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vitix · 10 February 2010, 05:04 AM

The first thing to know about watches is that all of them -- fancy or plain, expensive or cheap -- fall into one of two categories: quartz or mechanical.

There are two major differences between them. A quartz watch uses as its regulator-the device responsible for keeping time-a tiny tuning-fork-shaped piece of quartz (which is how quartz watches got their name).

A mechanical watch uses as its regulator a tiny wheel called a balance wheel and a spring called a balance spring or hairspring. A quartz watch is powered by electricity. A mechanical watch is powered by a mainspring.

Quartz watches are by their very nature more accurate than mechanical ones. That's because a quartz crystal is a better regulator than a balance wheel. Quartz crystals and mechanical balance wheels both measure time in the same way - by oscillating, or vibrating, at a constant rate.

A quartz crystal oscillates faster (32,768 times a "second") than a balance wheel (28,800 times an "hour" in most mechanical watches). The oscillations of quartz movements aren't just faster, they're also steadier. Both factors contribute to quartz's superiority as a timekeeper. The result: A high-quality mechanical movement will gain or lose perhaps five or 10 minutes a month. On the other hand, an average-quality quartz watch will gain or lose no more than 10 seconds a month, which in mechanical movement standards, will quality for the movement for the Poincon de Geneve Certification Seal, the highest quality standard a Geneva watch manufacture could receive.

Generally speaking only movements ranging in the highest standard section the Grand Complication Turbulon category receive the honor bestow.

Incidentally, one quick way to tell a quartz watch from a mechanical one is to observe the seconds hand at it turns. If it moves in one-second jumps, the watch is quartz. If it moves smoothly, it's mechanical.

So why quartz watches cost cheaper than mechanical watches? Production Volume! In 1960s, the Japanese watch & clock manufacturer, Seiko, first invented the quartz movement. Its accuracy and practice soon phase out almost the entire watchmaking industry of Switzerland. Besides that, technology revolution in manufacturing industry soon makes manufacturing quartz movement much easier and cheaper in cost than manufacturing mechanical movements.

Nowadays, the cost of a mid-level quality quartz movement is only about $1 or $2 because the manufacturing process is automated and no more craftsmanship is involved. However, to manufacture mechanical watches can never be automated because watchmaker's attention while assembling total of 140 ~ 250 different metal parts into a complete watch movement is still the key in making a mechanical watch. It's still impossible to mass production fine mechanical movements. This is where the value of a fine Swiss mechanical watch lays, soul of craftsmanship.

Quartz

Mechanical

Automatic

Brunotheboxer · 10 February 2010, 05:06 AM

Victor this is way too serious to be in "OPEN".

vitix · 10 February 2010, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

Victor this is way too serious to be in "OPEN".

i dont understand what you mean....

Brunotheboxer · 10 February 2010, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitix

i dont understand what you mean....

What I mean is ............don't listen to me, I'm just an Idiot.

brkanand · 10 February 2010, 05:13 AM

Power packed info here Victor. Many thanks

vitix · 10 February 2010, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

What I mean is ............don't listen to me, I'm just an Idiot.

sorry my forum language is not quite well completed, some words like WIS, IMO, etc.. i'm still learning and english is not my primary language, but i think i just got what you said.. i dint know how to create a Closed Thread...

thank you

vitix · 10 February 2010, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brkanand

Power packed info here Victor. Many thanks

Gracias

Thanks

ParisDakarBmw · 10 February 2010, 05:22 AM

I'm all about the complicated hand made automatic myself. You could make a watch now days that has an LCD screen, and could change colors. I don't care for the electronic devices as a collector watch. It's the principal of having a device that has 200+ parts working in harmony that get's me.

Brunotheboxer · 10 February 2010, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitix

sorry my forum language is not quite well completed, some words like WIS, IMO, etc.. i'm still learning and english is not my primary language, but i think i just got what you said.. i dint know how to create a Closed Thread...

thank you

I was just mess'n with you because you posted serious stuff about watches and in this Open Section not much is serious. You did nothing wrong bro.

