SURPRISING Watch Movements You've Never Heard of

Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second, Charlie-Paris Concordia, and the F.P. Journe Elegante - three watches that include famous movements that you may not hav heard of before! In this episode, we go into what they are and how they work.
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CHRISTIAN (Host): bit.ly/christianzeron
ANNA (Video, Editing): bit.ly/instagram-annagriffinc
In today's video, Christian dives into three fascinating watch movements that you probably have never heard of. First up, we have the FP Journe Elegante, featuring the brand's Caliber 1210. Mr. Journe saw a challenge laid before him - to produce not just the highest end quartz movement he possibly could, but to gear it towards the female market, a group that he'd noticed was, by and large, disinterested in mechanical watches. The result is the Caliber 1210, a movement that enables the watch to go into, essentially, a sort of sleep mode 30 minutes after no longer being worn and taken off the wrist. In this state, it continues measuring time, but it does not display this measurement to save battery life. This lifespan is estimated to be around 12 years.
Next up, we have the Seiko VH31 movement, featured here in the Charlie-Paris Concordia. The VH31 is Seiko's answer to the harshness and perceived cheapness of a quartz movement with a second hand that beats just once per second, giving that signature ticking of a quartz watch. With this caliber, Seiko increased the quartz beat rate, thus more closely mirroring the sweep of a mechanical movement, but in a watch that doesn't require nearly the same level of maintenance or upkeep. It also adds to the visual appeal of a watch powered by this movement, like the Charlie-Paris, for those of us more inclined to gravitate towards mechanical pieces.
Lastly, we have the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second, a deadbeat second movement that, in many ways, does the exact opposite of the VH31. JLC introduced the movement in September of 2015, and as a deadbeat second movement, its second hand, though powered by a mechanical movement, mimics a quartz in that it only beats once per second. Though an admittedly useless complication in principle, the watch is still impossible to get a hold of new from most boutiques, and requires a significant premium to pick one up gray market or second-hand. All of this, because it dared to cater to a relatively minimal group of consumers who appreciate the funky things in life, rather than the mainstream.

[@AlexBenn]

I don't understand why the VH31 doesn't show up in more watches. The sweep is slick and there's not many ways to get that high-beat feel with quartz accuracy. They should combine it with solar and then you've got a technically unimpeachable watch.

[@azizhusseinz2083]

JLC is not throwing dead pulse for no reason. There is a video 4 years ago that explain this. Dead beat second is actually tribute to the geophysic engineer back in the day, for engineers especially they who work at the field time calculation is very important. Sweeping mechanism is very hard to read, so dead beat is more precise to time calulation, and by using automatic movement engineers do not worry that their watch battery run out of power.

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Aziz Hussein Z Interesting. Thanks for elaborating on this. Appreciate it.

[@finnandrei5745]

Featured in Watchfinder before.

[@Arthurzeiro]

Any quartz movement that has jewels in them is darn cool, the VH31 has 2, therefore cool.

[@cinialvespow1054]

what do the jewels do?

[@Fotznerwin27]

You should check vintage Seiko quartz watches then! I've got a nice 1979 SQ 7545 that hits every index spot on (4 jewels) and a 7A38 quartz chronograph with 15 jewels!

[@richardclark1077]

I've never heard of the Seiko VH31, thanks for new information!!

[@MrJacob3]

Pushhh Seiko is a grand daddy especially the grand Seiko line, vinatge true hi beat movements are beautiful running 10beats a second really shows an elegant sweeping hand, not to mention case design was innovative at the time, and top of the line movement was running at +/-2 in the V.F.A watches, amazing watches I don't think people give enough attention and prestige.

[@lonewolf30531]

It’s a little tacky when you critique Seiko. Thanks for the content

[@noneofyourbusiness4209]

Such a pleasure to find you again with a terrific content. Not to say that those lately videos weren't fun, but I got something more than fun out if this one. Thanks

[@Youcantleavethisempty01]

I love this content! Would love more vids on movements.

[@srivatsakumar2844]

You should really make more videos taking about unique watch movements! You've done such a great job on this that I need more!

[@TheoandHarris]

Thanks Max!!!

