I think it's inevitable. Quartz complications offer so many unexplored possibilities; like the resetting hands in that F.P. Journe movement. Just incredible.
I'm beginning to really like quartz for its ability to provide some really fascinating complications at tremendous prices, not to mention dat power reserve tho.
//EDIT: The Seiko VK64 mecaquartz was the start of my conversion. It provides the satisfying behavior of a mechanical chrono at a very affordable cost. Just dollars, instead of thousands.
My real appreciation for quartz started when I read the wikipedia page on it. Quartz is actually pretty amazing tech, especially when you put it in context of the time it was invented.
That's true. THe watch nerds say that quartz isn't as interesting or complicated as a mechanical watch, but if that were true we would have invented quartz several hundred years ago. They entirely gloss over the 30 years of silicon semiconductor development required to create a quartz watch, and the miniaturization efforts of those circuits, not to mention the sheer mastery of the natural world to understand and harness quartz vibrations for time.
My grandfather bought this 'plated Smiths Astral back in the 60's as a dress watch, when he passed away it lay in my Dad's desk for years as a non-runner until making it to me in May.
Since then it's been in the service shop's backlog awaiting a full service (inc. new glass/mainspring/strap) which was finally completed today.
The years still show but it's certainly a pretty little thing and to be truthful I'm a lot more sentimental about it than I expected to be.
I didn't know Smiths made pocket and wristwatches! That's awesome. I've always known them as the instrument maker for classic British cars. What a great watch! Here's some history on the English brand:
Seriously, it's rare that I look at any Seiko watch at this point and don't think "DO WANT". They just tend to get me, especially the simple look of that field watch or the 5 series...
Not kinetic, but Seiko has two ranges in the 5 Series that look very similar and are automatic instead. They're about $55 and $99 respectively. Much more attractive pricing for a simple field watch.
@Thrax said:
Not kinetic, but Seiko has two ranges in the 5 Series that look very similar and are automatic instead. They're about $55 and $99 respectively. Much more attractive pricing for a simple field watch.
I have a Seiko 5 already, actually. It's my daily wearer.
Seriously, it's rare that I look at any Seiko watch at this point and don't think "DO WANT". They just tend to get me, especially the simple look of that field watch or the 5 series...
Adding "?mode=guest_open" at the end of Massdrop links lets people without Massdrop accounts see the product instead of the Log In/Sign Up page.
Augh.... Massdrop has a really nice looking Seiko dress watch for a good price... but by the time I get there all the color schemes I like are sold out. CURSES
Crystal: mineral. (a domed acrylic option is being explored)
Movement: seagull ST1901 handwinding mechanical chronograph movement
Dial: matte white with black recessed/bowled subdials
Applied indices
BGW9 blue lume
Raised internal tachymetre bezel
Strap: 22mm perforated racing leather. Tapered.
There's room for 50 backers, and an MOQ of 40 is required to get the project going:
First 25 - $240 + $30 shipping for most locations.
Second 25 - $260 + $30 shipping for most locations.
$100 deposit required when project is initiated.
Contact emgwatches@gmail.com to get signed up and to receive updates.
I've been only very sporadically interested in watches the last couple of years, my interests do change rather frequently. So I hadn't been very excited about any of the new releases until I came across the Bulova Moonwatch. Aaaaand Mrs keto put one under the tree woot. OK technically, she put a framed small picture of one, because delivery is still a couple of days away.
Comments
I wonder if there's a quartz revival coming for Haute Horology. F.P. Journe just made a quartz also:
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/discussion-f-p-journe-quartz-movement-design/
The WISes are going to explode from the cognitive dissonance.
I think it's inevitable. Quartz complications offer so many unexplored possibilities; like the resetting hands in that F.P. Journe movement. Just incredible.
I'm beginning to really like quartz for its ability to provide some really fascinating complications at tremendous prices, not to mention dat power reserve tho.
//EDIT: The Seiko VK64 mecaquartz was the start of my conversion. It provides the satisfying behavior of a mechanical chrono at a very affordable cost. Just dollars, instead of thousands.
