As Rod kindly pointed out it is time to summarize this.Unfortunately this test did not work out as I planned.I set all watches correct time and put them in my cabinet in my bookshelf.This is heated by normal light bulbs and controlled by controllers for aquariums.They kept the temperature quite stable as I intended.
Then the disaster struck on March 11th with the big earthquake and the following Tsunami.I big tragedy for people in these coastal areas who lost so much.Here in Tokyo area we where lucky not to be affected so much except that the tsunamiTook out a few powerplants that supplied our area.So in the summer all here had to try to consume as little energy as possible and I stopped this in June. But still I kept the watches in same cabinet most of the time.So the results is from watches kept as worn the first month and then in summer too hot.Later in Autumn in normal room temperature and then in winter a little bit cold, slightly under 20 degrees C. Results after 11 month. #1
Seiko Quartz Astron , 35-9000 from 1970 , rated to 5 +-s/month
First Quartz wrist watch sold to public.
Unfortunately this did only run 9 monthe because I failed to change the battery before the start.
It require an old type of battery with nipple which I did not have so I was hoping it had enough juice.
In 9 month it had gained 8 seconds which I think is completely mindblowing, of course this is just luck but still
interesting.
In my observations this one gain 1-2 s/month in temperature over 30 degrees C and loose about the same amount in temperatures under 20 deg #2
On wrist it clearly is an HAQ.
#2
Seiko Quartz V.F.A. , 3823-7000 from 1971 , rated to +-s/month
Very Fine Adjusted.
This used up an new battery in about an half year so no results here.
#3
Seiko Quartz (QT) , 3803-7020 from 1972 , rated to +-15s/month
Lost 1 minute and 25 s in 11 month, clearly still good.
#4
Seiko Quartz QT, 0823-7000 from 1974 , rated to +-15s/month
Blue dial that really shines.
Gained 2 minutes and 2 s.
That is 11 seconds an month, also inside specification.
#5
Seiko Quartz , 0842-8000 from 1975 , rated to +-15 s/month
My photo does not show but this dial has snow like shine to it, really nice.
+ 14 s in 11 months is surprisingly good.
#6
Seiko Quartz Type II , 7546-7000 from 1977 , rated to +-15 s/month.
The second generation quartz watches, affordable with prices around 20 000 yen.
This watch is the one that sparked my intrest for the 70`s quartzes.
Wonderful textured dial and classy case.
Gained 18 seconds during this time.
#7
Seiko Quartz Type II , 4623-5000 from 1976 , rated +-15 s/month
From Daini and not so common.
+1 minute and 2 seconds is 5.6 s/month
#8
Seiko Grand Quartz , 4843-8041 from 1976 , rated to +-5 s/month
Nice watch if you like gold, I do.
During this tests it averaged 1.2 s/month, total 15 seconds.
#9
Seiko Grand Quartz , 9943-8020 from 1978 , rated +-10 s/year
Twin quartz movment. Watch is quite used but the dial is just sparkling.
+ 50 seconds is not very bad but completely not as good as new.
#10
Seiko Grand Quartz , 9256-5010 from 1978 , rated +-10 s/year.
Also an twin quartz, this from Daini.
Gained 27 second in 11 month also not in specification.
#11
Citizen Quartz Crystron , Caliber 8620 A from 1973 , rated +-5 s/month
First year of Crystrons.
+ 4 minutes and 25 seconds is 24 seconds a month, not so good.
# 12, Citizen Quartz Crystron 4 Mega , cal. 7370-07 D from 1979 , rated +-5 s/year
New except the battery.
Lost 14 seconds in 11 month is not bad but not as good as it was some 30 years ago.
# 13, Grand Seiko 9F62- OA10 from 2003.
Joined the crowd in late August.
Gained 9.5 seconds in 4 month, quite dissapointed.
#14, Seiko Quartz Chronograph sports 100 , 7A28 from 1983, rated to +-15 s/month.
Very little used one.
Stupidly I forgot to replace battery in this one and it stopped, ran well before
# 15, Seiko 1/100 Chronograph, 7T52-6A30 from 1992 , rated to 15 s/month
Fun watch, well used.
+ 1 minute and 12 seconds is fine.
To me this result means that ageing is clear but in surprisingly many cases these old quartz
watches perform very well.
The good thing is also that the older high end quartzes can be adjusted to former glory if wanted.
I will now change the batteries and start it all over again.
But with an few more.
One of these must join I think.
Also as I was a little bit disappointed of the performance of the 9F, I did what every normal WIS
Would do, I got one more ;-)
This have been to Seiko for service recently so I hope they also adjusted it.
Looks rather plain.
It have a lot of small lions so I hope for the best.
/Bjorn.