Your thoughts on the new ISASWISS 8371 Quartz Chronograph Movement

[Borealis Watch Admin]

We know it is a quartz movement and no current plans on a Borealis model featuring this movement. However what are your thoughts on the new ISA SWISS 8371, the first Swiss Made quartz chronograph movement with exact alignment of chrono and central hands like the Valjoux 7750/53 series

 

[Spiccato]

Decent quartz chrono movements are a useful alternative to auto movements. I use my chronographs quite a bit, and I like to have the freedom to throw them around and still have them reliable. You'll probably get comments on quartz versus auto chronographs although that wasn't your original question. I very much like the ETA 251 series; this ISA seems fine.

 

[Itsonlytime]

I have not had good luck or performance with my 3 ISA chrono movements, and would not buy another.
Please consider the Ronda 8040N, it is a top quality chrono movement with a Day of the week and big date complications. My second suggestion is Ronda's Z60 movement, solid performer but not equal to the 8040N.
Thank you for asking our opinions, I look forward to your next designs.

 

[Borealis Watch Admin]

Thank you for your comments.

This is a mater of personal taste and opinion but for me the most balanced choices in terms of a balanced design of a chrono display on a quartz movement are from from ISASWISS with their 8371 quartz chronograph movement series, Miyota 6S21 quartz chronograph, Miyota 0S21 quartz chronograph, 6S20 quartz chronograph and 0S20 quartz chronograph and Seiko Time Module VK64 meca quartz chronograph, VK63 meca quartz chronograph, VK73 meca quartz chronograph, VK83 meca quartz chronograph, VD53 quartz chronograph, VD54 quartz chronograph, Seiko Epson Solar Quartz VS75 series.

Taking this list into account which one you would prefer to be used in a chronograph watch and what are the main reasons to use it?

One is Swiss Made (the ISASWISS 8371) and the rest is Japan Made so quality is there in all options.

Thank you for your comments.

 

[Marc141081]

I'd always go with Swiss Made if reliability is prooved. But....as you said its a quartz. It defeats my illusion of having a little heartbeat in the watch. Quartz will never built the same connection to me as automatic does. Very subjective I know.

 

[awasson5]

Quartz movements just are not exciting to me. I have said no to pieces that were otherwise great because they were quartz movements. There is just something about a mechanical movement that I need in order for a watch to be interesting to me. That said, the ISA appears to be perfectly adequate to task and would help a chrono be more reliable.

 

[Borealis Watch Admin]

I'd always go with Swiss Made if reliability is prooved. But....as you said its a quartz. It defeats my illusion of having a little heartbeat in the watch. Quartz will never built the same connection to me as automatic does. Very subjective I know.

Only mechanical alternative is Seiko's NE88 but with a cost of $390.00 USD per movement (almost same as a 7750 ...) with a delivery in 12 months after order and advance payment so quite difficult to use on a project.

 

[Marc141081]

I bouhgt sea diver, sea Hawk...now ordered sea Dragon and Scorpionfish... I wouldnt if they were quartz. Dont go the commercial way. Good things need time and will cost more. But it is subjective. I do Not like Chronos because i love simplicity and the Beauty of your automatic watches.

 

[Borealis Watch Admin]

I bouhgt sea diver, sea Hawk...now ordered sea Dragon and Scorpionfish... I wouldnt if they were quartz. Dont go the commercial way. Good things need time and will cost more. But it is subjective. I do Not like Chronos because i love simplicity and the Beauty of your automatic watches.

As mentioned we do not have plans for a quartz watch. We are just trying to gather thoughts for something different and not related with Borealis but a side project I am starting to get involved.

 

[Governor]

If the watch has great design, quality construction and a value price I am perfectly open to an advanced Quartz .
I usually buy automatics but just purchased a Deep Blue
Pro Aqua Quartz because of the robust case build, sapphire crystal and 1000mm depth were in place ... Another one I almost purchase yesterday was a hour timer , sweep second hand ETA Quartz In a Diver

 

[SuperP]

If the watch has great design, quality construction and a value price I am perfectly open to an advanced Quartz .
I usually buy automatics but just purchased a Deep Blue
Pro Aqua Quartz because of the robust case build, sapphire crystal and 1000mm depth were in place ... Another one I almost purchase yesterday was a hour timer , sweep second hand ETA Quartz In a Diver

I agree, for me its the same, im not really thumbing down a watch by only judging its movement, if everything else is quality and i like the design[most important thing for me] im in.

