What is it specifically that concerns you? Seems a bit of a vague question to be posing in a Tissot forum?

 

let me rephase.....are Swiss Made quartz movements like those found in Tissot watches less superior than Eco-Drive or Japanese quartz movement found in watches like Citizen/Seiko?

If you had to choose between a Tissot quartz watch or a Citizen Eco-Drive based on quality/craftsmanship, which would you prefer?

 

"Less superior"...? That's a strange concept. Eco-Drives are impressive in that they're solar-powered, but they're certainly not superior to ETA movements in terms of time-keeping ability. And, as to Seiko, although I know I'm in the minority here, the only two genuine "lemons" I've ever purchased have been Seiko/Pulsar quartz models.

If you are really seeking the highest-quality quartz movement, period, you should be looking at the Bulova Precisionist -- but they don't have a chrono version yet. (Probably the second-best performers overall would be the Casio Atomic Solar G-Shocks, but those are not exactly for formal occasions.) Otherwise, I'd be hard-pressed to tell the slightest difference in performance or reliability between Japanese and Swiss quartz movements -- they're both top-quality.

But I must admit I'm a bit confused that anyone would decide to ditch a high-quality watch simply because they think a different watch might have a better movement. If you went out to buy a sports sedan, settled on an Alfa Romeo, and enjoy the experience of driving it, would you suddenly decide you should trade it in because some web-sites told you the BMW engine was better?

 

The Eco-Drive mvmt is head & shoulder ahead of the G10 mvmt in the PRC200 as far as tech is concerned. Its power is eco-driven while the PRC200 uses standard button battery.

The advantage of the G10 is its easily replaceable should it break down.

The mvmt is an important element of a watch but its not the only element that you should consider.

 

+1... Exactly.

 

I honestly think you will get better resale out of a good Swiss quartz movement,than a cheaper Japanese movement. A good Swiss ETA movement with a 10 year lithium battery in a watch is hard to beat.I do like the Eco-drive,and Japanese watches,but i don't think you made a mistake buying that PRC.It's a very popular watch,and a great reputation.

 

thanks for the input mikey....your post was the kind of feedback i had hoped to get.

 

You simply can't decide on the movement when you buy the watch from the brand of your choice.

 

For me it's more the attention to detail (or lack of it, in the case of Swiss quartz).

For instance, the old problem of seconds hands hitting the dial markers. I think the Citizen movements correct it, yet to see a Swiss watch that does the same (maybe they are out there please do let me know!).

The fact that you pay a couple of hundred pounds (and if a Tag, several hundreds!) and yet the movement is a throw away module with lots of plastic parts (i.e. very cheap to make).

I love my PRC200 don't get me wrong, but if i am honest it's more for the fact that it's Swiss (and therefore supposedly prestigious compared to Japanese - pure snobbery on my part). I truly believe they are either as good or inferior to what we would find in a Citizen for example (because of the self correcting mechanism it has), but we pay through the teeth <| When i first learned the movement in my Tissot was low end quartz i was genuinely disappointed. In fact, i felt a bit ripped off.

All i know is, i just paid over £100 to have my seconds hands re-aligned and it still feels a bit sickening, that it came out of Tissot with some QC guy shrugging his shoulders saying 'meh, happens in Omegas, so who cares?'

 

For me it's more the attention to detail (or lack of it, in the case of Swiss quartz).

For instance, the old problem of seconds hands hitting the dial markers. I think the Citizen movements correct it, yet to see a Swiss watch that does the same (maybe they are out there please do let me know!).

The fact that you pay a couple of hundred pounds (and if a Tag, several hundreds!) and yet the movement is a throw away module with lots of plastic parts (i.e. very cheap to make).

I love my PRC200 don't get me wrong, but if i am honest it's more for the fact that it's Swiss (and therefore supposedly prestigious compared to Japanese - pure snobbery on my part). I truly believe they are either as good or inferior to what we would find in a Citizen for example (because of the self correcting mechanism it has), but we pay through the teeth <| When i first learned the movement in my Tissot was low end quartz i was genuinely disappointed. In fact, i felt a bit ripped off.

