A must-see when buying a watch! Take you to the heart of the watch movement
by ZHANGJUNJIE on Dec 07, 2023
When it comes to buying a watch, understanding the inner workings of the watch movement is essential. There are two main types of watch movements: quartz and mechanical.
The quartz movement is powered by a small battery that sends an electric current through a small quartz crystal. The crystal vibrates 32.768 times per second, and these vibrations are converted into pulses that move the second hand of the watch. The quartz watch is known for its high accuracy, low maintenance cost, durability, and affordability. However, it lacks the smoothness and historical charm of mechanical watches.
Mechanical movements, on the other hand, can be divided into manual and automatic. The manual mechanical movement uses a manual spring to power the watch. As the spring unwinds, it produces a steady and even flow of energy that moves the watch. The automatic mechanical movement, on the other hand, adds an automatic winding mechanism to the manual movement. This means that the watch does not need to be manually wound, but instead, the motion of the wearer's arm winds the watch.
The details and process of the mechanical movement determine the smoothness and accuracy of the internal process of the watch. Mechanical watches have been the elite watches of the upper society due to their traditional and complex production process. Owning a mechanical watch represents an appreciation of history and fine craft. Mechanical watches do not require a battery and have a clockwork drive. They have high-quality cultural deposits, gorgeous workmanship, longer lifespan, and robust motion.
In summary, understanding the differences between quartz and mechanical movements is crucial when buying a watch. While quartz watches offer high accuracy and affordability, they lack the historical charm and smoothness of mechanical watches. Mechanical watches, on the other hand, have a longer lifespan and offer a unique cultural experience.