Results for Mechanical vs Quartz

Worldtimer vs. GMT: Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph WT vs. IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire

Do you need to know the time in various time zones? What is the real difference between a worldtimer and a GMT watch? How complicated are these watches to use? Chris Malburg answers these questions and more after spending some quality time with two enchanting multi-time zone watches.  

Hands-On: The Hamilton Pilot Pioneer Mechanical

Hamilton revives a British classic, first made for the RAF.

Watch Spotting: Serena Williams Wearing A Rose Gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Quartz On The Wheaties Box

The 23-time Grand Slam singles winner achieves a milestone for any American athlete.

New Alpina Alpiner Quartz Watches

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Omega Speedmaster Reduced vs. Professional Moonwatch: Bargain or Bust?

Opinions are divided - The Speedmaster Reduced or the Professional Moonwatch? Is one more "authentic" than the other? Is one better than the other? Get the details right here at Two Broke Watch Snobs.

Grand Seiko SBGM235G 9S Mechanical 20th Anniversary Limited Edition

The SBGM235G is part of a flurry of Grand Seiko models that Seiko released to mark the 20th anniversary of its 9S self-winding movement.

Victorinox INOX Mechanical

Chasing Perfection: Grand Seiko Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 GMT

One thing that impresses us about the Japanese would be their great attention to intricate details. The integrity of their efforts are telling- products from Lexus and Canon can easily testify that. But of course, when it comes to watchmaking, there are not many watchmakers that are close to matching this particular brand with regards to both quality andRead More

The Urwerk EMC: Mechanical Heart, Electronic Brain

Every once in a whle, the folks at Urwerk unleash their creativity and rock the world with their amazing creations. When the UR103 hit the horology world, it caused tremors still being felt today. As did the UR202, and later the UR1001. Last week, the creative genii of Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frey unveiled theirRead More

The Best Moon Phase Watches of 2024 | Mechanical and Quartz Options

Get all the charm and novelty of a moon phase watch without breaking your budget - here are 10 moon phase timepieces to explore!

Hands-On: the Wolbrook JetFlyer and the New Jeambrun PS6402 Automatic Chronograph Caliber

I’d like to think I am a bit of a movement nerd. Not in the sense of knowing all of the technical attributes (actually, I wish I knew more there), but rather about what movements are on the market from the major suppliers. Hand me a watch, even with a complication, and I can probably tell you what movement it has in a matter of seconds (assuming it’s mechanical) by the positioning of the hands, complications, rotor bearing, etc. So, last fall, when I was handed a prototype of a new chronograph by Wolbrook and, upon seeing the dial, realized I had no idea what movement it had, my interest was piqued. The watch was the Wolbrook Jetflyer, which I have since had the opportunity to spend more time with. An extension of the French brand’s proven line of tool dive watches based on vintage models, the Jetflyer is their first foray into mechanical chronographs. As the name suggests, the Jetflyer is not meant as a “dive” chronograph, but rather as a pilot’s, though that’s largely semantics, as there are a lot of overlaps in design language (and the WR is 100m). I’ll get back to the particulars of the design, because what really stands out is the movement. $845 Hands-On: the Wolbrook JetFlyer and the New Jeambrun PS6402 Automatic Chronograph Caliber Case Stainless Steel Movement Jeambrun PS 6402 Dial Mattte Black Lume X1 Super-Luminova Lens Domed Sapphire Strap Leather or Bracelet Water Resistance 100m Dimensions 38 x 46mm Thickness 14.3mm Lug Width 20mm Crown Screw-d...

