Mechanical watch or quartz watch: what to choose?

Posted by lifata on January 31st, 2024

Mechanical watch or quartz watch: what to choose?

Will your future watch be equipped with a mechanical movement or a quartz caliber?

How to decide between these two options?

You will very soon acquire a new timepiece but are still hesitant about the technology that will equip it.

In this article, Replica Watches provides you with several answers that will enlighten you and allow you to best determine the motor that will equip the accessory that will soon be inseparable from your wrist.

Mechanical watches

Considered the most traditional in the eyes of watch replicas uk enthusiasts, mechanical watches are equipped with a movement which is made up of a whole set of small cogs and parts working in concert.

They are often what we think of when we imagine a classic or even very old watch. Used for several decades, this technology is nowadays considered the result of true watchmaking know-how!

Within this category, we distinguish two subgroups:

• Watches equipped with a manually wound mechanical movement called “manual watches” (or “mechanical watches” for simplicity).
• Watches equipped with a self-winding mechanical movement called “automatic watches”.

Manual watches

The hand-wound watch (often simply called a “mechanical watch”) is powered by movement technology inherited from fobs and which was once the standard.

Indeed, long before fake watches became self-sufficient, it was essential to wind them by hand, every morning, in order to be able to give them the energy necessary for their proper daily functioning.

The wearer then had to turn the winder, this small button often located at 3 o'clock which is also called the "crown", about thirty turns. This is also when he could adjust the date displayed by his watch if the month that had just passed had only thirty days or less. While some models allowed rapid adjustment of the date, most watches required two complete turns of the dial to correct this.

Today, manual winding mechanical technology is still present in the watchmaking landscape, in particular providing access to flat models or vintage watches. Note, however, that the old appearance of this assembly requires some precautions with regard to sporting activities.

For example, it is strongly recommended not to play golf or tennis while keeping your mechanical watch on your wrist because the vibrations reflected on the mechanism would be poorly absorbed and could cause significant damage.

There are numerous examples of mechanical watches with manual winding, but here we can cite the famous Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical, the minimalist Junghans Max Bill, the very French Pequignet Royale Manuelle or even the 1963 chronograph from Seagull.

Advantages of manual watches

• Noble technology
• Flat profile
• Relatively light

Disadvantages of manual watches

• Sensitive to big shocks
• Must regularly be wound by hand
• Require long-term review

Automatic watches

It is in the continuity of the manual wind watch that the automatic watch is positioned!

Based on the same classic architecture as the first, it incorporates an oscillating mass (also called a “rotor”) mounted on very small bearings which allow it to rotate freely.

Thanks to it, your repeated actions throughout the day will allow the timepiece to accumulate energy ensuring it operates optimally. In other words, the watch recharges automatically, thanks to your movements.

Automatic movements gradually became popular in the 1950s under the leadership of Rolex and Omega, two manufacturers who greatly helped to spread this innovation to the general public. General public who quickly turned to this alternative.

Although models equipped with an automatic movement are very popular with many enthusiasts today, they do not remain the best-selling overall.

Note that automatic watches now occupy an important place in the watchmaking world and are often the preferred choice of purists who want a beautiful technological heritage that can fit in the palm of the hand.

The Citizen Tsuyosa aims to be a beautiful, accessible, colorful and high-quality example. If you are sensitive to Made in France, Yema could surprise you with its Superman 500 Classic manufactured in Morteau in Doubs. We can also cite here Seiko and the different models that make up its luxurious King Seiko range. This last option will particularly appeal to all those looking for a retro watch whose style is inspired by the 1960s.

Advantages of automatic watches

• Noble technology
• Wind up automatically
• Easily repairable

Disadvantages of automatic watches

• Sensitive to big shocks
• Relatively heavy
• Require long-term review

Quartz watches

Quartz is considered the quintessence of watchmaking technology.

Unveiled in 1969 by the Japanese firm Seiko, this technique is at the origin of the famous episode of the quartz crisis. Following its massive adoption by the general public, the Swiss watch industry experienced a real earthquake in the 1970s and 1980s. It must be said that no one expected this high-precision technique to disrupt the market to such an extent. !

A battery is used here. His function ? Vibrate a quartz to generate sufficient energy to tell the precise time with a maximum drift of a few seconds per year (compared to several seconds per day for manual and automatic watches).

The advantage is that this type of movement requires almost no maintenance apart from changing the battery and possibly checking the watertightness.

Miniaturization is such that quartz watches are often thinner than mechanical models with manual winding, which allows access to multifunctional watches that are very pleasant to wear.

The thin mechanical part integrated into quartz watches is also reinforced because the vibrations affect the smooth running of your tocante much less, allowing you to consider keeping it with you during sports.

In addition, some specimens are equipped with what is called an end of battery life indicator allowing you to know in advance that you have a comfortable period of time to replace it.

Advantages of quartz watches

• Robust and relatively flat
• Offer access to multiple complications (functions)
• Accessible

Disadvantages of quartz watches

• Not very noble technology
• Requires battery change
• Difficult to repair (without completely changing the movement)

These three technologies thus represent three possibilities for approaching watchmaking.

There is no right or wrong choice but yours is essential! This is why when you make your purchase, remember that it is your comfort and your lifestyle habits that take precedence over the judgment of others.