Should You Buy a Mecha-Quartz Chronograph Watch?
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- čas přidán 3. 08. 2024
- If you are looking for an affordable but premium-feeling chronograph, you may have considered a mecha-quartz watch: a timepiece with a mechanical chronograph operated by a movement powered by a battery and regulated by a quartz crystal. In recent years, the combination of affordability and mechanical feel which these watches deliver has made them a favourite amongst more accessible brands. The question is: should you buy one?
#seiko #chronograph #mecha-quartz
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I have a Chinese Pagani Design PD1701 with a VK63 quartz movement. For $90, I’m very very pleased
I like the VK series personally. I have high end watches and low end watches. And the low end watches see the most use because I can actually expose them to some risk. Thus the argument in favor of the VK's.
Fine, no one wants to steal VK watches and they are cheap to replace. But that doesn't mean they ate good movements.
This is what I love about your channel - you produce high quality, well-documented content for the sake of quality, not heaps of positive platitutes for the sake of quantity. You tell me about sensible issues nobody discusses and that is all that matters to me. Many thanks for everything you do. Wish you all the best!
They may not be positive, but they consist of one platitude after another. Utter waste of time.
Really? I have owned many seiko vk64 chronograph movement watches, didnt even know that was an issue.
I don’t like the mechas without running seconds, but no issues with the ones that have that feature. There are really good quartz movements like the Ronda 5021.D that make losing running seconds on a quartz watch unnecessary. I get frustrated by the number of micro brands happily tossing running seconds away and satisfied giving us a useless 24-hr dial instead.
Yes. It seems theres few people like us who care about those details. most people would buy a watch even if it didn't work. These watch brand companies don't know how much they would sell if they used a movement with 1/10th second movement. Its a pleasure to watch. Literally a 24 hour dial is a waste of a sub dial and everything it took to make it.
Tried them, just didn't gel with them. Had a couple of mechanical chronographs, Love the 7750,but sold because of service costs.
Fortunately I've no practical use for a Chrono and as I get older & eyes deteriorate I appreciate a simple well made automatic 3 hander more.
Interesting topic, Cheers mate 👍🏻
I have one in a Dan Henry 1964. It really allows somebody like me who is not that far into my collecting journey an inexpensive entry into chronograph ownership. The main issue with the miyota movement for me is that it's seemingly only in overly proportioned watches!
I also have the DH 1964. I don't use the chrono function except on occasion for a bit of fun. Otherwise, it does what I need it to do and looks pretty nice doing it. I have been looking at the Hamilton chronograph as well as a Breitling Top Time (Zorro). But given what I use the chrono function for, I'm not sure those two beautiful yet far pricier watches are worth it at this point.
I only do chronographs in solar quartz. Even 1 second off with this complication makes it useless, so trusting it to a mechanical movement is not going to cut it.
The second hand can be reset to original 60 position by pulling the crown and pressing the upper pusher. Easy fix.
No. While this may be correct for fully electric chrono movements (e.g. Seiko‘s 7T92s) it is not true for a mecaquartz movement like the VK64. Due to its partially mechanical nature this will need to go to service indeed if the chrono hands are off. Hence what he is saying in the video is correct.
I was gifted a Seiko mechaquartz chrono (6T63 movement) about 10 years ago, so I didn't choose it and only learned about the movement later. I really like the combination of the mechanical feel + the quartz accuracy. Recently, after a battery change, the quartz movement started losing time (I think the jeweler damaged the movement during the battery change because the battery holder on another watch was also damaged at the same time when the incorrect battery was installed). The replacement VK63 movement I put in the watch resets to -1 ... a problem you noted (so I need to start-stop the chrono to align the hand at 0), and was also a bit thicker (0.04mm) than the 6T63, requiring a lower-profile handset to avoid interference with the crystal, but all of this was done for less than the cost of a typical mechanical watch service. If buying for myself today, I might go the quartz route... but I plan on enjoying my mechaquartz chrono for at least another decade or two.
Just got a Yema Rallygraph mecha-quartz. It's perfect.
That's the one I'm thinking of getting and the reason I watched this video.
Very expensive but nice dial
@@kevinjamesdawes7223 very expensive?
Food for thought....I use my diving bezel to time stuff and my G-SHOCK for exercising....I don’t own a mechanical chrono...but if I did....it would be for the beauty of the watch and enjoyment of playing around with a mechanical movement...that being said...I love the Bulova quartz chrono and have thought of purchasing it...its just a lovely watch...great content!
