VinhT
Second Unit
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2002
- Messages
- 357
I know there are quite a few timepiece aficionados on HTF, so I thought I might inquire a bit about automatic watches.
I have used battery-powered quartz watches for most of my life. Instead of changing batteries, I tend to abandon watches after the battery dies. This allows me to change watches every three years or so. I do not remove my watch unless someone wants to examine it, so this means watches that I own are subject to showers, pools, and various physical activities. In recent months, automatic watches have begun to appeal to me, although for what reasons I am not quite sure. I suppose that I am hoping to break the cycle by investing in a quality timepiece and using it for five to ten years. I do have a few concerns about automatic watches that have prompted me to create this thread.
As far as I can tell, there are two types of automatic watches. It seems like the solar and kinetic offerings from Citizen and Seiko merely charge a battery or capacitor. This modern approach seems optimal, as it preserves accuracy while maintaining autonomy. They can also retain their charge for a significant duration. The other type seems to be more mechanical-based, requiring some kind of spring or coil to be wound. It seems like these require daily winding, and even when certified, are still not as accurate as the cheapest of quartz watches. Defying logic, I seem to be more interested in the latter, purely mechanical type.
From my perspective, it seems the mechanical automatics are more expensive, but less accurate. Is this a correct assumption? I kind of sense that part of the appeal is being able to afford less accuracy. In addition, I have noticed that automatic watches tend to be thicker than their battery-operated counterparts. Is this always the case? Lastly, do the watches require any maintenance?
At the moment, I am particularly interested in the Tag Heuer Link Automatic. Are Tag Heuer watches any good? Are there any other brands that I should consider that have a clean Submariner look? I know that Citizen and Seiko are probably the smart choices, but I am strangely drawn to the more esoteric side.
I have used battery-powered quartz watches for most of my life. Instead of changing batteries, I tend to abandon watches after the battery dies. This allows me to change watches every three years or so. I do not remove my watch unless someone wants to examine it, so this means watches that I own are subject to showers, pools, and various physical activities. In recent months, automatic watches have begun to appeal to me, although for what reasons I am not quite sure. I suppose that I am hoping to break the cycle by investing in a quality timepiece and using it for five to ten years. I do have a few concerns about automatic watches that have prompted me to create this thread.
As far as I can tell, there are two types of automatic watches. It seems like the solar and kinetic offerings from Citizen and Seiko merely charge a battery or capacitor. This modern approach seems optimal, as it preserves accuracy while maintaining autonomy. They can also retain their charge for a significant duration. The other type seems to be more mechanical-based, requiring some kind of spring or coil to be wound. It seems like these require daily winding, and even when certified, are still not as accurate as the cheapest of quartz watches. Defying logic, I seem to be more interested in the latter, purely mechanical type.
From my perspective, it seems the mechanical automatics are more expensive, but less accurate. Is this a correct assumption? I kind of sense that part of the appeal is being able to afford less accuracy. In addition, I have noticed that automatic watches tend to be thicker than their battery-operated counterparts. Is this always the case? Lastly, do the watches require any maintenance?
At the moment, I am particularly interested in the Tag Heuer Link Automatic. Are Tag Heuer watches any good? Are there any other brands that I should consider that have a clean Submariner look? I know that Citizen and Seiko are probably the smart choices, but I am strangely drawn to the more esoteric side.