To date, the most popular watch movements are either quartz or mechanical. When it comes to any models of watches, then not only the appearance, but also the quality of the mechanism is subject to discussion. The main characteristics (reliability, service life and accuracy) should always be high. Now those “failed news” that the designers boasted so much have already come to naught, and the technicians have assured of promising prospects. Mechanical-electronic watches or watches with bilianese did not become a worthy replacement for the classics. Quartz or mechanical watches remain the benchmark.
What are quartz and mechanical watches?
To the question about which watch is better - quartz or mechanical, it is impossible to give a definite answer. Mechanical watches are a classic art. In terms of prestige and reliability, modern mechanical watches are slightly higher than quartz. By the way, many people like them aesthetically more. The smooth movement of the clock hands on the dial, coupled with a pleasant weight on the wrist makes many fall in love with the mechanics. Quartz watches are more convenient to use. One of their most pleasant features is that there is no need to start them and constantly worry that they will suddenly stop. The accuracy of quartz is higher than that of mechanical models. The functions of the quartz movement itself allow you to create a lighter and thinner watch.
The principle of operation of quartz and mechanical watches
The main difference between a quartz watch and a mechanical one is the principle of operation. The role of the engine in a mechanical watch is assigned to a spiral spring. It is twisted in a special way during the watch factory procedure. Starts the clockwork its gradual unwinding. In this way, a drum with small teeth is set in motion. Accuracy can occur due to uneven unwinding of the spring. The factory is equipped with all mechanical Swiss watches, the price category of which starts at three hundred dollars.
A quartz watch provides energy with a special battery, designed for a period of two to seven years. A crystal oscillator transmits energy to an electric motor. It is he who turns the clock hands . Quartz watches are characterized by excellent accuracy. When pressed, a quartz crystal generates an electrical impulse, and when it is exposed to current, it compresses. If the battery is of high quality, then you need to start this watch only once every 2-3 years.
It is impossible to state with certainty which watch is better. Quartz or mechanical watches have their advantages and disadvantages.
Mechanical watches
The most technologically advanced, more complicated in design and production are considered mechanical watches. Their obligatory quality is the most complicated mechanism. Global manufacturers compete in mastery, launching the most sophisticated mechanical watches on the market. However, even the most budget models are reliable and accurate in readings.
The mechanisms of mechanical watches are a true work of art and technical thought. Entire departments and heavy duty computers are working on creating new watches. Achieved a lot: the problems of spring response to temperature fluctuations were defeated, systems that ensure constant tension were introduced, new resistant materials are used to eliminate friction in the mechanism. The result of the work is the highest accuracy. Another important point is aesthetic. In the trend are models whose mechanism can be observed. Creating a mechanism is not only a matter of jewelry beauty. Do not forget that all materials of mechanical watches are difficult to process.
Quartz watch
Quartz movement is a well-forgotten old. Such an innovation consists in a remake of the classic clockwork in a modern way. The idea of the movement of the dial hands, with which the time is shown, remains the same, but the battery and the quartz itself act as a source of movement, and not a mechanical compressed spring. The complex gear system was replaced by a stepper motor. This mechanism is loyal in price. In light women's watches, the quartz movement is indispensable, because there simply is no place left for the classical movement. Quartz watches do not require any frequent factory.
Which watch is better - quartz or mechanical?
For mechanical watches, the permissible error limits are from 20 to 40 seconds in 24 hours. In the most expensive models, the difference is only 1-2 seconds per day.
For quartz watches, a difference of 15-20 seconds per month is acceptable. If for you the main parameter is accuracy, then it is better to stop the choice on models with a quartz movement. The accuracy of a mechanical watch directly depends on many factors: the ambient temperature, the position of the watch when worn, the level of wear of parts. Quartz is more unpretentious (there are no fragile parts in the mechanism). But quartz can suffer from magnetic fields. But such a watch is less susceptible to all factors that can disable mechanics. That is why world manufacturers, answering the question "which watch is better - quartz or mechanical - by service life", most often insist on quartz. Quartz movements dominate the global market. Every three years, both mechanical and quartz watches require lubrication, cleaning and adjustment.
The cost of mechanical watches is often more than quartz. Such a phenomenon is easy to explain: mechanics have more details.
Parts of mechanical watches are subject to constant load. Therefore, in the manufacture of mechanisms use resistant materials: steel, brass, ruby. Details in quartz models are freer: they are loaded for a split second, at the moment when the engine turns the wheels. You can use the most soft materials, such as plastic, plastic, for quartz models.
Recommendations
Quartz and mechanical watches are very popular. The difference is determined for each in their own way. If we talk about male models, then we can recommend the mechanics - it looks solid and status. With women's watches it’s easier - the quartz movement fits easily into miniature models.