The choice between mechanical and quartz movements has shifted drastically the last few years. High end battery powered watches have grown in popularity. Still, many purists tend to prefer the old-fashioned ticking heart of a mechanical watch. Keep reading to gain a better understanding of what is the best choice for you.
The beating heart
There is something special about a living, breathing watch on your wrist. Mechanical watches are made up of hundreds of tiny parts working together, without the help of a single microchip or battery. The balance wheel oscillates with thousands of beats per hour (generally between 18000 and 36000). Power is transferred from a barrel mainspring through a series of wheels, the balance is responsible for keeping the precision, before another set of wheels transfer the movement to the hands. Thus showing you the time.
There is a certain aura over a well-running automatic or hand wound movement, that is hard to replicate with a battery powered watch.
The quartz revolution
1969 was an important year in the history of mankind. We landed on the moon, but something even bigger happened on Christmas Day. Seiko launched the first ever quartz powered wristwatch, The Astron. It was extremely expensive, costing as much as a very decent car, but it proved one thing: a battery and a tiny quartz crystal was much more precise than the best mechanical movement from Switzerland.
To call this breakthrough a disruption in the industry, is nothing short of a massive understatement. As quartz became more accessible, people just didn`t want mechanical watches anymore. The number of people employed in the Swiss watch industry plummeted from around 90 000 to fewer than 30 000. Many big brands went under. Lanco is one of these brands (there is a fantastic Lanco chronograph for sale on this site.)
What should you choose?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. While many find mechanical watches more exciting, there are just way too many nice quartz watches to ignore. Especially older battery powered watches have very high quality movements that are sure to run for years and years, requiring nothing more than a new battery once in a blue moon.
Quartz watches tend to be more reliable, much more accurate, more affordable, and easier to operate in day to day life. Set them, and they will be ready whenever you need them to.
Mechanical watches might be a bit more exciting. They have a proper beating heart in their metaphorical chest, and you get the immense pleasure of winding them before putting them on your wrist in the morning.
The choice is yours. I like to have a combination in my collection.
Want a mechanical watch with a fresh service and a fantastic Valjoux chronograph movement? Check out this Lanco: Right here.
Is quartz the better choice for you? This Seiko is from the first ever line of mass produced battery powered watches: Check it out.