Low end high end quartz.

[seikokiller]

I don't know much about quartz movements, but I'm interested in potentially getting a HAQ.

The main thing that puts me off quartz watches is the cheap, small, plasticky movement ticking away inside. It always detracts from the appeal when contrasted with the relative masterpiece you know is inside even a watch equipped with a generic, undecorated mechanical movement.

However, I recently looked at pictures of seikos 9F movements, and they don't look at all ugly or cheap. They look like something that belongs in an expensive watch. Might sound stupid, but it matters to me.

Unfortunately I can't afford a grand seiko.

What other options are available? If I said to you I was after a quartz watch with a nice, thermo-compensated high accuracy movement which could be had new for £1500 or under (under is better), what would you suggest?

In terms of the watch itself, I'm after something simple and versatile in style, sports watch which can double as dress, along the lines of the GS SBVG007, Or an Aqua terra. Other watches which fit the bill in terms of the style would be the railmaster, rolex explorer, Milgauss. You get the idea, I'm sure.

I know I make too many of these threads, but it really is a great way to get ideas.

Cheers!

[Itsguy]

I would say that you certainly can afford Grand Seiko, providing you buy direct from Japan and shop around. Even allowing for VAT on import you can buy a new GS quartz for £1400 or under.

[rockinrobin]

Breitling Colt?

[snowman]

Paid much less than your budget for my Breitling B1, but maybe not quite what you're after.

M

[markrlondon]

The main thing that puts me off quartz watches is the cheap, small, plasticky movement ticking away inside. It always detracts from the appeal when contrasted with the relative masterpiece you know is inside even a watch equipped with a generic, undecorated mechanical movement.

However, I recently looked at pictures of seikos 9F movements, and they don't look at all ugly or cheap. They look like something that belongs in an expensive watch. Might sound stupid, but it matters to me.

Unfortunately I can't afford a grand seiko.

Something that might appeal is a Seiko 8F56, 8F32, or 8F33 powered watch. The 8F56 is a perpetual calendar GMT and the 8F32 and 8F33 are perpetual calendar only, Unfortunately Seiko has retired these movements but you can still find second hand examples of watches made with them. eBay and WUS are good places to look.

Have a look here and here for two of the most desirable (but hard to get) models. Many other models are available and at reasonable prices on eBay.

[PJ S]

However, I recently looked at pictures of seikos 9F movements, and they don't look at all ugly or cheap. They look like something that belongs in an expensive watch. Might sound stupid, but it matters to me.

Unfortunately I can't afford a grand seiko.

What other options are available? If I said to you I was after a quartz watch with a nice, thermo-compensated high accuracy movement which could be had new for £1500 or under (under is better), what would you suggest?

In terms of the watch itself, I'm after something simple and versatile in style, sports watch which can double as dress, along the lines of the GS SBVG007, Or an Aqua terra. Other watches which fit the bill in terms of the style would be the railmaster, rolex explorer, Milgauss. You get the idea, I'm sure.

An SBGV005 (champagne colour dial) was sold earlier, which by the time landed here, would've been had for just under £1600 all in.
Immaculate condition, and as they only came out last November, wasn't all that old.

[seikokiller]

Something that might appeal is a Seiko 8F56, 8F32, or 8F33 powered watch. The 8F56 is a perpetual calendar GMT and the 8F32 and 8F33 are perpetual calendar only, Unfortunately Seiko has retired these movements but you can still find second hand examples of watches made with them. eBay and WUS are good places to look.

Have a look here and here for two of the most desirable (but hard to get) models. Many other models are available and at reasonable prices on eBay.

Like those. Thanks.

[christech81]

The main thing that puts me off quartz watches is the cheap, small, plasticky movement ticking away inside.

Not strictly a pure quartz movement but if you Google "breitling mecaquartz" you'll see some nicely decorated movements, most of the Breitling mecaquartz watches had display backs.

For your budget you ought to be able to get a pre owned GS quartz.

[robertb]

How about a Seamaster?

I've a quartz Tag and it's a great watch which is still going as strong as the day I bought it.

Good luck with the hunt.

[GrandS]

I don't know much about quartz movements, but I'm interested in potentially getting a HAQ.

The main thing that puts me off quartz watches is the cheap, small, plasticky movement ticking away inside. It always detracts from the appeal when contrasted with the relative masterpiece you know is inside even a watch equipped with a generic, undecorated mechanical movement.

However, I recently looked at pictures of seikos 9F movements, and they don't look at all ugly or cheap. They look like something that belongs in an expensive watch. Might sound stupid, but it matters to me.

Unfortunately I can't afford a grand seiko.

What other options are available? If I said to you I was after a quartz watch with a nice, thermo-compensated high accuracy movement which could be had new for £1500 or under (under is better), what would you suggest?

