Watches: Quartz Vs. Automatic

Quartz watches are more accurate than automatics but automatics don't need a battery.

Quartz and automatic watches use different technologies to operate the timepieces. Quartz watches far outdistance automatics in popularity due to their accuracy and low-maintenance, but automatics feature a mechanical movement that offers convenience using traditional technology.

Quartz History

Quartz-powered watches were developed in the late 1960s and eventually overtook automatic and windup mechanical watches in overall sales among buyers, according to Smithsonian.org.

Automatic Origins

Automatics, also called self-winding watches, began to appear on the market in the mid-1920s and was perfected by Rolex with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch in 1930.

Quartz Technology

Quartz watches use a crystal that sends electronic impulses to a tuning fork that that vibrates, which powers the timepiece.

Automatic Mechanism

Automatics are powered by a spring mechanism called a movement and uses a large half-moon-shaped disc that rotates with arm movement to keep the watch wound, according to Timezone.com.

Quartz Features

Quartz watches can lose or gain only a few seconds a year. It requires a battery with a lifespan of about four years to keep running.

Automatic Advantages

Automatics can lose or gain up to eight seconds a day. It never needs winding if the watch is worn daily. It needs no battery, but should be serviced every five years.

References

• Timezone.com: Automatic watch details
• Morethanarticles.com: Automatic watch technology
• Watchshopuk.com: Quartz watches

Resources

• Smithsonian.org: Quartz history