Best Entry-Level Quartz?
A discussion in my office today led me to think about how hefty pricetags or the Swiss label can have such a hold on longtime collectors… but even more on newbies!
One of my colleagues, who is slowly dipping his toe in the pool of watch collecting, started to fall into the prevailing belief that mechanical = good and quartz = bad and I suggested they each have pros and cons to consider. But I felt slightly hypocritical, as I often find myself wishing I had an addition of one or two more mechanical pieces in my collection—even though my quartz watches bring me a lot of joy.
Because of their pricepoint more generally, quartz often seems like a better option to suggest to new enthusiasts, who can see if watches are for them, without a serious financial investment. To that end: what would be your recommendation for a good entry-level quartz option you would suggest to friends or coworkers with no watch experience?
I’m thinking along the lines of Timex, Swatch, and Casio, but feel free to think outside the box!
Coloradan watch gal and military history buff. 🦬 Find me on insta @minutemeg. ✌🏼
I think the Vaer S3/S5 lines are a great entry into quartz watches, if you're looking for something a bit different from a standard Timex or Casio.
Standard Issue Collection (vaerwatches.com)
Marathon, CWC too, granted they are at a little higher price point. Best bet would be used off eBay.
Also look at Momentum too.
Bertucci also.
I'd think of microbrands such as Brew and Dan Henry, both of whom offer great looking watches.
Swiss Watch Company has a quartz watch called the Ark. Sapphire Crystal, awesome AR coating, 20 layers of Super-Luminova, small seconds, made of Titanium, for 199.00 I think it's one of the best quartz values there is.
Always Citizen. Always Promaster.
Starting watch collection always leads to be in dual mind ..whether to go with Quartz or Mechanical.Here are some tips in point of view with my own watch collection experience.
1.If you are not aware of anything regarding watches and wish to start for collection alwyas start with Quartz. Slowly start reading blogs and understand basic concepts like movements, accuracy and most importantly what is major difference between Quartz and Mechanical movements ..and why mechanical movement watches are so expensive.
2 . Go through watch restoration videos and also keep interest in learning new concepts happening in watch industry. Slowly you can develop taste in all such things and then you will come to know how to collect watches to add to your collection.
Casio, Timex, are good entry level brands to start with Quartz movement. Then start for entry level mechanical watches like Victorinox, Longines....and so on.
In my opinion Quartz and mechanical watches have their own importance and identity. Quartz means bad and mechanical means good ..this approach is totally wrong. If this is the case premium brand like Omega ,Longines wouldn't have manufactured Quartz watches. Now a days mechanical watch brands like Rolex and Patek investment Watches from Cream layer are considered to be investment watches.
That Willy’s is sweet!
Casio is king! 👑
Casio collection, Casio Edifice, Seiko SUR collection, Tissot PRX. Plenty of nice affordable models with sapphire crystals there.
Or if you prefer solar-powered, there are a lot of Citizen Eco drive watches to choose from
This is strictly my personal opinion but quartz watches do not lead to a deeper appreciation, to mechanical timepieces. If the person just wants to wear a watch to tell time, quartz is amazing but the owner is not going to develop insights into how a watch functions wearing quartz and definitely not talking about spring drive. My fierce daughter spent large amounts of her hard earned dollars on quartz fashion watches and entry level quartz watches from Longines, Seiko and Citizen until one Christmas I gifted to her a mechanical Hamilton Khaki with a leather strap and ordered a matching steel bracelet for a different vibe with the same watch. She ditched her old stash of watches and now owns a few mechanical watches that I have passed along to her. I suggest some of her fashion watches should still be useful and the batteries to be replaced. There is a need for both, I just feel that quartz investigation is redundant if the person intends to become a watch hobbyist.
@deathonthestairs I agree with you on Citizen Pro Diver solar quartz.
This is strictly my personal opinion but quartz watches do not lead to a deeper appreciation, to mechanical timepieces. If the person just wants to wear a watch to tell time, quartz is amazing but the owner is not going to develop insights into how a watch functions wearing quartz and definitely not talking about spring drive. My fierce daughter spent large amounts of her hard earned dollars on quartz fashion watches and entry level quartz watches from Longines, Seiko and Citizen until one Christmas I gifted to her a mechanical Hamilton Khaki with a leather strap and ordered a matching steel bracelet for a different vibe with the same watch. She ditched her old stash of watches and now owns a few mechanical watches that I have passed along to her. I suggest some of her fashion watches should still be useful and the batteries to be replaced. There is a need for both, I just feel that quartz investigation is redundant if the person intends to become a watch hobbyist.
