Most Accurate Mechanical Watches From $400-$2000 (Attainable Chronometers: Longines, Tissot & More)

[@shiranduarte]

All brands should declare their watches movements in every model. It's annoying that they don't, and I never buy a watch without knowing the movement inside.

[@gickojerke1262]

shiran duarte Do you mean that they have an agreement with Selita/eta to give adjusted/personalized movements their own names? Or can you literally not find out with some microbrands?

[@shiranduarte]

@@gickojerke1262 no! They seem to think that the information about the movement is unimportant. So if one wants to know the movement, should look into forums, specialized sites or users manual. It's some brands though...

[@GabrielGGabGattringer]

Yeah. Recently noticed that with Timex. The new Navi XL Automatic ... There's absolutely no information on the Timex website. Had to read a review of ablogtowatch to find out Timex uses a Myiota 8215.

[@petergplus6667]

I don't buy no age whisky as well.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Agreed 100%

[@shortstuff9990]

Teddy should dye his hair blonde, throw on a pair of sunglasses and do at least one review as Johnny Bravo.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Hahahahaha the 90s child within me can get behind this

[@patrickcannady2066]

Yes, his hair has the vertical element for sure

[@wagsbass]

Weight lifting would be helpful

[@ahnafsakib]

Great idea 💡

[@jspacone]

Hahaha! Nailed it.

[@elgatto3133]

The powermatic 80 is an amazing movement. Seriously. Chrono accuracy, 80 hour power reserve, available from $500-$800.

[@Jsong1]

Tissot chronometer watches are absolutely amazing for their prices

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Agreed. Perhaps the most compelling on the list in terms of value.

[@teekayuk]

The white dial ballade is my entry point to watch collection and oh boy would I say it's worth every cent. Silicon balance spring AND cosc certification AND great looks at a sub $1,000 is such a great value. Truly blessed by the economy of scale.

[@Ocerry1]

@@teekayuk I also got a Ballade ( the white dial with the bracelet) as my first "expensive" watch (not saying that my Seiko isnt awesome aswell, just a bit less pricy) and I absolutely love it to bits ! It just goes perfect with absolutely everything, doesnt matter if im wearing a suit or joggers and a big hoodie, it just matches everything. And as you already said, the value on this Thing is INSANE im still struggling really hard to find any points where they really cut costs in order to make this price happen because everything about the watch, from the build quality and the finishing to the movement and its complications, reliability and accuracy is just so far beyond the around 1000$ asking price.

[@m3chris1]

Yep got one as one my first mechanicals.

[@teekayuk]

@@Ocerry1 Right?! At first I thought the clous de paris bezel and center dial might make it appropriate only for going to work, but it's amazing how it also works while dressing down. As you said, even with joggers and a hoodie it doesn't feel out of place, it just makes you look sharp as hell. Tissot going with refining their classic collection in recent years is definitely the right move, since they clearly know what they're doing.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Hey all, thanks for watching as always. Just to bring my question that I asked in the video down here. Do you think brands provide enough information about their movements (tested, constructed, regulated)? Also, who does this well and who doesn't? Also, the C1 Morgan 3 Wheeler Chronometer is manual wind.

[@SwissWatchGang]

They could do a better job 100%👍

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Nice seeing you here my friend. Agreed. Not many do it well.

[@danieleraso1]

Worst offender tag Heuer. Then breitling and such. Microbrands tend to give that info

[@lukas_g243]

The mako 2 didn’t have too much info from orient but I love their company so I trust them, plus it’s well known that it’s +\-15 seconds a day for the watch which I can deal with easily. Also can you do a video on watch straps with designs on them such as the tropical straps from cheapest nato straps

[@anonimushbosh]

Is that a trick question? I thought it was illegal for watch manufacturers to use more than 20 words to describe their products or company histories.

[@marioramirez7579]

Tisssot PR100 is one of my favorite watches to wear. Sometimes I switch between the Tissot and Tag Heuer Professional quartz diver on the weekends!

[@scotth6848]

Just found your channel and truly enjoyed this video. I am very interested in affordable mechanical time pieces that actually are not Chinese movements. I have been looking at the Hamilton line as well, very good watches for under $1,000. All this information was very relevant and helpful, thank you!

