When shopping for watches, you may have heard the terms “quartz” and “automatic” floated around. But, what exactly is the main difference between quartz watches and automatic watches and why would I buy one over the other?
To answer your questions, we’ve put together a guide to explain all the differences between these two watch types and help you decide which watch is for you. Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What’s the Difference Between a Quartz Watch and an Automatic Watch?
The main difference between a quartz watch and an automatic watch is that quartz watches are battery-powered while automatic watches rely on kinetic energy from the wearer for it to tick.
However, there are other differences that should be looked into before you make a decision on which type of watch to invest in. For instance, pricing, style, and accuracy all come to mind when comparing both watches side by side.
What is a Quartz Watch?
As mentioned above, a quartz watch is powered by a battery and relies on a quartz crystal to regulate its timekeeping. The quartz crystal vibrates at a precise frequency when an electrical current passes through it. This relationship between the battery and quartz crystal allows for the watch to keep time on a consistent basis.
How Does a Quartz Watch Work?
Inside a quartz watch, a small piece of quartz crystal acts as the oscillator, generating a stable electrical signal. This signal is then converted into a regular pulse that drives the stepper motor, which moves the watch hands. The quartz watch’s circuitry also includes a battery, an integrated circuit, and a digital or analog display.
Quartz Watches: Advantages and Disadvantages
Now that you know how a quartz watch works, let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages.
Quartz Watches Advantages
Quartz watches offer several advantages that make them a popular choice among watch enthusiasts. Firstly, they are highly accurate and require minimal adjustment, with some models losing or gaining only a few seconds per month. Additionally, they are known for their affordability, because quartz technology allows for cost-effective production. Lastly, quartz watches are very low-maintenance since they only require their battery to be replaced every few years.
This is one of the reasons we recommend entry-level watch buyers start with a quartz watch. They’re easy to take care of and you won’t spend too much money starting out.
Quartz Watches Disadvantages
While quartz watches have numerous advantages, they also have a few drawbacks. One of the main disadvantages is the reliance on batteries. The batteries need to be replaced periodically, and if the battery dies unexpectedly, the watch stops functioning until a new one is inserted.
Furthermore, it can be argued that the movement of quartz watches lacks visual appeal. Some watch enthusiasts argue that the ticking motion of the second hand in quartz watches is clunky and boring, making it a lesser choice compared to automatic watches.
What is an Automatic Watch?
An automatic watch, also known as a self-winding watch, is a mechanical timepiece that relies on the natural movement (kinetic energy) of the wearer’s wrist to power the watch. It does not require a battery and is driven by a complex system of gears, springs, and an oscillating weight called a rotor.
How Does an Automatic Watch Work?
Automatic watches are activated through their mainspring, which stores the energy required to power the watch. As the wearer moves their wrist, the rotor oscillates and winds the mainspring, storing energy in the process. This energy is then released gradually, powering the watch’s movement and keeping time.
If you’ve worn a mechanical watch, the details are pretty similar. The main difference is that you need to rotate the crown to generate and store energy.
Automatic Watches: Advantages & Disadvantages
Now that you know how an automatic watch works, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages.
Automatic Watches Advantages
Automatic watches possess certain advantages that make them highly desirable to watch enthusiasts. Firstly, they exhibit a craftsmanship and engineering complexity that appeals to those who appreciate traditional horology. The smooth, sweeping motion of the second hand is often considered aesthetically pleasing and adds a touch of sophistication. Moreover, automatic watches are environmentally friendly since they don’t rely on batteries.
Automatic Watches Disadvantages
While automatic watches offer a range of appealing features, they also have some limitations. One notable disadvantage is their accuracy. Compared to quartz watches, automatic watches can be slightly less precise, with some models losing or gaining several seconds per day. Additionally, automatic watches require regular servicing and maintenance to ensure optimal performance, including cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment.
Quartz vs. Automatic Watches: What Sets Each One Apart
While the main difference between quartz and automatic watches is the movement, there are still other differences to consider like accuracy, pricing, and overall maintenance.
In terms of accuracy, quartz watches outshine automatic watches. Quartz movements are renowned for their precision, with most models losing or gaining only a few seconds per month. On the other hand, automatic watches, while still reliable, can exhibit variations in accuracy due to their mechanical nature, typically losing or gaining several seconds per day.
Price-wise, quartz watches generally have a lower entry point than automatic watches. Quartz movements are less complex and cheaper to produce, allowing manufacturers to price at a more affordable level. On the other hand, automatic watches are largely known for their intricacy.
Each automatic watch involves precise mechanical components and craftsmanship. The higher skill level required to make the watch generally means it’s priced higher than quartz watches. However, automatic watches are now more cost-effective to produce nowadays so you can sometimes find automatic watches that are cheaper than quartz watches: *cough* *cough* The Seiko 5
The last thing we’ll look at is servicing the watch. Quartz watches are relatively low-maintenance and require minimal servicing beyond battery replacement every few years. On the other hand, automatic watches need periodic servicing to maintain their performance. This involves cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment of the movement to ensure accurate timekeeping.
Servicing a watch is no cheap task either. Depending on your watch model, a service can run you anywhere between $100 and $1,000, another reason why automatic watches tend to be more expensive than quartz watches.
Take a look at this table below for a full comparison between automatic watches and quartz watches:
| Quartz | Automatic | |
| Power Source | Battery | Self-winding/wearer’s kinetic energy |
| Pricing | $ to $$ | $$ to $$$ |
| Accuracy | +/- 10 seconds per month | +/- 25 seconds per day |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium to High |
| Reliability | No issues unless battery dies | Needs to be worn often for accuracy |
| Power Reserve | Years – only when battery dies | Days |
| Lifestyle & Use | Can be worn for physical activity and casual settings | Largely depends on watch type (beater, diver, dress) |
Automatic vs. Quartz: Which Should You Choose?
Which type of watch you choose largely depends on what you’re looking for in a watch. Quartz watches are more affordable and can be worn for years, making them a great starter watch. Automatic watches tend to be pricier and more luxurious due to their intricate detail.
If you’re looking for a watch that’s dependable and accurate, we recommend going with a quartz watch. While not as visually appealing, quartz watches get the job done and don’t require much maintenance.
On the other hand, if you care about horology and craftsmanship, then you should go with an automatic watch. Automatic watches are carefully built and, while not as accurate, possess a smooth sweeping motion from the seconds hand that can be hypnotizing to watch.
Best Automatic Watches
If you’re looking for an automatic watch, here are five models that you can try today:
- Omega Speedmaster Racing Automatic Chronograph
- Tag Heuer Carrera
- Seiko SKX007J
- Seiko Presage
- Orient Mako II
If you have a limited budget but still want an automatic watch, here are the best automatic watches under $500:
Best Quartz Watches
If you’re looking for a quartz watch at the moment, here are five models that we recommend you check out: