In today's rapidly changing technological era, why have mechanical watches not been phased out?

　　Today can be described as the era of information technology, where many things can be easily accomplished using a single mobile phone, such as checking the time. SoMechanical watchwhy have they not been phased out?

　　Generally speaking, mechanical watches have relatively large margins of error and high costs, yet why have they not been eliminated? Even more strangely, why do the majority of people pursue mechanical watches (whether high-end or entry-level)?

　　To be honest, today's mechanical watches exist not as timekeeping tools, but as collectibles for appreciation, jewellery for decoration, and precious toys to be admired. Entry-level, simple watches may gradually fade away, but high-end mechanical watches worth pondering should endure for a long time. In other words, people buy mechanical wristwatches because they look good, sound good, and are fun to play with. Furthermore, these values currently have no substitutes. Quartz watches can achieve certain aspects of looking good—such as the appearance of simple models—but quartz watches cannot replicate many other aspects. Many digital watches cannot do it, nor can iPhones.

　　Take the visual presentation of the movement, for instance: balance wheels, hairsprings, screws, lever shock absorbers, gear trains, mainsprings... including finishing and bevelled edges... those elements are extremely attractive, and quartz watches do not offer such rich visual appeal. As for sounding good and being fun, quartz watches are completely incapable of replacing them. There is virtually no possibility of replacement.

　　So-called sounding good refers to things like the high-frequency ticking sound emitted by a mechanical watch's escapement—the better the watch, the better it sounds... such as the powerful rebound sound produced by the ratchet wheel when winding... or the delightful chiming sound produced by minute repeaters and striking watches...

　　The fun part is even more extensive, encompassing various annual calendars and perpetual calendars presented through purely mechanical means, chronographs, split-seconds, flybacks, resonance, tourbillons, carousels, minute repeaters, striking mechanisms... The joy found within these is endless.

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