A Ballpoint Pen is like a Quartz Watch.....

[wspohn]

Well, there are similarities, for me at least.

Neither a quartz watch nor a BP pen have any soul. Both a mechanical watch and a fountain pen have soul in spades.

Is one better than the other? depends on your criteria. Is a cheap digital camera superior to a Leonardo da Vinci painting? It captures a much more accurate replica of the real object.

Is a quartz watch 'better' than a mechanical watch? Most times they will easily equal or surpass the accuray of the mechanical version.

I guess what both ballpoints and quartz watch movements lack is ....art.

I take it that there are many that agree with those sentiments given the number here that prefer the art of the mechanical to the sterility of the quartz.

This all reminds me a bit of the old arguments between those that prefer vinyl records to those that prefer the 'perfect sound forever' digital CDs. I still own and use both, but spend far more time listening to vinyl!

[D N Ravenna]

I used to think that way. What is interesting to me is that despite that the only pens I use are fountain and all but two of the watches I use are mechanical, I have modified my stance.

You see, I like the way a well made nib feels on paper. But to others, they like the body surrounding the writing tool, whether it be FP, RB, or BP. I will admit that an exquisite nib on a boring body will not get my money.

Same as with watches. A manufacturer can get a watch design that is unique to the mechanical world.

I would say it depends on your viewpoint.

Oh, and I still have vinyl. But I travel a lot and it is impractical to say the least.

Dan

[wspohn]

I understand what you are saying, but I have fancy looking pens that are useless writers, so stay in the drawer, and very plain pens that are great writers that get a lot of use.

One of my stand-bys is a Parker 51 Flighter (can't get plainer than stainless steel) with a great nib.

[heb]

I have a ballpoint pen with a quartz digtal timepiece in it. So yes, you are right.

heb

[Kayakman]

The old saying goes"To each his own"..........

[Mirius]

The old saying goes"To each his own"..........

And 'a time and a place'

That doesn't mean I don't understand the point and I have a lot of sympathy for it.

[afc14284]

Coming from a place where Im ok with quartz watches and BP pens I guess I could say that you are right! I still enjoy a heck of a lot my quartzies and my bpies...

[Kayakman]

No comparison at all.

[mrpete]

Vinyl rules! So do fountin pens and mechanical watches.
Also I never met a tranistor I liked!

[ArmandSV]

What about high-end quartz and the space-pen, both are great versions of quartz and BP