Should You Get a Mechanical or Quartz Watch?

Should you get a quartz or mechanical movement? Let's find out.
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#watches

[@ChronometerCheck]

Do you prefer mechanical or quartz watches? My favorite watches on Amazon (affiliate): www.amazon.com/shop/chronometercheck?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh Discord: discord.gg/R2wQgRkBrR

[@BooksNGuns]

I've been in the watch game for 1 years 1 month 3 hours 27 minutes and 17 seconds 18 19 20 21 ........ and I still haven't decided if I like quartz or automatic

[@flyingrocket3879]

I love the grab and go factor of quartz. Also the accuracy is as good as a cellphone in some cases. A loss of 0 seconds per day.

[@roopehienotvideot]

Oh yeah damn i have a 50€ watch and it stayed on the same second for months, liie thats damn good. Ofcourse it was on full battery

[@l_poci_]

And then you get one of those citizens with plus/minus 1 second a year which are more accurate than your phone😂

[@flyingrocket3879]

@@l_poci_ I’m a huge fan of citizen absolutely love the brand. You know I’m going for one of the quartz 😆

[@yorusuyasoul69420]

Disconnect your phone from internet thr accuracy will drip off like smartwatches

[@ppadilla8990]

Citizen eco drive 💯

[@dire67]

Quartz watches are much better at being watches but I still prefer a mechanical.

[@ChronometerCheck]

From an accuracy standpoint, quartz definitely wins

[@dire67]

@@ChronometerCheck accuracy and convenient, not having to set it everytime you pick one up to wear.

[@Anirossa]

​@@dire67 Also shock resistance, magnetizing and ease/cost of maintenence.

[@Alan-cl2ix]

​@@Anirossa Maintenance is the main reason I choose quartz, I already have the car to worry about service and oil change and gears and tens of parts, I don't that worry for my watch too, life is too short to deal with these problems. I choose a beautiful dial, quartz movement, new leather straps and that's it for 10, 15 years. In mechanical watches you'd see yourself every 3 years at a service charging you 150-200 dollars.

[@Anirossa]

@Alan-cl2ix Think very few mech. watches would be serviced more than once every 5-9 years realistically. Also, with mainstream seiko and Miyota movements they would probably just be replaced, like a battery, as seiko did with my broken movement under warrancy, as it was more cost-effective changing the mechanical movement than having a watchmaker spend time fixing it. Get your point, though. My main car is 35 years old, I bought it in need of most things and changed everything on it and did it properly so it lasted ever since, as I have the tools and to me it's fun and had the time back then. With a watch, however, I don't have all the tools, and I don't think its fun, so I'd pay someone else to do it, and I don't like to baby watches. But all is preferance, I guess

[@sheevinopalpatino4782]

Quartz watches are a marvel of engineering!

[@ChronometerCheck]

Definitely. Pinpoint accuracy for cheap? The quartz crisis happened for a reason.

[@ProviantoWibowo]

I wear both, some solar powered quartz watches as a daily driver, and some automatic mechanical watches on several occasions I love the accuracy and reliability of quartz watches, and on the other hand also love the history of horology one thing I haven't had is a watch with a spring drive movement in it, it's the perfect blend of quartz & mechanical

[@shaynesimmonstattoo]

The reason that even the f91 is respected is that just about any quartz watch - the cheapest dollar store watch you can find - is still an incredible feat of modern engineering.

[@ShabbaRanksMF]

The 'mechanical watches are better' fallacy was created by the dying luxury brands during the Quartz Crisis. When Rolex, et al, all started to have their lunch eaten by Quartz watches they tried to avail themselves of the new, cheaper, accurate and more reliable Quartz movement (hence Rolex Quartz Models). Buyers were realising though that the cheaper watches were now just as good as luxury watches. So, desperate to survive marketing was used by Rolex and other luxury brands to get the consumer to identify Quartz with cheap and digital. At the same time they asserted that automatic movements were quality items made by engineers and artisans. Accurate and better made. Not true though, all lies. Quartz, even at is worst, is far more accurate than any automatic/mechanical movement. It's universally easier to repair and replace and batteries last almost 10yrs at a time in a modern Quartz. Anyway, its redundant now because the most accurate guy in the room is now always the guy in the Apple Watch.

