Quartz movement and automated movement in a watch are the two general classifications in terms of the watch’s mechanisms. Their distinct sources of energy for maintaining the hand movements are the main considerations of consumers when they are looking for the watch that suits them.
Quartz Watches
Quartz watches use the principle of oscillation using a piece of quartz crystal. This piece of quartz is forced to vibrate by electric current provided by the battery. The oscillation of the quartz then causes the watch’s hand to move constantly. Quartz watches started to gain popularity around the 1970’s. They are usually preferred due to their accuracy in timekeeping and their thin appearance.
Automatic Watches
Automatic watches are named as such because they function simply as a result of the wearer’s slight wrist movements. This automated movement works due to a rotor that rotates whenever the watch’s equilibrium is disturbed; that is, the rotor is automatically affected by movement. The rotor’s kinetic energy then causes the watch’s hand or dial to move along and keep time.
Difference between Quartz and Automated Movement in a Watch
Automatic watches have a more intricate engineering design, which means that it may tend to be bulkier than quartz watches. Some people would still favor automatic watches because of their taste for technicalities. However, due to the quartz watch having fewer parts and therefore thinner casings, a lot of people prefer it for a more minimalist look. Since automatic watches depend on the wearer’s movement, it may tend to become greatly inaccurate over time if it is not used frequently; you would have to rewind it manually, proving that it brings more hassle than a quartz watch whose battery you’d only need to change every few years.
In a nutshell, quartz watches and automated watches perform in different ways to match the varying needs and preferences of people; in essence, know what you want and choose the best type of watch that will suit you.
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In brief: • Quartz watch is more accurate and is powered by a battery that needs replacement every few years. • Automated watch needs no battery at all but would require manual winding from time to time and it’s bulkier than quartz watches.
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