Quartz vs Automatic Movements
ACCORDING TO WIKIPEDIA:
"...Quartz clocks and quartz watches are timepieces that use an electronic oscillator regulated by a quartz crystal to keep time. This crystal oscillator creates a signal with very precise frequency, so that quartz clocks and watches are at least an order of magnitude more accurate than mechanical clocks. Generally, some form of digital logic counts the cycles of this signal and provides a numerical time display, usually in units of hours, minutes, and seconds.
Since the 1980s, when the advent of solid-state digital electronics allowed them to be made compact and inexpensive, quartz timekeepers have become the world's most widely used timekeeping technology, used in most clocks and watches as well as computers and other appliances that keep time. "
[END QUOTE]
How true is this? How impressive are the most modern and/or advanced automatic movements?
Will a $50 quartz watch keep better time than a Rolex or a Grand Seiko? (Or any other high-end, automatic watch you can name?)
And if so, to what extent? It says "an order of magnitude" better... but what does that really mean? Is the difference significant?
Or are we splitting hairs? i.e., do the automatic movements come close, the way Paul Bunyan did, when he lost to the machine saw by 1/4 of an inch?
This of course, is a purely academic question. I am trying to understand watch movements from the perspective of art vs. science, and I figured I would let you guys weigh in.
Also, are all quartz movements created equal? i.e., are some quartz movements more accurate than others?
One last thing: are most (all?) quartz movements "pre-aged"? (See the section of the article that discusses frequency deviation over time.)
Call me Chris! Faithful Christian / Devoted & Loving Husband / Proud Father / Scholarly Librarian / Avid Antiquarian Book Collector / Registered Armiger / Certified D&D Nerd / Watch & Clock Collector.
A cheap quartz watch will be accurate to +/- 15 seconds a month, or less than half a second a day. Chronometer certification for a mechanical watch is -4 to +6 seconds per day.
A cheap quartz watch will be accurate to +/- 15 seconds a month, or less than half a second a day. Chronometer certification for a mechanical watch is -4 to +6 seconds per day.
Ok, follow-up question: are there any automatic movements that have a BETTER certification than -4/+6 ? Or is this some sort of industry standard? (i.e., is there only one catagory of certification? Or are there multiple levels?)
Ok, follow-up question: are there any automatic movements that have a BETTER certification than -4/+6 ? Or is this some sort of industry standard? (i.e., is there only one catagory of certification? Or are there multiple levels?)
Spring Drive, a combination of mechanical and quartz, does, and so does the new movement announced today by Omega. There are, however, some high-accuracy quartz that are good for +1/-1 per year.
Spring Drive, a combination of mechanical and quartz, does, and so does the new movement announced today by Omega. There are, however, some high-accuracy quartz that are good for +1/-1 per year.
Which brands have the "high accuracy quartz" movements?
Ok, follow-up question: are there any automatic movements that have a BETTER certification than -4/+6 ? Or is this some sort of industry standard? (i.e., is there only one catagory of certification? Or are there multiple levels?)
There are many levels of acceptable time variation, cheap Seiko movements are -25 to +40 seconds a day, and Rolex guarantees -2 to +4 I think. There are also lots of movements that fall somewhere between the extremes.
All quartz movements are not the same, some are very high end and ultra engineered. Grand Seiko and Longines (and a few others) do high end quartz. I have several Casio's that are in the 50 to 100 pounds range that are about 3 or so seconds a month out ! Quite a few brands do radio controlled watches that update with the atomic clock (if its available in your area) these are bang on accurate all the time. I love both mechanical and quartz, so its horses for courses. My work watch that I like to be super accurate is quartz where my weekend or holiday/special occasion watches are mechanical and I am not bothered too much if they lose or gain a little each day. You can regulate a mechanical watch to get it pretty close to a quartz I hear if you know what your doing (I don't). I have an Omega Seamaster quartz that's 20 years old and looses about 2 seconds a month in regards to frequency deviation, and has been the same since I first got it.
Which brands have the "high accuracy quartz" movements?
Grand Seiko, Longines, and Bullova all have some versions. Those are the ones off the top of my head. Of those, Grand Seiko's is the most accurate.
Citizen, to my knowledge, make the most accurate Quartz, to plus/minus one second a year I believe.
Which brands have the "high accuracy quartz" movements?
Citizen makes the most accurate quartz watch, and they also make the best solar quartz watches out there.
Ok, follow-up question: are there any automatic movements that have a BETTER certification than -4/+6 ? Or is this some sort of industry standard? (i.e., is there only one catagory of certification? Or are there multiple levels?)
Rolex +-2 seconds, Tudor unofficial +-2 seconds, GS Spring Drive +-1 second
Check out the latest offering from Omega - it appears to be accurate to 0/+2 SPD for a mechanical movement:
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/omega-sets-a-new-standard-of-accuracy-with-the-speedmaster-super-racing-live-pics-and-pricing
In terms of quartz movements, I have an Omega Speedmaster X-33 Skywalker that based on my timing observations is accurate to less than 5 seconds per year.
I am not really answering the question so this is more of a commentary on our quest as watch geeks to have accurate timepieces. Don't get me wrong, I am the first to admit that I verify the accuracy of my watches, in seconds, compared to my phone.
I was watching a video on watchmaking recently and the watchmaker commented on a question that was asked along similar lines. He mentioned how he usually refers to time as within 5 minutes but the newer generation wants things to be within a second. (I remember my parents calling a phone number to get the time and set the house clocks. You can still do this: dial 202-762-1401)
Honestly, I don't think there is a need for the general public to have the accuracy of a Grand Seiko. We do have it available but is there really a need for it? It is a luxury. It seems more like watch company bragging rights to me, similar to 0-60 speeds or horsepower ratings in the automobile world.