[@johnfadds6089]

They like to call Apple Watch a "watch". If I tie my smartphone to my wrist can I call it a watch? I'll even put the Cartier Tank dial wallpaper on.

[@Grass_rock-kb7gi]

​@@johnfadds6089 Anything qualifies as a watch as long as it tells you the time

[@aanishpradhan7653]

Hmm, if only there was a way to combine the benefits of both. Oh wait, some geniuses at Grand Seiko figured it out 20 years ago!

[@nivok7]

Spring Drive for the win! I just wish that they were available in watches below 1500€. I don't want to justify spending over 5000€ for a watch to my conscience 😅

[@johnfadds6089]

20 years? Hasn't the Spring Drive patent expired already? Could other manufacturers use it?

[@roadgent7921]

Seiko VH31 movement. Approx $10 each. Sweeps like an auto. Really great. 👍

[@silverforever15]

Just buy both types

[@alanmckinnon6791]

I'm a watch nerd, and I bought my wife and I Longines Conquests, hers is 32mm quartz, mine is 39mm mechanical. I get a kick out of picking mine up every 2 weeks or so and going through the motions of setting the date and time and getting the wind started. She gets a kick out of never taking hers off, never having to set the date and time and the next battery change is in 4 years. I really like watches, she really likes having the time and date right there on her wrist. If you ever used your phone as the only timekeeping device you will know it's no replacement for a watch

[@Alan-cl2ix]

Good luck on spending 200 dollars every 2-3 years at a watch service to change its oil and do a regular overhaul, if you don't at max it lasts 5 years and it breaks something.

[@alanmckinnon6791]

@@Alan-cl2ix Your numbers are way off Alan. An average watch with a mechanism in good condition and oiled with the correct oils, will go 5 years between service no problem before the accuracy drifts too far for the average person. More expensive models are even longer, now that we have synthetic oils Rolex recommended service interval is 10 years. Other high end brands are similar. Watches don't suddenly break if you don't service them, they are not cars with brakes, gearboxes and clutches. Unserviced, the thing that often breaks is the mainspring, especially if it's the old single spiral style, and setting lever spring. Grease gone hard in the keyless works meaning you have to pull very hard to get the crown out is what breaks that spring, takes something on the order of 20 years+ to get to that point. I see any service old vintage watches that haven't been opened in decades and so many of them spring right up and run (sometimes poorly, but the run), I see this almost weekly. Watches are sturdy, we've had 200 years to figure out how to make them tough. If someone told you they fall apart and break after 3 years unserviced - that person is wrong and does not know watches. Or maybe they own a watch shop and want their bottom line increased.

[@johnfadds6089]

@@alanmckinnon6791 whatever works for you, man. When I check my wrist I like to see the actual time, not being 30-40 seconds off...

[@kenshinbattousai374]

One factor that the vast majority of mechanical owners ignore is that of maintenance and it's cost.

[@epbrown01]

A solar-powered digital will beat either for time-keeping.

[@ChronometerCheck]

A solar-powered digital is a type of quartz watch and will be just as accurate as most quartz

[@Anirossa]

​@@ChronometerCheck My solar quartz is doing +1s/month. Solar watches, because of the none depleting battery, tend to do better than other quartz, at least with whats currently on the market.

[@johnfadds6089]

@@Anirossa are you saying the quartz changes frequency from a 100% battery to 50%?

[@Anirossa]

When the battery is drained over time, the voltage output from the battery goes down, and this means the frequency of the electricity resonating within the quartz pitchfork is not constant. It will have a small effect on how the watch is running, as lower voltage means it will take longer for the watch to count up to the number that is making the watch tick over one second. How many seconds a month difference it will make between new battery and nearly empty will depend on the watch. But this makes solar quart watches in general run more accurate. Like my Seiko solar diver that does +1s/month as long as I make sure I wear it outside occastionally :) @@johnfadds6089

[@roadgent7921]

​@@AnirossaSolar has nothing to do with accuracy. I have about a dozen and they range from 2 spm to 12 spm. As it happens my most accurate quartz watches are not solar. Older quartz are also trimmable.