[@ontheotherhand6490]

Once again an amazing video! I love how the watch industry is sometimes a "just because we can" basis which really gives creativity to the designers and engineers

[@TheoandHarris]

That's easily one of the things I love most. Some stuff exists purely because it seems like someone lost a bet. See: the Ulysse Nardin Erotica hahahaha

[@ontheotherhand6490]

@@TheoandHarris haha I totally agree! The watch has long past it's point of being a tool in normal wearing and now become a form of expression through design and artistry

[@gunnerman1880]

Nice info and video ✌

[@imranchowdhury4972]

Good selections for the subject.

[@achimbj]

One of your best videos, I also love the true seconds from JLC

[@denisspratt926]

Love that JLC. Its just a classic beautiful design, but with something a little extra about it. Great video.

[@TheoandHarris]

Thanks Denis!!! Totally agreed!

[@garyhuntress6871]

I know the kinds of designs that you like. I'd love to see you sketch out the designs that are running through your head!

[@marc4199]

If you're interested in the Seiko VH31 movement, take a look at the Kingsbury Monarch.

[@francoabenojar6900]

I love watches!!!!

[@billbochnak2898]

Anna putting the link below over your face is why she is awesome and deserves a raise. Great video, perfect comb of interesting information woven into the intro to the Concordia, thumbs up T&H

[@TheoandHarris]

Thank you Bill!!!

[@tungstentickler]

Bulova precisionist are great value for the super smooth sweep, incredibly accuracy, reliability and robustness.

[@TheoandHarris]

I nearly forgot about those, but you're SO right man!!!

[@bananasrfr14]

great video - interesting topic and tastefully subtle inclusion of a sponsor. keep it up man.

[@ManoloVintage]

My Anna sweeps😋 Oh... now you're just messing with me with that outro!😑 I really like that Cartier with the blue dial👍

[@ecureed]

Man, something intrigues me about the ticking though. I love looking for and watching a quartz accurately hit the indices perfectly! Of course when a quartz doesn’t do that, my ocd engages and I can no longer stomach that watch lol

[@marktuyet]

Good one Christian !

[@sazedurrahman230]

I’d like to see a review of that Charlie Paris Concordia

[@jlo6388]

Love my JLC TS. Only watch guys get it. Many choose rolex because of brand recognition, but not necessarily appreciation of horology.

[@magicmike7066]

The jlc is amazing... and with understanding it’s very complicated to perfect the true second, it’s a complication in its own whether useful or not... Kind of like a moon phase.

[@MrMathWR]

Harsh second ticking is the only real thing that prevents me from buying quartz watches Nice move with the VH31

[@fallingwickets]

Hasn't bulova being doing quartz sweep since forever?

[@cosmalas7742]

Yes it's all about the sweep, or lack of with the JLC

[@thomasmelodie]

"true second" is not totally useless for some folks who are synchronisation fanatics, enjoy quirky mechanical objects or want better control of accuracy in an automatic dress watch. Maybe not restricted to watch nerds and open to all nerds, myself included.

[@TheDamidasian93]

Good content video!

[@TheoandHarris]

Thank you David!!!!!

[@mikepurdy3952]

This video is 3 yrs old, so this Seiko movement is at least 3 yrs old. Why am I seeing it for the 1st time today! I guess Seiko DOES Really SUCK at Promotions & Sales! If given this Option, of a sweeping-hands Quartz Watch, vrs. a Ticking One, I would take the Sweeping EVERY TIME! I WANT A LIST OF EVERY QUARTZ WATCH, that has this Movement, so I can start Buying ALL OF THEM!

[@daymondtalley9500]

Why is the ticking considered cheap? Some of my favorite watches are my quartz that I can grab and go. A 1/3 of my collection is quartz

[@Hubiro]

there are ruger dubis excalibur models with a deadbeat second hand... they go for like 100k

[@sebsebseb1905]

DeBethune uses the jumping seconds complication, an incredible mechanical watch with a tick like a quartz watch :)))))

[@TheoandHarris]

Definitely gonna have to check that one out!! Thanks for watching man!

