Mechanical vs Quartz

My first intention when writing this blog was to simply indicate the difference between a Quartz watch and a Mechanical watch. It seemed quite a straightforward project at the time - that is until I started reading through Internet articles and blogs. I started by reading informative articles about the major differences between Quartz and Mechanical watches; I read the simple explanations and then I delved a bit deeper into the not so simple explanations. Everything seemed tranquil and scientific … until I clicked on a thread. I could feel the tension lifting off the WebPages, a kind of harsh grating tension that makes the hairs quiver on the back of ones neck. This came as a surprise – their seemed to be a definite Quartz vs Mechanical Competition going. Almost like color war in camp. Suddenly the Quartz team and the Mechanical team were firing shots at each other. Some threads became quite alarming that I found all too soon my heart hammering in my chest. What was this all about? I kept on reading, my eyes closing, but everyone involved seemed so heated that I wanted to know more. So after a couple of hours and piles of printouts; I felt somehow I was preparing for battle. The quartz vs Mechanical battle. I still have not finished reading my pile of printouts and I am getting more and more anxious about the whole Quartz / Mechanical thing.

In the 1970's Quartz watches almost ground the tradiotional mechanical watch into oblivion, on the other hand Quartz watches lifted mechanical watches from the edge of extintion with the introduction of the hugelyu popular Swatch watch. The Swatch Watch poured enormous wealth into the Swiss Watch Market allowing the older traditional companies like Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin to regain momentum.
There are definite advantages to owning a Quartz Watch:

• Quartz Watches are battery operated and thus need no winding.
  

• Quartz Watches allow for increased functionality based on modern technology such as theTissot SEA-Touch, with incredible cutting edge patented technology which allow divers the knowledge of time in two time zones, the depth of the current dive, digital chronograph, thermometer, alarm, perpetual calender date, compass and divers logbook. All activated by a light touch on the crystal. Even in the dark depths of deep sea diving, divers are still able to consult their Tissot SEA-Touch by extremely luminescent material as well as a strong back light.

• Quartz Watches are more affordable.
  


• Quartz Watches cab be thinner
  

Mechanical Watches ,as I see it, have a slightly different function. Mechanical Watches are part of ones image. I know a young man who came into the real estate business. He was relatively inexperience, but an excellent negotiator. He signed a grand deal much to the amazement of his senior colleagues, and the next day he purchased a Audemars Piaget Millenary. He did not hesitate when upgrading his image. A brand name watch of distinction is a subtle sign of success.

A Mechanical Watch is powered by winding - read this link for full details.

• Mechanical Watches are entrenched in the longstanding tradition of watchmaking, spanning 400 years.


• Mechanical watches are self sufficient; once assembled they never require any additional component. A watch, in good condition, crafted 200 years ago can still run like new. In essence a mechanical watch is timeless, unmarked by the passage of time.


• Mechanical watches is truly "green" never depleting earth's energy resources.
  


• Expert watch designers and watch makers plan every new model
  


• There is an obvious distinction between a replica mechanical watch and a 100% genuine mechanical watch. Replica's have shoddy craftsmanship made from inferior quality metals, and semi precious stones.
• Complicated Mechanical Watches have complications such as a perpetual calender, tourbillon, chronograph, minute repeaters and more. Each complication requires many small specialized components which fit together to perform a function in perfect harmony.
• Finally, fine mechanical watches, like diamond rings, are heirlooms meant to be passed on from generation to generation. A mechanical watch is your messenger into the future.

The Watchery sells Mechanical and Quartz Watches at rock bottom prices. All watches are 100% genuine name brand timepieces with serial numbers.

These are only a few points in regard to quartz and mechanical watches. I would love to hear feedback. Please comment and add a point or two.

The "Quartz Scare"

This newspaper advertisement is from the Albuqerque Journal, Sunday May 10,1970. This advertisement, and others like it almost brought the world of mechanical watch making to its knees. A Watch more accurate than the sun itself, quite a statement. While reading this 38 year old article, I can sense the shudder that pervaded the Mechanical Watch World in the early 1970's when Quartz watches flooded the market; they were cheaper and more accurate than their mechanical counterparts. It is the same thought that entered the minds of many companies that became redundant due to modern technologies. Companies that made camera film for camera's, ribbons for typewriters, VHS , gas lanterns and carriages for horses. The Mechanical Watch World thought their days were numbered, and truth be told the sales of Mechanical Watches slumped. Less people learned the trade of Mechanical Watch Making as they saw no future in it.

The Mechanical Watch receives its power from a main spring. This power is transmitted by a wheel train through the escape wheel and pallet to the balance wheel. Accuracy is controlled by the oscillating rate of the balance wheel. The time indicating hands are turned by the wheel train. Every watch part needs to be carefully crafted to perfection, any slight imperfection will seriously compromise the precise time keeping . Although an incredible amount of skill, craftsmanship and time is invested in the making of the Mechanical watch, it can be made no more accurate than 2-3 seconds per day. The Mechanical Watch dates back to the 1600's.


The quartz watch receives its power from a specially designed battery which activates a quartz crystal inside the movement, vibrating at 33 times per second. The vibrations are then translated into impulses by a computer chip that drives an electronic motor which moves the watch hands. Even the most inexpensive, off the rack, quartz watches are accurate to less than .05 per day. The First Quartz Watch prototype was developed in 1967 with the Beta 21. By 1970, the Pulsar, the first digital watch was developed and by 1976 the 1st watch under $20 was placed on the market.

So it seems that as a result of the inexpensiveness, accuracy, and sheer numbers of Quartz Watches available, Mechanical Watches would vanish from the modern world. The Mechanical Watch World was on the brink of extinction ,when the novelty of the Quartz watch began to fade, and slowly Mechanical Watches made a come back. Mechanical Watches now filled a different role of times past. Mechanical Watches filled the role of class, quality and centuries old tradition. True they are less effected by adverse temperatures, and can last longer if maintained , but it is not a competition between the two that can be tabulated. The two types of watches are very different, and it is in their difference that each will attain their place in the Watch World.