Rscmaine · 10 February 2010, 05:32 AM

Solar.

vitix · 10 February 2010, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rscmaine

Solar.

daveathall · 10 February 2010, 05:40 AM

Great information, thank you very much for sharing.

The Chronoswiss Sauterelle 70 and 71 are exceptions to the mechanical rule, they have a Chronoswiss in house mechanical movement with jumping second hands.

Found under new items;

http://www.chronoswiss.com/

AWATCH · 10 February 2010, 05:50 AM

Interesting info thanks for sharing. Just a couple of things though, Seiko did not invent the quartz watch they were the first to market them on Christmas in 1969. The Swiss actually developed the quartz analog technology in 1967.

DSJ · 10 February 2010, 05:54 AM

Hello Victor, I think this is an interesting topic. So much so that I started a similar discussion almost exactly a year ago!

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=67259

TheVTCGuy · 10 February 2010, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

I'm all about the complicated hand made automatic myself. You could make a watch now days that has an LCD screen, and could change colors. I don't care for the electronic devices as a collector watch. It's the principal of having a device that has 200+ parts working in harmony that get's me.

X2 Very well said.

You know... it must be something in the name "Paul" that makes us all so smart, right Paul?

vitix · 10 February 2010, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

X2 Very well said.

You know... it must be something in the name "Paul" that makes us all so smart, right Paul?

yes.. i will call myself Victor Paul

TheVTCGuy · 10 February 2010, 06:07 AM

By the way Vic, it really was very well done, I think what some of us are saying is it should probably go in the Rolex section, where serious discussions about Rolex takes place, here in the open topic section it's more for jokes, general views.... and for people to make themsleves look like idiots...

Like me for example....

vitix · 10 February 2010, 06:11 AM

Understood, but since this is not about rolex... I posted it here

Earl Camembert · 10 February 2010, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitix

Nowadays, the cost of a mid-level quality quartz movement is only about $1 or $2 because the manufacturing process is automated and no more craftsmanship is involved.

High end watch makers wanted the quartz makers to keep the watches high end and sell them as jewelry with gold and platinum cases and bands.

They didn't listen and now we have $5 quartz watches in plastic.

In 1971-1972-1973 Rolex only used 525,800 serial numbers.

goduke1 · 10 February 2010, 06:33 AM

Ever since I received my Rolex, I have been in love with Automatic's. So much so, that I will not even consider buying quartz at this point. I even bought a inexpensive automatic to wear when not wearing my Rolex. It's a sickness!

Before getting a Rolex, I thought that any watch that had a "Sweeping" second hand was an expensive watch. I have learned so much over the past year!

Earl Camembert · 10 February 2010, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goduke1

Before getting a Rolex, I thought that any watch that had a "Sweeping" second hand was an expensive watch. I have learned so much over the past year!

There was a time, not that long ago, when a "sweeping" second hand was a sign of a Rolex; not any more with ETA/Swatch making 28,800 bph movements by the tens of millions.

SLRdude · 10 February 2010, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl Camembert

There was a time, not that long ago, when a "sweeping" second hand was a sign of a Rolex; not any more with ETA/Swatch making 28,800 bph movements by the tens of millions.

Rolex makes somewhere in the area of 2000 watches a day as well.
Quite a high number for just one company.

Brunotheboxer · 10 February 2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

By the way Vic, it really was very well done, I think what some of us are saying is it should probably go in the Rolex section, where serious discussions about Rolex takes place, here in the open topic section it's more for jokes, general views.... and for people to make themsleves look like idiots...

LikeBruno for example....

Fixed for ya Paul.

G07 · 10 February 2010, 07:02 AM

Not quartz or true automatic ... the second hand runs as smooth as a baby's

SLRdude · 10 February 2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G07

Not quartz or true automatic ... the second hand runs as smooth as a baby's

I used to have one, and I can't understand why I sold it. Miss it like crazy.

The SpringDrive is actually recognized/classified as a mechanical watch by the Swiss watch industry.

