Quartz vs. Automatic Watch Movements: A Complete Guide

With so many options available in terms of watches, many buyers are confused about quartz vs automatic watch movement and which one is better. Here are some FAQs and answers that throw a light on the topic.

Quartz vs Automatic Watch Movements

The world’s first quartz watch was created in 1969 by Seiko and was known as Astron. The first quartz clock was invented by Bell Telephone Laboratories even earlier in 1927.

A quartz movement is nothing but a battery-powered movement. The quartz watch contains silicon dioxide (quartz) crystals and a battery. The battery generates electricity that passes through to the quartz crystals which then oscillate on a precise frequency, generating power to drive the watch motor. Quartz watches are manufactured today by leading watch companies such as Cartier, TAG Heuer, OMEGA and Breitling. There are also SuperQuartz movements that feature ten times as much accuracy as standard quartz movement.

An automatic watch has no battery and involves mechanical movement that draws energy from the wrist movement of the wearer. Every time the wearer’s wrist moves, a rotor spins in the watch and winds the mainspring. The energy generated reaches the gear trains to power the timepiece. To maintain the functions of an automatic watch, the wearer has to wear the watch daily.

Quartz Watches Vs. Self-Winding: Which is Better?

The inventor of the self-winding watch, also known as automatic watch, is Abraham-Louis Perrelet. In 1977, as per the records, the wearer of self-winding watch had to walk for eight minutes to wind the watch for the entire day. In the current times, the watch winds itself through the natural movements of the wearer.

Automatic watches are hugely popular as they utilize and transfer kinetic energy from the motion of the wrist of the wearer. These watches are complex and have multiple components such as gear trains, balance wheel, rotor and reverse mechanism. As a result of these numerous tiny parts, self-winding watches are labor-intensive and high-maintenance. These factors combine to make them more expensive as well. They have to be worn regularly for them to be active and accurate.

Quartz watches that operate on a battery are less complex and are low maintenance. This makes them an affordable option as compared to self-winding watches. As the quartz movements have precise vibrations, these watches are more accurate than automatic, self-winding watches.

However, if you a want high-end, classy and intricate watch, self-winding watches are the ideal options. If budget and accuracy are the main criteria that you are looking for, choose a quartz watch.

Apart from accuracy, quartz watches also last longer. You will need to change the battery only once in two years. Particularly when you are looking to buy luxury brands, a quartz watch is more affordable than automatic ones.

Are Quartz Watches More Accurate than Automatic Watches?

The answer to the commonly asked question is quartz more accurate than automatic watches is -yes. Quartz watches contain small amount of silicon dioxide or quartz crystal that is intricately amalgamated into the watch mechanics. The quartz movements are powered by a battery that conducts electricity through quartz crystals that then vibrate at perfectly constant frequency each second. As a result of these precise vibrations, quartz watches are very accurate in time keeping.

We hope this complete guide on Quartz vs. Automatic watches helped you answer some questions you had. Remember, if you have a watch for sale, click the button below to learn more about our quick and easy selling process.