Guide to Watch Movements
Introduction to Watch Movements
Designer timepieces are a widely-respected American staple of success, crafted with artisanship that merges reliability and luxury. Centuries of innovation and marvelous engineering have constructed the path to the exquisite, modern watches we see today. Watch movements are considered the engine, powering the piece’s functions. As you shop for your first timepiece, understanding the different types of watch movements can help guide you to the piece that is just right for you, based on your individual needs and your particular lifestyle.
Manual Movement
Originating in the 16th century, the manual movement is the first type of watch movement. Many of these watches are very conservative, expensive, and collectable. These timepieces require hand-winding to power them, and they must be rewound regularly. Depending on the power reserve capacity of the watch movement, this can be anywhere from 24 hours to five days to over a week. This movement can be distinguished by a smooth, sweeping motion of the second hand. Arguably, this watch requires the most day-to-day maintenance.
Automatic Movement
Automatic movements function similarly to manual movements, except for one key difference. As the name implies, these watches automatically wind themselves using kinetic energy. A metal weight, called a rotor, is placed on the back of the watch’s case. When the wrist moves, the rotor spins and winds the mainspring. This yields a sense of convenience to the timepiece wearer who cherishes the intricate mechanics. The automatic movement still requires occasional winding but much less than a manual movement.
Quartz Movement
First showcased in 1969 by popular watch brand Seiko, the quartz movement changed the watch industry forever. Quartz watches offer a cheaper option that remains favored today. This type of movement uses a battery. The battery sends an electric signal to a small quartz crystal, causing it to vibrate rapidly. These vibrations are then converted into one electric pulse per second, moving the watch’s hands. Because of this, this movement is the most accurate in the industry, and it requires the least amount of maintenance, besides occasional battery replacements.
Shop for Watches at Deutsch & Deutsch Jewelers
With humble beginnings as a tiny tourist shop about a century ago, Deutsch & Deutsch boasts a tradition of hard work and ingenuity. We are proud to serve five cities all across the great state of Texas with superior selections of timepieces. Our highly-trained experts also offer watch repair services to keep your watch in pristine condition for years to come. Find one of our Texas jewelry stores near you, or browse our inventory online.
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