[@sebsebseb1905]

@@TheoandHarris tbh I commented before you got to the JLC because I didn't think you were going to mention the jumping seconds

[@khronokraze]

The FPJ Elegante is awesome. For all the reasons you stated about the movement. If I ever had the $$ and a reason to spend over $10k on a quartz watch, this would be it. It's unque in it's own right and simply unique from FJP, already. As with the tick vs sweep argument. I do find it ironic and funny a lot of luxury and even high horology watches, your JLC example included, made an effort to simulate quartz ticking. Not sure with that JLC, BUT I know at least some dead beat seconds watches will revert back to smooth sweeping when power is low... Which in my head is still funny.. Like the watch is telling you it's feeling weak cause doing dead beats is so much work (which as I understand it is for a mechanical movement) and can't hang and must go back to my old ways of smooth sweeping. I don't think having ticking seconds shows cheapness. As u seem to know, it depends on the watch. I take for example some of Seiko's higher-end high-performance quartz movements like in their marine master 300 tuna. There's something attractive about having perfectly placed second ticks that land perfectly on each marker with Quick precision and does not waver. It's subtle, but the clean precision is noticeably better than inexpensive quartz movements which not only not necessarily land on their intended index/marker, but have a bit of shake at the tail end of each tick. U should know what I mean. The high-end Seiko movements never do that and if you look carefully, u will notice something very perfect about them.. Not to mention they are exceptionally accurate, even for a quartz. So... Idk, for me, I have no problems with a ticking seconds. But, a smooth sweeping seconds does still look visually more appealing. And, you may still not like Seiko's, but, I don't think it's correct or fair to discount Seikos. Sure, the marketing sucks and work could be needed in that area. But, other than that, I don't think that's enough reason to dismiss Seiko's contribution to the watch world, the variety of watches, and their innovations and achievements throughout the decades. Pretty much the largest single Japanese watch company to cover the entire spectrum of watch range for all of Japan.. from inexpensive entry level to mid-level to high-level to entry-level in their general Seiko brand, to straight-up luxury in Grand Seiko, to ultra-high horology offerings from Credor. Who else has or can do that? Additionally, one might say the broad spectrum of watches and prices shows no single focus or direction. Maybe.. But, I might counter-argue that the focus and direction is to offer it all to any level of watch consumer. Why cut out your own section of the pie when you can take the whole thing? I know Seiko isn't the only Japanese watch manufacturer, of course not. But, they may be the most notable out of all the Japanese watch brands and really have done nearly all from the low-end to the super high-end. With all this in mind about Seiko, and you have strong business marketing sensibility, I would think maybe IF the opportunity arose for you to contribute to Seiko's marketing to get it on the course and have something to herald about that might be a great way to show your marketing prowess as well as well as maybe elevate Seiko to the status and notoriety it should have if they had done their marketing right, you would take it as a great opportunity to, idk?,.. set things right, with Seiko.... instead of semi-bashing and just saying you don't like them and let them stay down there because they fucked up on their marketing. HOWEVER, I know this is probably not your goal or even an interest for you to clean up Seiko's marketing mess. And, Seiko will remain Seiko and not likely to ask for any one individual's help to get them out of a marketing rut. It IS up to them to dig their public marketing reputation out of the dirt. Sorry, small rant at the end. Keep up the great work!

[@TheoandHarris]

Thanks so much for watching, brother, and for the insightful feedback! I've always found the philosophy behind the deadbeat seconds complication so fascinating. Same for stupid accurate quartz movements that are also incredibly precise when it comes to hitting the markers. That takes a level of OCD and construction-oriented thinking that will always evade me. Fascinating nonetheless hahaha.

[@ithinkigotworms]

Just purchased a Kingsbury Monarch cause it has the VH31, it’s sooo worth the $59 on Amazon to just pop it open and see how it runs!

[@marc4199]

Cool, I just received mine, but haven't opened it up yet. I'm very happy with it so far.

[@MrPINKFL0YD]

I'd never buy a watch where the staff treat them as their own! I have Seiko VH31 in a couple of watches. It's ideal to have in a collection of clockwork watches. My Proxima was only £200 pounds with the VH31. It's is a beautiful diver with an enamelled dial and it's Chinese!. I have a clockwork version and they sent pics of my watch on a time graph as they regulate each watch. The graduation of the green enamelled dial is gorgeous.

[@OguzhLP]

Come on don't hate on Seiko!😂

[@FARISALDHALAAM]

An honorable mention would be the Mondaine Stop2go movement.

[@tomfaranda]

Haha. Pretty good.

[@Lakewooder99]

I have a bulova chronograph precisionist watch. The watches sweep is only beaten by a seiko springdrive. Also, although a chronograph it has a center seconds. As to sleep mode in quartz all the citizen ecodrive watches have that. My 15 year old skyhawk is going strong.

