In a previous blog post we looked at five different watch movements and how they worked.
If you have not read this post check it our here Watch Movements Simply Explained
After going down the rabbit hole two movements dominate the watch bubble so here are some pros and cons for both quartz and automatic/mechanical movements.
Let’s start with the pros for the quartz.
Accuracy
Extremely accurate losing or gaining only a few seconds per month.
This is down mainly to the ability to rely on the stable, consistent vibrations of the quartz crystal.
Maintenance & Convenience
Extremely low maintenance is required for a quartz watch, they really are your set it and forget friend.
Battery operated meaning you can leave it unworn for an extended period of time and when you are ready it’s set and ready to be worn.
Affordable
Quartz movements are less expensive than their mechanical counterparts, meaning they are far more affordable & accessible to the general public, if you are just starting out on your watch journey there are lots of options to choose from.
Ok, there are some of the pros but what about the cons? Let’s have a look.
Battery Dependent
While the set it and forget it is a great pro the flipside is that you will need to replace the battery at some point, while not a massive issue it can be quite costly, especially if you have a nicer watch that runs on a battery.
The Secondhand Tick
One thing that really bugs enthusiasts with quartz watches is the secondhand tick rather than the sweeping motion found on a mechanical watch.
If you love sweeping motion, then a quartz movement may not be for you as most do not have this which can take away from the aesthetics of the dial.
The Beauty of Mechanical Movements
Watch purists much prefer the beauty and craftsmanship of an automatic or mechanical watch, the sheer skill in creating these movements gives the watch more soul in many enthusiast’s eyes.
We have had a look at quartz now let’s have a look at the mechanical and automatic pros
No Battery Required
We touched upon the craftmanship of making of these beautiful movements and this is the main pro for choosing a mechanical or automatic watch.
Many hours can be taken to put these little machines together and if you can see it through an open case back that’s a bonus, there really is something special about seeing how your watch works.
Power Reserve
While the set it and forget it can be said of a quartz movement the same can also be said of a mechanical watch to some extent.
Higher end watches tend to have up to and excess of 70 hours power reserve so you can wear it on a Friday and it will maintain the time ready for you to wear it again for Monday.
Sweeping Second Hand
Completely opposite to the tick of the quartz movement, automatic and mechanical watches have a smooth and continuous motion of the second hand.
For sheer aesthetics this looks much better.
While we have so many pros could be listed we do also have some cons too.
Accuracy
While a positive for the quartz movement the same cannot be said for automatic and mechanical movements.
These movements can be less accurate with the watch being out by several seconds a day and even in some cases minutes this is generally down to environmental factors such as temperature, magnetism, and shocks aswell as wear and tear of the movements itself.
Watch Thickness
Depending on the watch movement and complications on your watch this can affect how thick the watch is and if you like a slim watch this could be an issue for you.
In Conclusion
Both have their pros and cons, it really is down to personal preference.
For the purists mechanical and automatic watches will be the first choice, however there really is a place for quartz watches too and they can be a fantastic way to start your collection at affordable prices.
The decision is really up to you.
What are your pros and cons? Leave a comment below!
