The Breitling Watch Source Forums :: View topic - Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection

Roffensian wrote:

I don't have any quartz in my collection, and I never will. Nothing against them, they just aren't for me. I appreciate watches for many things, but a large part of it is the movement - manual or automatic, and the fact that the concepts haven't changed much in hundreds of years. I am also a big fan of the fact that a well looked after mechanical watch will still be running for generations - they should certainly outlive me.

The quartz technology is impressive, but to me it seems a little 'soulless', and you can't expect them to last as long as a mechanical watch - they will still have a long life, but there will be a point where they are beyond repair. I don't need that level of accuracy so I'll stick to the mechanicals.

I may as well have written that myself!

I've owned quartz watches in the past, both when I was starting out getting into watches, and in later years as beaters, but living my life to a fraction of a seconds accuracy isn't what being into watches is about for me. It's about the mechanics and the skill and precision that goes into making a minature engine that is a watch movement. It's about the artistry of constructing something entirely traditional and not using any modern "disposable" texhnology, and yet still manages to be incredibly precise. Basically yes, it's about the soul of the thing. For me (and I apologise to quartz fans here) but a quartz watch isn't that far removed from a mobile phone in terms of telling the time, and we all know how disposable a mobile phone is. To me a watch is more than just skin (or should that be "case") deep.

But ultimately it's each to their own, and for some millisecond accuracy is more
important than tradition and heritage. No one is right and no one is wrong. I just know that I'll never own another quartz as it's just not my thing.

Author:	Montexn [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 10:14 am ]
Post subject:	Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
Admittedly I am relatively new to watch collecting and have much to learn. It has been a developing hobby of sorts for me for only about 3 years or so. Needless to say I've got much to learn, but I really have acquired the bug and enjoy collecting more and more. As I've been getting into this more, my collection is moving away from quartz movements and more in the direction of mechanical self winders. What I've noticed is that quartz movements while more accurate, do not bring or hold the values that the mechanical movements do. That being said, I get the reason why due to some of the things I'm learning hanging out on this board, but I just wanted to know what some of you wizened WIS folks think of quartz movements though. Breitling makes a number of attractive quartz models, but I find myself spurning these and gravitating towards the mechanical movements. I've also noticed that QM's do not hold their resale values as well and QM's just seem to lack something I just can't put my finger on. Could some of you guys maybe write a little something as to how you got into this hobby, what attracted you, why, did you find your collections making similar transitions, and so forth. I'm just curious and of course I think it would make a good topic of discussion to see some of ya'lls thoughts on this.

Author:	Roffensian [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:01 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
I don't have any quartz in my collection, and I never will. Nothing against them, they just aren't for me. I appreciate watches for many things, but a large part of it is the movement - manual or automatic, and the fact that the concepts haven't changed much in hundreds of years. I am also a big fan of the fact that a well looked after mechanical watch will still be running for generations - they should certainly outlive me. The quartz technology is impressive, but to me it seems a little 'soulless', and you can't expect them to last as long as a mechanical watch - they will still have a long life, but there will be a point where they are beyond repair. I don't need that level of accuracy so I'll stick to the mechanicals.

Author:	JustinFournier [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:49 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
I second what Roff said. I have zero interest in quartz. No soul.

Author:	Montexn [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
Roffensian wrote: The quartz technology is impressive, but to me it seems a little 'soulless', and you can't expect them to last as long as a mechanical watch Roff, as usual you hit the nail on the head that I was trying to capture. "Soulless" is aptly put as I delve deeper into the WIS abyss and learn from you and the other wizened folks here, that is exactly how I have started to view them as well. I mean I still love my Colt II which is my every day watch (at the moment) and it was my first "Ling" on top of that, so I reckon part of it has to do with a little sentimentality. I am really excited about getting home to try on my new acquisitions and bring a few of them back with me so they get some wrist time. However being over here in Iraq & Afghanistan I've not much need to dress up, other than when I have to do a presentation in Dubai for the board. I'm seriously considering another Chrono as more of an every day wearer over here, my SOP just to mix it up a bit, and my Omega for those occasions I find myself in Dubai. I would love to have all my toys over here, but why subject them to the rigors of this nasty environment and possibly ruin them. Just a few of them along with me though will hopefully feed my developing WIS appetite.

Author:	breanach78 [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
I love Autos and will definitely be adding some more to what I have. I would have no real interest in any quartz from any brand and given the choice I would take the auto every time. BUT I have a keen interest in adding a Breitling SuperQuartz to what I have. I know its a Quartz but what a Quartz! I mentioned in a previous post that not many people can say that their watch, auto or Quartz, is certified to an accuracy of -10 to +10 seconds a YEAR. earTo me that's phenomenal and definitely worth having in any collection, Quartz or not!

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Author:	jlee5050 [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
I received a quartz as a gift from my father (citizen eco skyhawk) but the rest of my collection is all mechanical too... That's probably as far as I will go with quartz... can't get any more accurate than my skyhawk though... I like using it to measure accuracy for all of my other pieces...

