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What are the differences between quartz and mechanical movements?

Picking the watch that you will wear on your wrist for the foreseeable future is not an easy decision to make and one of the most common questions we get from our customers is “What is better? Mechanical or quartz movements?”

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. Quarts and mechanical movements are incredibly different with both boasting their own range of pros and cons. The type of movement most suited to you will also depend on a variety of factors including price, accuracy and maintenance.

The Basics

First things first, let’s explain how quartz and mechanical movements work.

A quartz watch is powered by a battery and works using an electronic oscillator that transmits an electric current through a piece of crystal quartz. This current vibrates at a high speed of around 3,768 times a second until this frequency is released through a small stepping motor and converted into a single pulse every second. The consistent movement of the watch hands is a result of this pulse.

A mechanical watch is powered by a combination of tiny, intricate components. The sole provider inside a mechanical movement is something called a mainspring. For the watch to start ticking, the mainspring must be wound up to then transfer the energy through a series of gear components including a balance wheel and an escapement, regulating a release of energy to power the watch. There are two different types of mechanical movements available: automatic and manual winding.

With a manual winding movement, the user must physically wind the mainspring themselves. This is usually done by turning the crown which charges the mainspring and stores up energy until the crown resists and you can no longer turn it. Once you release the crown, the spring unwinds at a limited speed and transfers the energy through the balance wheel and escapement which consequently powers the functions on the dial.

An automatic movement on the other hand does not need to be physically wound. Instead, an automatic watch is powered by the movement of your wrist. The mainspring continues to be the sole provider of energy, but this time energy is created by the oscillating rotor which spins around as you move your wrist and thus winds the mainspring.

Cost

Since quartz movements consist of fewer parts, they are generally cheaper to produce and cheaper to buy. Many fashion and designer watch brands choose to use quartz movements within their designs to keep their prices low.

Mechanical watches, on the other hand, are more expensive. This is due to the detailed craftsmanship that goes into every mechanical watch and the vast number of intricate parts that make up the movement.

Accuracy

Quartz movements are known for being the most accurate in the industry with an accuracy of around 15 seconds a month.

Nevertheless, although not as accurate as quartz watches, mechanical movements are still highly accurate with COSC-certified timepieces promising an accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day.

Maintenance

Both quartz and automatic watches require maintenance every now and then. Quartz watches will need their battery replacing every 2-3 years and we also recommend having the movement cleaned out for optimal functionality.

Due to the vast number of components in a mechanical movement, mechanical watches tend to require more maintenance than a quartz watch. Just like when you buy a fancy car, a luxury watch will need servicing every 3-5 years to ensure all the parts are cleaned, serviced and working correctly. Getting your mechanical watch serviced regularly is the best way to ensure it lasts a lifetime.

Appearance

Since quartz watches tend to be cheaper, they are often made using other cheaper materials too. This is not always the case, but you do lose on the opportunity to have skeletonised elements and exhibition case backs like that on a mechanical watch.

Due to the intricacy of a mechanical movement, some mechanical watches display the movement through open detailing on the dial and through glass case backs. There is something truly mesmerising about being able the see the complex movement that powers your watch within the design.

Craftsmanship

One of the main reasons our customers choose mechanical movements over quartz is due to the craftsmanship that goes into them.

The work that goes into making a mechanical movement is breathtaking and the variety of intricate components working together is almost like magic. When you consider the amount of time it takes for a watchmaker to piece together every tiny part of a mechanical movement, it brings the higher price point into perspective.

Mechanical movements are also able to include an array of incredible complications that quartz watches can't such as tourbillons, perpetual calendars and moonphase windows. If you are someone who appreciates high quality craftsmanship, then a mechanical watch is definitely the right choice for you.  

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