Citizen makes the most accurate quartz watch, and they also make the best solar quartz watches out there.
I think seiko may disagree with that with the solar astron...
Quartz v mechanical
Like cars efi v carbs.. unlike cars you can't buy new ones with carbs...😭
I am not really answering the question so this is more of a commentary on our quest as watch geeks to have accurate timepieces. Don't get me wrong, I am the first to admit that I verify the accuracy of my watches, in seconds, compared to my phone.
I was watching a video on watchmaking recently and the watchmaker commented on a question that was asked along similar lines. He mentioned how he usually refers to time as within 5 minutes but the newer generation wants things to be within a second. (I remember my parents calling a phone number to get the time and set the house clocks. You can still do this: dial 202-762-1401)
Honestly, I don't think there is a need for the general public to have the accuracy of a Grand Seiko. We do have it available but is there really a need for it? It is a luxury. It seems more like watch company bragging rights to me, similar to 0-60 speeds or horsepower ratings in the automobile world.
"Honestly, I don't think there is a need for the general public to have the accuracy of a Grand Seiko." 🤣🤣
Those peasants! Let them eat cake! 🤣
(Just teasing you. All in jest.)
I laughed out loud when I read that! You really brightened my day! 🤣🤣
Bulova precisionist doesn't seem to have 10 secs per year accuracy afterall. Some people have tested their watches over time and have complained it to Bulova. They have admitted later that their watches can only guarantee an accuracy of about 60 secs per year. Here is the link..
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/will-the-real-bulova-precisionist-accuracy-specs-please-stand-up-hint-its-not-10-sec-yr.5237081/
That's why I wrote "supposed" and the truth is that I don't care much about wrist watch accuracy.
Which brands have the "high accuracy quartz" movements?
I have a Certina quartz chronometer accurate to +-10 sec/year, temperature regulated. In use it gains about 2 seconds in 6 months.
Yes, I also notice a difference in accuracy in my quartz watches. The best is probably a Seiko JDM SBPX which is scary accurate, and on the other end my Tissot PRX, which I don't set quite as often as my mechanical watches, but more so than any other quartz watch I own.
Yes, I also notice a difference in accuracy in my quartz watches. The best is probably a Seiko JDM SBPX which is scary accurate, and on the other end my Tissot PRX, which I don't set quite as often as my mechanical watches, but more so than any other quartz watch I own.
What do you estimate your Tissot's rate to be? i.e., how many seconds per month do you seem to be either gaining or losing? Just curious, because I own a Tissot Classic Dream.
What do you estimate your Tissot's rate to be? i.e., how many seconds per month do you seem to be either gaining or losing? Just curious, because I own a Tissot Classic Dream.
I would have to set up a test, as I only noticed that I tend to set it more often than my other quartz watches. I will set it and let it run for a bit, and let you know.
I would have to set up a test, as I only noticed that I tend to set it more often than my other quartz watches. I will set it and let it run for a bit, and let you know.
I will do the same with my Tissot 😎 Setting it now...It is in perfect sync with my iPhone, 3:11 PM and the seconds are matching also. I will reply again in a month, and let you know 😎 Feb 27 😎
I will do the same with my Tissot 😎 Setting it now...It is in perfect sync with my iPhone, 3:11 PM and the seconds are matching also. I will reply again in a month, and let you know 😎 Feb 27 😎
3:11pm on 1/29, and my Tissot PRX is already 4 seconds slow. It has officially entered mechanical watch territory, as far as accuracy is concerned.
Hmmm... my Tissot Classic Dream hasn't lost any time since I set it yesterday. 😕 When was the last time you changed the battery?
Hmmm... my Tissot Classic Dream hasn't lost any time since I set it yesterday. 😕 When was the last time you changed the battery?
I just got the watch 3 months ago, the 35mm model hasn't been in the market that long. This is a new watch.
I just got the watch 3 months ago, the 35mm model hasn't been in the market that long. This is a new watch.
What movement does the PRX have in it? Is it an in-house movement from Tissot, or is it a movement that they got someplace else? Hmmm.. I guess I could (and should) go google this stuff, lol 😜
I just got the watch 3 months ago, the 35mm model hasn't been in the market that long. This is a new watch.
ETA F05.115 movement. Looking to see if I can find any accuracy ratings...
Teddy has a good summary… he’s like the Bill Nye of watches… 🤪
https://youtu.be/Kxr5o_HbA2o
I would have to set up a test, as I only noticed that I tend to set it more often than my other quartz watches. I will set it and let it run for a bit, and let you know.
Ok, so today, I checked, and my Tissot has lost 2 seconds (or maybe 1.5, not sure) compared to my phone. In the space of 8 days. That's not bad, in my opinion. I will check it again in another week or so. 🙂
Ok, so today, I checked, and my Tissot has lost 2 seconds (or maybe 1.5, not sure) compared to my phone. In the space of 8 days. That's not bad, in my opinion. I will check it again in another week or so. 🙂
Your post made me check my PRX. I haven't worn it to make sure there are no other influences. I went from 4 seconds slow to 2 seconds slow. I'm not sure I can explain this. I have seen reports that the seconds hand has a lot of play in some of the ETA quartz movements, but that would be pure conjecture at this point.
Well, maybe that's why they always say +/- on the ratings, because at some points, movements gain time, and at other points they lose time. They say not to check it daily, but rather, weekly or even monthly; that's probably because they know that gaining and losing time are both possible, and that the rating is based on the average over a period of time. (Most of them put their ratings at per month, correct?)