zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: Hmmm... what about omega f300 and rolex oysterquartz?

You missed my point -- that the differences in quality of the quartz movements out there is NOT the reason some quartz watches sell for $1,400 while others sell for $20. Certainly the more expensive watch will have a better movement, but the better quartz movement is only a trivial portion of the $1,000 difference between the two watches.

As I say in my article on the value of luxury watches:

What it really boils down to is this: any wristwatch over US $200 is more jewelry than a timepiece. So forget about evaluating such items by adding up the cost of components, factoring in the value of precious metals or imagining some supreme value hidden in the mechanism inside. That takes you on a slippery slope to the insanity of people who argue over technical specifications they don't truly understand, trying to intellectually justify wristwatch values for technical and logical reasons that hold little, if any, tangible merit or benefit.

Since an inexpensive quartz watch will look fine on your wrist and tell you the time accurately, there is no real functional value to paying more for a watch. Choosing a timepiece that accomplishes the same function using a more complicated older mechanical technology, a premium quartz technology that is marginally more precise, in a casing with highly refined detailing or of precious metal, or bearing the design hallmarks of a famous maker are all values that exist only to bring personal and intellectual satisfaction and enjoyment. In other words, jewelry value.

The truth is that the value of jewelry is entirely emotional. Any penny spent over $200 on the price of a watch is buying you only more jewelry value and greater emotional satisfaction in having something more unique--nothing more.