For watch collectors it's not about pure accuracy. We can get that from our cellphones. It's about how mechanical/automatic watches are some of the most complicated non-electrical things that humans have ever made. And about their roots and history in sailing, shipping, navigation, exploring, and railroads. They were used to map the Earth accurately. Quartz watches aren't bad, I own a G-Shock and a couple other quartz watches, but my favorites are my more refined and high-end mechanical pieces. Because of the engineering, and that throwback that I mentioned. There's just more too it than "I want the most accurate time". It's that we, watch collectors, have an interest in the actual engineering and physical movements of a nice watch. AND, a really good mechanical watch can keep REALLY good fucking time, with zero electricity. That's just impressive and almost romantic in a way.

I don't know if that makes sense, but that's the easiest way I can explain it. But I'm a watch guy, and in real life I wouldn't even bother telling people about my hobby or how much money I've sunk into my watch collection. Most people have that same response; "just buy a Casio or something." or "my cellphone has a clock".