10 of the best quartz watches that rub it into quartz snobs’ faces

Borna Bošnjak

It’s almost inevitable that every time we talk about quartz watches – unless it’s a G-Shock of some kind (spoiler alert) – there’s the “but, it’s quartz” disclaimer. While I could certainly understand watch companies that went under in the ’70s being salty about it, I’d hope that we’ve all moved on from that and accept quartz not as just a low-cost alternative, but as a genuine purchasing option. With that in mind, we thought we’d give you a guideline in case you’re shopping for a quartz watch, including the cheap-and-cheerful and finely crafted, ranging from just a few hundred dollars into the thousands.

Casio G-Shock GWM5610-1

A Casio G-Shock has made so many of our “best of” lists, whether it’s due to its ruggedness, affordability, or iconic design, that it’s become a bit of a running gag. The love for the square G, however, is completely justified. It’s one of those rare watches that watch nerds and laypeople both flock to for its aforementioned perks, and you can’t really go wrong with any of the models. The one I picked (and one I actually own) is the solar-powered GWM5610-1, essentially the legendary DW5600 with solar charging capabilities, meaning you won’t really have to worry about battery changes, either. Price: US$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 multitude of colourways and case finish options is always welcome (the blingy gold being a personal favourite), and the 35mm x 44.7mm case dimensions are much improved over the 40mm variant. Being quartz, you also get a reduction in thickness, all the way down to 9.9mm. Price: starting from US$395, available from the T+T Shop

Bulova Super Seville

While tuning fork movements may not have skyrocketed in popularity, it’s not surprising Bulova has some pretty special quartz watches in its arsenal given its pioneering achievements with the technology. The Precisionist movement is the best modern example of this, fitted to watches like the Jet Star and Super Seville, both riffing off of the 1970s, during which these watches could’ve actually been releases. The Super Seville is particularly impressive, given its 10.5mm thickness and 37.5mm width, the cherry on top being the smoothly sweeping central seconds hand. Price: starting from US$695

Longines Mini DolceVita

When choosing the watches to put in this buying guide, my thoughts immediately went to Longines and its VHP series. To my surprise, I found that they are no longer manufactured and have been discontinued, with not a single reference currently available on the brand’s website. While this is a great shame, you can still find leftover stock at authorised retailers, but if we look to Longines’ current stock, there is another watch that stands out. The DolceVita Mini launched at a shmancy party in New York on the wrists of Jennifer Lawrence and Suzy, but thankfully, it has a lot more going for it than just the celebrity endorsement. I’m a big fan of the circle-in-a-square dial, and the brick bracelet is wonderful on the wrist, too. Price: US$1,850

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph

TAG Heuer’s Aquaracer has long been a top seller in the brand’s line-up, with the quartz variant offering an attractive price point for those wishing to get the brand name on their wrist. With the introduction of the Solargraph, TAG Heuer only made it better, working with solar-power powerhouse Citizen’s subsidiary La Joux-Perret on creating the movement. You can have it in stealthy titanium, mix-finish steel, or even a smaller 34mm size, all equipped with 200 metres of water resistance. Price: starting from US$2,150

Grand Seiko Sport 9F GMT SBGN027

Grand Seiko is best known for its on dials and the unique Spring Drive technology, but I truly believe some of its best work is with quartz movements. More specifically, the Sport collection, 9F quartz-equipped GMTs are some of the most versatile, well-rounded watches on the market offering fantastic value. Not only are they ultra-accurate, but the GMT hand offers an added bit of utility, while the movement itself is no run-of-the-mill quartz. All 9F quartz movements feature some form of decoration, instant date changes, and my personal favourite – the Backlash Auto-Adjust Mechanism. Not only does that mean the seconds hand perfectly aligns with each marker, there’s also no unsightly jitter of the hand as it starts and stops. Price: US$3,300

Cartier Tank Must

I’ll just go out and say it: there is no classier watch out there than a Cartier Tank, and this Tank Must is a particularly classy take on the Tank. With its inky lacquer dial and no seconds hand, it’s a rightful design icon – and one of the best variants just happens to be quartz. No, it doesn’t have the anti-wiggle tech of the Grand Seiko (nor does it need it), but it more than makes up for it with oodles of elegance and style. Sure, you could go for a mechanical version, but the quartz will be more accurate, more reliable, and after all, much more affordable. Price: US$3,450

Breitling Aerospace B70 Orbiter

The Aerospace is a blast to the past, the 1980s, more specifically, with its ana-digi layout and Breitling’s SuperQuartz movement with plenty of functions as well as COSC certification. The B70 Orbiter is the most recent example, commemorating the first circumnavigation of the world in a balloon, and though it didn’t take the book-accurate 80 days, it does feature a piece of the original balloon embedded in the caseback. Price: US$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 odd Spacemaster Z-33. The grade 2 titanium case is a significant 45mm in diameter, housing the thermo-compensated 5619 movement which shows mission elapsed time and phase elapsed time, alongside a couple of alarms and a perpetual calendar. In fact, Omega seems quite confident that a variant of this watch will be the first worn on Mars, resulting in the X-33 Marstimer model. It’s currently being used on the ISS and is ESA-approved, so that might not be too far from the truth. Price: US$5,900

Citizen The Citizen Caliber 0100 AQ6110-10L

And right at the very top, the crème de la crème, we have a… Citizen? Usually associated with budget divers and Eco-Drive technology, Citizen is often undeservingly overlooked when it comes to high-end quartz and mechanical watchmaking. In fact, the Citizen Caliber 0100 is the most accurate wristwatch movement in the world, capable of keeping time to within a second per year. This indigo washi paper dial is enveloped in a 37.5mm x 9mm Super Titanium case (Citizen’s proprietary Duratect-coated alloy) and is undeniably a stunner. Of course, the Caliber 0100 is also a solar Eco-Drive movement, and the aforementioned washi paper dial is crucial here, as it allows just enough light to pass through and power the photovoltaic cells. Price: US$8,800

Time+Tide Timeless Pick: F.P. Journe Élégante

So many watches could’ve been on this list, but the Élégante being the total antithesis of what F.P. Journe stands for (at least initially) while being executed to the highest possible degree solidifies the pick in my book. It’s not the most accurate nor technologically impressive, but it’s not really about that, is it? The combination of features such as the motion indicator and quirky movement decoration being signed off on by one of the greatest living watchmakers – all while being quartz – is just amazing. You’ll have a tough time finding one for anywhere near retail, but for once that’s actually an indicator of the watch being really quite special. Price: starting from US$16,500