Difference Between Quartz & Mechanical Watches

Quartz and mechanical watches feature different technology.

Quartz and mechanical watches use vastly different technology to power movements. A quartz crystal watch uses a tiny battery to electronically power the movement. A mechanical watch uses a balance wheel and hairspring. Hand-winding the mechanical watch powers the movement.

History

Mechanical watches have been in existence since the 16th century and mass-produced by the 19th century. Quartz watches started mass-production in 1970.

Quartz Function

A battery-powered quartz watch uses a quartz crystal to provide oscillation that generates electrical signals to power the motor and move the hands.

Mechanical Function

Mechanical watches employ a wound spring that uses a wheel train and escapement, or set of gears, to regulate the movement's energy to move the hands,

Quartz Features

Quartz watches, as electronic devices, are more accurate than mechanical watches. Quartz watches rarely gain or lose time and never need winding.

Mechanical Considerations

Well-maintained mechanical watches can lose or gain up to eight seconds each day and require daily winding.

Bottom Line

Quartz watches are flawless in accuracy, but need battery replacement every three to four years. Mechanical watches are not perfect timekeepers, but can last a lifetime with few or no parts replacements if properly serviced.

References

• Atmos-man.com: Watch history
• Physlink.com: Quartz watches
• Timezone.com: Mechanical watches

Resources

• Smithsonian.org: Quartz watch details