[@anonimushbosh]

Bulova Precisionists for their one second per month accuracy and smooth sweeping seconds. The company does need direction (and a chief designer with functioning eyes) but they have such a rich history and bags of potential with that quartz movement. I think my dream job would be to turn this company around and make it into the brand it should be!

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

anonymous bosh I’d love to put their 262 hertz movement in some of my cheap divers with inaccurate automatic movements.

[@anonimushbosh]

@@ThrE3-GeS I lay awake all night thinking about what you said and you're right, despite everything I should decline Citizen's generous offer. They'll no doubt be angry & disappointed I chose to do this at the very last minute after two long years of planning & discussions but I'm going to phone them right now.

[@ThrE3-GeS]

Im just a random guy with a loud mouth. Don’t take that serious.

[@VistaAiken]

Wearing my blue dial Tissot Visodate as I watch your well done video (though my Visodate is not quite as accurate as the watches in this video). By your videos you seem to feature mostly mechanical movements but in one of your videos you turned me onto the Casio Oceanus-S100. I find it to be a great looking watch with great specs and it's crazy accurate by design. I use that watch to sync up my automatics. Keep up the great work!

[@thephotoop]

Bulova Precisionist. + or - 10 seconds a year. most are $200-400. It's the only quartz I own, I use it to set the mechanicals.

[@oscarpetrini9358]

Brands don't provide enough information about their movements, totally agree with you Teddy!

[@kevinpfurtado]

Hi Teddy, I'd love to see a video about watches with incredible lume. I love the tritium lume on my Marathon GSAR, but I'd like to learn about some more obscure options out there.

[@1rightrev]

I am a Formex Essence Chronometer owner and it is an amazing watch and super value. I had the luxury of picking out my own retirement watch from my employer and was given no parameters as far as cost. I chose this watch out of all the possibilities out there. That kind of says it all! Of my 24 watches (and growing) this is my favorite!

[@nickgee7291]

Love your videos teddy! It's fun to have a channel for watch enthusiasts! It feels like a social club! Your giving a face to the hobby in a way! Great job!

[@EvilUnderTone]

I had a Grand Seiko Quartz made in 1977 that kept amazing time. Certainly over engineered with their 2 second hand indicator when the battery was getting low. Recently I gave it away to a good friend. Now I mostly wear a little Seiko 7018-8000 chronograph. Just a beautiful slim movement and great looking watch for not a lot of bucks. Enjoy watching your reviews. Thanks.

[@j.j.h.atemycereal]

Great video. I agree with your point about movements. Sometimes hard to find, especially when a brand has its own version of a common movement.

[@brandtl1486]

My 20 year old Raymond Weil. Still going strong and keeps very great time. $1000. More importantly to me, despite chewing through tons of watches due to an occupation where i use vibrating equipment, the Weil keeps chugging along. Very impressed.

[@chrisb5986]

Great review. All brands should be forthcoming about their movements, but I think that many consumers (not collectors or enthusiasts) now care more about brand recognition and appearance, rather than specifications, because of the fashion watch trend.

[@maxdepasquale2351]

Thank you for this video, Teddy. Your passion is so refreshing.

[@liptenlaw]

I can understand why the manufacturers are not very transparent when it come to the movement in their watches. Usually when I research a particular movement, it turns out to be a modified ETA or Valjoux. Also, if a watch is going to cost between $500 and $2000, is it too much to ask for there to be a color matched date wheel. As always, a lot of good info on an interesting topic.

[@Peter-tc3ep]

What about Nomos? I find them very accurate and love that they make their own thin movements.

[@darcychu9652]

From "Glashute" specified.

[@christopherhosford7805]

The video doesn't actually note too much accuracy measurements so I thought I'd add my experience with two mechanical watches as examples to the discussion. First, my Timex Marlin 2017 reissue (hand wound) is accurate to +13 seconds /day. Second, my Hamilton Khaki Field (also hand wound) is +8 seconds/day. I'm happy with these results. I have a few quartz field and dive watches which are stupid accurate, of course.