[@unhiddenthailand6408]

just love the quartz watch because of the tiny quartz crystal 😂

[@vozq5566]

Tbh I think quartz watches are better, I’m just romantic about the idea of a mechanical watch because of marketing.

[@brando5103]

I had my fair share of mechanical and quartz. I had this phase where I despised quartz until work required me to deal with a lot of things. I'm a mechanical engineer and my work involves a lot of pumps, waste water, corrosive chemicals and so on. My go to is the F-105 Casio, amazing backlight. I started selling my manual winds because it became tiresome, winding every 36hrs or so. Sometimes I find them not running because I so busy and tired, I fall asleep instantly. So, to my Hamilton Khaki Mechanical and vintage Citizen New Master, goodbye. May your new owners enjoy you. I miss you but no, no more manual winds for now.

[@nielwilliams4687]

Quartz watches any day, especially a Citizen EcoDrive.

[@MarkDanger777]

I didn't know how much I liked a quartz watch until I got one. I still love my mechanical watches, but it's nice to have one where you don't have to keep wearing to keep it running. I only have 1 quartz watch and 5 automatic, but 1 quartz is enough for me 😂

[@garyboyle695]

Quartz watches may be cheaper and more accurate but the seconds hands on most never hit the seconds markers. Nasty.

[@johnfadds6089]

Unfortunately yes. Even on expensive ones.

[@joowonlee7114]

Thanks for the great content 👍

[@ChronometerCheck]

Thanks my friend

[@joowonlee7114]

No prob, thank YOU for the great content that makes my day. I hope you have a great weekend ☺️

[@joenobody571]

I prefer mechanical especially when you can see the movement and the lack of accuracy is a big deal pretty much everyone has a cellphone if you need atomic accurate time 😂

[@johnfadds6089]

So you check your phone for the time while having a watch on your wrist? How brilliant...

[@roadgent7921]

​@@johnfadds6089Lolllll 😅

[@timtaylorx]

Springdrive, the best of both Worlds 😊

[@robertb6926]

I currently have 4 watches of which 2 are quartz, 1 automatic and 1 solar powered radio controlled. I find myself never taking the quartz watches anymore because I can’t be bothered to keep replacing the batteries. Wouldn’t be a problem for me if I only had 1 quartz watch that I wear every day, but it you want to mix it up with several watches it just becomes a pain in the ass…

[@richardstiles6370]

Mechanical for myself 👍⌚👌

[@idid1866]

Quartz is better...people by mech for mostly aesthetics & prestige!

[@genghiskhan7041]

The most inaccurate quartz watch in the world is still 10 times more accurate than the most accurate Rolex ever made.

[@Anirossa]

Rolex has made quartz

[@laserbeam3836]

​@@Anirossanot any more

[@garyboyle695]

Not true, quartz movements can be out by 15 seconds per month. I've mechanical watches that can match that.

[@Anirossa]

@@laserbeam3836 Yeah, Omega and the other big boys do

[@genghiskhan7041]

@@garyboyle695 Oh come on, you do not. Tell me the models so I can check for myself, please.

[@takethecurseOFFwashingmachine]

They are both obsolete technologies, both are largely not necessary in modern society, and both totally awesome to have on your wrist. Buy what you love, don’t exclude either

[@takethecurseOFFwashingmachine]

But I didn’t answer your question. I prefer either more than the other depending on how I feel that morning. I will say 90% of my wrist time gets a quartz victorinox inox

[@deusexmachina5769]

I mean, looking at your wrist is more convenient and faster than taking out a phone, which is why I wouldn't consider watches to be obsolete technology, they just have a smaller target demographic than they used to.

[@takethecurseOFFwashingmachine]

@@deusexmachina5769 excellent point. Watches still are, and will probably remain a tool for the time being. When I refer to quartz and mechanical movements being obsolete, I’m more making reference to the fact that we have other electronic time keeping methods now, that don’t utilize quartz oscillation.

