mechanical or quartz watches, which do you prefer?

Do you prefer mechanical or quartz watches?

  • mechanical

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • no preference

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • quartz

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
shootist16

shootist16

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I am curious to see which you prefer. I know that watches are inanimate objects, but mechanical watches seem to have a "soul", much like a custom knife does.

Obviously each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but overall I prefer mechanical.

How 'bout you?
 
Mechanical, and I like everybody to know it, so I got this watch:

body&soul_sm.jpg
 
Got some of each - they have unique charateristics, but one thing is sure: I like GOOD watches, just NO BATTERIES. Those watches are piling up no more.
 
Mechanical. Black face/black bezel Omega Seamaster Professional, model 2054.50.00, to be exact.
 
I like the simplicity and accuracy of a good quartz watch. Since Citizen eliminated the need to change batteries with their Eco-Drive design my only complaint against them has been eliminated. Mechanical watches are nifty gadgets, but I think electronic watches are more practical. Not that practicality is the most important issue for everyone... :D

My favorite watch is a Citizen Titanium Skyhawk.

--Bob Q
 
For every day use, a POS £19.95 Casio quartz digital: It keeps perfect time & has an alarm feature on which I rely.

For high days & holidays: a 1965 Rolex Oysterdate Perpetual. It was my father's.

maximus otter
 
I can't vote. Do only Subscriber's get to vote?

I prefer mechanical, for their old world charm. Especially the large dial (40mm plus) Pilot type ones, top of my wish list at the moment is the Fortis Pilot Chrono Alarm. If I need absolute accuracy, then I'm surrounded by digital time devices, my mobile phone, my PDA etc. The mechanical is just jewellery. And what's wrong with that?

5991811.gif


Alas I seem to scuff any watch I wear on my wrist and I'm always taking them off and sticking them in my pocket. I'd really like a modern style pocket watch, but they all seem to be in the older Hunter style.

Edited - Ugh the picture looks awful. Heres the proper link:
Fortis
 
Interesting topic.

I was previously looking for a good mechanical watch, and I'd pretty much decided on the Sinn 103 Ti Ar. So I go do some research to justify plunking down $1600 on a watch, and I came across a forum, where Sinn owners were telling stories of not wearing their watches in hot showers and saunas for fear that the steam would get inside the watch. Someone said that the little "water inside" indicator once turned blue, meaning that water did get inside the watch.

Does anyone else see the problem with this!?

These watches are supposed to be tough as nails, and "diver" watches. If I'm going to pay $1600 for one of these watches, I'd expect it to live through my shower. :) Plus, a quartz watch doesn't gain 5 seconds overnight...

I guess I'm just not yet at the point where I can appreciate high-priced mechanical devices that I have to baby.
 
Originally posted by AlphalphaPB
I guess I'm just not yet at the point where I can appreciate high-priced mechanical devices that I have to baby.
Click to expand...

Mechanical watches shouldn't have to be babied any more than quartz. I believe that is more a function of fit and finish than anything else. Take for example the Marathon SAR. It is a good looking mechanical watch that is designed to be tough as hell. It is actually issued to military organizations, one being the Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue.
 
AlphalphaPB, mechanical (automatic) watches do NOT need to be babied. I've worn automatics for the major part of the last 20 years. I've never seen one break, and I'm NOT easy on them...

"Take for example the Marathon SAR. It is a good looking mechanical watch that is designed to be tough as hell. It is actually issued to military organizations, one being the Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue."

Dennis, do you mean this Marathon SAR? :)

http://www.broadarrow.net/sale.htm

That's a VERY nice watch for a nice price. I wish I needed another watch...
 
"I also like the fact that there are a limited number available to the public. I believe around 200."

I wish you hadn't said that. After looking at them, I realized I COULD possibly use another automatic watch. I just bought an Emerson satin finish Super Commander. I can't afford to buy a Marathon SAR till January...
 
I have an old Citizen ProMaster quartz watch that I'll take over any mechanical watch. It keeps excellent time.
 
Mechanical, for sure.

I have my 3rd Seiko 5 Auto Day/Date,

2nd one got lost.

1st one gave up the ghost. After 7 new glasses, 3 drops from balconies, 2 into lakes and 26 years,

It will lose minutes a month... but will never need a new battery.

I'd love a Rolex - but I could buy roughly 30 Seikos for the price.
(Oh, I couldn't vote either...)
 
I own both mechanical (automatic and hand wound) and quartz. As long as the quality is there, it really makes little difference. That being said, I prefer mechanical.:)

Paul
 
Well, I'm a Rolex fan, since the one I'm wearing is over 20 years old and was my 18th birthday present. No batteries to worry about, and the ONLY time it's off my wrist is for service every 5 years. Dad bought it. for $800 in '81. It happens to be the orange hand explorer II which is highly collectible. Since the current explorer II (which IMHO does not have the same "soul") runs about $3800 retail, and the one I have goes for about $5000, I'd say it's a pretty good deal. Accurate to about a minute a month. Yeah, you can buy 70 or 80 G-shocks for that price, but I don't think your kids want to be left with 70 or 80 dead G-shocks. To me that watch is a part of WHO I AM, it's not a snobby statement, it is a part of me. So, yes, I'm a mechanical self-winding watch guy. What KILLS me is that Rolex makes some watches with quartz movements and they charge about the same price! Who in their right mind would buy one, I don't know! Like the way a Lake folder is priced because of its craftsmanship, I think the movement of the watch (and quality of the case) should determine the value.
 
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