Fantastic piece of content per usual!
Very well done ! Thank you!
Thanks for posting! I have many high grade watches, but find I enjoy wearing the PD-1701 and other VK64 watches on a daily basis. Perhaps because they are easily replaced if scratched or damaged. I have mounted at my desk a Bulova Lunar Pilot which is highly accurate. But the raised crystal could be easily chipped in daily use, so it stays at the desk.
Excellent explanation thank you
Two of my main interests are mechanical watches and all-electric cars. Mechaquartz resembles a plug-in hybrid: solid advantages, yet neither fish nor fowl. Not for me, but convincing.
For me personally with chronographs, While i love my speedy, I do baby it a little more than my other chrono's as its over 10 years old now and is due for another service. For the sake of simplicity and durability, I prefer some version of the 7750. Ive owned multiple versions of them over the years and all have been great. Durable, accurate, and proven. Any watchmaker worth his salt can service one and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to service. Currently i own a Sinn 356, Longines avigation bigeye, and the new handwind Hamilton intra-matic. The Sinn and Longines have been extremely solid and have nothing but good things to say about them. Time will tell with the Hamilton as it is quite new. Im sure it will be fine as well. The only gripe with the 7750 is its thickness. The handwind version does help trim it down a bit. The Lorier chrono i have was less than 500 and has a Seagull movement in it. Yes while it is a cheaper chinese movement. Its running very accurate at +3 with healthy amplitude and its a very noisy movement but thats what makes it neat. If you want a mecca quartz than by all means go for it but their are mechanical chronographs from about 500 and you can slide into all kinds of very nice 7750 chronographs for less than 2k. You'll get more enjoyment out of something automatic or mechanical.
Thanks for the video. I have been wary of the Mecha quartz and your experience confirms my suspicions.
I am well off and have no problem with a quartz/mech movement watch. High end Rolex, Omega, Petek etc just do nt get it with dead on accuracy any more. They just cost much to much for anything but wrist candy.
I really like my two Dan Henrys.
amazing review!!!
I've either reformed or mellowed when it comes to quarts movements. I find them more acceptable now. Good vid. Keep at it!
I agree. Modern autos are overpriced, and you need winders. I am now into really nice quartz watches. Saves money, great accuracy, and no power reserve issues...
In the age of smart watches. I feel like Quartz is the newest collectible watch. Smart watches are doing to Quartz what Quartz did to Autos. Making them cool.
For many, timing is rare and better performed by a dive bezel w/o worrying about getting the watch wet. Mostly stylistic / brand choice for many
Fully agree!
Interesting content. Regards.
Nicely done. I collect old chronos, most mechanical. Have a few Seiko 7axx ones too. The mechas haven't gelled in my mind, and you're reveal of their construction confirmed that. I agree the UHF movement is appealing but I don't like the cases they're so far available in. The 7axx watches are great, and you can still find great examples for a few hundred USD.
Thanks Arnold, very good review. I was considering a VK64 watch but now will search for the Miyota 6S50 quartz instead. I have had VK63 fail in other lower priced Chinese branded watches, so while I like the sweeping second hand look of a meca quartz, I'll go for the Miyota. Cheers
I bought a Tag Heuer 2000 Professional quartz chrono in 2002, with ETA 251.262 movement. Still my daily wear, never had a problem, battery lasts 7 years if chrono used rarely. Tough, accurate and reliable. IMO, a great movement☘
Very interesting... Though I was most struck by how nice '90s IWCs were! Well designed and with quality movements and fair prices, who'd have thought! My son's Citizen solar/quartz chrono runs fine today after 5years schoolboy (ab)use! Not many tougher tests than that! Certainly I think 7750 based movements are the minimum standard for mechanical longevity and affordable service (or Longines variants). I slightly dread the day my JLC Master has to be serviced, though I suspect my Habring might be fine! For sure, a complication one should enter into with open eyes - I keep reminding myself, before I buy another! I think GS (and Seiko, actually) has not yet mastered the aesthetic design of chronos. When they do, the Spring Drive will be phenomenal: no ticks!
An excellent interesting and detailed video. I have a variation of the Geckota featured at the end of the vid and very good it is too. It is functional and reliable and the knockdown price of £80, a bargain. But there is something about a mechanical chronograph such as a Sea-Gull 1963 with an exhibition case back, watching the parts click in that is a delight. I have a preference for mechanical watches, even if they are less 'functional and reliable'.
