There are, as you probably know, conventional mechanical movements in the Grand Seiko line and Seiko claims accuracy well over the Swiss chronometer standards. They make some interesting movements in that line - the high beat (more oscillations per minute) movements in particular. And their Spring Drive movements, which are an electro-mechanical hybrid regulated by a quartz crystal, are cool.
The conventional quartz watches in the line are less expensive and, of course, don't have to be wound or worn, which is nice if you don't wear the same watch every day. The movements are almost totally sealed and the claim they will not need any maintenance, even lubrication, for 50 years. (Except for a battery.)
All the Grand Seikos are beautifully finished and constructed; much more nicely than any competitive Swiss watches. The styling is very conventional, but if you like those styles, they can't be beat in quality without spending a lot more money.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
Posts: 53333 | Location: Texas | Registered: February 10, 2004
Originally posted by jhe888: ...Normal quartz movements are accurate to about 20 to 30 seconds a month.
Are you sure you don't mean 20 to 30 seconds per YEAR? Any quartz watch that was of by 30 seconds per month would be going back to the store if I had bought it.
The MINIMUM standard for a Swiss quartz chronometer is .07 seconds per day, which is 2.13 seconds per month or 25 seconds per year, and that's just the minimum.
(There are also many non-certified watches that can match that standard, such as a Timex Indiglo that I measured back in watchmaking school in 2001.)
Posts: 657 | Location: Near Seattle, Washington, USA | Registered: March 01, 2014
No, average accuracy for mass-market quartz watches is maybe a little better than around a second a day, give or take. Some individual watches will be better, some will be worse, but 10 to 30 seconds a month shouldn't surprise anyone with an ordinary quartz watch.
The COSC standard for quartz watches is much tighter but meeting that requires a very good watch. That will require some kind of thermocompensation - temperature fluctuations being the main source of errors in quartz watches. Almost no companies get quartz watches certified, because only a few high accuracy loonies want a quartz watch more accurate than the average quartz watch.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
Posts: 53333 | Location: Texas | Registered: February 10, 2004
My most accurate watch. Accurate to whatever the GPS satellites tell it. Basically, about as good as you could get I'd think. Some cesium clocks on the sat overhead.
My most accurate mechanical is rates -1 / +4. The Geophysic is a throwback piece to the 1950s scientist explorer watches of the day.
I certainly appreciate that they can be had in variety under 40mm. Not everyone is 6' 4" 270 pounds. I just can't pull off modern huge watches. And now even classic dress watches regularly release at 42mm. 2mm bigger than what would have been consider large a decade ago (say... a Rolex Submariner or Sea Dweller).
quote:
Originally posted by jhe888: All the Grand Seikos are beautifully finished and constructed; much more nicely than any competitive Swiss watches. The styling is very conventional, but if you like those styles, they can't be beat in quality without spending a lot more money.
TL Davis: “The Second Amendment is special, not because it protects guns, but because its violation signals a government with the intention to oppress its people…” Remember: After the first one, the rest are free.
I wouldn't put it past old man Wajs to have had a couple of classic watches in mind when they cranked his one out. The official story was they built it for the Israeli A.F. when they acquired the Mirage A/C.
RMD
TL Davis: “The Second Amendment is special, not because it protects guns, but because its violation signals a government with the intention to oppress its people…” Remember: After the first one, the rest are free.
If you love watches, you have to love an Omega chrono! Very nice. That Suunto has some honest wear. Bet it can tell some tales.
RMD
TL Davis: “The Second Amendment is special, not because it protects guns, but because its violation signals a government with the intention to oppress its people…” Remember: After the first one, the rest are free.
Bought the Zodiac Chrono at the PX in 1970. It took quite a beating while I was on active duty. Watch survived, but the band did not. It sat in a drawer for 30+ years, and then I found a link to a man that restores them. He did a complete rebuild and I found a "factory new" band on eBay. It is back in service now.
What it looked like when I sent it to him
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Posts: 70 | Location: Central Florida - Gulf Side | Registered: January 15, 2012
Damn this thread!! Now I am back in the game! Inbound (seller's picture):
RMD
TL Davis: “The Second Amendment is special, not because it protects guns, but because its violation signals a government with the intention to oppress its people…” Remember: After the first one, the rest are free.
