Comments on: Orient Watch FAQ: Making Sense Out of Mechanical

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:29:00 +0000

I think for me the biggest advantage of mechanical watches is that I have several watches, and with a mechanical, I know I can pull one out at any time, wind it up, set the time, and it will work.

With a battery powered watch, you may take it out to wear one day, and find that the battery is dead. Because of this, I think, if you have only one watch, then a battery powered watch is probably fine, and only a little inconvenient since the battery may die only once a year.

If you have several watches, then they should watches with no batteries so that you can wear the one you want when you want without worrying about whether its battery will be dead.

By: Bobtrumpet

Bobtrumpet — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:42:30 +0000

While I have owned quartz watches for years (ok, decades), I find that I want to get back to mechanicals. Alas, most companies whom I have liked over the years don’t make mechanical movement watches any more. The Orient models seem nice with a reasonable price point.

By: Earle

Earle — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:40:44 +0000

I prefer a real watch with moving parts, mechanical for me.
Earle

By: Frank In Miami

Frank In Miami — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:44:55 +0000

Also, I would like to add that there is much ignorance regarding quartz watches here in the United States. The general perception held by most here is that quartz watches are nothing but $10 throw away pieces from Walmart. Nothing could be any farther from the truth. Americans have been shielded to the world of High End Quartz (HEQ) and thermocompensated movements that have impressive accuracy ratings in the -/+ 5 secs per year. Besides superquartz offerings from the usual Swiss suspects (Rolex, Omega, Breitling), the Japanese have come up with impressive pieces. For example, the Japan market only Citizen “The Citizen” Chronomaster is one of Citizen’s most sophisticated quartz watches in the world. The A660 super quartz movement is thermo compensated and good for -/+ 5 secs per year without needing any radio controlled sync to an atomic clock. The battery lasts between 8-10 years. A new Chronomaster can set you back between US$2,000 all the way to US$8,000 depending on model.

The Grand Seiko quartz models using the 9F family of HEQ thermocompensated movements are a delight to the senses. Masterpieces crafted in the tradition of very high end Seiko watches.

Have you seen the hand built line of hig end Citizen Campanola quartz watches? Oh boy…

So be careful to never assume that all quartz are created equal and that all quartz watches are soul less disposable pieces of junk.

By: Frank In Miami

Frank In Miami — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:35:04 +0000

My watch collection is evenly divided between quartz (solar, radio controlled, battery powered) and automatic mechanical watches (Yep, all of them Orients). I enjoy the best of both worlds and each technology has much too offer imho.

I think the disdain expressed by some self proclaimed “watch enthusiasts” regarding quartz is both irrational and unhealthy. I have seen impressive and complicated quartz movements that can leave the most recalcitrant mechanical watch aficionado spinning out of control. Case in point: The movement inside my citizen Calibre Eco-Drive 2100 watch has none less than 294 separate components, 90% of them hand assembled and a mechanically actuated flyback chronograph complication. The movement is also jeweled (11 jewels to be exact).

So if you have an open mind and heart you will get much enjoyment from both, your mechanical and quartz timepieces.

Great article Stephen.

By: JohnW

JohnW — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:38:21 +0000

Thanks for the explanation

By: RobG

RobG — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:59:30 +0000

You want accuracy? Go quartz.
You want romance? Go mechanical.

Cost of batteries vs. cost of periodic servicing isn’t a big deal either way.

Me? I’m the romantic type. Nice piece Steve.