Quartz or Chronometer wristwatch?

Question

I am treating myself to an omega seamaster watch, I am not sure whether to go for the less expensive quartz model (which would appear to be more reliable and more accurate, cheaper to service etc) or the chronometer movement watch.

I like the movement, but don't know if this is enough to justify the extra cost and expensive servicing.

Why do people choose mechanical over quartz?

Also, what does 'automatic' mean? I've seen this in some of the watch descriptions but I can't tell what it actually means.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

I would go for the Chronometer. My boyfriend is a watch fanatic and he has the Omega seamaster and the Omega moonwatch and the movement and durability of the chronometer is so much better. Also if you want to sell the watch on at a later date the chronometer will increase the price. An automatic means that it winds by the movement of your body, the watch stores the potential energy and runs off that when you take it off so you don't have to manually wind it up. Good choice of watch, i hope you enjoy it!

Answer 2

Yes, quartz is better for more accurate time(in lower watches), but it is like buying a house with out a garage these days. If you are buying an Omega, go the extra distance. Plus, a quartz movement you have to get cleaned at least once a year. Most mechanical watches, it is every two. If you go high end enough, mechanical is more accurate then quartz(you will notice the had goes faster on the mechanical than quartz, which means it is more accurate). Automatic, means the watch is self winding. This means the watch has a rotor in the back of it and it spins to the main spring, to be slowly released to the hands, through the gears. And automatic watches usually have an exhibition back(a see through back to see the movement in work) it is a great conversation piece to show the inner workings of a watch.

Answer 3

That's a very nice watch. The quartz model will be accurate, but so will any £1.99 quartz watch you get at the local petrol station. A mechanical watch can be very accurate (I have a Rolex and it averages a gain of 2 seconds a month) but a good watch is a piece of jewellery first and a timepiece second. Automatic watches wind as you move and are therefore always at optimum mainspring tension. Go for the chrono and enjoy!

Answer 4

The Seamaster is a precision mechanical movement and automatic is the self-winding feature.
Quartz movements are inexpensive and depend on a battery and sometimes solar rechargeable.
Mechanical maintains some value.

Answer 5

Automatic chronometer watches are watches that self wind. They have a small weight that moves when you move which turns and winds the watch. It's fitted on a small clutch so that it doesn't overwind the watch.

Answer 6

Automatic means self winding. As a piece of jewelery it is the thing. Pretty much for show off, if you are into that. Personally to me accuracy is the thing, so I use only 'atomic' type watches (synchronized to the Boulder, CO atomic clock). About $50.00

Answer 7

automatic winds up on your wrist
mechanical gives your body less emf toxicity