[@contentconsumer487]

I have the Marlin reissue as well and have found it to be very accurate. I think the higher level manufacture Chinese movements like in the marlin are quite good.

[@PH34RM33]

Hi Teddy. We need an update on this category pretty please

[@scottlauren3145]

Thanks for discussing Mido. Love my 38mm Multifort.

[@TimG--]

Nice video mate

[@drwindsurf]

Great list Teddy, there are some fantastic watches here. Thank you for another fantastic video :)

[@jbbrabant]

Enjoyed this video T thanks 👍

[@lion5352-z1s]

The best arcuate and value for money is the Bulova ultra high frequency quartz. I've seen them for as low as 130 dollars. The Bulova moon watch is on my scope at the moment ! Just 299 dollars

[@edwardkollar448]

I have the Bulova moon watch and accuracy is tops. I recently got a Steinhart vintage and was shocked on how accurate it is, was running about 5 seconds fast over a 3 day period. I found myself checking it against the iPhone too much because it was so accurate.

[@seikocitizenwatches]

My 15 years old Seiko Spring Drive SNR005 bought in 2005 never needs service since new and the accuracy is extremely consistent -1 second/week. Spring reserve is 72 hours.

[@TheAussiePencil]

Hi Teddy - big fan of the channel! Would you consider doing a video on most accurate automatic movements/watches below $300?

[@billbochnak2898]

Big fan of Christopher Ward for the very reason they are upfront about their movements and price accordingly...I really like their SH21 inhouse movey and hope to add it to my collection soon, thanks for all your work Teddy really enjoy the content.

[@EmceeChoo]

I really liked this video alot more than your usual content! It doesn't feel like there was any "easy" or "popular" recommendations. Thank you.

[@FashionableFather]

These are amazing watches; especially that Christopher Ward and Ball.

[@007jjr]

Fantastic Vlog. I like learning about the movements. I am leaning towards a quartz again for my collection because of the comfort when wearing it and the accuracy. They also seem to be very durable. as well. Thanks!

[@MKMT-bw8hc]

Hi there Teddy, want to know your thoughts on the Tissot Couturier Day Date Powermatic 80. I think it's an often overlooked gem!

[@devlieg72]

I own a Gruen Pecision chronometer that I've owned for almost 50 years. It's been cleaned once in that time and it still keeps amazingly good time. Still within a minute in six months, which is not bad for an old mass produced watch. At least I think it's not bad. My daily watch.

[@garyburley2283]

Bueller!!! excellent video, definitely loved the Mido and the formex, thankyou

[@Manuel421]

Just discovered your channel today very interesting.I've honestly never been a watch enthusiast despite wearing them but your content might make me get a few others in the future. My main ones I use are cheap within $30.00-$40.00 each but they are pretty nice to me.I use a Denacci for my casual days and a Beverly Hills Polo Club for more formal events.I know they're probably not as popular as the typical Seiko's,Citizens,Orients,etc..but I like to stand out from the rest.

[@jaredcampbell]

Thank you for another great and informative video! I totally agree, some watch brands are not transparent enough about the movements in their watches. I always assume they are trying to hide something when they don't come out and say what it is very clearly.

[@Watchmade]

Great watches and it is great that you always find some very special watches

[@marlowe5511]

Your photography is really good man! Especially your flat lays and backgrounds to your shots, especially shone through in the Mido and Vacheron video's

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Thank you, my friend! Trying to improve!

[@StrapaWatch]

Great show Teddy!

[@grantglover4445]

Thanks for all the great info mate, appreciate it. Keep up the good work

[@richardprice7763]

Love Christopher Ward, beautiful build quality....

[@wayneturner1336]

Accutron 2 should’ve made that list, super accurate. Remarkable bit of horological history between the accutron and the accutron 2.

[@theak07]

Totaly agree- hard to find info on the calibers and especially on their accuracy.

[@xon3E]

Hey, love the Tissot Ballade, but is that wearable 46mm lug-to-lug for 6.25 inches wrists like ours?

[@L.E.Santo02]

Two things I seldom see in brands websites: info on movements, and overall watches thickness.

