expense, I will chose quartz. Only problem is if i eventually love the style, I end up with the mechanical version too! :)
Marathon dilemma
What is the watch at 0:35? Looks great.
I believe that's the Timex Southview Multifunction.
ruclips.net/video/uDXZAjsM_Ac/видео.html
Mechanical or quartz I own both and both are great for me ,of course there are advantages and disadvantages and recently I'm admiring the grandseiko spring drive movement more like a hybrid it has a mechanical movement and yes it visible engine and a sweeping second hand also a dead accuracy watch
The Spring drive is an amazing movement. Heck all the Grand Seiko's have amazing movements. But the spring drive is an amazing idea.
Best of both worlds
Bulova's 262kHz movement is what got me into purchasing a quartz. It's absolutely mesmerizing to watch that smooth sweeping hand.
It really is. Citizen bought out Bulova a few years ago, I really wish they would start putting that in some of their other watches. Or at the very least expand out Bulovas line.
Own both. The cheapest quartz watch is more accurate than the most expensive automatic movements. When I’m in the hood I wear my timex. When I’m somewhere els I wear my seiko. I use a watch to tell time. Not make a social statement.
Well put. Love the name by the way.👍
Arnold, is that you ??.... Hurry up with the swiss please.. The children are starving.....
I use them to track time when I am out sailing or snorkelling
Is it worth buying high accuracy quartz in comparison to mechanical ?
That's a hard question. Kind of depends on what you mean by worth it?
If you find a high accuracy quartz you like, and plan to keep it forever. I think it's worth it. It will be well made, highly accurate, and you will only have to change the battery. Rather then have a mechanical serviced every 5-10 years.
But once it has an issue, it's most likely dead. Unless you can find a replacement movement. Compared to Automatics, where a repair shop might be able to rebuild, and fix it. Although the cost to do that, might be as much as buying a new watch anyways.
In a world where humans can't even fart without their smartphone, a quartz wristwatch is something useless at best.
In the other hand, a mechanical watch is a piece of art and as you said jewelry.
Well put
i have a SEIKO quartz watch, for some reason, it stops working, owned it since the 1980s is it ok you fix it, it has sentimental value to me.
I appreciate Automatic watches and have a few (barely used), but you can't beat the convenience, accuracy and durability of a Quartz watch. I view my watches as a tool and a fashion accessory. It is not like the early days where a watch was a must to track time.
Great video. I have found myself going to the mechanical watch because of how all those parts work together and how the second hand moves. It make me appreciate it more. I have an atomic G Shock always available by my sink in the bathroom as a point of reference that I use for yard work, at home in the evening and working out. During the week going to work I'm now rotating an Orient M- Force diver and Bulova Sea King diver with the UHF movement. The best of both worlds.
Thanks! I need to check out more Bulova watches. With the UHF, percisitonist, and accutron lines, they do seem to give you the best of both worlds. How do you like the m-force? I was looking at the Triton, which seems to be a smaller version.
@@RelativeTime I really like the M Force it has the crown on the left side which is great for me since I use it on my left wrist. Love the power reserve since I use it every other day you can see it powering up slowly during the day.