[@dilipdas5777]

​@@takethecurseOFFwashingmachine atomic clock also use quartz movement. Quartz technology is not obsolete

[@patricj951]

Technically obsolete and in many cases not necessary. But in many cases an advantage to just check on your wrist instead of picking the smartphone out of the pocket in order to know the time. And: the wristwatch is not only the finest jewellery you can wear: it's the only jewellry filling a practical function! As I see it.

[@larixplaysYT]

The most expensive watch is also a quartz 😂

[@Zpzpzzzqqwwf]

So I bought a Soki field watch like this at a flea market for 1 dollar!!!!!!!!!! I put a battery in it it's been accurate for the last month!!!

[@kresimirpleic]

If you want a watch for sports or physical/manual work, get a quartz because mechanical watches are fragile. Many companies use the exact same movements in their dive watches that they use in their dress watches. Same goes for quartz, true, but quartz movements are far more robust by design. Don't worry about changing the batteries because mechanical watches need to be opened every few years as well - either to get serviced or to change the gaskets if the watch is used under water. If you want a watch for the office or more formal events, it's nice to have a mechanical.

[@dararohan1209]

Yes, quartz may be more accurate and practical but I have a preference for mechanical pieces for other reasons.

[@bobfeller604]

My everyday watch is a Timex quartz and it's one second per month fast. Not bad for what little money I spent.

[@CalebM_]

For me, I only buy a mechanical watch only when there is a significant life event that is worthy to remember. Quartz watches can be also represent this however, I appreciate the craftsmanship more than accurately to tell the time. Mechanical Watches has become more of a jewelry and a statement piece than just to tell the time.

[@jubayarahmed342]

I love setting up times every time I wear my mechanical watches.

[@johnfadds6089]

It's a good thing that you have a lot of time on your hands. I barely have time to take a piss...

[@ebutuoY_kcuF]

Mechanical watch, heirloom. Quartz watch, daily use. 😁😁😁

[@MrCanadian555]

There's one caveat though; A quartz with solar charging or easily replaceable battery hatch are way better than having a $20 battery change with opening and closing the case which degrades the water resistance

[@Mandan...77t]

Mechanical watches are better 50 plus years ago. Now Unless money is a large commodity, mechanical maybe a bad financial decision.

[@bobroberts6155]

If you like watches a quartz movement will give you a reliable and accurate one to grab and go. If you love watches then you probably appreciate a mechanical marvel with a beating heart that will likely last your lifetime and beyond with a bit of care. Mechanical watches are redolent of skill and tradition, quartz movement are soulless but efficient. Horses for courses as they say.

[@svaz2006]

That PRX reminded me of possibly the coolest 'watch hack', ever. To make a quartz watch look more expensive, remove the second hand.

[@rajeshdas392]

After 6 years my cheap quartz watch is accurate and not even second error in 24 hrs. Previously I was fond mechanical watch but I realised that quartz watches are way more better.

[@parzivalvolarus9281]

Quartz is “better” on every measurable category. Mechanical is art.

[@ericksondaiz503]

Seiko Spring Drive Quartz don't need battery

[@LambentOrt]

I like em both.

[@barrettwbenton]

For the last 30-odd years, my answer has been "why choose?" There was a (short) period where I was quartz-only (and digital at that), then manual-wind mechanical-only. Now? Out of eleven watches, two are quartz (one each all-digital & all-analog), three manual-wind (which are being sold), the rest automatic. And I literally just received my new Seiko 5 GMT in the mail as I'm typing this out. It's All Good.

[@roadgent7921]

Seiko VH quartz range. Sweeps like an auto but it is a quartz. Usually 1 to 5 spm. Cheap and reliable. Best of both worlds. 😊

[@tuber6382]

What's the advantage of a mechanical watch?

[@yuganshdhingra7647]

Enjoying the craftsmanship etc. Not much of a practical advantage

[@Anirossa]

First name bases with your AD.

[@krkiva2]

mismatched second hands give me ocd. i’d stick to quartz

[@Avaddon911]

I love my quartz watches for what they are but i don't connect with them like i do with my mechanical watches. Once i put a mechanical on i find it hard to take it off.

