What do Automatic and Quartz Movements Mean?
When discussing wristwatches, terms like "quartz movement" and "automatic movement" often come up. But what do they actually mean? How does a quartz movement differ from an automatic one? Let’s delve into these questions.
Types of Movements
Wristwatch movements can be divided into two main categories: battery-powered quartz movements and mechanical movements. Additionally, mechanical movements are typically further divided into two subcategories: manually wound movements and automatic movements.
Mechanical Movements
The history of mechanical movements dates back to the 1500s. Their operating principle is based on storing energy in a spring within the movement. This spring is wound either manually by turning the crown or automatically via a rotor inside the movement. The energy released from the tension in the spring drives the movement of the hands. Mechanical movements contain no electronics.
Buyers of mechanical watches should also be aware of the unique characteristics of these finely crafted, traditional products. Mechanical watches are generally less accurate than battery-powered watches and are often more sensitive to interference than quartz movements. However, a well-maintained mechanical watch can be precise and stand the test of time. The motion of an automatic movement is fascinating to watch, representing a time-honored technology, which is why many watch enthusiasts prefer mechanical movements in their watches.
Manually Wound Mechanical Movements
The first wristwatch movements were all manually wound. In practice, this means "power" is loaded into the movement by turning the watch’s crown, which winds the movement’s spring. Mechanical movements contain intricate mechanics and are still highly valued in wristwatches.
Automatic Movement
The evolution of mechanical movements introduced the rotor within the movement. The rotor spins freely as the wearer’s wrist moves, which automatically winds energy into the spring, giving the name "automatic movement."
Today, virtually all mechanical movements on the market are automatic movements, meaning that in daily use, the wearer does not need to wind the watch manually.
Both manually wound mechanical movements and automatic movements can, depending on the model, hold a power reserve of 30–90 hours. This means the watch will keep running on a table without movement for this duration. When the watch is moved again, it resumes normal operation.
Battery-Powered Quartz Movement
Quartz movements have become the most popular type in recent decades due to their accuracy, low maintenance, and affordability. In a battery-powered quartz movement, the mechanical components are replaced by a power source, a quartz crystal, and a stepper motor that drives the movement of the hands.
How Does a Quartz Movement Work?
The electronic current from the battery passes through a quartz crystal in the movement, causing the crystal to vibrate at a precise frequency of up to 32,768 times per second. This vibration is directed to a stepper motor, which makes the hands move precisely and accurately.
Quartz movements are extremely precise, typically maintaining accuracy to within seconds per month, whereas even high-quality automatic movements may vary by several minutes per month.
Quartz movements are also essentially maintenance-free, with battery replacement required only every 2–8 years.
The Differences Between Automatic and Quartz Movements in a Nutshell
Quartz Movement
- Affordable option
- Keeps time accurately and reliably
- Maintenance-free except for battery replacement
Automatic Movement
- Respected movement featuring intricate mechanics
- With proper maintenance, an automatic movement can be passed down through generations
- Recommended to have maintenance every 4–7 years
- The sweeping motion of the second hand is a beautiful detail, and many automatic watches feature a transparent case back, allowing a view of the movement’s operation
