Written by Bérengère Treussard - Tuesday, October 3, 2023
It may seem strange to watch lovers, but many rookies are now interested in watches and want to find out more so that they can make informed purchases that suit their lifestyle.
Starting with watch movements will allow me to continue with watch complications in another article.
Watch movements are the part of watchmaking that enables a watch to function. There are several types of watch movement, each with its own features and advantages.
The mechanical movement is the oldest type of watch movement. It uses a spring that must be wound manually or automatically to keep the clock running. The mechanical movement is considered to be the most precise and the hardest to build, but it is also the one that requires the most maintenance.
It is important to find out about the power reserve, which refers to the length of time a mechanical watch can continue to run after being fully wound. This is essentially the amount of energy stored in the mainspring of the watch movement. A longer power reserve means that the watch can run for a longer period without needing to be wound. This allows a watch to be kept running even when it is not worn regularly.
The automatic movement is similar to the mechanical movement, but it uses a rotor that is set in motion by wrist movements to wind the spring. This means that the automatic movement does not require manual winding, but it must be worn regularly to keep it running. You will therefore need to reset the watch if you do not wear it for several days. To know how long you don't need to wear it, it is important to find out the power reserve.
The quartz movement is a type of electronic watch movement that uses a battery to power a quartz clock. It was discovered in the 1920s by Warren Marrison, but it was not until the 1960s that the first accurate and reliable quartz movements were created. The quartz movement works by exploiting the piezoelectric properties of quartz, a mineral that generates an electric current when subjected to mechanical pressure. It is cheaper to produce than mechanical or automatic movements but requires periodic battery replacement.
The hybrid movement combines the advantages of mechanical and quartz movements by using a battery to power a quartz time mechanism, whilst using a rotor to wind the spring as in an automatic movement. Hybrid watches often offer additional features such as Bluetooth connectivity to pair with a smartphone. This combines the timeless aesthetic appeal of a mechanical watch with modern functionality.
Finally, there are solar movements, which use solar energy to power a quartz clock, and gravity-wound movements, which use gravity to wind the spring of an automatic watch.
The Eco-Drive movement is a technology developed by
You get it – each type of watch movement has its own advantages and drawbacks, and the choice of movement will often depend on your personal preference and intended use of the watch.
Mechanical and automatic watches are often more expensive than other watches, but some brands aim to make automatic watches accessible by offering them at very reasonable prices.