The most significant difference between quartz and mechanical watches is how the watches’ hands move, quartz hands move by jump, and mechanical watches move continuously.
Quartz watches rely on battery power to run an oscillator that controls a small stepping motor. This motor turns the gears that drive the watch’s hands. Quartz watches are highly accurate because they do so very precisely; quartz watches are highly authentic.
In contrast, mechanical watches use a mainspring that the wearer winds to power the watch movement. The mainspring gradually unwinds, which turns the gears that drive the watch’s hands. As a result, mechanical watches are less accurate than quartz watches, and they need to be serviced more frequently.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the differences between quartz and mechanical watches, and we’ll also give you some tips on how to choose the right watch for you. Stay tuned!
How Did A Watch Work?
A watch is made up of a watch case plus invisible parts inside. The inner part, which we call the movement, The movement inside is made up of many different metal parts and some spring-loaded screws, and it is like a car engine that drives various hands to run
The movement is the soul of a watch, without which the watch cannot work. So depending on the components inside the watch, we define different terms for the watch. There are quartz watches and mechanical watches.
What Is A Quartz Watch? What Is A Quartz Movement?
A quartz watch is a watch with aquartz movement(1). A battery powers the quartz movement, and it uses a quartz crystal to keep time. Quartz watches are more accurate than mechanical watches, and they require less maintenance.
Quartz movements are made up of a few key components:
- battery
- quartz crystal
- An electronic circuit
The battery provides power to the electronic circuit, which powers the quartz crystal. The quartz crystal vibrates at a very high frequency, which is used to keep time. Quartz watches are very accurate, and they can save time to within a few seconds per day.
Fine Swiss watch companies, such as Patek Philippe, use quartz movements to meet stringent quality standards.
What Is Mechanical Watch？ What Is A Mechanical Movement?
A mechanical watch is a watch with a mechanical movement. The mechanical movement is powered by a mainspring, which is wound up by turning the crown (the knob on the side of the watch). This stores energy in the mainspring, which then powers the watch movement.
Mechanical watches (2) are less accurate than quartz watches, requiring more maintenance. However, many prefer mechanical watches because they look more technological and luxurious than quartz watches.
What is a mainspring? How does it work？
A mainspring is a coiled spring in a mechanical watch that stores energy. The energy from the mainspring powers the watch movement, which then turns the gears that drive the watch hands. Mainsprings need to be wound periodically, and they can also be manually wound by turning the crown (the knob on the side of the watch).
How Do You Set And Take Care Of A Quartz Or Mechanical Watch?
Take care of your watch related to careful use and always maintenance.
Setting The Day & Date:
Mechanical: Most watches have a day/date window. To set the day and date, first pull out the crown (the knob on the side of the watch). Then, turn the crown until the day and date are correct. Finally, push the crown back in.
Quartz: To set the day and date on a quartz watch, first locate the crown (the knob on the side of the watch). Then, press and hold the crown in, and turn it until the day and date are correct. Finally, release the crown.
Wind The Watch:
Mechanical: To wind an automatic watch, first locate the crown (the knob on the side of the watch). Then, turn the crown clockwise until the watch is fully wound. Do not over-wind the watch, as this can damage it.
Quartz:There is no need to wind a quartz watch, as the battery powers it.
Cleaning:
Mechanical: To clean a mechanical watch, first remove the strap or bracelet. Then, using a soft cloth, gently wipe the case and crystal. Do not use any harsh chemicals or solvents, which can damage the watch.
Quartz: To clean a quartz watch, remove the strap or bracelet first. Then, using a soft cloth, gently wipe the case and crystal. Do not use any harsh chemicals or solvents, which can damage the watch. You may also want to use a soft toothbrush to clean the crevices of the watch.
Replacing The Battery:
Quartz: To replace the battery in a quartz watch, first locate the screws on the back of the watch. Then, using a small screwdriver, remove the screws and carefully take off the back of the watch. Next, locate the battery and remove it. Finally, replace the battery with a new one and reassemble the watch.
Mechanical: To replace the battery in a mechanical watch, first locate the screws on the back of the watch. Then, using a small screwdriver, remove the screws and carefully take off the back of the watch. Next, locate the battery and remove it.
Finally, replace the battery with a new one and reassemble the watch. You may need to take the watch to a professional to have it serviced if it is not working properly after replacing the battery.
Band:
Mechanical: To replace the band on a mechanical watch, first remove the screws on the back of the watch. Then, using a small screwdriver, remove the screws and carefully take off the back of the watch. Next, locate the band and remove it. Finally, replace the band with a new one and reassemble the watch.
Quartz:To replace the band on a quartz watch, first remove the screws on the back of the watch. Then, using a small screwdriver, remove the screws and carefully take off the back of the watch. Next, locate the band and remove it. Finally, replace the band with a new one and reassemble the watch.
Storage:
Mechanical: To store a mechanical watch, remove the strap or bracelet first. Then, place the watch in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. You may also want to place the watch in a storage case or box to protect it from dust and other debris.
Quartz: To store a quartz watch, first remove thequartz strap (3) or bracelet. Then, place the watch in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. You may also want to place the watch in a storage case or box to protect it from dust and other debris. Do not place a quartz watch near a magnetic field, as this can damage the watch.
Service:
Mechanical: To have a mechanical watch serviced, you will need to take it to a professional. They will disassemble the watch and clean all the parts. They may also need to replace some of the parts if they are worn out.
Quartz:To have a quartz watch serviced, you will need to take it to a professional. They will disassemble the watch and clean all the parts. They may also need to replace some of the parts if they are worn out.
How Long Will It Last With Proper Care?
A quartz watch should last up to five years with regular battery changes, while a mechanical watch will last indefinitely with proper care.
The Pros And Cons Of Quartz And Mechanical Watches, Respectively?
Quartz watches (4) are typically cheaper than mechanical watches, and they are less prone to breaking. Mechanical watches are more expensive than quartz watches. Still, they are much more reliable and can last indefinitely with proper care.
Which is better for you? It depends on your needs and budget. If you are looking for a reasonably priced, reliable watch that does not require much upkeep, then a quartz watch is better. However, suppose you are looking for a high-quality timepiece that will last forever with proper care. In that case, a mechanical watch is the better option.
Should I Focus My Eyes On The Watch’s Movement When Buying A Watch?
No, you should not focus your eyes on the watch’s movement when buying a watch. Instead, you should focus on its appearance and functionality. The movement makes the watch tick (pun intended), so it is not as important as the other factors.
Conclusion:
If you’re still on the fence about which type of watch to buy, hopefully, this article has helped you make a decision. Quartz watches are more accurate and affordable, while mechanical watches are works of art that come with a higher price tag.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference – so go ahead and choose the one that speaks to you!
Sources:
- quartz movement (retrieved fromhttps://www.wixonjewelers.com/education-type/watch-movements/#:~:text=Quartz%20Movement&text=An%20easy%20way%20to%20differentiate,a%20smooth%2C%20sweeping%20seconds%20motion)
- Mechanical watches (retrieved fromhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_watch)
- quartz straps (retrieved fromhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_watch)
- Quartz watches (retrieved fromhttps://www.totalwatchrepair.com/blogs/resources-and-tips/quartz-vs-manual-vs-automatic-watches-differences-advantages-and-disadvantages.)