Summit Style

The new Seiko Prospex Alpinist Mechanical brings technical upgrades to a fan favorite

Mechanical vs. Automatic Watch Movements Explained

Among the many questions a novice watch enthusiast is faced with, “Mechanical vs. Automatic Movement?” is one of the most basic, yet one whose answer is a bit more complex than a simple A-or-B explanation. In fact, “mechanical or automatic” isn’t even really framing the choice correctly. In the article below, we attempt to clarify the subject and answer the most pressing questions about these tiny engines inside your watch. What is a Mechanical Movement? A mechanical movement, like the Nomos DUW caliber below, uses a coiled metal spring, called a mainspring, that releases energy as it uncoils through a series of gears to drive a weighted, oscillating wheel called a balance wheel. The balance wheel’s oscillations are linked to an escapement, which periodically releases the gear train to move the hands forward to record the passing of hours, minutes, and seconds. In short, a mechanical movement in a watch is any type of movement that uses no batteries or electronic components to function - which makes them different from more modern inventions, like quartz, Spring Drive, and solar movements. Technical developments over the centuries are what led to the two types of mechanical movements we’re discussing here. Originally, the movement’s mainspring needed to be wound periodically by hand - first by a key, then by a small knob called a crown that was attached via a stem to the movement. Later, a type of movement was developed that could be wound “automatica...

Opinion - Skeptical at First, Now Smitten: The Tudor Black Bay Chrono Carbon 25

Some watches immediately grab your attention and interest, while some never seem to catch your eye. Others might be a bait-and-switch: you love it at first, but when you get your hands on it, the love affair is short-lived. I’ve had it happen with a Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical a while back. Loved it when […]

What is Seiko Spring Drive? Is it quartz? Is it mechanical?

Seiko engineer Yoshikazu Akahane dreamt up the revolutionary Spring Drive movement technology in the late 1970s. But what is it?The post What is Seiko Spring Drive? Is it quartz? Is it mechanical? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing: The Unimatic Toolwatch Series

Quartz-powered, ready for action, and with the option of a GMT function.

Battle of the French independents - Yema Superman 500 versus the Baltic Aquascaphe

Independent vs micro. France vs France. Yema vs Baltic.The post Battle of the French independents – Yema Superman 500 versus the Baltic Aquascaphe appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

The Paulin Modul sports a modular case and a choice of new-old stock quartz or modern mechanical

The Scottish brand presents their take on a modular design after acquisition from anOrdain.The post The Paulin Modul sports a modular case and a choice of new-old stock quartz or modern mechanical appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

The Bulova Jet Star delivers a mechanical sweep with a 262kHz quartz movement

High-frequency quartz movements are a bit of a rarity these days, making Bulova's Jet Star all the more appealing.The post The Bulova Jet Star delivers a mechanical sweep with a 262kHz quartz movement appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Insight: The Ingenuity of the F.P. Journe Centigraphe

Modern mechanical chronograph movements have mostly been conceived according to two standardised recipes. One is the vertical clutch approach exemplified by the the sporty, performance oriented cal. 4131 inside the Rolex Daytona, while the other is the classical, lateral coupling architecture used by the celebrated L951.1 in the Lange Datograph. Sticking with a successful architecture is no bad thing, after all, chronographs are complicated enough in their basic form. However, there are some chronographs that stand out for being truly original, like the F.P. Journe Centigraphe and its cal. 1506. Constructed like no other chronograph on the market, the Centigraphe seeks to measure times with a resolution of 1/100th of a second with a unique movement that is modern in its approach yet subtly references the work of John Harrison. In many ways it encapsulates the philosophy of François-Paul Journe, which prizes original, creative watchmaking that pays tribute to historical greats. The cal. 1506 Despite its achievements, the Centigraphe is overshadowed by the brand’s signature watches, namely the Resonance and Tourbillon Souverain, and remains one of of F.P. Journe’s less-known offerings. Paradoxically, the Centigraphe should be more recognised than most other F.P. Journe watches because has a tangible link to the world of celebrity with its Formula 1 provenance, having been conceived at the suggestion of Jean Todt, the former boss of Ferrari’s Formula 1 team. Although...

Should you buy a low-end mechanical or a high-end quartz?