In terms of the watch itself, I'm after something simple and versatile in style, sports watch which can double as dress, along the lines of the GS SBVG007, Or an Aqua terra. Other watches which fit the bill in terms of the style would be the railmaster, rolex explorer, Milgauss. You get the idea, I'm sure.

I know I make too many of these threads, but it really is a great way to get ideas.

Cheers!

You can easily afford a GS. I purchased one recently in Tokyo for quite significantly less than £1500. If you are not on your way to Japan any time soon, then http://www.seiyajapan.com/collections/grand-seiko should be able to help.

[EdHughes1]

You can easily afford a GS. I purchased one recently in Tokyo for quite significantly less than £1500. If you are not on your way to Japan any time soon, then http://www.seiyajapan.com/collections/grand-seiko should be able to help.

In my experience, I have found that Higuchi has better prices. I believe he is also an Authorised Dealer whereas Seiya is not.

http://www.higuchi-inc.com/index-e.html

[robert75]

There is a Citizen Chronomaster on shoppinginjapan.net for just over a grand. I don't think this version is the perpetual calendar though and any watch you buy from Japan factor in import tax.

[GrandS]

Ah, the Chronomaster... The blue dial titanium Chronomaster pretty much ticks all my boxes. They just don't make them any more and I find the current crop of Chronomasters a bit boring.

[itsgotournameonit]

If your going quartz then the Omega Aqua Terra or the SMP tick all the boxes. Expect to pay Circa £1000 for a decent used example with box and papers.

[robertb]

And what a pretty watch it is too IMHO

If your going quartz then the Omega Aqua Terra or the SMP tick all the boxes. Expect to pay Circa £1000 for a decent used example with box and papers.

[serdal22]

When it comes to Quartz world, I can recommend (And I love the most) one model: Seiko SBCM023.

I have had 6 of these, and now I have three, two SBC023 black on black, and one SBCM029 Pepsi on blue dial.

Their accuracy, all of the pieces I had, never surprised me other than shockingly being accurate:

SBCM023:




SBCM029:




And of course Seiko Tuna which is another winner:




SBCM02X series have an 8 year battery life, and Tunas have 5 years!

Capt. Serdal

[M4tt]

Realistically, you are looking at the Seiko perpetual calender numbers or at watches that use the ETA thermoline range. The cheapest you will find easily is the Longines Conquest - if it says quartz it's just a boring old flatline movement, but if it says VHP on the dial, you are in business. The movement is the same as the 1441 in some Pre Bond Seamaster 200 models (but be careful, because most have the dull old 1438). You can convert the 1438, or indeed the 1538 found in the SMP and AT models to thermcompensation, but it seems a waste.

Citizen do an outstanding model, the Exceed, with the rather wonderful E501 movement which came in at a few hundred and offers a few seconds a year. The problem will be tracking down this Japan only model.

The Omega Perpetual Calender is a fine watch with an interesting movement but not to everyone's taste. I have a Double Eagle version and it's a delight.

Finally, if you are prepared to search hard, there's a very cheap Pulsar model out there with a very accurate movement.

Finally, Bulova offer the Precisionist range which also have the benefit of a sweeping second hand, but the dials and cases are a bit marmite. They are cheap though.

[Caruso]

If your going quartz then the Omega Aqua Terra or the SMP tick all the boxes. Expect to pay Circa £1000 for a decent used example with box and papers.

I've got an Omega AT Quartz. The movement is very nice looking, and it managed to eek 5 years out of a non lithium battery thanks to some clever technology that was explained to me on another forum that isn't found in normal quartz watches.

[forpetesake]

I understand that the 9F quartz movements are the most sophisticated/accurate of Seiko's battery powered quartz offerings, but I wonder how many of us would be quite happy with the performance and life expectancy of a 7C46 movement instead. I suspect I would.

[robert75]

I understand that the 9F quartz movements are the most sophisticated/accurate of Seiko's battery powered quartz offerings, but I wonder how many of us would be quite happy with the performance and life expectancy of a 7C46 movement instead. I suspect I would.

The Citizen has a perpetual calender which I think is a bonus and puts it in front of the GS. That being said, I always find Citizen watches have problems hitting the seconds marker that even your cheapest Seikos don't have.

[seikokiller]

Realistically, you are looking at the Seiko perpetual calender numbers or at watches that use the ETA thermoline range. The cheapest you will find easily is the Longines Conquest - if it says quartz it's just a boring old flatline movement, but if it says VHP on the dial, you are in business. The movement is the same as the 1441 in some Pre Bond Seamaster 200 models (but be careful, because most have the dull old 1438). You can convert the 1438, or indeed the 1538 found in the SMP and AT models to thermcompensation, but it seems a waste.

