KMII
[Montblanc Moderator]
50635
Advice needed on higher end male quartz watches - as a present...
I'm contemplating getting another watch for my father. While he definitely enjoys watches immensely, he is getting to an age where eyesight is fading, and where convenience is becoming increasingly important.
In other words, while he is happy getting mechanical watches and admires craftsmanship, in the end he mostly wears quartz ones these days. So given that I'd like him to enjoy his gift by wearing it often, that's the route I need to look into.
Over the last two decades or so, the siren call of mechanical movements has had most higher priced watch brands stop producing quartz models, making the options much more limited. 
From: https://uhrforum.de/omega-speedmaster-skywalker-x-33-a-t170995
The first two options I thought off - Breitling and Grand Seiko - are both disqualified; the former due to the fact that he already has an Aerospace, the later due to size (unlike me my old man has sizeable wrists, so 40mm and above suits him much more).
So what I've found so far is the Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 (above), the Speedmaster Z-33 (below), the Chopard Monaco Historique Time Attack MF (two below) and some Cartier Tanks. 
From: http://www.horobox.com/en/news-detail/?UserKey=History-of-Omega-X-33
From: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f9/chopard-heq-watch-532596.html
BP - according to JCB - never did one, the only GP I found is out of the relevant price range and I have not seen anything much from other brands, either.
So it needs to be new, 40mm or above and of a decent quality / nice finish. Functions apart from time and date are of secondary importance.
Any advice is highly welcome, from owners or otherwise 
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Advice needed on higher end male quartz watches - as a present...
I'm contemplating getting another watch for my father. While he definitely enjoys watches immensely, he is getting to an age where eyesight is fading, and where convenience is becoming increasingly important. In other words, while he is happy getting mech...
So we both have fathers quartz aficionados :)
My deepest condolences How about nice TAG? Cheers D
Is there anything outside the Formula 1 range?
Et tu, Damjan? Looked at TAG but did not immediately find anything appealing - any specific suggestions?
Connected
TAG Connected watch Even range of colors and features and cool perk it can look stealth mirror mirror
Needs regular charging...
Which killed the other smart watch he has - just lies in the drawer... But must look into that - thanks!
How about
Quartz Rolex Ok did you thought about Baume & Mercier or Frederique Constant?
I thought they no longer did the Oysterquartz?
Not looked at Baume & Mercier or Frederic Constant yet but will do so!
Now that's a no go for now
While he must have over 100 vintage clocks, he always gets new watches. Go figure On another note I followed your recommendation and went to have a look at the TAG Connected. Being Android based kills it, as my family is firmly iPhone oriented but otherwi...
Good idea in principle ;)
Still, as he will not wear it daily, it will still need to be charged and set... Nice curveball, though
Interesting option!
Checks all the boxes but one - do they make a non-red version of it? In this colour scheme it will be a no go for him, otherwise it\'s great!
I'm very happy with my X-33
Sir, The X-33 Skywalker is a very cool watch, deadly accurate and light as a feather. You have two options here: The X-33 Skywalker (Left) and the Solar Impulse II (right). The old X-33 Generation 2 (middle) is no longer being sold. Cheers, Nilo ...
Thanks for your input Nilo!
That\'s very valuable. Tried to see one today but they did not have it. They found out where one resides in Vienna, though, so I\'ll check it out. Ever tried the Z-33? Looks like a very good option, I\'d say.
I've ever tried the Z33
But it just not my cup of tea.... The width/length is still manageable but the thickness really really turn me off.... I like x33 better.... But yeah, choices still yours Best and goodluck! Jeviar
Thanks Jeviar!
I\'ll see if they have it at the Boutique here and then decide based on how it feels on the wrist. On pictures the thickness does appear to be a potential issue...
Well....
It's pretty comfortable on my wrist as it made of titanium as well like the x33, meanwhile, the thickness for me plays a major role as it's easily got dings from some bangs which is, the thicker it is the higher the risk... But why no opt to t-touch exper...
That's where I requested one...
They don\'t have one (the Z 33 was a very slow mover), but I\'m sure that they will locate one. Cheers, Nilo
That is incredibly kind of you!
Let me check if they have one here first before putting you to extra trouble Thank you so much for your offer, though!
Check out SINN
There are several large and/or chunky SINN Quartz watches that might fit your criteria, especially visibility. Cazalea ...
That's an excellent suggestion!
Will have a look at the options ASAP Good size, easy to read and nice quality!
Grand Seiko just released ceramic giants (46mm)
using the Spring Drive. Does that count as quartz?
Nope
Not until they manage a 14 day power reserve It\'s not the technology per se, just not having the need to set it.
That might be an option!
I have not looked for divers per se but this one has the size, legibility and all the functionality needed. Now I just need to find out if either the Boutique in Frankfurt or the local AD stock it, so I can try it out Thanks!
This looks pretty good!
Will definitely have a look. Likewise with the Aquaracer Chrono - seen it in a shopwindow today but did not have the time to explore it more fully. Thanks for suggesting it!