DSJ · 10 February 2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLRdude

I used to have one, and I can't understand why I sold it. Miss it like crazy.

The SpringDrive is actually recognized/classified as a mechanical watch by the Swiss watch industry.

It's a very cool watch - best of both worlds in a lot of ways.

RRGHOST1 · 10 February 2010, 07:49 PM

Seiko Spring Drives seem to be taking the mechanical watch up another notch as they seem to be very smooth running, although i have never seen one in the flesh but they get a good review. The problem with the quartz,unless its a self generating power type, like the Eco Drive or Kinetic,you have to get a battery for them and i have a draw full of watches that need batteries, and i bet most people do aswell. What everyone should do is buy a Rolex when they first can tell the time, and that watch will last them a lifetime. It would be cheaper in the long run.

SLRdude · 11 February 2010, 12:45 AM

Here is the one I sold.

vitix · 11 February 2010, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLRdude

Rolex makes somewhere in the area of 2000 watches a day as well.
Quite a high number for just one company.

2000!!!

thats a lot!!

Ed Rooney · 11 February 2010, 06:04 AM

I think Hamilton and a few others were making "electric" watches before quartz.

10 February 2010, 05:04 AM	#1
vitix Banned Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: magneeleVE Location: Usa Watch: magneeleVE Posts: 2,030	Quartz vs. Mechanical The first thing to know about watches is that all of them -- fancy or plain, expensive or cheap -- fall into one of two categories: quartz or mechanical. There are two major differences between them. A quartz watch uses as its regulator-the device responsible for keeping time-a tiny tuning-fork-shaped piece of quartz (which is how quartz watches got their name). A mechanical watch uses as its regulator a tiny wheel called a balance wheel and a spring called a balance spring or hairspring. A quartz watch is powered by electricity. A mechanical watch is powered by a mainspring. Quartz watches are by their very nature more accurate than mechanical ones. That's because a quartz crystal is a better regulator than a balance wheel. Quartz crystals and mechanical balance wheels both measure time in the same way - by oscillating, or vibrating, at a constant rate. A quartz crystal oscillates faster (32,768 times a "second") than a balance wheel (28,800 times an "hour" in most mechanical watches). The oscillations of quartz movements aren't just faster, they're also steadier. Both factors contribute to quartz's superiority as a timekeeper. The result: A high-quality mechanical movement will gain or lose perhaps five or 10 minutes a month. On the other hand, an average-quality quartz watch will gain or lose no more than 10 seconds a month, which in mechanical movement standards, will quality for the movement for the Poincon de Geneve Certification Seal, the highest quality standard a Geneva watch manufacture could receive. Generally speaking only movements ranging in the highest standard section the Grand Complication Turbulon category receive the honor bestow. Incidentally, one quick way to tell a quartz watch from a mechanical one is to observe the seconds hand at it turns. If it moves in one-second jumps, the watch is quartz. If it moves smoothly, it's mechanical. So why quartz watches cost cheaper than mechanical watches? Production Volume! In 1960s, the Japanese watch & clock manufacturer, Seiko, first invented the quartz movement. Its accuracy and practice soon phase out almost the entire watchmaking industry of Switzerland. Besides that, technology revolution in manufacturing industry soon makes manufacturing quartz movement much easier and cheaper in cost than manufacturing mechanical movements. Nowadays, the cost of a mid-level quality quartz movement is only about $1 or $2 because the manufacturing process is automated and no more craftsmanship is involved. However, to manufacture mechanical watches can never be automated because watchmaker's attention while assembling total of 140 ~ 250 different metal parts into a complete watch movement is still the key in making a mechanical watch. It's still impossible to mass production fine mechanical movements. This is where the value of a fine Swiss mechanical watch lays, soul of craftsmanship. Quartz Mechanical Automatic

10 February 2010, 05:32 AM	#10
Rscmaine "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Nat Parkinson Location: Maine, USA Watch: me pull a rabbit.. Posts: 1,196	Solar. __________________ When the alien spaceships actually landed, to everyone's surprise, it turned out that the world's governments had not been hiding anything. They were just as clueless as the rest of us!