[@halimsahlan681]

I have both...quartz watch is for me to use. Mechanical is for me to use and pass down when the time comes. The reason is mechanical watch can be serviced and probably last longer than a quartz because the electronic components on a quartz will eventually stop working

[@limelife7457]

I like mechanical watches because if I stranded in the middle of the ocean (nowhere) with a tiny island 🏝️ then I’m good as long I’m wearing my watch all the time. 😂

[@Anirossa]

solar quartz would probably be better, as if you shock the watch its done for.. so would take it off to build a shelter or do any harsh work..

[@limelife7457]

@@Anirossa True, I might reconsider on getting the solar watch then like the Citizen Eco Drive thanks 👍

[@rambo68]

Read about citizen calibre 0100....the most accurate quartz movement ever made. Costs 2300 usd

[@keendeesjarlais3636]

eco or solar quartz all day-- no fuss, no servicing or regulating, no adjusting everyday, way more accurate , dependable, no batteries, sure , I have automatics and are novel I suppose , but not practical

[@eatSLEEPshitHONDA]

I love both. But the only thing i hate. Is that some times. The quartz watches differ in style than the mechanical ones. Like the prx vs the prx a Powermatic. Why cant i get the checkered face at the lower price point😢.

[@tuber6382]

Are candles better than LED? Are donkey carts better than an EV? Are mechanical watches better than quartz????

[@garnetkodo]

I love quartz, but most are ugly, i wear a 36mm invicta quartz becuase i like the small diver look

[@ciuwandy9238]

I like mechanical watches because my mom had a Quartz watch and she replaced the whole movement and it's not original now. And I was afraid I had to do the same so I chose mechanical so when something breaks then I can just replace the part that is broken not the whole movement. Also I always thought is the watch dead or what with Quartz because sometimes it ticks and I'm anticipating when it ticks again and so many times I thought the watch died since it did not tick but it ticks and that kinda feels an eternity. So those are my 2 reasons on why I choose mechanical over Quartz. Note: I also love vintage Seiko Quartz. If you guys haven't explore those models, you should. Who knows you might like it as well

[@sairadha674]

I love sweeping seconds so mechanical watch.

[@roadgent7921]

Seiko VH quartz range sweep.

[@walterhartwellwhite6331]

What sekio dive watch is that with the tan band

[@RoroBaba-j8s]

No but cooler.

[@MsDavo123]

bro i love your channel but have to say your accent is so catchy i wish i could talk with same accent😅from which part of USA you are?if not a secret 😎🇦🇲

[@shelstone66]

Mechanical all day. Its 2024, the time is everywhere. I like having the little self powered machine on my wrist p.s. im wearing a casio royale while writing this lol

[@duncanidaho2130]

I have no problem with quartz, bro.

[@patricj951]

I prefer watches who don't need batteries. Therefore I like mechanical(I assume you include automatics because they are mechanical too) watches. When it comes to quartz watches I like them too and especially when they are light powered models.

[@artjomslivenskis429]

I bought my first watch - mechanical. Really good one. But the next one will only quartz.

[@SkippyTheRedKangaroo]

Quartz for me every day of the week. Pretension is not something I'm prone to.

[@Hereward47]

It’s not that there is “nothing wrong with Quartz watches” They ARE superior in absolute terms of utility and cost. The smoke and mirrors deployed in the re marketing of mechanical watches from the 80’s on is a masterpiece of Bernays theory.

[@Chris_ck85]

How about automatic

[@jamalsawma]

Can't have my watch late than me😂

[@ChronometerCheck]

Hahhaha

[@Dr.Mantis_Toboggan]

I prefer mechanical due to the craftsmanship

[@kresimirpleic]

A vast majority of mechanical watches are mass produced, machine made and machine decorated watches with mass produced machine made and machine assembled mechanisms... If you want hand made watches with hand made and hand finished movements, you better be prepared to spend tens of thousands of dollars/euros. Even something like a Kudoke won't cost you much less than 10k. But each to their own...

[@Dr.Mantis_Toboggan]

@@kresimirpleic I'm speaking about the craftsmanship of the movement.

