Cause we should seperate case`s from movements, or include them or?????
Movements alone. There has not been a real significant change in the normal production quality movement be it high-end or low-end between now and the early 1970`s. I believe over all we would see the same level of working finish and quality in most parts from the about 1970 to the present (From a capable company, comparing apples to apples and so forth). I think we would have to go back a few more years to really define any quality levels or engineering designs that led to a definitive conclusion.
Case`s as well. From about the early 1970`s, you have most of the real breakthroughs coming in case design that we have only bettered on up until now, such as front of case opening and one piece case design. Again, you would have to go back further to make any definitive conclusion as to overall quality. In most case`s you will find a better attention to detail in earlier case work, but, the big but in all of this that in my mind mutes the discusion as long as we dont involve craft in it, is CAD CAM trumps all! The ability to use computer controlled design and manufacture is going to equate to an overall higher base quality across the board, when compared to anything that did not use these techniques in there previous manufacture.
Todays watch, both its movement and its casing, is built, designed, and made at a much better quality level today because of this advancement in manufacturing techniques and from here there is no turning back. They may seem less stout in some locations of the case, but overall quality is higher. No amount of handmade craft will make up for the computer or its X-Y axis when it comes to being able to endue base quality to a manufactured product.
Cheers,
Randall
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Seikoholic #1
Dr.Seiko,
Specializing in Seikology, Seikotherapy, and other Horological Dis-ease.
Made in the U.S.A.
"We will not rush the hands of time." Arturo Fuente