Come to think about it, it’s pretty crazy to know that ticking seconds hands once put up a good fight with traditional watchmaking. As a matter of fact, the quartz crisis shook the entire watch industry. With there being a great story as so, isn’t it funny that these little things don’t get as much appreciation as they should? To see how quartz movements are often left out from watch related conversations is sad but rather interesting.
It’s probably well known that the mass market perceives things that tick as less luxurious and of lower quality compared to a seconds hand that glides. But let’s be honest, at least for the most of us, there seems to be no specific reasoning for that perception. Hence, here’s a question to think about, why does quartz often get excluded from the discussion? Of course, we’re not talking about the evergreen G-Shock, but rather timepieces like this Seiko Dolce. Timepieces that do not scream practicality or function. In the modern world, probably something from the Grand Seiko 9F Quartz family like the SBGX353 would be what is being referenced.
Maybe it’s a mental barrier that is built through how the mass market perceives quality and luxury. Because if we think about it, quartz timepieces are generally associated with lower price points. However, if more depth is put into the question, why does the market appreciate mechanical movements differently? Because hey, why do we willingly pay for third-party automatic movements while at the same time, criticize quartz watches even when there is in-house technology being put into them?
While you’re thinking about it, you might also be asking “what’s so good about quartz then?”. Well, it’s a true grab-and-go watch as no adjustments are needed. This would mean that it might just be the better option for you if you’re not in love with the process of waking your watch up after not wearing it for some time. Next up, it is generally more robust and cheaper to maintain too due to it having less components. Besides that, it also has higher accuracy! I know, it might sound funny that something more expensive might not be as accurate, but it is indeed true. Lastly, just like mechanical movements, quartz has a history of its own. A very interesting one if I may say so.
Therefore, if there was a takeaway from this, it would be to broaden our horizons and look into the quartz pieces available on the market today. From modern to vintage offerings, your options might not be as limited as you think! From Longines to Grand Seiko and even F.P Journe, quartz watches aren’t always boring. I mean, check out the F.P.Journe Elegante and tell me if it isn’t cool enough. Or just look at how a 9F quartz seconds hand steps twice in a second. There’s definitely something out there!
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