We know it is a quartz movement and no current plans on a Borealis model featuring this movement.

Speaking about plans, i know you are probably focusing on the Sea Dragon and Scorpionfish right now, but i've always asked myself, what are Borealis thoughts about brass/bronze watches, do you have something in mind for the future?! I kinda like them [in fact i have one and i love it]. But i do believe that bronze watches are kinda overpriced compared to the brass ones.

 

[Joel]

Certainly Quartz movements have their place. I personally prefer autos or mechanical timepieces. With that being said, I did resonantly buy a Bulova Precisionist Chronograph which I'm very happy with.

 

[Seppia]

Quartz movements have the same dignity as autos to me.
It depends how they're done and if quality is there.
I think for micros they are almost the only way to go when looking for chronographs: users are happy to bash Quartz at times, but I would love to see their reaction when confronted with a $1000 price tag.

 

[Borealis Watch Admin]

I agree, for me its the same, im not really thumbing down a watch by only judging its movement, if everything else is quality and i like the design[most important thing for me] im in.



Speaking about plans, i know you are probably focusing on the Sea Dragon and Scorpionfish right now, but i've always asked myself, what are Borealis thoughts about brass/bronze watches, do you have something in mind for the future?! I kinda like them [in fact i have one and i love it]. But i do believe that bronze watches are kinda overpriced compared to the brass ones.

We may release in future a bronze watch. As always offer will be competitive but be aware that the raw material of bronze bars cost about 3x more than brass.

 

[protocolphil]

based purely on personal preference.
Most of my watch purchases are driven by that initial gut reaction you get when you see something you simply must have in the watch box. The aesthetics of the dial, case design, hand set and Lume. For me, movement is secondary as mostly I can not afford high end mechanical chronos. So when a company come along and say hey "we can do this... at an affordable price" like Stuckx with their new Bullhead it's with investigating. The Seiko movements they use seem reliable and have two KEY elements, mechanical feeling pushers and central sweep seconds hand. Makes it look and feel more mechanical/auto adding value for the wearer. Like all things you've done so far Borealis 'built it and they will come'

 

[Governor]

This thread is very interesting and there has been some great responses to Owning a Quartz Movement.

Most of us if not all prefer Quality Swiss and Japanese Automatics. However it is refreshing to see some of us are open to , bold enough , liberated or whatever to explore and enjoy The Reliability, Accuracy , Affordability and Advanced Technology Of Today's Quartz Movement. I am reminded of Two very well respected Companies in the Watch Industry who proudly promote and sell their fine crafted Quartz Models And that is Omega and Seiko in their Highly Respected Grand Seiko Offerings.

 

[Gabe]

I've no qualms about quartz especially chrono because I don't not have high budget for a mechanical chrono piece.

If quartz I would like sweeping seconds like bulova precisionist otherwise makes it without seconds or small subdial for it. Just don't like the look of ticking seconds.

If you are going into quartz territory please use a different side brand for it so that it would not dilute or mess with the brand positioning.

 

[Borealis Watch Admin]

Yes, Grand Seiko offers the best in terms of horology the perfect marriage between mechanical watches and quartz precision specially in their Spring Drive series.

 

[Borealis Watch Admin]

I've no qualms about quartz especially chrono because I don't not have high budget for a mechanical chrono piece.

If quartz I would like sweeping seconds like bulova precisionist otherwise makes it without seconds or small subdial for it. Just don't like the look of ticking seconds.

If you are going into quartz territory please use a different side brand for it so that it would not dilute or mess with the brand positioning.

Thanks for the inputs. As mentioned question is for something else I am working on.

 

[phlabrooy]

As mentioned, quartz watches, especially chronos do have their place. Most of us here no doubt prefer auto movements.
I have not had very good experiences with ISA movements previously. I had two ISA powered chronos some years ago.
Having said that, this new movement might be a lot better from what I can see here.
For me however, the main thing with any quartz movement, 3-hand or chrono, would be an EOL feature. This is a must to prevent having a watch die on you without warning.

Regards,