Even as the world of smart watches continues to develop, there remains an unmistakeable allure about the magic of analogue watches both for function and for style. There is a sophistication and class that comes with a well-chosen analogue watch that you simply can’t get with an LCD screen on your risk. All of those who have worn both can attest to that – it really is something special.
And in the world of analogue watches, there is one mechanism that hasn’t received the recognition it deserves – the quartz watch. While some watch snobs will roll their eyes at quartz watches, the truth of the matter is that they are remarkable, and they really do stand out from the rest. A quartz watch represents the best balance between value for money, style, and robustness out of anything out there on the market. In this article, we’re going to explore some of the reasons why quartz watches are such a good choice for so many people.
What is a quartz watch?
The quartz in a quartz watch refers to a small crystal that when combined with an electronic circuit, is the mechanism that drives the watch itself. This is a different way of doing things compared to traditional mechanical watches which rely on springs, wheels, and gears to tell the time. To the untrained eye, you might not recognise the difference immediately, but this subtle change has a significant impact on how these watches are made and how they interact in the market.
The very first quartz watch was unveiled back in 1969 by Seiko and it completely revolutionized the world of watch manufacturing at the time. The ease with which these watches could be manufactured caused what seemed like an existential threat to the Swiss watchmakers at the time and in some areas, it even came to be known as the ‘quartz crisis’. Today, the world has come around to realize that there is space for all the various movements, both mechanical and automatic, because at the end of the day it all comes down to personal preference.
There is no one right answer, your choice should depend on your personal circumstances, taste, and budget.
Let’s look at some of the reasons why a quartz watch might be a great option for you:
Key Benefits of Quartz Watches
There are a number of benefits that you unlock with a quartz watch, and we’ve included some of the most important ones below:
- When compared to mechanical watches, quartz watches are much cheaper to create and to maintain. By getting around the tricky and costlier manufacturing process for the mechanical variety, you can be sure that you quartz watch is going to be more affordable out there on the market, while not sacrificing any aesthetic qualities. The manufacturing of a quartz watch is much simpler, there are fewer moving parts, and it ends up being a much smoother process overall. This also lends itself to less intensive maintenance costs over time which can pile up if you’re using a mechanical watch.
- Mechanical watches are notorious for losing time regularly – forcing the wearer to consistently reset things as they go. Quartz watches, on the other hand, boast incredible accuracy – often losing no more than a few seconds over an entire year. They are able to do this by regulating the gears with a tiny crystal of quartz rather than a swinging pendulum or a moving balance wheel. Therefore, you don’t have to remember to wind them or continually check that everything is still in order. They will basically look after themselves. This makes them wonderful timekeepers that you don’t have to babysit.
- Low Maintenance. When you buy a quartz watch, you know that you’ll have an item that can last you years without ever having to worry about power. They are incredibly efficient devices, with exceptional power reserves and they remain in great shape no matter what life throws at them. You don’t need to spend lots of time and money maintaining the watch as you have to do with a mechanical version. The only maintenance that really comes into play with a quartz watch is to replace the battery every couple of years. That’s all there is to it.
- Quartz movements tend to be much smaller than what is required to make a mechanical watch work and that then translates to a thinner profile for your watch. For those who value a more compact design, perhaps for a smaller wrist, this is of great benefit, not to mention the lesser weight that makes them feel sleek and tightly fit to your wrist. This plays out in a number of ways including making it more easy to get them under sleeves when you’re suiting up. Quartz watches don’t have to be bulky which is a big deal for a lot of people.
- Because there are very moving parts, you’re going to have a watch that is much more durable than most of its counterparts. In today’s world, consumers are looking for a balance between aesthetic and function and quartz watches deliver this in spades. There’s almost nothing you can throw at these watches to knock them off their game – they hold themselves wonderfully and will remain robust to the very end.
- Quartz watches are not subject to the external effects of gravity, altitude, or temperature in the same way that a typical pendulum-based movement is. The tiny crystal remains stoic throughout it all and so it maintains its consistency and authenticity in all conditions. A mechanical watch on the other hand can find itself being dragged away from pure accuracy by all these factors, making it less than consistent as you move around from place to place. Some see this inaccuracy as part of the charm of a mechanical piece, but practically it can play havoc if you’re not paying close attention. A quartz watch remains consistent throughout.
Those are just a few of the reasons why a quartz movement watch might be right for you, but as always – it depends on your personal preferences and what you care about it in a watch. If you’re a true watch enthusiast who secretly enjoys the time, effort, money and micromechanics that go into a true mechanical watch then maybe a quarts watch isn’t right for you. You’ll see this sentiment expressed by many watch aficionados who consider the mechanical pieces the soul of the watch, so you wouldn’t be alone if you felt that way.
But most people are not at that extreme and care more about the function and daily use case, which makes a quartz watch a great way to go. So, if you would prefer to get something that is going to be durable, affordable, and accurate – then quartz watches are a great way to go.
Once you’ve decided on a quartz movement watch, you could go on for decades debating what is the best quartz watch. There are a wide range of different options available in every different style and size you can imagine – so be sure to do your research effectively. In fact, it’s estimated that 90% of all watches sold these days are quartz watches so you really are spoiled for choice.
Here at Vanchier, we have done our research and curated a collection of quartz watches that we think represent the best value you can find out there. Every quartz watch that we sell is curated specifically for its aesthetic beauty, its function, and its style. Every single one comes with its own unique characteristics, quirks, and magic that makes it special. We’re passionate about bringing you the best of the best so you won’t go wrong with any of the options we’ve listed on the site. No matter what you’re into, we’ve got you covered.
Be sure to check out our extensive quartz collection to find your perfect wrist companion today! And if you need any help along the way, be sure to send us a message – we’d love to see how we can be of assistance.