[@Doyoumushroom]

Omega is criminal with not showing thicknesses

[@vanidge]

yay another vid, been waiting for this.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

thanks for watching!

[@leventsasmazel6292]

I wish you give some accuracy numbers with that watches. Which one is better ? can I get 2 sec per month accuracy with $400 watch ?

[@LFGM24]

Ball is always an option on almost every list. This is truly a awesome company. I wish they would get the credit they truly deserve.

[@vaidasserg]

How about orient kamasu, are those watches accurate? I've got my eyes on black kamasu, it looks beatiful, but hesitate because i dont realy know how accurate are they..

[@lukas_g243]

I’m going to go broke watching your videos

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Hahaha it's hard to make them and not go broke so I feel your pain. Be smart though, watches are a marathon, not a sprint. Thanks for supporting the channel by watching!

[@lukas_g243]

Teddy Baldassarre i always will watch them, more strap videos plzzzzzz like I saw cheapest nato watches has some straps with designs on them and I wanted to know your thoughts on those

[@PETER-rt6zt]

At 14:45 or so ... what gets '' destroyed '' ?

[@getore100]

I have a Tissot that I purchased from Jomashop for $268 that has a 2824-2 movement. I wore it for 3 weeks and it was consistently running +8 sec/day regardless of the position a laid it down at night. I brought it to a friend that works on watches and asked him to slow it down by 8 sec/day. It took him about 10 minutes. Now it is running almost dead even. To me, chronometer certification is an marketing ploy to a largeextent. Also the problem with the "Powermatic" type movements is that it is virtually impossible to adjust unless you bring send it back to the factory. That Mido Heritage will be my next purchase but not the one with the Powermatic movement.

[@paullai7161]

Absolutely, brands should be more transparent about movements, especially the modified ones. I'd like to see a comparison of self-wind vs. hand-wind. Thx.

[@thethirdman225]

Longines are really back. Check out the L688.2 movement. A column wheel for that price?

[@paulklimovv]

Love your channel Ted! You opened me a whole new world haha. Have a question for you. What do you think about Kronaby Connected watches with their hybrid features?

[@tbtorro]

Would be nice to state the actual accuracy for each model discussed (or have it below the video at least) not only for the Dolce. After all the focus of the video is accuracy...

[@idokwatcher2062]

Elabore grade and above ETA 2824-2 healthy and regulated are in -3/+3 range a day. Great value for money.

[@Blue_3rd]

Some great choices here, Teddy, nice video. I can attest to the quality of Chr Ward as I have the Mk 1 Trident cosc which is a superb watch. I also have 3 Tissots, all under 500€, which are outstanding value for money with fantastic attention to detail and solid movements. I would recommend Tissot to anyone 👍 Cheers!

[@thenutcracker2921]

Amazing how much better Longines watches look with normal length lugs like the Record you featured. Not only do long lugs look bad, IMO, but they make watches wear larger thus limiting their audience. Longines make weird design decisions in general, like 5 star reviews on the dial, but they did well with this Record.

[@jeffcampsall5435]

On the Tissot (and others) the numbers 1-60 appear on the outermost perimeter of the dial. What are these numbers for?

[@Keeperofthekey13]

All movements CAN be optimised. Regardless of the number of position accuracies, eventually they decline & require attention. It's the nature of the mechanical beast. However, as noted, assistance with increased scientific knowledge helps (silicon springs) adjusted beat rates to increase power reserves. It all adds to the final overall performance for which I am grateful. Thanks for your content Teddy, it's always of value & Ben joy "needing out" when my curiosity is aroused.

[@drewski5150]

Agree on brands not being clear about their movements. Longines being the obvious one, but even Timex have started doing it!