No need for Quartz! The ultimate mechanical senior citizen watch is a PANERAI
Last weekend when I was visiting my mum I strapped my PAM574 on her wrist. Just for fun. Her first reaction? Ah! That watch has good readability! Very good for the older eyes! And she wanted to keep it :-( So my advice is: Get a 42 mm Radiomir with a nice...
What about the Breitling B55 or B50...?
Quite similar to the Omega X 33 but a bit more expensive.....I'm also quite a fan of the Omega to be fair but love the blue on the Breitling..!! Andy.
Thought of that but...
He already has an Aerospace and I guess they would be too similar... In fact we have a father and son pairing ...
Good point....
or consider the B55 a very sexy upgrade and if he likes his current model it would be an easy transition..? Either way all the suggestions so far are good....I have the Sinn U1 so I can recommend Sinn and the quartz would be a nice size and very readable....
Will let you know what I eventually decide on :)
Thanks for your suggestions! May have another look at Breitling but I feel in that case I would need to get a paired one and I am not sure I want one just now
Does it work with iOS as well as Android?
Interesting to hear, though - that may well work with my father, too.
The fact that it should is enough :)
Not like he will do it on a daily basis, either...
The Chopard
My vote goes for the Chopard Time Attack. I own one and can vouch for the fact that its a stunningly beautiful piece in the flesh and absolutely distinctive in a world where most watches are a have to something else. And it doesn't look like a 'tool' watc...
Thank you for your input!
You are right, the Chopard definitely does not look like a tool watch, which is a plus. I guess all these quartz watches are rare (the sales lady at an Omega AD today had no idea the Z-33 even existed) but the Chopard may be the rarest of them all. I stil...
As I know a few things about quartz watches, ignore the..
Connected watches and those with ordinary quartz movements. I would go for the Chopard, but he likes the Z-33 or X-33 models better, you could go with those. See if he would like the Breitling B50.
Thanks for your input and advice!
I agree with you fully in regards to the movement - should not be quite the garden variety, which limits the options to not many more than the already mentioned ones. Quartz part of your collecting?
Also these watches tend to be more expensive than people feel that they should...
Pay for any quartz watch. I do have several quartz but do not talk much about them here to avoid disturbing some people.
I agree
I'm no movement snob,, some of my favorite watched are quartz, I love my ProTrek. Some of the high end Citizens, are hand built to the same quality as automatics.
Horses for courses
I feel there are applications for different movements, some better at the one, others elsewhere. I like watches with different kinds of movements, even if the majority of them are mechanical.
Would love to find out more about your quartz collection :)
If you feel more comfortable that way, via PM. Apart from my Aerospace I have one other decent quartz watch, a Grand Seiko SBGX097. The precision is astounding, as is the finish
You can search on quartz collection for several years back on either 01 January or on the 2d. ...
You can still PM me as only the most accurate watches are posted.
Will do so!
I do remember seeing at least one of the annual timing posts of yours Found it very interesting!
I think there are a few of them floating around in the grey market.
I guess it was not very popular at that price point and understandably so.
I own one. Not accurate and I cannot access the site for new engines...
And firmware updates anymore.
Sorry. Engines mean new watch series of faces for time,date,chronos,etc.....
Firmwear updates alter the OS of the watch.
Thanks for the insight!
I would have expected more since Hysek is a well known designer in the world of horology.
I really need to look into the watch to understand the issues :)
Just seen a picture so far and got an idea of the price...
Forget Ana-digi...
...with titchy digital displays and hands whise readability is compromised to let the digi to be read. High end and legible? Grand Seiko. A 9F is even handsome as Quartz movements go...
I'd love for it to be a GS!
I have a quartz GS myself and am very, very happy with it (an SBGX097). The only issue is my dad\'s wrist size - 37mm looks tiny on his wrist - and I have not seen larger GS quartz models... Or are there any?
Thank you Quattro98!
Will have a look - also if they can be sourced in Europe This would work very well, I guess, as it does all it needs to, at great precision and with a finish second to none in this price class!
Paris?
I'm in the US, but I did visit the Seiko boutique in Paris. They might be able to get these. I don't know how widely GS is distributed in Europe.
The distribution network is still patchy
There are some ADs and the closest boutique for me is in Frankfurt. So when I go there next time...
Citizen AQ1040-53E
I bought my dad a Citizen AQ1040-53E (also available with a white dial). It is the nicest practical watch I've found. Duratect titanium is less prone to scratches than other metals and the light weight keeps it comfortable. The case is 41x11 mm and water ...
I was wondering about The Citizen
Looks like it would have all it needs, now the only thing required is a trip to Japan. Do I recall correctly that they include a 10 year warranty and free servicing, too? Or is that only for their automatics?
Not sure
I think it does have a 10 year warranty, but I didn't look into it in detail because it would have to go back to Japan. I am in the US and bought it from Japan from one of the well known dealers who will source these JDM watches.
What I read...
Was the importance of importing it properly for that reason. Apparently there are dealers in Japan who take care of the rest...