I think you spot on. I tried to explain this on my channel but people dont understand. Meca quartz is crap and should be avoided. Super vidéo man !
What do you expect from watches under 500$ i think its a great movement for a budget watch
Thanks for a great video, I always learn something new. I didn't know about the relative fragility of the VK movement. I love chronographs and own many VK-equipped watches. Since I rarely use the chronograph function, I've had no issues. Given what you've said, I think they're a fine entry-level introduction to analog chronograph movements, a springboard to better, more robust offerings. Personally, if I need something more accurate and tough, I have my G-shocks. Besides, they're much easier for me to read with my old, busted eyeballs.
P.S. One thing I dislike about the VK movements commonly used is the 24-hour dial. A waste of space IMO, especially when there's no date function.
Middle ground of Ronda Swiss made quartz chronograph's overlooked. Better quality than the VR series Seiko's.
Just get a seagul 1963 . It's Chinese as we all know, but it is a real chronograph
Thanks that has been very informative. So is the Pagani Daytona a mecha-quartz and is it any good?
It uses the same Seiko module as the Dan Henry. Expect similar behavior.
Lets face it ,if you want to time yourself running you'd use a gshock or sports digital.If you want to time anything else your phone stopwatch is best .If I buy a chrono watch it's only for the look or the 3 hand version is unavailable .Meca quartz are fine to show your friends it has a sort of sweep and thats it,
Good for timing other things. Breaks, time limits petty things. I agree though, I just think they look cool
I don't own a cellphone so I still go strong with a proper chrono. Mostly for timing and averaging distances of daily routines.
@@Rid_Of_Thee And laundry, cooking, etc..
I use mine all the time to each his own my friend.
You are better off with a Seagull ST1901 or ST1902. It's a tried & tested column wheel chronograph. Mine is running +4sec a day. Had it for 3 years, works just fine.
Ya can't exactly align the hands in a Valjoux either without sending it to the watchmaker. So I can't really see it as a "better" or more practical alternative. Perhaps more desireable for some, of course. But if reliability, accuracy, practicality and cost are what you want, then either a better quartz movement, or just accept the fact you may have to have the movement swapped every now and then.
(Unless of course you have the tools and know-how but that's beside the point)
Damn it, I'm just never going to get a chronograph.
Just get an evil panda Dan Henry 1962. The best $270 you will ever spend.
Excellent detail in the history and explanation, thanks for the video! I just bought my first Mecha-Quartz, a Yema, and I have really been impressed so far.
What brand is the one on the far right of the pic wit' the white face and the black rally strsp?
My Seiko Chronograph 7T32-7060 has the sweep of a mechanical seconds hand without being a mecca quartz. Maybe I have missed your point?
Or you could go for a Sea-Gull 1963 with a column wheel chronograph for just a few hundred dollars.
i think the principal of a grand seiko springdrive is the current salvation for mecha quartz.
imagine if the quartz crystal was replaced by a more stable decaying element like iridium or such.
heck, while we at it i would make lightpipes under the hour markers all interconnected to one replaceable tritium tube.
I have a mecha quartz Pagani Design Daytona homage, nice watch for £50
Where did you acquire it?
Not A fan of a mecha quartz that doesn’t have running seconds the watch looks “dead “ on wrist to me at least had to sell a very pretty Briston chronograph due to this. The ones with running seconds are fine apart from when they are not ie not hitting 12!when resetting etc but price is always the consideration with these
My favourite chronograph is the mechanical seagull st901 movement in a 1963 of course! Just feels right somehow great video clearly very well researched
6:26 that's when the actual video starts...
I'm still using Timex chronograph watch ( since long) Timex USA since 1854*
Yes you should. I have two and are gorgeous, and obviously very accurate. 😎✌️
But, give me an automatic chronograph anyday. But way beyond my price range, that's for sure.
I can't stop looking at the JLC Odysseus, and I'm beginning to wonder...'Would I need a mechanical chrono at all if that was in my watchbox?'
I have a Bulova quartz chronograph. As it was gift from my partner I've never really given any thought to the movement in this watch. My main issue with this watch is the battery life. They never seem to last a year at most ?
I think it's because it a high frequency quartz which ticks more than once a second, this uses more energy from the battery
Citizen's Mecca Quartz Movements are Excellent... their E210 models to be more specific.
