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".
Then hang it on a wall or something? I understand the value of having such a thing, understanding it, and messing with it. However, when something is cheaper, better, and has no significant advantage other than being some cultural shit-piece, than you are doing nothing but wasting time and money with these watches by refusing to use the better ones. Collect watches, sure, but when it comes down to the wire, it's always best to stick to the better stuff. Then again, this is coming from someone using a smartwatch. I value function above all else.It's about how mechanical/automatic watches are some of the most complicated non-electrical things that humans have ever made.
For me, it's not about accuracy at all. I rarely need to know what time it is, and am surrounded by accurate clocks anyway. A timepiece has functions beyond telling time. Consider in how many ways an automobile is superior to a bicycle. A comfortable seat, minimal effort, protection from the elements, climate control, a sound system, cargo room. But I would rather bike to work than drive any day. It's not just physical health either, there is an emotional and asthetic aspect. A quartz clock looks simple, but it is much more complicated than a mechanical clock. A mechanical movement operates on principles similar to a pendulum clock. Archimedes could probably figure out how a pendulum clock works. Galileo drew an early design. But you would need multiple advanced degrees to figure out how to make the battery for a quartz watch. And when the battery in a quartz watch goes dead, the watch stops. If any component in a digital watch fails, it probably gets thrown away. People maintain watches like classic cars. I may have busted my watch, but I am glad I had the opportunity to learn how it works and attempt to adjust it. I have had great conversations about my failure. thenewgreen hates animated images, but even he let mine pass.
I was largely responding with this to comment in the context of you talking about "needing a new watch" and having to spend 50 or 60 dollars on a mechanical watch. I really understand and see the appeal in having a mechanical watch for the sake of tinkering. However, it is wasting time and money if you delay buying a watch just for the sake of having a mechanical watch, if you seek to have a thing on your wrist to have the time. It would be like a person walking to work every day, unable or unwilling to buy an expensive, retro, car. They can get a super cheap new car, something everyone else uses ever day but refuse to. It's a bit silly. Also, you may like this channel: ___ As for the other guy's response; mr happy mute: For all your talk about not reading the post, if you agreed with the concept that you should use a quartz watch when it suits you, than why did you respond in a "disagreeing tone" to the post where I was attempting to make that claim? You are the one who assumed that me saying "why not get a digital watch" was a comment on the idea of having a mechanical watch, rather than assuming that it was in response to all this talk about trying to fix a watch, and even mentions of having unfun times pulling the phone out to see the time. You talk about me not reading your post, but you act astounded when I clarify my points, or just restate them in a more aggressive way, when you vaguely attempt to argue-not-argue with the points I made. I never stated disagreement with the idea that mechanical watches are cool or interesting, so why exactly would I acknowledge you trying to make that point? As for this, not only did I assume that, I've been looking around in pawn shops and other places for a cheap/old mechanical watch to play with for a long time now. Again, you are assuming hostilities, or assumptions on my part, that do not exist. Yeah, when you are having issues with not having a watch, and talk about needing to fix your watch to see the time, it is better to buy a quartz watch! Then you can save for/spend more time working on and learning about the mechanical watch without having to sacrifice function. Display notifications on my wrist, vibrate on my arm to wake me up in the morning, track my steps and movements at all times of the day, change the music playing on my phone when I'm driving, hang up calls when my hands are busy, it has an easy to access compass, and allows me to see a calendar, sunset, the temperature, the time, all at a glance at my wrist. It does a fuck-load of things my phone can not do. No, my smartwatch looks like shit, and the vast majority of the time I wore it I have been trying to hide the fact that I was using it. Not an issue now thanks to that my new watch looks like a typical LCD type watch. I did buy one, and still own/use it when in situations that my smartwatch doesn't work well, or in situations it may break.I thought I would try to live without a watch for a while. On the second day, someone asked me the time. I had to stand up and pull my phone out of my pocket, as if I were going to call someone who had a proper timepiece. This won't do.
I was just trying to explain why I and many others love and collect mechanical watches. I wasn't trying to force you to buy any.
You completely ignored my comment and just said "buy a quartz watch it's better
yet then go on to say you own a smartwatch? What do those do that your cellphone doesn't already do?
I bet there's a part of you that wouldn't admit it here that enjoys it for it's aesthetics, and the image it presents to others.
Why didn't you just buy a cheap Timex quartz watch?
Cultural shit-piece? You know what most people would call smartwatches...? I even said I own quartz watches in my comment you respond with "by refusing to use better ones". You either didn't read my comment, or chose to ignore that part. I was just trying to explain why I and many others love and collect mechanical watches. I wasn't trying to force you to buy any. You completely ignored my comment and just said "buy a quartz watch it's better", yet then go on to say you own a smartwatch? What do those do that your cellphone doesn't already do? You say you bought it for function, but I bet there's a part of you that wouldn't admit it here that enjoys it for it's aesthetics, and the image it presents to others. Otherwise I could say the same to you; Why didn't you just buy a cheap Timex quartz watch? Look, we both wear watches, just different kinds and for different reasons. Why you chose to shit all over someone elses choices I don't know, but it's kind of smug and shitty. Your comment reminds me of being on Reddit. The type of people that Hubski allows me to easily avoid. :)However, when something is cheaper, better, and has no significant advantage other than being some cultural shit-piece, than you are doing nothing but wasting time and money with these watches by refusing to use the better ones.