My real appreciation for quartz started when I read the wikipedia page on it. Quartz is actually pretty amazing tech, especially when you put it in context of the time it was invented.
That's true. THe watch nerds say that quartz isn't as interesting or complicated as a mechanical watch, but if that were true we would have invented quartz several hundred years ago. They entirely gloss over the 30 years of silicon semiconductor development required to create a quartz watch, and the miniaturization efforts of those circuits, not to mention the sheer mastery of the natural world to understand and harness quartz vibrations for time.
Collected this from the repair shop today:
My grandfather bought this 'plated Smiths Astral back in the 60's as a dress watch, when he passed away it lay in my Dad's desk for years as a non-runner until making it to me in May.
Since then it's been in the service shop's backlog awaiting a full service (inc. new glass/mainspring/strap) which was finally completed today.
The years still show but it's certainly a pretty little thing and to be truthful I'm a lot more sentimental about it than I expected to be.
I didn't know Smiths made pocket and wristwatches! That's awesome. I've always known them as the instrument maker for classic British cars. What a great watch! Here's some history on the English brand:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/A-GUIDE-TO-BUYING-A-SMITHS-WATCH-FOR-PLEASURE-OR-PROFIT-/10000000001402028/g.html
My wife @lulufitzgerald ordered me an awesome kangaroo leather nato strap from http://www.crownandbuckle.com/
It is very soft and way thinner than a normal leather strap.
The Invicta 9000 Series automatics are pretty amazing values. So happens you can bring the blue one home for about $50 after coupon codes 15BUCKSOFF or 15BUCKSNOW.
Note that this has a sunburst blue dial and blue bezel. Photography not very good.
You can also get the beautiful Pepsi-bezeled PanAm model for $60.
BUT MECHANICAL DEMONSTRATES MORE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE?!
@PirateNinja
WTFF
I really wish I had 140 bucks laying around right now. This Massdrop really interests me: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/seiko-kinetic-field-ska-watch
Seriously, it's rare that I look at any Seiko watch at this point and don't think "DO WANT". They just tend to get me, especially the simple look of that field watch or the 5 series...
Not kinetic, but Seiko has two ranges in the 5 Series that look very similar and are automatic instead. They're about $55 and $99 respectively. Much more attractive pricing for a simple field watch.
I have a Seiko 5 already, actually. It's my daily wearer.
Adding "?mode=guest_open" at the end of Massdrop links lets people without Massdrop accounts see the product instead of the Log In/Sign Up page.
For example, your link: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/seiko-kinetic-field-ska-watch?mode=guest_open
Augh.... Massdrop has a really nice looking Seiko dress watch for a good price... but by the time I get there all the color schemes I like are sold out. CURSES
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/seiko-retrograde-kinetic-srn-watch?mode=guest_open
An interesting small batch watch project just came up. It's the EMG DL63. It hearkens back to the Hamilton Chronomatic or the Longines Heuer Camaro.
Specs
There's room for 50 backers, and an MOQ of 40 is required to get the project going:
First 25 - $240 + $30 shipping for most locations.
Second 25 - $260 + $30 shipping for most locations.
$100 deposit required when project is initiated.
Contact emgwatches@gmail.com to get signed up and to receive updates.
13mm thick and not automatic? Seems like a lot of wasted space. Sounds pretty sweet, though.
Mechanical chronograph movements are thick.
Ahhh. Missed the chrono part. Makes more sense.
I've been only very sporadically interested in watches the last couple of years, my interests do change rather frequently. So I hadn't been very excited about any of the new releases until I came across the Bulova Moonwatch. Aaaaand Mrs keto put one under the tree woot. OK technically, she put a framed small picture of one, because delivery is still a couple of days away.
Here's a review ablogtowatch.com/bulova-moon-watch/
That Bulova Moon Watch reissue is a real looker. There were some killer deals on it over the holidays, especially at TJ Maxx and Kohl's.
Nice!
Not mine, I just really like the look of it.
https://www.christopherward.com/c1000typhoon-ce.html
Not bad for $2 shipped from China
