The Quartz Crisis: The (Almost) End of the Watch Industry

We have been keeping track of time for as long as we can remember. Although our phones make wristwatches look like sundials, there's still a thriving market and place in our society for the ol' wrist tickers.

[dozerjohn]

Fun fact - if you go down a rabbit hole about any subject that fascinates you there is an 85% chance you'll find Simon Whistler explaining it on one of his 72 channels.

[jlawson]

My great grandfather Louis Essen helped pioneer the development of the Quartz oscillator. He later went on to develop the worlds first viable atomic clock and produce the most accurate measurement of the speed of light at the time. He received an OBE for his work and in some circles is considered the father of modern time.
Fun fact! during the war he was involved with some of the work at Bletchley Park and used to go running with Alan Turing

[cynthiasimpson]

Back in the late 1980s I bought a jar of buttons to use for sewing at the local thrift store. In this jar, along with the buttons, was a Seiko watch without a band. I bought a band for it and wore it for years. About 10 years ago I needed a new watchband, so I took it to the gentleman who repaired watches at the jewelry store in the local mall, and I told him the story behind the watch. He showed me some new Seiko watches, and one identical to mine with a fancier watch band was over $500. I paid $2 for the jar of buttons, so I think I got a good deal.

[getdealtwithquick]

Ironically, the same Swiss brands whose aficionados look down on Seiko as a brand and Quartz movements in general, were technology innovators in their infancy. While they haven't come out with any notable fresh ideas outside of adding more complications or increasing power reserve for decades, Seiko followed up Quartz with the Spring Drive, arguably the most accurate automatic calibre ever made. It took an obsessed man several decades to perfect this, so definitely worth its own video. Grand Seiko is now starting to get the recognition it deserves, in between luxury brands who merely try to preserve their status through artificially induced scarcity (grey market).

[Nefville]

I have to say Simon & Co., as someone who knows watches intimately, having been a watch collector for years and being deeply interested in all things horology, this is one of the best researched and laid out videos from a non-watch channel that I have ever seen. And I say that also as an owner of several watches that you mention here (Seiko, Zelos, Rolex via Tudor and Citizen). Fantastic job, this video is as accurate as a Grand Seiko 9F quartz movement.

[haveblue]

Working in the watch industry I have to say that a well made, historically and technically correct video like this one is a rare gem to find! Most other people that try to do this loose themselves in common cliches and halftruth. Thumbs up for Simon!

[michaelward]

Great video, Simon! I am an avid watch collector, and own many quartz and mechanical watches. They all have their own appeal and uses. I am kind of surprised there was no mention of Citizen's Eco-drive movements, though, as that was quite the quartz innovation. Radio and GPS controlled watches that sync to the atomic clock have brought a whole new level of accuracy to watches, as well.

[nunyabusiness]

I'm a watch and seiko enthusiast and this was unbelievably well researched.

I would love a deep dive into the spring drive movement as I"m sure there's a fascinating story there with one man obsessively trying to create it for decades only to pass away right before his dream was realized.

[jordonweiss]

This is one of the only times I have ever felt emotional about watches. This is a required video for anyone who is in any way interested in watches. Also, PLEASE DO A VIDEO ABOUT THE SPRING DRIVE!

[fightingfalcon]

The best horology video I ever watched in all these years on YouTube. You have beaten all these watch(es) Youtubers by a mile today. Well researched and documented video, thanks for uploading...

[bobSeigar]

Quartz is one of the most fascinating crystals on earth. The fact that it is piezoelectric is a wonder in itself.

[baronvonschnellenstein]

Thanks Simon for this thoroughly engrossing video. I appreciate the effort that went into researching/producing it.
To answer your question: Yes, a video on this Hayek character would be a worthy addition to your series.

[michiganengineer]

My personal favorite wristwatch that I've ever owned (and still do) is a 1990's vintage Timex Automatic (self-winding). I used to set the time every 30 days but for the last 20 years I haven't NEEDED to adjust it. It has been solidly within 30 seconds of "official time" by the National Atomic Clock for over 2 decades. My most expensive repair, replacing the crystal over the face almost 25 years ago.

[DBlockSquadron]

From a 'watch guy' this is one of, if not the best videos I've seen on the subject for a mass audience. I could even see it becoming its own miniseries. Well done!

[bullseyecanada]

Great video. I worked for SEIKO in the 1980s in Toronto, Ontario. We were the head office for Canada. I interacted with the head office in Japan frequently. SEIKO also created one of the first FitBit type devices in 1984...and a TV set wrist watch ala DIck Tracy.

[AwkwardHorology]

As a watch collector and reviewer I can say with absolute certainty that this the best and most concise summary of the watch industry I’ve seen on YouTube.

From the railways, WW1, quartz crisis so many areas are touched on!

As always great vid Simon

[randynovick]

As a watch guy, I am glad you did this. People who don't wear timepieces, or those who rely on their phones for the time, have no idea how disruptive quartz was. Nice job.

[neilmartin]

A fantastic video, and one long overdue. Having been a watch enthusiast for over 20 years, it can be hard to explain the industry and the amazing stories it's produced to others, but this is a fascinating insight into a hobby that many such as myself enjoy. Thank you.

[not-a-raccoon]

I was wondering when you'd get to this. As a horophile, I find this fascinating. I own both quartz and automatics. Quartz are undeniably more accurate and convenient, but automatic mechanical movements still hold a special place in my heart

[Beryllahawk]

Beautifully written! This truly is one of the best scripts you and your team have created for this channel. I didn't think at first that this would be quite so interesting but I was certainly proven wrong there!