[@mrdisco99]

Had to get another dig at Seiko in there. Angry people click, right? Seriously though Seiko are aware of their marketing problem and have recently been making changes to work on that. I’m not sure if I agree that trying to be more like Omega is necessarily the way to go, but at least they’re doing something.

[@mrdisco99]

Thank you for your valuable contribution to this discussion.

[@deviantaccessories4527]

This was an interesting video every one is entitled to their opinions! Our channel has a great Watch Vid as...

[@maryahoversrteet6501]

Has anyone ever heard of an nkermani watch

[@HHIto]

Same watches, different (switch out) bands; witty, commentaries, - move the low-ceiling merchandise. Most supplies located in SE Asia, S. Amer., Souther Europe. Profit margins dependent on foreign exchange rates, tax, ... target fast, turn-key outlets. Potential, stay on top of trends, or control the market dynamics. 5-year in, reputation, decide if double capacity.... (that’s all you get for F-R-E-E)!

[@prccap]

Hmmm I may be getting my girl a F.P. Journe now.

[@paulaxton72]

My citizen does that not a big deal OK FP Journe😅

[@SahilShaikh-rz1lk]

Video is good but your online shop is out of market, I wondered 575 USD for swatch chrono, you might be selling any watch in entire year.

[@carlito1777]

People have to learn quartz movements are not bad, in fact they are better (cheaper, cheap service, more solid, precision and easy to get in a bizarre and original case), this watches show how good it can get. The first one shows they can be as luxurious as mechanical watches and able to deliver « complications » and sophisticated features like this jp journe that lasts 18 years!, the Charlie Paris and seiko shows they can be as smooth as mechanical watches (kind of, but pretty if they want it to beat 30 times a second or more they can), and Charlie Paris has a solar quartz that can last an average of 20 years (average battery durability) and the last one is a good tribute to quartz with a mechanical that looks quartz just by the name true seconde why would it not be good to be able to feel every secondes like a quartz watch deliver??? Quartz should not be like the bottom of watches, it is not because the mouvement is cheap that the watches need to be cheap in terms of construction. Jp journe showed it can be great, grand seiko has incredible finish on quartz watches etc...

[@jdc8774]

I cannot understand how a "watch geek," who acknowledges the technology of Seiko, can still continue to cast shade on them. It's one thing to say they are not your thing, but to continue to speak against them because they do not market the way you think they should reflects more on you. Seiko, just like the Honda's of the early '80's, show us that the Japanese are focused on the cake and not the icing.

[@PulledPurk]

@footballcoreano Learn how to use a period. Maybe you don't like Seiko because they are Japanese! You racism person! Either that, or you work in Vallée de Joux.

[@PulledPurk]

I like cake

[@jakesebas]

What Da #@% Quartz that are Auto & Auto that are Quartz. Me Confused says Cookie Monster.

[@ssvs0485]

Now I’m understanding the thumbs down so early with the negative Seiko comment.

[@stevenp7656]

You call yourself a watch geek Christian, but you always seen so negative with Seiko. Any true watch geek would give them more respect considering how much Seiko has done in the watch industry!

[@stevenp7656]

@Marco von Catfish I don't see why Seiko can't be everything to everyone, they have low end Watches to Grand Seiko? I do feel some people look down their noses at Seiko, if it's not Swiss it's not good!

[@brianmason744]

Dude seiko does not suck... those wack-ass luxury watches, them janks will break the first day I wear it.

[@OguzhLP]

Hahahaha

[@brianmason744]

@footballcoreano all I think is that you have to pay respect to where respect is due...yes Seiko can make some hideous models but they have a lot of "firsts" under their belt when it comes to timekeeping. And by the way- why do people have to bring their ideals into watch discussions...?gosh we get that enough everywhere else... ease up bro you sound like a World War 1 veteran

[@Bulsebub]

You try so sound elegant but your vocabulary is small. You kept repeating "Seiko sucks" and "ticking is known as low quality" over and over again. Downvoted.

[@TheoandHarris]

You know who had a great vocabulary? Shireen.

[@MrJamesDuffy]

Pssssh, I've heard of these. (I knew very little about them, though, so good video!) More importantly, what is the over-under on how many more videos will we see with that jacket and backdrop?