Quartz Aquaterra = Imposter Syndrome(?)
I'm proud to have this watch--it's my engagement watch from my fiance. It's gorgeous. The finishing is fantastic. It's light. Classic (at 36mm) and feels versatile, elegant, and sturdy as heck. I'm excited to have it, but have hesitated to share it with the watch collecting "world."
I've seen quartz luxury watches dismissed as "not as good" as their automatic counterparts and I'm already worried about being told it's not as luxury, or that it's almost "fake..." I keep replaying in my head James Stacey of TGN saying "when I see a watch on the street, if I can see the seconds hand ticking, I immediately lose interest. " There's definitely a stigma.
Part of appreciating a fantastic watch is sharing the appreciating with others, so I'm wondering if anyone else suffer from this "imposter syndrome..." Maybe it might help to learn if there's history or "fun facts" that others know about this model. Can anyone help me "fight the luxury quartz stigma?"
Just a humble enthusiast. It all started with a Tissot.
Your partner has delivered. Nothing wrong with quartz. Most of the cost of a luxury watch is marketing and mark-ups. Your watch is not significantly more or less valuable than the mechcanical version.
It’s a beautiful watch Kyle. You should wear it proudly, as I’m sure you do. Your fiancée has great taste… and congratulations!
Ignore the snobs.
If you want some reassurance with regards to quartz and Omega, then the following should put your mind at rest from an horological/historical perspective:
The first Swiss quartz watch was the Omega Electroquartz in 1970.
1974 Omega Constellation Marine Chronometer was the first quartz watch to be certified as a marine chronometer.
1976 Omega Chrono-Quartz, first ana-digi chronograph watch.
If you want a Swiss quartz watch, Omega would be the brand to get it from (or Swatch, or both - have you heard about the MoonSwatch? 😂)
Beautiful gift for your engagement. A watch to be proud of, wear it with pride! I hope to see it several times at the #WRUW thread 😉 also, a very nice watch to wear at the wedding! 36mm is pure class 👌🏻
Man that is a stunning Omega. Absolutely gorgeous. Everything from the indeces to the handset to the colour matched date wheel. I just want to- sorry what was the question?
Beautiful watch, their are a number of quality quartz watches out there and some pretty poor automatics. You have gotten a great looking quality watch. Enjoy!
First, I would say who cares if anyone else likes it, or if it is considered luxury. The term “luxury“ is relative to be honest all watches are a”luxury“ considering that your phone tells time more accurate than any watch regardless of the price. Wear watches that speak to you and your tastes. In my collection I have watches that cost a couple of hundred and some that are $10k plus, the one thing that they all have in common is that I bought them because I liked the aesthetics. Any true connoisseur of timepieces will appreciate a well designed and executed watch regardless of the price point.
Definitely not an imposter watch. Want to fight the luxury quartz stigma? Look at the royal oak.
I have never heard James Stacey say that quote, however, I have not been through the whole TGN archive. However recently they did have an episode on quartz watches so I do not think he is opposed to him.
Your wife made a great purchase. Like you said a 36MM quartz Aqua Terra really is a GADA watch.
No shame, man. That wears beautifully.
Congrats on the engagement and a great watch.
Ignore ignorant members of the "watch world", enjoy your watch and share your passion.
My pre-Bond is quartz, and I wear it proudly, as you should wear your Aquaterra. There are plenty of good quartz movements out there, and you can't beat their convenience. I wouldn't worry about the stigma.
Definitely not an imposter watch. Want to fight the luxury quartz stigma? Look at the royal oak.
I have never heard James Stacey say that quote, however, I have not been through the whole TGN archive. However recently they did have an episode on quartz watches so I do not think he is opposed to him.
Your wife made a great purchase. Like you said a 36MM quartz Aqua Terra really is a GADA watch.
James did say that awhile ago. I think his POV has changed since — with the help of Jason. I’d say the communities’ POV has been shifting (slowly, but surely) to embrace quartz. For example, the Grand Seiko SBGV243/ SBGV245 was very popular last year. As Bob Dylan famously said, “the times are a-changin”.
Ignore the snobs.
If you want some reassurance with regards to quartz and Omega, then the following should put your mind at rest from an horological/historical perspective:
The first Swiss quartz watch was the Omega Electroquartz in 1970.
1974 Omega Constellation Marine Chronometer was the first quartz watch to be certified as a marine chronometer.
1976 Omega Chrono-Quartz, first ana-digi chronograph watch.
If you want a Swiss quartz watch, Omega would be the brand to get it from (or Swatch, or both - have you heard about the MoonSwatch? 😂)
This is some fantastic history--thanks! I'll wear it with even more pride now!
The quartz A-T was one of the best value for the dollar watches Omega ever sold. I know, I owned one from the final production run.
It's hard to break away from this mentality, but I like to think of it like this : that ETA knock off "in-house" movement was as "soulessly" produced as a quartz movement. Probably costs similar amount to produce too, but the mark up is even more insane with mechanical movements.
I think quartz movements are fascinating in their own right too, in an electical engineering kinda way. Like why is 1Hz* more efficient? What the heck is piezoelectricity?
That is a great watch. My fiance bought me one just like it for my 30th Birthday. It is still my favourite watch and we have been married for 18 years now!