In Depth about Quartz Watches: Style and Precision Combined

Watches need a power source to tell you the time. Mechanical watches get their power from a wound-up spring. This can be done manually via the crown, or automatically by a moving rotor. For Quartz watches this differs a bit. Let’s dive into the different types of quartz watch movements, and why you should definitely consider one!

Kas Klerx

Chief Content

Updated at: 14/12/2023

Quartz watches: Where did it start?

Let’s explain what a Quartz watch is, and how it works. Quartz is a crystal material with a very specific characteristic. When a quartz crystal is powered with an electrical current, read battery, the crystal vibrates/oscillates at a very precise frequency. In 1969 Seiko took use of this character and decided that powering a quartz crystal to regulate the movement of the watch was way more precise than how it was done before. Before this invention, there were already electronically powered watches that used tuning fork movements, or a balance wheel to regulate the power. Some well-known examples of these electronic tuning fork watches are the early Bulova Accutrons. They used a tuning fork that, when powered, vibrates at a very specific frequency (360Hz). When they changed this into a quartz crystal to regulate the power, they were amazed how accurate this phenomenon was. Not only the accuracy was great, but it was also a very cost-effective solution to lower the prices of their watch production. From then on, regulating electronic watches with a quartz crystal was the worldwide standard.

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Invention of Quartz: Disrupting the Watch Industry

In 1969 Seiko introduced the Quartz technology to the market with their Seiko Astron. Seiko was way ahead of its time, as the rest of the market was very invested in the production of mechanical watches. Because this disruptive invention, a lot of watch brands struggled to keep their heads above the water, because they could not battle against the low production costs of these Quartz watches. A lot of Swiss brands faced financial troubles and had to cease operations. Such brands as Blancpain, Universal Genève, Zodiac and Tissot. Blancpain, Zodiac and Tissot got revived later. For instance, Blancpain and Tissot got revived by the nowadays well known ‘Swatch Group’ and still sell sought-after luxury watches.

Different types of Quartz watches

Quartz crystals are used in watches to regulate the input of power into the movement. There are however lots of different types of quartz watches around. While quartz watches often are powered by a changeable battery, this can also be done differently. There are for instance kinetically powered quartz movements. These house a rotor, that converts kinetic energy from the movement of the wearer into electronic current to power a battery cell. This cell then powers the quartz crystal. This can not only be done by kinetic energy, but also with solar energy. There are solar powered watches, that house solar cells inside their dial, which converts the solar power to electronic current. Another type of quartz watch is the radio-controlled watch. These quartz watches house a radio transmitter, which synchronizes with a radio signal from an atomic clock in the area. If you pass time zones or forget to set your watch correctly after a battery change, this watch will do that for you.

Why you should opt for a Quartz watch

Generally speaking, Quartz watches give you more for your money’s worth. Quartz watch movements are less expensive to produce. Because there are fewer moving parts to regulate the power output, there is less material needed to produce these movements. Not only the production is cheaper, but also the maintenance. There is a lot less wear of moving parts in a quartz movement, than for instance an automatic watch movement. No rotor that spins around freely and must be oiled and serviced once every 7 years. The only thing you have to replace once every 2 to 5 years is a simple battery. Without the presence of a rotor, these movements tend to be a lot thinner than automatics. For smaller and dressier watches, this is a perfect solution to prevent people from wearing thick bulky cases on their small subtle wrists. Last but not least, quartz movements tend to be a lot more precise than any other mechanical movement around. COSC certified Chronometer movements, which are the most accurate mechanical movements around, still allow for a deviation of -4 to +6 seconds a day. The deviation of a new average quartz movement tends to be less than 20 seconds in a YEAR! What about setting your time? Not needed. Quartz will always run exactly at the accurate time. Only your date window might need some adjustment once in a while.

Affordable Accuracy, the times is now

If you were still in doubt about purchasing a quartz watch, I hoped this has changed your mind about quartz watch movements. In summary, quartz watches, epitomized by the groundbreaking Seiko Astron in 1969, seamlessly blend style and precision. The advent of quartz technology disrupted the watch industry, offering cost-effective solutions with minimal maintenance. With variations like kinetic, solar-powered, and radio-controlled movements, quartz watches provide versatility. Opting for a quartz watch means enjoying affordability, low maintenance, and remarkable precision, making them a practical and stylish choice for watch enthusiasts. In essence, quartz watches represent a lasting legacy of innovation in horology.