Correct.
Which Roue model is that at 10m30 please?
The price of mecaquartz chronographs has dropped considerably in just the past year, the period when I first took an interest in them. But if the Miyota is more reliable, long-term, then, well...
I've had 2 from different brands, and have looked at others, and I have to assume the mech , dial and hands must be fitted in the same factory by the same person as the minute counter rest postion is always out by about 1/2 second. Also the the 60 minutes graduation of this counter is too crowded and have a sweep motion making it pointless. Not worth having unless you just won't a dial with subs on it. Better to go mechanical or just standard quartz with 10th counter.
I have a Miyota 6S21 in my Vostok Europe Space Race chrono. The very first day I had it the chrono minute hand eventually started resetting to 59 rather than 60! Can this be fixed? I found how to adjust the second hand but not the minute hand.
Yes, check the manual how to reprogram hands position. There is one on yt
Listening to that, I’m leaning to spending a little more for a base finished v7750.
4:08 can someone give me the movement ref?
agree get 6s21 instead
Any one knows how to set to 0 the stop watch of VK63a? Thanks
You cant reset it on VK meca quartz... You have to manually realign the hands.../ service center. That s why VK is CRAP. And its often missaligned with just small chocs. 😉
You said arms race. The 1st thing that came into my mind was two guys comparing their watch arms to see who looked more manly.
is my LZ 126 zeppelin watch a mecha quartz?
I also have same Zeppelin and I believe it just has a standard Rhonda quartz movement plus dual time function.
Not all mecas are chronos. Just tell us how they work and why 4 beats per seconds. Pagani use meca in dress watches as do others. Anyway if the pulse is 1 per second no amount of gears and levers will make it 4 beats.
8T63 anyone?
Mecha-quartz (including Seikos VK movements) are worth the price that fits my current budget to go with the look I want.
Obviously we can't decide which brand pairs which movement with which style we can only decide among the options out there.
That was 10:59 I'll never get back. You took a long time to say nothing. Going to wash my hippocampus.
Have a VK64 in my Furlan Marri and it’s been good so far - no issues!
No I would not go with a mechaquartz movement. I love my mechanical watches. The mechaquartz is a waste of money
what mechanical watch should we get, an Omega Professional for 4700 bucks? The Dan Henry 1962s are exquisite for 1/15 of the price. Eventually I'll sell my old Fender amps and get a Speedy, but I will miss the date and the auto wind I get from even from my Seiko 6139-7002 I got for $125 when I was a teenager.
This is a very helpful video. I bought 2 mecha-quartz watches before I learned all about watches on CZcams.
I didn’t know what I was doing. I liked the look of both (still do), but I literally never used the chronograph function on either watch. I can’t believe anyone actually does.
If I needed to time something way back then (10+ years ago) I’d use a Gshock or other digital watch. Now I’ll use my Apple watch or cell phone.
I’ve learned with time and experience I prefer a clean watch face, even though I think panda faces look great.
I think Dan Henry watches look great, Hamilton has a nice looking panda, so does Orient at an affordable price point. I know the Seagull has a nice option, though I wouldn’t want to look at a Chinese symbol over and over.
What’s wrong with meca quartz ? This video has snobbishness all over.
Snob says …Swiss marvelous even Swiss mecha, all others suck. Also get a valjoux losers! Summed up the video for you.
this sounds more like pretentious snobbery.. plastic bad, metal good kind of reasoning..
It's implied that plastic is less durable than metal. Having said that, tge Speedmaster uses plastic components. I believe that plastic requires less lubrication. Still, I'd take that IWC meca quartz over the VK any day.
VK mecaquartz is CRAP. Impossible to reset hands to zéro by just pushing 2 buttons, like on others simple quartz chronos. You have to open the watch to moove manually the hands to zéro. / service center. And it gets missaligned easily after just a small choc... NEVER BUY THAT STUPID MOVEMENT. Thats why you find VK on many cheap chinese chronos ... proudly saying "japanese Seiko meca quartz movement"... Stay away from this. ( and from all cheap micro brand mechanical watches, even with " Seiko Nh35 movement, its JUNK) 😉
They’re total junk
I look at the mecha-quartz as a way to get that satisfying *click* and sweep of the hand from a mechanical without a Valjpux tax bill. I can’t think of a more perfect example of finding the hole in a market, and creating/ selling a product that fills it.
#nkuwan 's watch really surprises me！