Quartz vs. Mechanical Watches For Men

Shopping for the perfect watch, one that will last a long time while still looking beautiful, is not as difficult as you might think. Does a quartz watch fit better into your lifestyle and needs, or is a mechanical watch more in-line with what you are looking for?  It is not uncommon for people to hear these various watch terms, yet be unfamiliar with what they mean. The great thing about quartz and automatic (mechanical) watches, is that, while they each have their own perks, they are both a good option to consider.

Essentially, the only difference between these two distinct styles of watches is how the mechanics of the watch are designed to keep time. Watches contain mechanical components that work quite simply as the engine of the watches, either electrically (with a battery) or manually (with wind-up springs).

Quartz:

Quartz watches are the most simple, efficient, and most affordable watches available. With the use of a battery, these watches are able to keep time accurately, losing only about a minute a year. Quartz watches are popular because of their sleek and functional design, which requires only minimum maintenance of replacing a battery every few years. Quartz watches have also traveled everywhere, from the depths of the sea to the moon!

A quartz watch works by having the battery send an electrical jolt to the quartz crystal that is incorporated into the watch’s mechanics. This jolt of electricity then causes the crystal to vibrate. The vibrations put off by the crystal then provide consistent power to the watch, providing near-perfect time-keeping abilities. The easiest way to identify a quartz watch is to look at the second hand. These watches will have an audible, individual tick from the second hand, rather than a smooth sweeping motion.

Mechanical:

Unlike their battery powered cousins, mechanical watches for men are dependent upon pure mechanics to move the hands and keep time. The technology and mechanics behind mechanical watches has been around for centuries, but it is still not a perfect technology. Individuals who are looking for an authentic mechanical watch are willing to pay thousands to get one. Simply put, mechanical watches are more of a statement piece, a showcase item rather than a method to tell time.

Within mechanical watches, there are two distinct methods of providing the watches with energy to keep track of time: manual movement and automatic movement. Manual movement gets its energy from a wound spring within the mechanics of the watch. The energy from the spring is then transferred to the gears to power the hands of the watch. The way for this type of watch to get the energy to power the hands requires the wearer to wind the watch every 24 hours to keep the time.

Automatic movement is similar to that of manual, with the biggest difference being that the wearer is not required to wind the watch. Instead, a rotor (a semi-circular plate) spins around the center of the watch every time the watch moves. Every time the wearer moves their arm to reach for something, or swings their arms, the watch gets energy and winds itself. Because of this technology, the watch will stay continually wound, so long as there is movement to feed it.

One technology is not necessarily better than the other. It all comes down to mechanics that fit different styles. At Egard Watches, we have beautiful, hand-crafted, quartz and mechanical watches for men, to fit every individual style. Come view our wide selection today, and find the next timepiece that will compliment your personal style for years to come!