[@jazzman5598]

Correct. For example. My new Steinhart Ocean 39 Vintage GMT (Sept. 2020) had a tag that said ETA 2893-2/ Sellita 330-1. I suppose I was to guess. The case back says “Swiss Movement”. So, got my standing magnifying glass out, bifocals on, and read through the tiny sub-glass at highest magnification and still at the very edge, I almost missed the Eterna Maker’s Mark : ETA. Very close by we’re the numbers 2893-2. Mystery solved BUT Steinhart, a German Co. is not of the Swatch Group. I know I will botch the spelling but the name for partially finished movements is ebuasche (?). I thought ETA/Swatch recently decided to sell ebausche to Swatch participants only....? So, Mr. Teddy, answer to your inquiry into the “Transparency” of the industry and leaving much to be desired........yup, you are correct Sir. I adore my Steinhart and was DELIGHTED it had the ETA movement! I am currently looking for a Valjoux 7750. I may have crossed a watch nerd geekdom overload : I research the movement I want and then, find a good high value brand to go with it. .........is there any hope.......horological addiction............look away, look away at my shame......bwwwwaaaaaaaa...........look away...a....arg..... ...........(😂🤪😝🤣😜)

[@RicardoRodriguezFL]

When can you review Cuervo y Sobrinos watches?

[@rmoffettutube]

I love phonetic chapter titles in youtube. The "Mido Barncelli" came out as "Amigo Barn Jelly".

[@runningwithshemp]

Thinking of the Ball, why is tritium tubes used on so few brands (mostly Ball, Traser, Marathon, Luminox, and maybe 3-4 more fringe brands). I have basic Marathon and tritium obliviously so much more constant than any lum paint.

[@poptart3598]

The Seiko Dolce, a poor man's Calatrava in the best kind of way, is a true solution to the watch equation

[@TheChadWork2001]

It's interesting how the first two Tissot images show the second hand missing the indices.

[@bernarrcoletta7419]

For quartz watches, I’d like to throw out the Bulova Lunar Pilot (as well as their other Precisionist watches). +-10 seconds per year accuracy. I’ve also seen Grand Seiko quartz watches for just over $2000.

[@nickgee7291]

Oh ya ! The lunar pilot is a super good and tasteful as well as fun and distinctive choice! Good one!

[@ppourrajab]

How about BAUME ET MERCIER Baumatic COSC Chronometer?

[@Teachering]

An accurate watch movement means everything to me.

[@samack3]

For real

[@1026367]

The only thing I don't like about Ball Trainmaster is that odd date window position right next to the numeral, or it would be a nice looking watch.

[@davidcoleman2463]

I have some nice Hamilton and Seiko watches but my most accurate is a Longines Conquest V H P quartz watch. $1000. 5 Sec +/-. A year.

[@Ocerry1]

yeah but looking at quartz movements in terms of accuracy is kind of cheating just because every 10$ trash toy-watch with a quartz movement can rival the absolute best of the best chronometers...

[@davidcoleman2463]

@@Ocerry1 you have a point . Then I would say my Hamilton khaki field automatic is + / - 2 sec a day . It has the new H 10 movement in it . It runs better then my Seiko sarbo35 .

[@MrAnonymousRandom]

The problem with HAQs is that they are thermally compensated. If you have a large number of watches and don't wear the HAQ one often, it defeats the point of owning one.

[@rageshgr]

Great video Teddy! What about the Citizen Chronomaster .. 5 sec/year. Around the 2k$ mark

[@stargate11now]

Love the ball 40mm but I can’t find it for less than 2500 US not Worth it at that price 1680 curious where are you getting your numbers from

[@torello137]

I have the cheapest automatic skeletons watch Thomas Earnshaw ES-8140, no-one name China caliber. I like it! It's so cool and accurate.

[@gianlucamillunzi]

I got a Hamilton Khaki field automatic 38mm, same movement as the tissot powermatic 80h, slightly more refined. It's a bargain for the price, worth the mention.

[@RichardsModellingAdventures]

yup min is good for +1 sec every two days at the moment

[@BlakJak21]

Long lug

[@simonebolner9321]

Please review the sternglas naos with quartz movement!

[@soilomasbello1156]

My Longines retrograde moon phases run fast about a second a day which is fantastic. I guess I was lucky because it isn't a certified chronometer.

[@manjunathnavada786]

Hey Ted! Can you compare the Seiko 5 sports to the Tissot V8 Swissmatic? I'm having a hard time deciding between Japanese and Swiss.

[@Ilestun]

Go for the one offering sapphire crystal.