All i know is, i just paid over £100 to have my seconds hands re-aligned and it still feels a bit sickening, that it came out of Tissot with some QC guy shrugging his shoulders saying 'meh, happens in Omegas, so who cares?'

I understand how you feel, but only a few months ago on the Seiko forums at guy was very upset that his Grand Seiko quartz wasn't hitting the marks, and he spend 2 grand on it. I myself had to have the second hand aligned on the only Seiko quartz diver I bought, and sold it soon after.

The only PRC 200 I've seen in person at an AD was perfect. All the hands hit the marks dead on. I didn't buy it as for me, the hour hand and minute hand are not all that readable and I found the watch a bit to bling for me. I did buy a Victorinox Chrono Classic with the same movement though. ETA G10.211.D4

Keep in mind that quartz movements are much cheaper to make and therefore cost much less that an auto. This is reflected in the price comparing the two. Also worth noting: you won't be taking it in for service as you must do with and auto.

The ETA G10.211 is not the best ETA quartz movement, that much is true, but it's a proven workhorse and in so many different brands of low to mid price Swiss watches. Mine keeps excellent time, so far it hasn't lost a second in 2 weeks and the chrono functions perfectly.

It may be on the lower end of the totem pole for a ETA, but the cheapest Ferrari is still a Ferrari.

 

Browsing the web reading about watches ... what is it about the things, spend hours reading about them, would love to have the tools to play with movements and even machine my own cases ... maybe a retirement plan LOL

anyway saw the question about the movement in the prc200 and not two minutes before had read the following on wikiepedia looking for an upgrade movement for my watch so I had to share it, (I know the feeling of doubt :-s hehe)

Joined up and here I am, hope this eases the feeling of doubt, I reckon reading this you should be over the moon

Simon

Swiss company ETA SA, part of the Swatch group, made seven different automatic quartz movements, calling them Autoquartz. They were part of the premium Flatline series of movements and were sold to a variety of watch vendors, primarily European and American. High grade movements designed to last as long as their premium mechanical movements, they had between 15 to 53 jewels. Unlike most quartz watches, Autoquartz could be calibrated to increase their accuracy. Several vendors had their Autoquartz watches COSC certified. In 2006 to increase production of its highly demanded mechanical movements, Swatch discontinued supplying the Autoquartz line to customers (service and parts are still available). Then in 2009, possibly due to available production capacity or stocked parts, Tissot reintroduced the Autoquartz in its PRC200 dive watch. The Autoquartz movement used by Tissot is gold plated and carries the designation ETA 205.914.

 

After owning my share of G10's and a few quartz from seiko(and two eco drive from citizen) I am happy to say you can't beat seiko dollar for dollar.

I have three G10 movement(2 tag heuer, 1 VSA) in my collection, although they keep great time and proven to be reliable my seiko quartz movement is proven to be more accurate. It's hard to ignore the fact that the retail price difference neither(1000 vs 300 usd), one thing that I really wanted in my G10 is the 1/5 second chrono hand on my seiko, it almost looks like a sweeping hand.(not to mention dual time zone, 60minute chrono counter and alarm feature)

 

At $299, I don't think you're investment would really be much to worry about. If it were ten times that, then sure. My bet would be on the Seiko for value. At $299, you can't be worrying about future value. Few may know that back in the early 1970's, Seiko made a Dual Quartz movement for the Grand and King Quartz watches. They were very, very accurate. One crystal compensated for the errors in the other. They were also very well made and quite collectible. At the same time, we bought the Grand Quartz on a trip in Hong Kong, we bought a Tissot sports watch. The Grand still looks grand runs like new, the Tissot looks like a cheap Timex by today's standards. To find a real investment in a watch, look vintage or jewellery and most likely NOT quartz. Jaeger Lecoultre in a nice solid gold casing, for example.