10 February 2010, 05:40 AM	#12
daveathall "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Dave Location: England. Watch: Various Posts: 7,305	Great information, thank you very much for sharing. The Chronoswiss Sauterelle 70 and 71 are exceptions to the mechanical rule, they have a Chronoswiss in house mechanical movement with jumping second hands. Found under new items; http://www.chronoswiss.com/ __________________ KINDEST REGARDS DAVE

10 February 2010, 05:50 AM	#13
AWATCH "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: al Location: GEORGIA Watch: Explorer II Posts: 1,759	Interesting info thanks for sharing. Just a couple of things though, Seiko did not invent the quartz watch they were the first to market them on Christmas in 1969. The Swiss actually developed the quartz analog technology in 1967. __________________ Al

10 February 2010, 05:54 AM	#14
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	Hello Victor, I think this is an interesting topic. So much so that I started a similar discussion almost exactly a year ago! http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=67259 __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

10 February 2010, 05:06 AM	#2
Brunotheboxer Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: Bruno Location: Boston/Cape Cod Watch: 16610,PAM. 111, G Posts: 7,608	Victor this is way too serious to be in "OPEN".

10 February 2010, 05:13 AM	#5
brkanand 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: DrK Location: India Watch: 4=YMDaytonaGMTHulk Posts: 7,052	Power packed info here Victor. Many thanks

10 February 2010, 05:22 AM	#8
ParisDakarBmw Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Paul Location: New Haven, CT Watch: 116610 Sub-C Posts: 6,552	I'm all about the complicated hand made automatic myself. You could make a watch now days that has an LCD screen, and could change colors. I don't care for the electronic devices as a collector watch. It's the principal of having a device that has 200+ parts working in harmony that get's me.

10 February 2010, 06:07 AM	#17
TheVTCGuy Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Paul Location: San Diego Watch: 126619LB Posts: 21,540	By the way Vic, it really was very well done, I think what some of us are saying is it should probably go in the Rolex section, where serious discussions about Rolex takes place, here in the open topic section it's more for jokes, general views.... and for people to make themsleves look like idiots... Like me for example....

10 February 2010, 06:11 AM	#18
vitix Banned Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: magneeleVE Location: Usa Watch: magneeleVE Posts: 2,030	Understood, but since this is not about rolex... I posted it here

10 February 2010, 06:33 AM	#20
goduke1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: North Carolina Watch: 72' Rolex Air King Posts: 421	Ever since I received my Rolex, I have been in love with Automatic's. So much so, that I will not even consider buying quartz at this point. I even bought a inexpensive automatic to wear when not wearing my Rolex. It's a sickness! Before getting a Rolex, I thought that any watch that had a "Sweeping" second hand was an expensive watch. I have learned so much over the past year! __________________ Rolex Air-King 5500 Omega Seamaster Pro 300

10 February 2010, 07:02 AM	#24
G07 Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 16	What about Seiko's Spring Drive ?? ... Not quartz or true automatic ... the second hand runs as smooth as a baby's

10 February 2010, 07:49 PM	#27
RRGHOST1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: luke standing Location: england Watch: Rolex TT SubC Blue Posts: 3,997	Seiko Spring Drives seem to be taking the mechanical watch up another notch as they seem to be very smooth running, although i have never seen one in the flesh but they get a good review. The problem with the quartz,unless its a self generating power type, like the Eco Drive or Kinetic,you have to get a battery for them and i have a draw full of watches that need batteries, and i bet most people do aswell. What everyone should do is buy a Rolex when they first can tell the time, and that watch will last them a lifetime. It would be cheaper in the long run.

11 February 2010, 12:45 AM	#28
SLRdude "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Chip Location: Dallas TX Posts: 6,194	Here is the one I sold. __________________ Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. Yoda, Jedi Master CHIP Member # 87

11 February 2010, 06:04 AM	#30
Ed Rooney "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Annapolis, MD Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600 Posts: 5,081	I think Hamilton and a few others were making "electric" watches before quartz.

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