Borna Bosniak
Every time we talk about a quartz watch, unless it’s some kind of G-Shock (spoiler alert), there’s always a disclaimer that says, “But it’s a quartz.” It’s certainly understandable that a watch company that went bankrupt in the 1970s would be bitter about this issue, but I think we should all move on from that mindset and see quartz as a genuine purchasing option rather than just a low-cost alternative. I hope it will be accepted as such. . With that in mind, we wanted to provide some guidelines when purchasing cheap, cheerful, and well-crafted quartz watches, ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
Casio G-Shock GWM5610-1
Casio’s G-Shock has become a bit of a running joke, as it has made it onto many of our “Best of” lists due to its ruggedness, affordability, and iconic design. But the love for Square G is completely justified. This is one of those rare watches that watch geeks and amateurs alike flock to for the aforementioned perks, and you can’t go wrong with either model. The one I chose (and actually own) is the solar-powered GWM5610-1, which is essentially the legendary DW5600 with solar charging capabilities. This means you don’t have to worry about replacing the battery either. Price: $150
Tissot PRX 35mm
Staying true to its original inspiration, the 35mm Tissot PRX in Quartz is the purest expression of the revived model. The wide variety of colors and case finish options are always welcome (the flashy gold is a personal favorite), and the 35mm x 44.7mm case dimensions are a huge improvement over the 40mm version. Since it is quartz, the thickness is also as thin as 9.9mm. Price: Starting at USD 395, available from T+T Shop
Bulova Super Sevilla
Tuning fork movements may not have skyrocketed in popularity, but given their pioneering work in this technology, it’s no surprise that Bulova has some pretty special quartz watches in their arsenal. The Precisionist movement is the most modern example of this, found in watches such as the Jet Star and Super Seville. Both date from the 1970s, so these watches may have actually been released. The Super Seville is particularly impressive at 10.5 mm thick and 37.5 mm wide, and its top feature is the smooth-moving central seconds hand. Price: From USD 695
Longines Mini Dolce Vita
When choosing watches for this buying guide, Longines and their VHP series immediately came to mind. To my surprise, I found out that they are no longer manufactured and have been discontinued. Currently, the brand’s website does not have a single reference. Although it is very unfortunate, there may still be some left in stock at authorized retailers, but when we look at Longines’ current inventory, there is another watch that stands out. The DolceVita Mini was launched on the wrists of Jennifer Lawrence and Susie at a New York schmancy party, but thankfully it’s been doing a lot more than just celebrity endorsement. I’m a big fan of the circle-within-a-square dial, and the brick bracelet also looks great on the wrist. Price: $1,850
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph
TAG Heuer’s Aquaracer has long been a top seller in the brand’s lineup, and the quartz version offers an attractive price point for those who like to wear the brand name on their wrist. With the introduction of the Solargraph, TAG Heuer collaborated with La Joupelle, a subsidiary of solar power giant Citizen, to develop and further refine the movement. Available in stealth titanium, mixed-finish steel, and even a smaller 34mm size, all are water resistant to 200 meters. Price: from USD 2,150
Grand Seiko Sports 9F GMT SBGN027
While Grand Seiko is best known for its dials and unique Spring Drive technology, I truly believe that some of their best work is in their quartz movements. More specifically, the 9F quartz-equipped GMT from the Sport collection is one of the most versatile and balanced watches on the market and offers great value. Not only is it ultra-accurate, the GMT hand adds to its practicality, but the movement itself is no run-of-the-mill quartz. All 9F quartz movements feature some sort of decoration, instant date changes, and my personal favorite, automatic backlash adjustment. Not only does this mean that the seconds hand lines up perfectly with each marker, but it also means there are no unsightly vibrations as the hands start or stop moving. Price: $3,300
cartier tank mast
Let’s face it: there’s no luxury watch like the Cartier Tank. And this tank mast is a particularly tasteful take on the tank. With its all-black lacquer dial and no seconds hand, this model is a legitimate design icon, and one of its best variations just so happens to be quartz. No, it doesn’t have the anti-shake technology of a Grand Seiko (nor does it need it), but it more than makes up for it with exuberant elegance and style. True, you can choose a mechanical version, but quartz ones are more accurate, reliable and, after all, much more affordable. Price: $3,450
Breitling Aerospace B70 Orbiter
The Aerospace harkens back to the past, the 1980s, with a Breitling superquartz movement and COSC certification, with an anadigi layout and many features. The B70 Orbiter is the latest example of the first circumnavigation of the world by balloon, which did not take exactly 80 days to record, and features a piece of the original balloon embedded in the caseback. . Price: $4,900
Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33
The Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 is the third generation Ana-Digi Speedmaster, following in the footsteps of the original 1998 X-33 and the wonderfully bizarre Spacemaster Z-33. The grade 2 titanium case is large at 45 mm in diameter and houses a thermally compensated 5619 movement that displays mission elapsed and phase elapsed times, as well as several alarms and a perpetual calendar. In fact, Omega seems pretty confident that a variation of this watch will be the first to be worn on Mars, and will be the X-33 Marstimer model. That may not be far from the truth, as it is currently in use on the ISS and has been approved by the ESA. Price: $5,900
Citizen The Citizen Caliber 0100 AQ6110-10L
And at the top of the heap is… Citizen? Citizen is usually associated with budget divers and eco-driving technology, and is understandably ignored when it comes to making high-end quartz and mechanical watches. is often done. In fact, the Citizen Caliber 0100 is the world’s most accurate wristwatch movement, capable of keeping time to within one second per year. This indigo Japanese paper dial is housed in a 37.5mm x 9mm Super Titanium case (Citizen’s proprietary Duratect coated alloy) and is definitely a stunner. Of course, Caliber 0100 is also a solar eco-drive movement, and the aforementioned Japanese paper dial is key here. This is to allow enough light to pass through to power the solar cells. Price: $8,800
Time+Tide Timeless recommendation: FP Journe Elegant
So many watches could have made it onto this list, but the Elegante is the complete antithesis (at least initially) of what the FP Journe represents, yet executes at the highest possible level. , solidified my choice in the book. It’s not the most accurate or technically superior, but that’s not really the point, right? Recognized by one of the greatest watchmakers in existence, the combination of features such as motion indicators and quirky movement decorations, all quartz, is truly astonishing. It will be hard to find it anywhere near a retail store, but for once, it actually shows that the watch is truly special. Price: From USD 16,500
