Why are vintage Omega Quartz watches looked down upon?

I don’t like quartz watches as collectibles! I am disinclined to get in to discussing my reasons!

I’ll give you a pass on the fact you said quartz or tuning forks, but the SMF300 diver you show doesn’t belong in this thread since there is no quartz component in an f300 tuning fork movement.

Go figure? Of course that’s the case. How would a mechanical watch possibly compete with an electronic watch that is synchronized to a time standard. 🙄

My 1987 quartz Connie is dead on accurate over a month with the NIST clock. Way better than any of my 5 master chronometers.

:🍿:

Unless seconds matter with what you are doing to make a living or the world will implode, I don't understand the importance of accuracy for a hobbyist. I occasionally find myself not even setting the time when wearing a mechanical watch as my computer, phone and my wife tells me the time frequently. I look at my wrist and admire the watch I chose for the day.

Fine, same thing, just substitute old quartz watch for mechanical.

I assume you understand the the Casio is synchronized to an atomic clock standard.

I have three mechanical pocket watches in my collection that at one point required balance staffs. All three are 19th century models. No replacement parts available. First, these watches are all over 125 years old. Contemplate a quartz watch lasting that long! When I was unable to buy balance staffs for these three, I hand-made balance staffs for them! The watches are today, not in the landfill! I have a real nice quartz Omega dress watch in my projects drawer. It is a pre-Swatch Omega. It needs a circuit assembly. Only possible source might be sending the watch to Switzerland in hopes something can be done. It’s not worth what it would cost if Switzerland was able to fix it. Quartz watches considered less collectible? Is there any wonder?

Good, keep saying that, so there are more out there for those of us who play with microelectronics.

I found focusing on the 134x series to be quite entertaining. Yes the motors seem to fail. I have not actually programmed a modern controller to replace the electronics, but that should not be difficult.

These were done before the stamped riveted parts what are used in common quartz, with a simple compass motor with like two poles. There is some friction stamping and the time setting is really weird, which is why I find them interesting.

Most quartz though use injection molded parts. So these are not going to be around much once the plastic disintegrates and turns back into oil or short chain polymers (microplastics.) Curious I got a Tissot Autolub, which has the all plastic movement, but the case is metal. Externally it looks like any other watch of that era.

It is hard to predict the future of collecting. When I started watchmakers made staffs and stems. Dials were repainted, and cases buffed to mirror shiny. Most likely things that are completely untouched, and not even working will be admired more for originality. That was the trend in doll collecting. I see the trend here as well.

The pipe organ stuff petered out quicker than I expected. These went from theaters, to private homes, then to pizza restraints, then back to private homes and warehouses. Occasionally finding their way back to theaters and sometimes churches. Although classical organs are a different breed entirely. Merry-go-round fairgrounds organs (calliopes) like I collect are too loud to play in public. Now have to operate in soundproof boxes. It helps to have a barn or warehouse, or a friend with a warehouse or barn that will give one a key to it. Some people think they should be in museums, but museums are about the endowment legacy.

According to my mentor who passed some 20 years back, there is a lot of quarts history that is lost. He said there were 30 watch factory startups in the silicon valley. There were some examples in a dusty corner of the museum in la-chaux-de-fonds that he showed me. Who knows if the musuem will keep them on display, or even bother with them.

I have some quartz given out in cerial boxes and fast food kids meals. That pretty much sums up the value of the genera. On the other hand I think the Goldeneye watch was quartz. So they did make an effort. I did not like the design at the time since it looked big and clunkey. Still it sort of does grow on one, and if I had a time machine, I probably would have targeted some SM 300s (with mechanical movements.)

I had a few Omega quartz in great condition, I never wore them, but still nice to look at. I got tired of taking them to my WM once every year or so for a battery change and then bringing them home and putting back into a box. A waste of time that isn't necessary with a seldom worn mechanical. So I sold them all off with no regrets.