Sweeping Quartz
For the most part I am a mechanical snob. Ther is just something about the tickets of the seconds hand that turns me off.
That said the VH31 sweeping quartz has won me over. I use it in our Wayfinder model and the 4 ticks per second trick my mind into thinking I have on an automatic. Seriously love this movement and the flexibility it has given us to offer a lower price point model.
Anyone else a fan of sweeping quartz?
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Adam
Adam, Founder and CEO of Farr and Swit out of Elmhurst IL. Been collecting since I was around 18. Have a fun personal collection that ranges from Rolex Daytona to Nixon Beastie Boys Watch.
Elmhurst IL
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Last active: 1 month ago
Very cool! I had no idea this even existed!
You know I'm a fan! 😎
I didn't even know it exists.
It's a shame these types of movements are not more widely used, as they give you that nice smooth sweep and at the same time is much more precise than a mechanical. Specifically in tool watches this would make a lot of sense IMO.
Yeah I have one in a cheap Benrus Type-1 homage. 😅👏
You know I'm a fan! 😎
My man Ian! Always appreciate the support. FYI I just put a red strap on the Lume dial and it looks just as good as the orange.
It's a shame these types of movements are not more widely used, as they give you that nice smooth sweep and at the same time is much more precise than a mechanical. Specifically in tool watches this would make a lot of sense IMO.
Agreed.
On a side note, we have a solar powered model coming out and I wanted the sweeping stopwatch long seconds hand. I found the perfect solar powered mechaquartz chronograph and cannot believe others have not used it yet.
The biggest limitations to the VH31 for me are twofold: (1) it operates at 2Hz, which is certainly an improvement over a standard quartz, but still isn't all that smooth; and (2) it's battery driven, which means that the battery will go (and quicker than a standard quartz because of the extra ticks), which is the whole reason I dumped quartz for autos in the first place.
Now -- why someone hasn't taken a solar quartz model and upped the beat rate to the equivalent of a 3 or 4Hz movement (since power use matters less), I can't figure out. I'd be all over a watch like that.
The biggest limitations to the VH31 for me are twofold: (1) it operates at 2Hz, which is certainly an improvement over a standard quartz, but still isn't all that smooth; and (2) it's battery driven, which means that the battery will go (and quicker than a standard quartz because of the extra ticks), which is the whole reason I dumped quartz for autos in the first place.
Now -- why someone hasn't taken a solar quartz model and upped the beat rate to the equivalent of a 3 or 4Hz movement (since power use matters less), I can't figure out. I'd be all over a watch like that.
Absolutely. Solar with sweeping seconds hand would be awesome. I searched for that when I came across the mecha quartz chrono, but was not able to find one.
I also always wanted a kinetic powered sweeping quartz, but no luck so far on that either.
Yes I have an Accutron II. I had an original Accutron as a child - years lost I’m afraid. The Accutron II won me over with history and its sweeping second hand.
Yes I have an Accutron II. I had an original Accutron as a child - years lost I’m afraid. The Accutron II won me over with history and its sweeping second hand.
Accutrons are awesome.
Agreed.
On a side note, we have a solar powered model coming out and I wanted the sweeping stopwatch long seconds hand. I found the perfect solar powered mechaquartz chronograph and cannot believe others have not used it yet.
Sorry for the much delayed comment but I just saw your excellent 9-11/Rolex remembrance post and that led me here as I‘ve become very intrigued by mechaquartz movements. You new offering looks outstanding and I was just wondering where you found the movement? I didnt know a solar powered mecha existed