Brief History about Different Types of Watch Movements
Before we begin with the article let us first know what are the different watch movement types?
A watch movement is nothing but the watch’s engine which is the powerhouse that operates the functions of the watch and also displays time, date, or everything else that is visible on the dial. Watch movement can also be termed as caliber.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATCH MOVEMENTS?
There are mainly three types of watch movements – MANUAL, AUTOMATIC, and QUARTZ watch movements. Both manual and automatic watch movements are MECHANICAL as they are made up of gears, springs, and other mechanical parts.
- Manual Watch Movement – This type of watch movement is the oldest one, from the 16th century, and sometimes it is also called the hand-wound movement. It consists of several components such as the crown, mainspring, gear train, escapement, balance wheel, dial train, and jewels. It is the most traditional type of watch movement.
- Automatic Watch Movement – This type of watch movement also falls under the MECHANICAL category. In the 20th century, it was first launched in the market. This type of watch movement winds itself while you wear it on the wrist. But if you do not wear it for a long time this will need some manual winding. The components of this watch movement are the same as a manual movement but have one extra part which is the rotor.
- QUARTZ Watch Movement – This type of watch movement needs a battery for the power source and it does not require winding like those of MECHANICAL watches. The components are battery, integrated circuit, quartz crystal, stepping motor, and dial train.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATCH MOVEMENTS?
MANUAL WATCH MOVEMENT
Advantages:
- It does not require a battery as it is powered by a hand-winding mainspring.
- It gives a smooth hand movement.
Disadvantages:
- These are quite expensive because of the craftsmanship and the precision engineering work.
- With time the accuracy of these watch movements goes down.
- As it does not need any battery so it requires regular winding.
AUTOMATIC WATCH MOVEMENTS
Advantages:
- This type of movement has a high power reserve when they are completely wound up.
- It also does not require any battery for its function.
- Does not require regular hand winding.
- Gives you a smooth movement as well as an aesthetic appearance.
Disadvantages:
- It is quite pricey, you need to think twice before buying it
- It’s also extra sensitive to the environment
- Over time it loses its accuracy.
QUARTZ WATCH MOVEMENT
Advantages:
- The most crucial benefit of such a watch movement is that it is so accurate.
- Also, it is somehow less expensive than the other two.
- This does not require any kind of maintenance you will just need to change the battery when needed.
Disadvantages:
- It does not give you a smooth hand movement.
- It will create noise because of the movement of the second hand.
WHAT TYPE IS PRICIER?
If you consider the price then MECHANICAL or manual watch movements are more expensive than the other two.
WHICH ONE OFFERS BETTER QUALITY IN TERMS OF THE LASTING PERIOD?
But if you consider the better quality or which is long-lasting then it depends upon the material and other functions. So it is considered that AUTOMATIC watch movements are best.