I 💯% agree
This is strictly my personal opinion but quartz watches do not lead to a deeper appreciation, to mechanical timepieces. If the person just wants to wear a watch to tell time, quartz is amazing but the owner is not going to develop insights into how a watch functions wearing quartz and definitely not talking about spring drive. My fierce daughter spent large amounts of her hard earned dollars on quartz fashion watches and entry level quartz watches from Longines, Seiko and Citizen until one Christmas I gifted to her a mechanical Hamilton Khaki with a leather strap and ordered a matching steel bracelet for a different vibe with the same watch. She ditched her old stash of watches and now owns a few mechanical watches that I have passed along to her. I suggest some of her fashion watches should still be useful and the batteries to be replaced. There is a need for both, I just feel that quartz investigation is redundant if the person intends to become a watch hobbyist.
I have to disagree. I’ve been down the watch rabbit hole for over a decade now and from my own personal experience, mechanical watches have lead me to explore more fun and interesting quartz. The citizen Promaster range from the 80s-2000s offer some of the most professional and useful quartz. Especially the analog digital ones. Even a breitling aerospace is functionally miles ahead of any basic mechanical watch.
No disagreement here! I used to own a Breitling Emergency myself. My point is that quartz is not necessary as an introduction, it is its own complication. I intend to source a GS quartz after I finally buy a spring drive.
I like Wenger Swiss Army or Victorinox quartz. But Victorinox is a bit overpriced for a quartz.
Timex, Casio, Citizen, Tissot, Swatch, Junkers are all good entry level watches.
Casio G Shock 5600
Cheap throw away quartz and high end repairable quartz both have their place . Casio vs Springdrive for example .
I think you can try the Escapement Time "King Seiko" homage from AliExpress, as this uses the Seiko VH31 quartz movement which offers a feel of a mechanical movement with 4 ticks per second. These are usually priced less than US$100. I own one of these and occasionally wear it when I don't want to wear my Grand Seiko quartz
😜 I was just pulling your leg, kind Sir and dear friend! 🤪
It's all about preferences:
If you prefer a digital display - Casio.
If you prefer an analog display - Timex.
If you want more flair - Swatch.
My first Swiss watch was a Victorinox. I change the battery every few years. With such little attention, it is very accurate. By nature a strap kraken.
When I began this hobby, I looked down on quartz movements as lesser than. But once I learned more about the mechanics of how it works, it's no less a work of ingenuity - in concept - than regular Swiss watches, in my opinion.
I watched several YouTube videos that nicely broke down the quartz movement and explained how it works. It's a bit of a marvel really.
Thinking the Marathon 34mm Field is a great watch https://www.marathonwatch.com/collections/land
I like Wenger Swiss Army or Victorinox quartz. But Victorinox is a bit overpriced for a quartz.
Also standard Wengers can be had for $50 - $100. I have two. Great modern looks, quality materials, and great prices.
When I began this hobby, I looked down on quartz movements as lesser than. But once I learned more about the mechanics of how it works, it's no less a work of ingenuity - in concept - than regular Swiss watches, in my opinion.
I watched several YouTube videos that nicely broke down the quartz movement and explained how it works. It's a bit of a marvel really.
Absolutely. They take a piece of . . . quartz. If it's Seiko, they even "grow" their own crystals. Then shape it into a tiny tuning fork. Then apply a current to make the quartz crystal oscillate at a precise frequency. Then use motors and electronics to step it down to exactly one tick per second. For a few dollars this movement is more accurate than virtually every mechanical one. The power is provided by a battery the size of a small pea that is available online anywhere, costs a dollar, and lasts for three years.
Makes me wonder what I've done lately that's fantastic.
Seiko Seiko Seiko. They invented the quartz watch. They have dozens (hundreds?) of great quartz watches under $200. I have seven of them, and two solar quartz.
A lot of people forget about Pulsar. It is a Seiko brand. Pretty much a Seiko with a different name. Looking at them I think the quality is better on some models than Seiko also. They have all types of models as well. Everything from a dress watch, casual, chronographs, etc, etc, to divers.
I haven't forgotten about Pulsar, but I think they've forgotten us. They don't seem to have much presence any more. I see much more out of Lorus and even Alba.
I haven't forgotten about Pulsar, but I think they've forgotten us. They don't seem to have much presence any more. I see much more out of Lorus and even Alba.
I only learned about Pulsar because they have models with Seiko Kinetic movements. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have even given them the time of day (pun intended).
Start with a watch under $50.00. Get Quartz and for a three hands, get a Timex Expedition, or buy used from the resale applications. Swiss Army, Accutron, or other microbrand like. Aragon, Vaer, Stauer can be found there at very attractive prices. I guess this was a long way of me saying to ease yourself into the hobby and never spend on watches beyond your means and look for something you like, don’t follow the crowd unless you like what the crowd is wearing.
Interesting names, and especially good to see someone mention Aragon. Incredibly unknown brand. I have a blue Divemaster 42 that was $139 but it looks like it cost thousands.