What is better to choose — quartz or mechanical watches

There are two types of wrist chronometers — quartz and mechanical. And they differ not only in price. They are similar only in the scope of use and, perhaps, the presence of arrows.

Quartz and mechanical watches differ in the principle of operation, the need for maintenance and accuracy.

How mechanical watches work

Mechanical watches are the most classic version of chronometers. The system of levers, springs, gears and arrows used in them is a real work of engineering art. Such devices are completely mechanical, they do not have a single electronic component, which means that with proper care and sufficiently high-quality materials, they will work for eternity.

The source of energy in the «mechanics» is a special spring. At the institution, it stretches, and then during the day it tends to straighten. As soon as it is unclenched, the energy from the clock mechanism disappears, and the hands stop. As a consequence, mechanical watches must be wound every day (although some chronometers can last longer from one winding).

The presence of the internal energy of the spring leads to the fact that a very high voltage is applied to the parts of the clockwork. Most likely, in childhood, when disassembling the alarm clock, you yourself saw how its parts scatter when the mount is removed. In wristwatches, everything is the same, so the mechanism is made of materials that can withstand long-term stress — steel, brass, ruby.

That is why often «mechanics» are equipped with stone elements. Ruby or diamond (in top models) parts have greater compressive strength and do not break when trying to bend. The more stones in the mechanism, the longer the chronometer will last. But the price also increases, of course.

In general, the main advantage of the “mechanics” is their high reliability. In theory, they are able to work through eternity. But this also leads to high cost, as well as the need to start them daily. In addition, it is desirable that the gears and levers are made of reliable materials and have at least a few stone elements in their structure.

But they also have a serious drawback. We’ll talk about it later.

How quartz watches work

The clock mechanism of quartz chronometers is similar to that of mechanical ones, except that a battery acts as an energy source. It is complemented by an electronic control module and a quartz crystal.

When electricity is applied to a quartz crystal, it begins to vibrate at a tremendous rate, due to its piezoelectric properties. The oscillation frequency is always the same, regardless of the current strength. Then a special control element accurately counts the number of vibrations made by the quartz crystal, and upon reaching a certain number sends a command to turn the mechanism to the stepper motor. It turns — and the hand moves one second.

Quartz is so accurate that it is used not only in electromechanical chronometers, but also in electronic ones, as well as in many other devices where it is required to measure time in seconds.

It is clear that the mechanism is at rest most of the time, turning only on command from the control unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to make it from high-strength materials. The gears of quartz devices can even be made of plastic, as is often the case with Chinese alarm clocks — and nothing, they will work for themselves.

The use of quartz and an electronic movement made it possible to significantly reduce the cost of watches. Quartz electromechanical timepieces can be extremely inexpensive. Of course, the price also includes the case material, design and much more, but the fact remains that in mass production such watches can cost tens of rubles.

However, the quartz and control electronics require electricity to operate. Batteries in chronometers should be changed regularly. Moreover, the period depends on many factors. So, for some models, the battery needs to be changed every few months, while others are able to work from one “tablet” for a couple of years.

The average operating time of a quartz watch is extremely difficult to predict. With mechanical ones, it is easier — fully functional devices preserved in museums show that with proper care, a chronometer can last for centuries. But quartz appeared on the market only three decades ago, so it is not clear whether it is worth bequeathing them to grandchildren or not yet.

However, quartz watches have one very important advantage — and this is not the price. About him — below.

Which is more accurate — quartz or mechanical watches?

And now we get to the main aspect of the comparison — accuracy. And mechanical chronometers lose to quartz ones.

Due to the fact that the strength of the winding is different each time, as well as the unstable transfer of kinetic energy from the tense spiral, the «mechanics» shows an extremely average accuracy. A good result for such chronometers is a deviation of ±20 seconds per day, an excellent result is ±5 seconds. Cheap models may well lag behind or rush, even for a minute per day! This is a lot, and mechanical chronometers need regular reconciliation.

Quartz ones can also start to lag or rush — but due to defects or energy loss in the mechanism itself. A good result for such chronometers is ±20 seconds per month, excellent — ±5 seconds per year. Qualitative quartz watches do not need regular reconciliation, since they only show the time with the necessary and sufficient accuracy.

Which is better — quartz or mechanical watches?

So, we finally got to the comparative table, where we oppose these two types of chronometers to each other.

In addition, there is another factor to consider. A mechanical watch is often a status device rather than an exclusively functional one. Chronometers from companies such as Montblanc, Tissot, Corum or TAG Heuer cost hundreds of thousands and millions of rubles — and look like a work of art. They can also be used as an investment, although not very reliable, or be inherited by grandchildren. This is not the case with quartz.

In general, when choosing a watch, you should proceed from your own preferences. Both quartz and mechanical chronometers are equally good. Of course, the latter have a drawback in the form of a time discrepancy with the reference one, however, in the modern world, a couple of minutes of difference does not always play an important role. And if you have a stylish, expensive chronometer on your wrist, it is you who controls the time, and not time controls you.