Sweeping second hand quartz watch recommendation?

San Martin has some,but the VH31 isn't in the same ballpark as the Bulova as far as the smoothness of the hand.

Yes it only ticks 4 times per second, so not very smooth

Have to agree. I believe the VH31 is a 2Hz frequency movement, meaning 14,400 bph. The Precisionist is a true sweeping second hand movement. It moves like the second hand on a spring drive.

For the comments on comparing VH31 to Precisionist I agree the comparison is largely meaningless. Just tempting to spring for the Bulova as it's truly an amazing watch.

Thanks. I'll look into San Martin. I was largely only seening Pagani and related so far. Bulova is definitely the way to go if I decide to spend that kind of cash

Yup. I just need to decide which I prefer to buy, and was surprised that so few watches have the VH31

True, but for the price not that bad

Not sure what you have in your geography but look out for a couple of great 1970s watches, the Citizen GX Cosmotron and/or the Seiko Majesta 5S42. They come up from time to time and can be inexpensive probably shading a bit above $150 depending on condition.

Your wrists are small enough to consider these. I love my Citizen from 1975 (below).

Besides Pagani Design, I have seen San Martin, Baltany, Berny, Steelflier, Escapement Time, and Militado models using the VH31.

https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/show-me-your-watches-with-seiko-vh31-movements.5319680/ for some additional ones

Not sure the style you are after but recently picked up a Militado field watch with the VH31. For $79USD, it seemed pretty hard to beat for value.

https://www.militadowatch.com/products/militado-36mm-khaki-field-military-watch

Watched earlier today a review on this high beat quartz VH31-powered Addiesdive: https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005005849900637.html. It looks quite a solid option, but the logo is jarring on this dial…

Addiesdive uses it a fair amount

Comparing the VH31 to a precisionist is comparing a Camaro to a Ferrari. Both are great but not in the same league.

But OP, some recommendations Steelflier Sf740V (Zenith Vintage Pilot homage) and WatchDives WD1680Q (Milsub homage)

I bought this PD with a quartz V31 for I believe $60 CDN. It's great for the money. The second hand does sweep 4 ticks per second but it's good. The issue I have is that it's really light in weight and that may be because of the movement. I like a little heft in my watches.

Save for a Bulova precisionist movement. That is incredible- you will not regret it!

The current generation of Bulova Precisionist has a certain design aesthetic that may be considered a bit busy or even garish by some. If you're open to second hand or refurbished units, some very nice previous generation 252k Bulovas can be found on eBay for less than 200 USD. I have found several out of production models this way. Sometimes you can find new-in-box out of production models but these usually run >300 USD. Keep in mind that before Accutron split off on it's own, the Accutron line of Bulova also used the 252k movement, although these tend to be a bit pricier still. Good luck

Yeah, there's no comparison from 2Hz to 262Hz.

You should take a look at Citizen Cosmographs, from the late 1960s to mid-1970s.

While not quartz watches, they are battery powered mechanical watches that tick at 36,000 bph leading to a wonderful sweeping second hand.

This example from 1973 cost me exactly $150 USD.

It's a bit more but I think I got my bulova for $200. The 262khz movement is really cool too watch.

Depending on what you like I also have one of these that's pretty cool.

https://alexjameswatches.com/collections/q9-origin-quartz-38

Go for the Bulova 96B158. It is not nearly as expensive or big and garish as others in Precisionist line. It also comes in other colorways, like black dial on rose gold with brown leather (96B267) and blue dial on steel with black strap (96B257).

I have several more expensive automatics and this is probably the cheapest watch on my rotation, but it is probably the nicest dress watch I have for a black suit. Mine is currently borrowing the black leather strap from my Hamilton Murph 42mm and looks spectacular. The movement is smoother than my 4hz automatics - it really is the "poor man's Grand Seiko."

Here is a great review by Ben's Watch Club.

https://www.benswatchclub.com/blog/bulova-precisionist-96b158-review

Not had one but Dan Henry have a range using the VH31

https://danhenrywatches.com/products/1975-skin-diver-watch

I recently got this Addiesdive for about $90. It has a vh31 movement with the sweeping hand. I really like it. It is a model 2023 I believe

I would try the Bulova miltray watches. Some of them have the high precision movement with the sweeping hand, but they can be a bit cheaper.

Definitely Escapement Time on AliExpress, and you'll have change...about half!

It is above your budget but I can recommend the Sternglas Sedius. I own both variants and really enjoy the sweeping seconds

A blue Bulova, my favorite color!

I’d go for the Bulova, though the Cosmotron is a fun alternative.

Hey Vince, I'm not sure if you've pulled the trigger on anything yet, but I may have found just what you're looking for. Bulova UK (www.bulova.uk) has the 9B356 Precisionist on sale for £149.00. This Precisionist is attractive, not garish like some of the Precisionist line (IMO). I am a bona fide Bulova fan and I tend to jump at every Bulova bargain I run across. I would buy this watch but I just bought an expensive Seiko (for me) and I promised my wife I wouldn't buy another watch for a couple of months. If you are interested, go to www.bulova.uk and search 9B356.

Bulova 9B356 Precionist