Thoughts on Quartz Movement on High End (Rolex, Omega, etc) Watches?

sygyzy

sygyzy

Joined
Apr 29, 2003
Messages
339
I have been thinking about an Omega X-33 or another model (Seamaster, Speedmaster) Omega for a future watch purchase.

After getting over the cost of the X-33 I noticed it was a quartz movement. The digital display threw me off for a bit too but I kind of like the look. My problem is I have watches that are digital and Analog Quartz. Do you know how much they cost? Under $200 from Casio.

What does everything think about digital displays on high end watches? Do you think it "cheapens it" somehow?

What about quartz movements? You can get quartz watches free in ceral boxes. Shouldn't you be paying for the complexity of an automatic winding?

Anyone have an expensive (i.e. more than $1000) watch and chose to get quartz?

Let me know your thoughts.
 
Ventura V-Tronic Chronograph. Hi Tech looks, modern design, and powered by quartz. List price $1800. Discontinued.

38mm Steel Case
Unique thick curved saphire crystal
Chronograph is accurate to 1/100 of a second. 12 hour stop watch.
Alarm date.

Doesn't lose time. Knows how many days are in the month. It's a very functional tool.

http://www.ventura.ch/vtron_1.htm

vt2_03s.jpg


My other watches are automatics. Classier looking. Chronos are alot thicker.
 
I don't quite understand your post. Are you showing me an expensive quartz watch? I know they exist. That is not the question I was asking though...
 
Sygyzy, Lets not forget watches stopped being
simple time pieces long ago. Now first and foremost
they are......Jewelry. :cool:

Watches range, as you know, from extremely cheap
throwaways to expensive status statements. That
said whatever YOU like is really all that's
important.;)

Is one watch better than another? Better to ask
how dependable and accurate the watch is. If the
watch meets that criteria and please your eye
then you have the "best watch" for you. :D

Whatever you do in the long run should be governed
by you own personal tastes......not what other
folk's think.

Enjoy!!
 
Originally posted by sygyzy
I don't quite understand your post. Are you showing me an expensive quartz watch? I know they exist. That is not the question I was asking though...
Click to expand...

You asked if anyone would spend money on an "expensive" quartz watch with a LCD readout. Well, this is the one I own and wear quite regularly.

At the sub $5000 price tag, watch knuts will say it's a cheapy.

To each his own. I like auto's too, but there is nothing wrong a good solid performing watch when it is serving some sort of a purpose.

Watches are like a custom knifes. Depending on the brand, model and scarcity, they can be very expensive. If you are looking for a watch to tell time but also look a little more sophisticated, the watches in the $2000 range will suffice.

The major difference between the quartz and automatic watches is the resale value. If you are planning to buy a watch to wear, not collect, then you can buy what you like. If you buy to resell, buy the auto.

If you want your watch to have rock solid time keeping, get the quartz.

It's that simple.


Also, Ventura has a digital watch that is driven by an automatic mechanism. Pretty funky.
 
There are really two kinds of high end quartz watches.

There are ones like the X-33 that use an advanced quartz movement and digital display to add functions that are unheard of in a mechanical watch. While these are not to my personal style, they are impressive pieces of technology and I can understand the appeal that they hold. From a strictly functional perspective a quality ana-digi is probably the most useful watch style.

The other kind is a big dollar designer case that contains a cheap quartz movement which is just used to move the hands and date wheel, not actually doing anything that a mechanical can't. I'm not really sure what the appeal of these watches is once you get high enough up in the price scale that you're looking at an Omega or Rolex.

Everybody has different tastes, but paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for a standard quartz watch confuses me :confused:
 
The Ventura has all sorts of modes that I never use including a countdown timer, a lap timer, and an alarm.

I just use the chrono to time parking meters.

I chose it over an Omega SMP because it weighed less.

I doubt there are any quartz watches out there more expensive than the Omega X-33. That watch is going to Mars, so it's got buzz around it.

