Historically Significant Quartz Watches
When looking back at important and historically significant watches, quartz pieces very rarely get a mention. In an attempt to remedy this, I thought I’d kick off with a couple of my own and see what my fellow crunchers have to add in the comments.
I think the most significant moment in time for quartz technology in watches is the point at which they became the ‘go to’ for reliability and dependability – best captured in their use by the military. I’ve been lucky enough to source my Seiko Gen 1 with the very impressive 7a28 movement and my CWC G10 ‘medium fatboy’. Both examples are from late 1984, issued as a replacement to the mechanical fab 4 chronographs used by the RAF (1984) and the cushion case CWC W10 used by the army (1980).
I’d love to see what noteworthy quartz watches are out there so post away!
Mechanical Engineer with a love for new and vintage watches, particularly those issued to the British Military
Just sold my collection of 3 CWC, 1 from each service and 1 pulsar to fund 2 new watches as they weren't getting any wrist time.Sad to see them go due to the historical history
That Seiko is just amazing. Especially on that strap.
Just sold my collection of 3 CWC, 1 from each service and 1 pulsar to fund 2 new watches as they weren't getting any wrist time.Sad to see them go due to the historical history
Thats a great spread, a shame they had to go!
Very cool indeed 👍🏻
Will be getting a CWC in the near future 🤩💪🏼
Back in the day when we knew quartz to be superior to mechanical.
1991-issue. I bought this from the squaddie it was issued to.
Very cool indeed 👍🏻
Will be getting a CWC in the near future 🤩💪🏼
Had my eye on a diver for a long while, which one are you after?
Thats a great spread, a shame they had to go!
It was time to let another collector enjoy them and wear them
Here's one I owned for a short while. Wish I had kept it, they are going for decent money now. The Seiko Giugiaro
This amazing piece saw me through my military career just love 💕 it
Not on my wrist right now sitting in my box at home but my faithful DW6900 that saw me through my Navy Career and still faithful to this day. Just changed the bezel that cracked after almost 20 years of hard use and is still looking and working good as new.
Well, that's a good point and don't miss out on the fact that Rolex also succumbed to the quartz crisis, manufacturing its Rolex Oysterquartz, I believe, in the 70s and 80s. (photo from internet)
This amazing piece saw me through my military career just love 💕 it
What is that I like the side pushers lol
What is that I like the side pushers lol
It’s the Seiko military chronograph has the 7t-32 you can still get them on eBay I think
This one's kind of a big deal.
The OMEGA Seamaster Professional from GoldenEye. It was the first OMEGA Bond watch and they started with the quartz model. They switched to the automatic version starting from Tomorrow Never Dies until Die Another Day
Had my eye on a diver for a long while, which one are you after?
Ideally I'd like something Falkland war era, or Gulf war. Maybe a Mellor, but definitely a RN no date Diver.
I work in a shop so see a lot of the public, one of whom is a squaddie and he's worn his bog stock CWC for over a year continuously and had zero issues with it 👍
Love the color of your straps
Great watches with awesome history. I love my GS Sapphire Black cwc and is a great everyday field watch! I've been eyeing that seiko chronograph for a long time too!
Here's one I owned for a short while. Wish I had kept it, they are going for decent money now. The Seiko Giugiaro
Love these, so of the era
Well, that's a good point and don't miss out on the fact that Rolex also succumbed to the quartz crisis, manufacturing its Rolex Oysterquartz, I believe, in the 70s and 80s. (photo from internet)
Is it wrong that I really like these?! Sort of anti modern Rolex
This one's kind of a big deal.
Can't argue with you there at all, got to be the most expensive vintage quartz going too?
The 1983 Swatch watch and Casio G-Shock DW-5000C are both significant to the history of watches.
Love the CWCs, on my wish list as opposed to my wrist (for now) is the Breitling Aerospace, something very unique about the styling has always appealed, alongside a highly accurate movement, in a tough case - plenty of fun and interesting editions around too.
Love the CWCs, on my wish list as opposed to my wrist (for now) is the Breitling Aerospace, something very unique about the styling has always appealed, alongside a highly accurate movement, in a tough case - plenty of fun and interesting editions around too.
Something about ana-digi displays does get me excited I can't lie!
This one's kind of a big deal.
If I ever see one of these would be a must buy 👌
Hard to beat the original, you're right there!
Sorry I didn't get back sooner - your searching is spot on though! The Erika's straps are not cheap but I can definitely vouch for the quality and comfort of them
Love the choice of straps 👌
@Mil_Watch_Nut James, I would like to add in the EB Holton. I would say it a important as it was the first British issued divers watch since the ending of the contract from CWC to the British Military.
@Mil_Watch_Nut James, I would like to add in the EB Holton. I would say it a important as it was the first British issued divers watch since the ending of the contract from CWC to the British Military.
Excellent call, definitely a landmark moment - I do have a soft spot for the brand too, I've been seesawing between one and a modern CWC automatic diver to add to the want list