zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Interesting post. FYI, a certified chronometer is +6/-4 seconds per day

: There have been several threads discussing
: quartz versus automatics, mostly in response
: to questions from people trying to decide
: which option is better for them. Here are
: some thoughts that I have on the subject: 1.
: ACCURACY. The quartz watch is going to be
: much more accurate (probably within a second
: or two per month) than an automatic. The
: automatic watch certification for a
: Seamaster, for example, is -2/+6 per *day*.
: That's a range of being from a minute slow
: each month to being three minutes fast per
: month (assuming your watch is performing
: within that range). Very commonly, ones
: automatic watch will perform well within
: that range. But, even if it's only 2 seconds
: fast per day, it's off by a full minute
: after a month. So, if you're looking for
: accuracy, then the quartz may be for you.

: 2. NO BATTERY REPLACEMENT. This is often an
: argument in favor of the automatic...and
: that argument is a tad weak, in my opinion.
: A watch battery will often last from 2 to 3
: years. An automatic watch should be cleaned
: every five years or so. So, you are going to
: have to open your watch up twice in five
: years for a quartz and once for an
: automatic. For many people, that's not going
: to be a very significant factor either way.

: 3. COST. Two comparable Seamasters (with the
: only difference being quartz vs. automatic)
: will have the automatic costing more. In
: addition, and not insignificantly, the
: cleaning of an automatic will cost
: significantly more that two mere battery
: replacements. So, for the cost-conscious, a
: quartz may be better.

: 4. RELIABILITY. I may stand corrected on this
: one because I'm speaking only from a
: common-sense guess, but because there are
: many times more moving parts in an automatic
: watch relative to a quartz, there is a
: higher probability of a malfunction with the
: automatic because there are many more parts
: with which a problem can occur.

: 5. PSYCHIC SATISFACTION. There is something
: delightful about having an automatic watch
: on your wrist. Many people appreciate the
: achievement of a watchmaker's design and
: manufacture of such a precise time
: instrument that is purely mechanical. Many
: people feel that an expensive quartz watch
: is a sterile electronic device that lacks
: character...and is uninteresting because it
: is really no different as a time keeper than
: a $25 quartz watch you can pick up in a drug
: store. I also suspect that many people wear
: an automatic watch with the feeling of being
: in a fraternity of fellow watch enthusiasts
: who appreciate the mechanical marvels of an
: automatic...and like to be noticed when
: wearing one by a fellow automatic wearer.

: SO, WITH THAT SAID, WHAT DO I WEAR?? An
: automatic!! The accuracy issue is not
: material to me as my life is not changed by
: my particular Seamaster being up to a minute
: off monthly. Getting a battery replaced
: twice in five years is about the same as
: getting my watch cleaned once in the same
: time period. The cost difference was
: relatively small, as least for me. With
: regard to reliability, nothing lasts
: forever. And, I truly enjoy having a
: mechanical marvel on my wrist. On that last
: point, it's kind of like the difference
: between having super-functional and
: easy-to-clean vinyl seats in a car versus
: more finicky leather seats. Or, it's like
: real wood grain (which can be marred by
: scratches and dents) versus a more
: indestructible man-made substance. Or, like
: a sailboat versus a motor boat. Or, a reader
: of a paper book versus reading a book on a
: computer screen.

: In sum, I think an automatic watch lover has to
: be a bit more of a romantic than a quartz
: watch wearer.

: But then, that may be my opinion only!!
: (laughing)

: So, for whatever it's worth, for those readers
: trying to decide between an automatic versus
: a quartz, I hope these thoughts are helpful.

: Cheers,

: Loren