Why Mechanical Watches are Better than Quartz Watches
Posted: Friday, April 24, 2009
by Mark Sanchez
Russian Watch Guide
In some ways it's hard to justify a claim that mechanical watches are better than quartz watches. After all, quartz watches represent modern technology while mechanical watches are something of a throwback. It's almost like saying vinyl records are better than CDs. But like those music lovers who continue play vinyl and stick steadfast to their belief that vinyl is superior to digital, I'm going to try to convince you why I believe mechanical watches are better than quartz.
Quartz watches use an electronic oscillator regulated by a quartz crystal. Power supplied by a battery keeps the crystal oscillating at a precise frequency. Seiko produced the world's first quartz wristwatch in 1969. Nowadays most watches use quartz movements because they are more accurate than mechanical movements, cheaper to produce, and don't require winding or frequent resetting.
Mechanical watches use a movement comprised of gears powered by a mainspring. There is no battery. Winding the watch gives it energy to operate. Watches can be wound be turning the crown or, in the case of automatics, simply by wearing the watch -- the random movement winds the spring.
So if quartz watches are cheaper and keep time more accurately than mechanicals, how can mechanical watches be better? I think the answer lies in the aesthetics of the watch, the feeling of wearing a mechanical timepiece, and perhaps nostalgia.
A watch is more than just a timepiece. It's a form of personal expression. We believe we are -- and prefer to express ourselves as -- unique, complex, self-contained entities, not a cheap mass-produced item.
Mechanical watches don't rely on a battery or any form of external power. You are the source of power, and because of that the experience of wearing the watch becomes more personal.
Also, people are creatures of habit and wethrive in an atmosphere of order and routine. The daily ritual of winding and setting a mechanical watch gives a sense of stability to one's life, similar to a morning cup of coffee or regular scheduled exercise routine.
I suppose the bottom line is that you need to wear a mechanical watch to feel the difference for yourself. Once you do, I think you'll want at least one mechanical in your watch collection. Whether it's a $6000 Rolex or a $60 Vostok, I hope you'll give one a try.
Mark Sanchez is a contributing author at Russian Watch Guide, the leading consumer guide to Russian-made watches. He collects mechanical watches, in particular Russian-made mechanical watches by manufacturers such as Vostok, Raketa and Volmax.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Great article. Well done.I own a American Waltham watch that is pre- quartz and it keeps good time - 120 years on!
Sorry I don't find this very convincing. I own a 6000 dollar Rolex Submariner and a 300 dollar Citizen. The Citizen is now 12 years old, has never been serviced, and keeps perfect time to within a second per day. The Rolex needs to be serviced every five years at great cost, is less accurate than the Citizen, and stops working if I don't wear it. I'd say its 3-0 Quartz vs Mechanical. The only time I wear the Rolex is when I'm wearing a suit.
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