Citizen do an outstanding model, the Exceed, with the rather wonderful E501 movement which came in at a few hundred and offers a few seconds a year. The problem will be tracking down this Japan only model.

The Omega Perpetual Calender is a fine watch with an interesting movement but not to everyone's taste. I have a Double Eagle version and it's a delight.

Finally, if you are prepared to search hard, there's a very cheap Pulsar model out there with a very accurate movement.

Finally, Bulova offer the Precisionist range which also have the benefit of a sweeping second hand, but the dials and cases are a bit marmite. They are cheap though.

All really useful information. Thanks matt.

[robert75]

You can easily afford a GS. I purchased one recently in Tokyo for quite significantly less than £1500. If you are not on your way to Japan any time soon, then http://www.seiyajapan.com/collections/grand-seiko should be able to help.

Seiya don't ship GS to the UK.

[pastrana72]

go vintage, this is mine, it is crazy accurate, 38 years old and very cool IMHO.

:)

Happy Hunting.

[serdal22]

go vintage, this is mine, it is crazy accurate, 38 years old and very cool IMHO.

:)

Happy Hunting.

Beautiful!

What model is it?

Capt. Serdal

[pastrana72]

Beautiful!

What model is it?

Capt. Serdal

Thanks

9943-8020 T from 1978, so 36 years old not 38, Doh

:)

[serdal22]

Fantastic! Thank you for the info.

Capt. Serdal

[wadebridge59]

http://goo.gl/sy8ha 10s/year Seikos
http://goo.gl/XeKXy 20s/year Seikos
http://goo.gl/vmW4fE Citizen HAQs
http://goo.gl/8xrE4m Longines VHP

I buy using http://www.fromjapan.co.jp/. Have bought about 25 watches via them.

Worthing checking out.
http://page19.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/j...ion/x358016927
http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/j...ion/m123250012

Over last two weeks a Citizen E510 and a Longine VHP have gone for 11500JPY each. Use http://closedsearch.auctions.yahoo.c...&s1=cbids&o1=a to check recent prices.
Use Chrome to auto-translate.
さようなら

[Itsguy]

There's also the Certina DS2 precidrive chrono...

But as mentioned, you can not only afford Grand Seiko, you can afford one of the nicer ones. A quick hunt on fromjapan.co.jp suggest standard GS quartz such as the SBGX063 can be had for under £1000 now, including the VAT. £1400 gets you a fancier one, such as the SBGX055. The exchange rate is quite favourable at the moment.

[rockinrobin]

OK, I'm going to put my head on the block and admit to my ignorance

What is it about GS that commands such a huge price hike and admiration?

[GrandS]

OK, I'm going to put my head on the block and admit to my ignorance

What is it about GS that commands such a huge price hike and admiration?

What price hike? For what they are GS watches are incredibly cheap.

Regarding admiration there is a lot of material out there that explains it. To truly appreciate a GS I think you need to wear one, at least see it in the flesh. These links are a good start:

http://www.seiyajapan.com/pages/the-...of-grand-seiko
"There were only two companies who could sell watches passed astronomical observatory authorization Chronometer in those days. ---Seiko and Giraud Peregaux."

http://monochrome-watches.com/seikos...ment-part-one/

[andyb]

Realistically, you are looking at the Seiko perpetual calender numbers or at watches that use the ETA thermoline range. The cheapest you will find easily is the Longines Conquest - if it says quartz it's just a boring old flatline movement, but if it says VHP on the dial, you are in business. The movement is the same as the 1441 in some Pre Bond Seamaster 200 models (but be careful, because most have the dull old 1438). You can convert the 1438, or indeed the 1538 found in the SMP and AT models to thermcompensation, but it seems a waste.

Citizen do an outstanding model, the Exceed, with the rather wonderful E501 movement which came in at a few hundred and offers a few seconds a year. The problem will be tracking down this Japan only model.

The Omega Perpetual Calender is a fine watch with an interesting movement but not to everyone's taste. I have a Double Eagle version and it's a delight.

Finally, if you are prepared to search hard, there's a very cheap Pulsar model out there with a very accurate movement.

Finally, Bulova offer the Precisionist range which also have the benefit of a sweeping second hand, but the dials and cases are a bit marmite. They are cheap though.

Wasn't the later Longines Conquest also a Perpetual Calendar model too? In the last couple of years I have seen these go at quite a wide range of prices. I've never brought myself to commit though, sometimes regrettably so.

The Pulsar you mention is the PSR10? As you probably already know, they have a very high frequency oscillator which is different from the norm. A very slim watch too. There's a couple of interesting threads over on WUS:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f9/puls...143-print.html