Watch shopping on a budget can be extremely frustrating, not least because of watch media outlets like ours that routinely describe watches costing well over $1,000 as “affordable” or “attainable”. The truth is that affordability is all relative, and the lower your budget, the more decisions there are to make. Competition has never been tougher … ContinuedThe post Should you buy a low-end mechanical or a high-end quartz? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Entry Level: The Least Expensive AP Is The Rarest Of Things: A Royal Oak That's A Value Proposition

Audemars Piguet's most affordable mechanical watch is a Royal Oak.

The Collector’s Crossroads: My inner battle with Grand Seiko’s 9F movement

Quartz Snob. The catch-all term for anyone who looks down on quartz-powered timepieces. It used to identify a small sub-set of collectors that would be condescending in their approach of the technology. But now, it’s wielded as a weapon against anyone apprehensive about spending thousands on a quartz piece. It’s as if everyone forgets that … ContinuedThe post The Collector’s Crossroads: My inner battle with Grand Seiko’s 9F movement appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Weekend watch spotting with JR: #3

This weekend, I wore my DOXA SUB 200 130th Anniversary and went out in search of what other like-minded individuals had decided to attach to their wrist, and this is what I found out in the wild: Kosta’s Grand Seiko 9F quartz GMT SBGN005 Kosta’s passion for timepieces is still very much in its infancy … ContinuedThe post Weekend watch spotting with JR: #3 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Ep. #27 - Affordable GMT and Dual Time Watches + The >$1000 Watch Discussion

Pay that $2500 dental bill? Or just get a Grand Seiko Quartz and call it a day? This is just one of the many questions we tackle in this week's episode! Plus Kaz is going strong with his #watchfast with the Casio MDV106 dive watch.

Game Changer: Richard Mille RM 027 Tourbillon

Mechanical watches and tennis don’t often go hand-in-hand - that is, until Richard Mille decided to do something about it with the RM 027 Tourbillon   At the ripe old age of 24, current world number one Rafael Nadal’s knees are a mess. Tendonitis and other injuries suffered as a result of the wear and […]

[Video] Hands-On: SYE Mot1on Bullitt Limited Edition Chronograph

SYE (Start Your Engine) is a French watch brand born of the founder’s interest in classic cars, and of course, watches. Not a new story, but their approach to watch design is. SYE has specifically honed in on the idea of leather hood straps for inspiration, appreciating how they incorporate a natural material in with otherwise metal creations. The result is the Mot1on (motion) series of watches, which utilize a novel, complicated, and stylish strap system to fuse metal and leather. $650 [Video] Hands-On: SYE Mot1on Bullitt Limited Edition Chronograph Case Titanium Movement Seiko VK64 Meca-Quartz Dial Green Panda Lume Hands Only Lens Sapphire Strap Leather Water Resistance 50M Dimensions 40.5 x 39.5mm Thickness 14mm Lug Width mm Crown Push-Pull Warranty Yes Price $650 As you’ll see in the video below, the SYE Mot1on chronograph comes in pieces in a box, requiring you to interact with the product upon arrival. Assembly is simple enough, and forces you to appreciate the quality of the product. The watch head has some unique details that give it personality, but the strap itself is what really impressed me. It’s a complex and high-end construction that could cost as much as the whole watch itself if a luxury brand made it. As someone with some experience in making leather straps, it really impressed me. The watch shown in the video is the Bullitt Limited Edition, which is the only SYE to feature a titanium case at this time. Measuring 40.5mm in diameter, it’s essential...

17 Best Watches That Make The Case for Choosing Quartz Over Mechanical

We tested 17 quartz watches that make the movement feel like a strength, including solar field watches, serious divers, high-accuracy pieces, and weird digital icons.

Solar vs. Mechanical Field Watches: What Hands-On Testing Reveals

We compare solar and mechanical field watches across accuracy, maintenance, durability, cost, and ownership to find the better real-world choice.

Quartz Dive Watch vs Automatic Dive Watch: Our Hands-on Verdict

Choosing between quartz and automatic dive watches? See which one makes more sense for real ownership, maintenance, accuracy, and everyday wear before you buy.