Breitlings got some digital quartz watches that look pretty cool too. They all hover around $1000 in cost. The coolest one has got to be the one with the distress beacon. That's the one I want.
 
I have been doing some reading but have never seen anyone claim the X-33 Quartz movement was somehow advanced? What makes it special? I assume you are right, at least that would justify the high cost in my mind.

Digital display moved with automatic mechanism? Where? Can you link me or provide more info please?
 
I was using advanced to mean something other than just a standard "time and date" quartz movement.

Both Seiko and Citizen make ana-digi watches which will never need a battery, under their Kinetic and Eco-Drive names.
 
Good Evening All-

Sygyzy, the CEO of Ventura was interviewed in the most-recent edition of WatchTime Magazine that is on the newsstands now. Several pictures of their watches along with a photo of Mr. Nobs is in the article. He definitely has some interesting ideas.

The trend is a return to automatic movements for high-end watches at this time with steel as the increasingly favored medium. Quartz watches are incredibly durable for abusive environments and are VERY accurate, but they lack soul. After they send their last electronic transmission, you typically do not repair them...you unceremoniously toss them in the garbage.

A mechanical watch (with proper care) will last for many generations. Quality manufacturers will keep spare parts in inventory going back more than one hundred years. A mechanical watch has a "heartbeat" and feels alive.

Most enthusiasts have both to address their various activities and mood.

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
For something really different check out the T-touch by Tissot. It has functions like you wouldn't believe, such as when you select "compass" the minute and hour hands rotate to form a compass needle. All the functions of a G-shock, but the classy looks of a Swiss Chrono. Retails for $600, but will probably end up lower on the net. I'll probably end up with one, and I normally can't stand mixed digi/ana watches!
 
I have checked out the Tissot. The idea is very interesting and it is indeed different. The only problem is there is nothing special about its features. A few days ago I bought a Casio Protrek which has the same features, except the dress watch look. I was really excited about the Touch but I can't justify the cost.
 
Good Evening All-

Digital watches made out of plastic/nylon are fantastic for activities like hiking, mountainbike riding, skiing, and swimming, etc., etc.

They look clumsy when paired with a starched shirt, tie, and polished shoes. Nothing looked more silly than President Bill Clinton addressing the nation with his tailored clothes and Timex Triathlon strapped to his wrist. :rolleyes: Don't get me going on that buffoon...

Most folks should start their collections with a well-made, steel, analog quartz watch and make additions from there. It covers the most situations and can move from boardroom to khakis & polo shirts to shorts & tee shirts fairly well.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
You have been very helpful with your contributions thus far. Please don't hijack my thread and turn it into a conservative, NRA, Bush Rules, rally.
 
"Please don't hijack my thread and turn it into a conservative, NRA, Bush Rules, rally."

Touchy, aren't we? Where did conservativism, NRA or Bush get mentioned?
 
You are right. I am touchy because almost every hobby forum I am involved with always has right wing conservatists using it as an excuse to spew their Clinton Bashing and Bush Praising antics.

And another thing L.O. Little, you must not be reading well tonight. The post clearly mentioned Bush, Clinton, and Buffoon. Three topics that have NOTHING to do with watches or knives. I'd be willing to bet I am not far off in my generalizations. Clinton is a baffoon, Bush is the most intelligent president ever to roam the land, the war was the greatest idea ever, etc etc. The same ol topics are never far apart...

(rant mode off)
 
"The post clearly mentioned Bush, Clinton, and Buffoon."

I just did a search on this entire thread. So far, you're the only person who's mentioned Bush...
 
Politics aside, he has an excellent point.

You should no more wear a plastic watch with a suit and tie than you would wear running shoes or sandals. Why the president of a major country would choose to do this is beyond me.
 
L.O. Little - You are absolutely right. I take that back. I am the only one who mentioned the name Bush and thus my entire point was invalidated. Congratulations forensics expert of the day.

That's the end of that. Excellent contributions in this thread thus far. Thanks to everyone for your info. Feel free to add more of course.
 
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