[TheRiddick]

All I can tell you is you should visit 47th Street in NYC sometime and spend some time observing what they wear, these are people who can afford any watch out there. Not to pan Rolex, but along with Cartier and a couple more big names they are considered "jewelry", not watches. What people wear on 47th are AP, G-P, Vacheron Constantin, Patek, Breguet and some others, rarely do you see a Rolex and definitely not a quartz one if it happens. Again, not to pick on Rolex in any way, but its the last "big" name I think about when it comes to buying an expensive watch. Just my opinion, of course, with a couple of exceptions, one being the older Daytona with Primero movement (Zenith).

One advantage that Rolex does offer is the resale value since the general public knows little of the brands I listed above and Rolex does have a great marketing dept. If I had unlimited finds my list would be a short one, certain models from G-P, Ulysse Nardin and Jaeger le Coultre, and a couple from Patek and Lange (German). No Rolex.

As for quartz movement, you actually hit the nail on the head. Japanese are decades into quartz development and refinement and if anything, are heads and shoulders above when it comes to the technology. Don't forget that it is the move to quartz that almost killed Swiss watch industry in recent times. If one is buying a quality quartz piece I'd say the choice is between the Big 3: Seiko, Citizen and Casio and definitely not a Swiss one (although I do buy Invictas for the QPR).

Seiko developed an incredible movement recently, Spring Drive, it combines the best qualities of both worlds: accuracy of quartz and complication/refinement of mechanical. Pricey, but great looking watches with serious accuracy to boot.