Quartz or mechanical watch - which will suit you?

Quartz or mechanics? This is a question that has plagued mankind since the beginning of time. Well, to be more precise, since quartz movements powered by electricity became widespread. This happened in the 1970s. At that time, most users were clear - quartz movements are modern, cheaper and much more accurate!

Thanks to this, the so-called "Quartz Crisis" broke out in the world of watches. That pro meant big problems for traditional mechanical movements (and watchmakers with them). Fortunately, that time has passed since many watch enthusiasts have decided that the good old mechanical watch movement has something to it too. But with that, the original question is back. You can find clues in the article to crack it.

How to approach the choice of a machine?

The absolute basis for deciding between quartz and automatic is to understand the basic features and principles of both technologies. In addition, their subsequent comparison with your own requirements and ideas. In short, you need to determine what you require from a watch and then know what the given watch offers. This is the only way to guarantee your maximum satisfaction, and that's what we at Helveti are all about.

A watch with a mechanical movement

So let's start with the traditional, that is, a watch with a mechanical movement. At the outset, I would like to explain a common mistake, i.e. that watches, referred to as mechanical, only have a manual crown winding.

Mechanical in the case of a watch means that only mechanical parts are used in the movement (no electronics) and consequently there are two options as to how the drive pen is pulled, which keeps the watch running.

The first option is a purely manual winding of the crown. Here it is necessary to wind the watch regularly. Today, this method is much less used and paradoxically we find it more in watchmaking more advanced and more expensive models, such as Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Skeleton MP7228-SS001-000-1 or MeisterSinger N°02 AM6608N.

Sometimes these are really interesting movements with a large power reserve, such as the MeisterSinger Circularis Power Reserve CCP317G, where the power reserve reaches a respectable 10 days.

Nowadays, however, the vast majority of mechanical movements have automatic winding. This is provided by the automatic winding rotor. Therefore, mechanical watches are very often referred to as automatics, which is understandable given that this is the most common solution. In more advanced movements, automatic winding is complemented by the possibility of winding with a crown. However, some more basic pieces can only get by with automatic winding using a rotor.

How does auto-winding work?

The rotor of the automatic winding rotates due to the movement of the user, and this movement is converted into the winding of the drive pen. Therefore, if you wear the watch regularly, it is constantly tightened and there is no need to deal with its winding.

In my opinion, the most typical representatives of a self-winding movement are the Swiss ETA 2824 (and its equivalent Sellita SW200), which you can find, for example, in the Ball Engineer III Pioneer COSC NM2026C-S15CJ-BE universal watch. Next, the Seiko 4R series movement, which ticks, among other things, in the legendary Seiko SRPE99K1 - Special Edition PADI model.

Advantages of mechanical watches

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical watches?

• A big advantage of mechanical movements is their long service life. This means that with proper maintenance (the usual recommended service interval is approx. 5 years) they can function without problems for a hundred years. Therefore, this type of drive is suitable, for example, as a gift for an anniversary or a significant life event. In my opinion, such moments deserve something permanent, which is exactly what a watch with a mechanical movement represents.
• It is also possible to pass them down from generation to generation, which can create a nice family tradition. Since there is no battery in a mechanical watch, the advantage is that it does not need to be changed.
• And last but not least, I have to mention the great feeling that comes from wearing such a precise fine mechanism as a watch movement. Many watch fans, including myself, appreciate the smooth running of the second hand, which is a joy to watch.

 

• Mechanical watches are also often equipped with a window in the pumpkin, which allows you to watch the movement. It is also beautifully decorated on higher-end models, such as the Swiss Epos Oeuvre D’Art 3435.313.20.25.25 watch, where you can see it from the front thanks to the skeletonization.

What might one consider disadvantages?

However, mechanical movements also have certain weaknesses, so it is good to consider whether they will bother you or not. But what one cannot stand, another can appreciate.

• The first is the limited power reserve, which is most often around 40 hours. Therefore, if you put the watch down and it is not in motion (in the case of automatics) or if you do not wind it (in the case of manuals), within about two days the watch will stop and then it must be ordered again. There is a solution for automatic machines in the form of various tensioners.

• In the same way, it is necessary to take into account the deviation in the order of seconds per day (most often about 10 - 15 seconds per day), so in a week you will reach a deviation of about one minute. If the watch will be ahead or delayed at this rate, it will be a surprise piece by piece, because each mechanical movement is a bit peculiar and shows different values.

Některé strojky se pak pyšní certifikací chronometru, což znamená zaručenou odchylku. V případě švýcarské certifikace COSC je to -4 až +5 sekund za den. Příkladem takového chronometru je například in-house strojek v hodinkách Ball Trainmaster Manufacture 80 Hours COSC NM3280D-S1CJ-BK. Ostatně u značky Ball je certifikace COSC velmi častou záležitostí.

Some movements then boast chronometer certification, which means a guaranteed deviation. In the case of Swiss COSC certification, it is -4 to +5 seconds per day. An example of such a chronometer is the in-house movement in the Ball Trainmaster Manufacture 80 Hours COSC NM3280D-S1CJ-BK watch. After all, for the Ball brand, COSC certification is a very common issue.