[@kresimirpleic]

@@Dr.Mantis_Toboggan There is no craftsmanship in the vast majority of mechanical watch movements as they are mass produced by machines in factories. One can argue that the only craftsmanship these movements will ever see is when they start failing and you take them to a watchmaker for a service or repair. Hand made and hand finished movements indeed represent high-level craft but they are very rare and extremely expensive.

[@Dr.Mantis_Toboggan]

@@kresimirpleic you're thinking way too deeply into this. Take the back off of a quartz it's not that attractive, a mechanical on the other hand is. I like the inner workings of it. I also prefer the sweep over the tick.

[@JackOusley]

I pretend that my mechanical collection makes sense because of a hypothetical post apocalyptic type scenario where either the batteries eventually go bad, or there’s an EMP, or some such. This distracts me from the money leaving my wallet.

[@amanwadte1495]

Smartwatch silently left the chat 😂

[@nielslarsen1693]

Are quartz watches better? Yes. Are there any reason to wear one? No

[@cb86258]

Idk what’s happening but KZbin app on iOS has this video frozen - can’t watch. Keeps doing it every 3-4 shorts

[@Anirossa]

Quartz better in every way, but the marketing for mechanical watches are better in every way. Like my mechanical watches, but the solar watch my one and only accual tool for telling time. The rest is purely jewlery. From Seiko 5 to Swiss.

[@godlessheathen6425]

Quartz watch is better. Automatic or mechanical will always be inferior

[@anthonyonline4740]

Not all quartz watches use a battery buddy ;)

[@YD_.]

So mechanical is only good for the novelty

[@Mike-In-O-Town]

As with everything in life, you have to define what the term 'Better' means before you can arrive at an answer. But comically, my $60 G-Shock will always be more 'accurate' and far tougher than a $10-$15k Rolex.

[@ashenone9227]

Mechanical more like collectors who wanna buy more quartz is more like for people who wanna own 1-2 watches

[@ashfakali1447]

Nobody buys watch to know the time checking phn is faster

[@CT99234]

No and Yes. Its not a binary discussion.

[@ChronometerCheck]

Yup! That's what we're exploring

[@dsadik666]

The cost of replacing the battery every year to adds up over time.

[@laserbeam3836]

still cheaper than servicing a mechanical watch

[@dsadik666]

@@laserbeam3836 $300+ in 10 years. More expensive over time...

[@BuckNaked2k]

A mechanical watch is alive. A quartz watch has no soul.

[@ruiguo0824]

Simple fact: Quartz watches are far far superior in terms of time accuracy.

[@Ace-08]

If you dont want to keep changing the batteries, you can always opt for a lower end mechanical watch. You can easily get one for $100-200 and wear it everyday.

[@Mr1121628]

“High end watches” Shows $200 orient bambino lololol

[@reesebroekhoven3962]

or your just be like sooo many people out there these days and base you taste around what ever people on social media are saying is the shiiiiiiit this month. I bet you a Rolex if someone could get the top 5 or 6 watch people on social media to go ape shit over quartz for tops 2 months alot of people would be rocking it

[@luigiclatine5880]

OVER 60 YEARS EXPERIENCIES . AUTOMANIC WATCHES ARE 100,% BETTER THEAN SOLAR . AND BATTERY WATCHES.

[@jzplayinggame]

I mean your audience is people who buy entry level watches so ofc you’re not gonna say anything bad about quartz. Fact of the matter is if you’re gonna go quartz might as well get an Apple Watch or a digital one.

[@gnoink]

Entry level is accurate. But design plays a role, wouldn't you say? One can find well designed, well finished quartz watches at half the price (or less) of mechanical watches with same materials used and equal level of external finishing. I own and enjoy watches of both types, but I generally go for quartz if the design is there. Apple watches are bland and anonymous in my opinion. Many smart watches share this problem. I own an equally unimaginative Garmin smart watch but use it only as an exercise tool on my runs. Between workouts it sits tucked away in my sports bag.

[@mrpsycho3823]

Yeah only poor people wear quartz watches.

[@jameswestconsultant]

Folks that buy quartz watches aren’t watch enthusiasts, that’s the only difference. ☝🏻🥴

[@5hittyradio]

The grand seiko is no normal quartz watch, beats twice per second and has the same if not more craftsmanship than mechanical