Author:	Driver8 [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 3:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
Roffensian wrote: I don't have any quartz in my collection, and I never will. Nothing against them, they just aren't for me. I appreciate watches for many things, but a large part of it is the movement - manual or automatic, and the fact that the concepts haven't changed much in hundreds of years. I am also a big fan of the fact that a well looked after mechanical watch will still be running for generations - they should certainly outlive me. The quartz technology is impressive, but to me it seems a little 'soulless', and you can't expect them to last as long as a mechanical watch - they will still have a long life, but there will be a point where they are beyond repair. I don't need that level of accuracy so I'll stick to the mechanicals. I may as well have written that myself! I've owned quartz watches in the past, both when I was starting out getting into watches, and in later years as beaters, but living my life to a fraction of a seconds accuracy isn't what being into watches is about for me. It's about the mechanics and the skill and precision that goes into making a minature engine that is a watch movement. It's about the artistry of constructing something entirely traditional and not using any modern "disposable" texhnology, and yet still manages to be incredibly precise. Basically yes, it's about the soul of the thing. For me (and I apologise to quartz fans here) but a quartz watch isn't that far removed from a mobile phone in terms of telling the time, and we all know how disposable a mobile phone is. To me a watch is more than just skin (or should that be "case") deep. But ultimately it's each to their own, and for some millisecond accuracy is more important than tradition and heritage. No one is right and no one is wrong. I just know that I'll never own another quartz as it's just not my thing.

Author:	JustinFournier [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 7:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
I should add while I never would go out and buy a quartz, if someone gave me one as a gift, like a Ling, I would certainly make a beater out of it.

Author:	Palantas [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 8:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
I don't currently own any quartz watches. I would consider getting one if it had a very lengthy and specific feature set, and I would put it to practical use.

Author:	Altair [ Sun Oct 24, 2010 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
Driver8 wrote: Roffensian wrote: I don't have any quartz in my collection, and I never will. Nothing against them, they just aren't for me. I appreciate watches for many things, but a large part of it is the movement - manual or automatic, and the fact that the concepts haven't changed much in hundreds of years. I am also a big fan of the fact that a well looked after mechanical watch will still be running for generations - they should certainly outlive me. The quartz technology is impressive, but to me it seems a little 'soulless', and you can't expect them to last as long as a mechanical watch - they will still have a long life, but there will be a point where they are beyond repair. I don't need that level of accuracy so I'll stick to the mechanicals. I may as well have written that myself! I've owned quartz watches in the past, both when I was starting out getting into watches, and in later years as beaters, but living my life to a fraction of a seconds accuracy isn't what being into watches is about for me. It's about the mechanics and the skill and precision that goes into making a minature engine that is a watch movement. It's about the artistry of constructing something entirely traditional and not using any modern "disposable" texhnology, and yet still manages to be incredibly precise. Basically yes, it's about the soul of the thing. For me (and I apologise to quartz fans here) but a quartz watch isn't that far removed from a mobile phone in terms of telling the time, and we all know how disposable a mobile phone is. To me a watch is more than just skin (or should that be "case") deep. But ultimately it's each to their own, and for some millisecond accuracy is more important than tradition and heritage. No one is right and no one is wrong. I just know that I'll never own another quartz as it's just not my thing. Agree with what both of you said, though personally I would not put any serious money into a Quartz watch, I have always had a G Shock around, 80 bucks and can be used to set the time on my mechanicals. I also never take a mechanical with me when camping, the conditions are too harsh!

Author:	ricardo [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:27 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
No quartz watches in my collection. Just mechanicals. I agree with all that has been said here. I have no interest. It would be like a petrol head buying an electric city car.

Author:	H2F [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
I guess I'm the exception? I buy for my use n enjoyment TODAY, and so have little concern about what would happen to the watch 20 years from now. Truthfully, I haven't found a watch I've bought or consider buying (versus meaningful /sentimental gift), which I intend to keep "forever" (i.e., over 20 years). Also I'm fully aware that for the most part, watches are NOT investments, and so while resale value (generally lower for quartz) is considered, it won't be a make or break for me. Finally there's the technological "extras" (other than to tell the time) -- many of which are just not possible without a battery... So for the above reasons, my first "nice" watch I bought myself is the Super Quartz Emergency Mission (how cool is that transmitter! ), and my first "serious" watch is the Pam 193 which has an electronic depth gauge (necessary for accuracy certification) and hence, the only Panerai requiring a battery... For sure, I do enjoy beautiful, fully mechanical movements (in fact currently fitting a sapphire display back for my inherited '67 Speedy Pro), but for something like my SA for instance, I bought it 100% for its aesthetics n wrist-presence alone, with no regard to its movement. Maybe I should just count my blessings and consider myself lucky to be able to enjoy both worlds?

Author:	JustinFournier [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
H2F wrote: Maybe I should just count my blessings and consider myself lucky to be able to enjoy both worlds? Awesome!

Author:	rebel_1 [ Mon Oct 25, 2010 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
My first "nice" watch was Breitilng Airwolf. I still enjoy wearing it and use all of the functions. My last "nice" watch was a Breitling Blackbird, with more than a few in between. IMHO, the Airwolf is the most useful watch in terms of accuracy and functions; although I do prefer my mechanical wathces for reasons already stated. I will not be selling the Airwolf though! R/

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Author:	roman4405 [ Tue Oct 26, 2010 10:15 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Mechanical vs Quartz in your collection
Well my "collection" consists of my Blackbird and a bunch of other crap that all have Quartz movements. I'm not saying they're crap because they're Quatrz, but because they just are. There are some very nice Quartz watches out there, the Seawolf Chrono is one of them, and I love that watch, but I'm not spending $3k or so on a Quartz watch, JMHO. All of my future "nice" watch purchases will be either autos or hand-wound models, it may sound corny, but as Roff said mechanical watches seem to have more of a soul than Quartz watches.