• I must also add that the deviation of a mechanical watch changes depending on the stroke of the pen. Watches are usually most accurate when fully wound. Delay / preemption also depends on whether the watch is moving or lying down. And if it lies, it also depends on what position it is in. Yes, it's a bit of alchemy, but on the other hand, there's something to a wayward mechanism like this, don't you think?
• Mechanical watches should also not be chosen if they are expected to be used more harshly. These movements are more prone to shocks and shocks because they are delicate mechanics. Parts of the movement that are particularly at risk are the flywheel (the oscillation of which gives the "rhythm" of the watch) and the rotor of the automatic winding.

However, I must once again highlight the Ball brand, which is known for various shock protection patents for its purely mechanical watches. Higher resistance is also shown by the Swiss Certina, thanks to its DS (Double Security) concept.

Quartz – affordable precision that simply runs

Quartz movements have a completely different principle than mechanical movements. They are powered in most cases by a classic battery (we will get to the exceptions later). The word "quartz" refers to a quartz oscillator that oscillates much faster than the flywheel in a mechanical watch, resulting in many times greater accuracy. While for mechanics we talked about a deviation in seconds per day, with quartz movements we can count on a deviation in the order of seconds per month.

Another advantage of quartz is that the battery watch does not stop when it is put down without moving or winding. When put back on the hand, it runs with the same precision as when used. Classic battery watches are also usually cheaper than mechanical watches.

Even the battery drive is not without its faults

But quartz does not only have advantages, as it might seem - it also has several weaknesses.

• For example, you definitely cannot count on the longevity offered by mechanics. The cheapest machines have a service life of about 6-10 years, and as soon as a defect occurs, it is usually necessary to replace them. Their repair is economically disadvantageous, given their price. Therefore, in my opinion, this type of drive is not suitable, for example, as a gift that should last forever, or even for generations.
• For some, the jerky movement of the second hand, which jumps after one second instead of a beautifully smooth movement, can also be a weakness. Especially Swiss movements very often have the property that the seconds hand does not jump exactly to the indexes.

• In contrast, Japanese movements usually jump directly to the given index. However, there are quartz exceptions, where the second hand has a smooth movement - for example, the Bulova Precisionist Classic 96B257, where, thanks to the higher frequency, high precision can also be calculated (around 10 seconds per year). There are also quartz movements that eliminate the major disadvantage of having to replace the battery. Nothing is more "pleasing" than when a watch that you need to rely on suddenly stops working just because the battery is dead.

 

Here, the machines, powered by a battery that is recharged by light, are the perfect safeguard. The strongest in this regard is the Japanese watch giant Citizen, whose Eco-Drive solar drive ensures trouble-free operation for about 10-15 years. However, we have already met customers for whom their Citizen Eco-Drive watch still works on the first battery even after 20 years. The battery can be replaced after it has reached the end of its service life, and this replacement currently costs about 1,000 CZK. Which I think is a negligible investment over a horizon of around 15 years.

Quartz pieces that catch up with the advantages of mechanical ones

Once you choose a truly quality light-powered quartz movement, you can logically count on a longer lifespan of around 20 years or more. At that point, I wouldn't be afraid to use such a watch as a beautiful gift with lasting value. And how about adding radio control, Super Titanium case and bracelet material, sapphire crystal and 100m water resistance like the hot new Citizen Worldtime Radio Controlled Super Titanium AT8234-85E? This is definitely not just ordinary cheap quartz that will last in a few years!

So is the high-frequency quartz in the Bulova 96B251 Special Edition Lunar Pilot Chronograph Watch, a watch with a literal cosmic history. I would definitely like such a gift

As a fan of mechanical watches myself, I can appreciate really interesting quartz movements and have several in my collection. For example, the GPS-controlled Citizen Satellite Wave CC3075-80E, or the aforementioned Bulova watch. How about the Bulova Accutron Spaceview 2020 2ES6A001? Surely you already understand that there is definitely no quartz like quartz and this technology should not be condemned even if you are rather a fan of excellent fine mechanics

Whatever you choose, most of all with joy

Ať už usoudíte, že je pro Vás vhodnější strojek mechanický, nebo quartzový, ať už s manuálním či automatickým nátahem, na baterii, nebo poháněný světlem, jedno je vždy nejdůležitější. Hodinky vám musí především přinášet radost. A to jsou schopné splnit hodinky různých vlastností, nebo v jakékoliv cenové hladině. A my vám s tím u nás v Helveti vždy rádi pomůžeme Přijďte se poradit do prodejny, kde vám velké množství modelů předvedeme naživo, nebo si o radu napište na info@helveti.cz.

Whether you decide that a mechanical or quartz movement is more suitable for you, whether with manual or automatic winding, battery-powered or powered by light, one is always the most important. Above all, the watch must bring you joy. And watches of various characteristics or at any price level are able to fulfill this. And we at Helveti are always happy to help you with that. Come to the store for advice, where we will show you a large number of models live, or write to info@helveti.eu for advice.