[@Ridewithjst]

Thoughts on Longines Master collection?

[@Dan-56]

Just an addition to the Tissot PR100 line of COSC watches, it is also available in a “ladies” version at 33mm in a number of “color ways”. My wife especially likes her mother of pearl dial version😉.

[@martinfox2244]

Very interesting. A topic dedicated horologists would appreciate. I would like to see a review of winders and which offer the best bang for the buck.

[@dillonmwilson]

Missed the Ginault OR2 and Silent Service

[@scottsj4625]

Thank you for this video. I had no idea they had a Seiko watch under 500 dollars that were close to the accuracy as the Grand Seiko with the 9f movement. I think Tissot offers some very good value for the money that I have seen on Jomashop. I don't care for Longines at all. I do see some good values with Christopher Ward which I used to not like but I think they upped their quality. Who knows in 2 years we might have a totally different list.

[@NandaLinnAung]

Longines Record uses L888.4 movement from ETA, So, .4 is COSC? I have seen many of LONGINES are L888 movement even without Chronometer Certified? I love this video, it's very informative.

[@RomanBinenbaum]

This Ball looks amazing. But, the date window climbing the 3 o'clock...Ugh.. how do I unsee it? Why Ball, WHY???

[@metalgearespresso]

Hi Teddy, really love your channel, I am considering my next watch to be a pam590 or pam779, and really love to see if you could do a video about pam590 vs pam779 comparison, thank you

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

My Steinhart ocean one does a constant +7.2 seconds a day, not gonna tinker with it though. It has a ETA 2893.2 elaborate movement.

[@denisdaly1708]

The Ball was nice. Other watches, Baume and Mercier, Epos

[@vincedelapena]

“Amigo Barn Jelly”? 😂 That’s what it says on the timeline index for the Mido Baroncelli. I have noticed these weird timeline index names on your videos.

[@BernardManansala]

TIMEX is notorious for not listing movement specs.

[@neilpiper9889]

Timex Marlin reissue has a Sea-gull St6 movement which is an excellent choice by timex imo

[@williamhill7312]

Great video, I think the brands should provide full disclosure on the web sites at least, the retailers, Jomashop especially, have incorrect information a lot of times so the Manufacturer should give you the real deal, some do; Fomex is pretty up front.

[@brscobra]

Nice. Informative and interesting. thank you

[@hazevthewolf178]

I love the Christopher Ward and Ball, the latter since I happen to be a railfan. I've no idea why, but I suspect that there's a book lurking inside you that needs to be published. That occurred to me when you talked about the Ball. History and watches are two of my passions.

[@nitric75]

I have a Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Spacemaster Glow. That watch is built to last.

[@ussling]

My 2007 Breitling SuperOcean blue dial ref# A17360 gains 0-2 seconds a day. Pretty accurate for an automatic watch. Ed Bishop, who played Cmdr. Ed Straker, in the 1970s TV show "UFO" wore a Certina watch.

[@GodfreyMann]

I thought watch enthusiasts would be discerning, so why do they like this video? How can you like a video on 'Most Accurate Mechanical Watches' when it doesn't quantify how accurate they are? Just asserting they're accurate doesn't make them so, because we've no idea what he considers accurate.. A useless video unless you're interested in power reserve times, which he did provide stats for.

[@MDPurple2907]

I guess you dont know what a COSC certified movement is? it is a movement that is accurate to -4 to +6 seconds per day. However, most chronometer movements preform better than this.

[@GodfreyMann]

Merich I own a watch with a COSC certified movement, so I understand what it means. His video title states it’s the about *most* accurate watches and he says that while COSC is his benchmark some watches in the video aren’t COSC certified, which presumably means they’re *more* accurate (given the title) and the problem in the video he doesn’t mention which ones these are. If this video is really about watches accurate to the COSC standard, then that’s what the title should’ve been, because the *most* accurate watches are far better than COSC, which is kinda crap by comparison. At the very least he should have said which watches are COSC certified, but it doesn’t sound like he cares for details.

[@MDPurple2907]

@@GodfreyMann now i get the point. Yeah, he should have put more effort in to the details.