If looking to buy a watch, you may have to choose between one that utilizes mechanical or quartz movement. Surprisingly, watches using the quartz movement are more popular than their mechanical counterparts. This is perhaps because of their superior accuracy and affordability. But how does a quartz watch work, you ask?
A quartz watch works using a battery as its primary power source. The battery provides electric current to the watch’s quartz crystal that looks like a tuning fork. Further, the electric charge causes the crystal to vibrate at a specific frequency. This causes the second hand to move in a ticking motion.
So then, what is a quartz crystal, and what does it do in a quartz watch? Please keep reading to find out all this, the history of these watches, and their pros and cons.
What Is A Quartz Watch?
Essentially, this is any clock that utilizes electrical circuits, a stepping motor, a quartz crystal, and a battery to keep time. In addition, the watch uses quartz movement instead of mechanical signals. Therefore, you don’t need to wind the clock to keep it ticking.
Besides being powered by a battery, the watch may also use a solar cell. This means it will charge itself with ordinary indoor or outdoor light. However, the timekeeping is typically regulated by quartz crystals that vibrate at a defined frequency. As a result, you will find this watch more self-sustaining and accurate than other watch types.
What Is the Quartz Movement?
It is a type of electronic system used in quartz watches. This movement uses a battery as its principal power source to send electric current to your watch’s quartz crystals. Consequently, this produces vibrations that ensure the quartz movement by moving the watch hands.
Compared to automatic watches, the beauty of this movement (find out “how do automatic watches work?”) is its superior accuracy. Moreover, it requires minimal maintenance since you only need to occasionally replace the battery. Compared to other motions, it is highly reliable because of the fewer moving parts.
Before Quartz: A Brief History
The first world quartz watch for sale was launched in 1969 on Christmas day in Tokyo, causing the ‘Quartz Revolution. It was a wristwatch called the Astron 35SQ, made by the Seiko brand. The watch featured an all-gold case and its cost was around 450, 000-yen equivalent to $2995 today.
However, the first quartz wristwatch had already been created and successfully tested in 1967 by researchers in Switzerland. The launch of the Seiko Astron only caused the Quartz crisis because more watch brands started adopting the quartz technology. This included the likes of Longines, Omega, and Cartier. However, Swiss researchers did not join until 1983.
Over the years, quartz watches have continued to evolve, with many advancements being made, including the styles of watch indices. Even better, you can find solar-powered quartz watches today that offer better convenience than their battery-powered units. And because of the popularity of these watches, they have also become more affordable.
The Quartz Crystal
Quartz crystal is a mineral used in quartz timepieces thanks to its piezoelectric properties. Most modern watches have it in the form of a tiny tuning fork. Typically, when the crystal is subjected to mechanical stress, it accumulates positive and negative electrical charges.
However, inside a quartz watch, a battery usually delivers electric power to the crystals via an electronic circuit. When this happens, the crystal will naturally vibrate at a particular frequency of around 32,768 times every second. Consequently, this ensures accurate timekeeping.
The frequency at which the quartz crystal vibrates depends on many things, including the age of the crystals and:
- Shape and size of the crystal
- The crystal from which the quartz is cut from
- Exposure to extremely high temperatures
- Effects of severe shock and vibrations
- Moisture absorption and contamination of the crystals
How Quartz Watches Work
Quartz watches work using the quartz movement. The quartz movement comprises a battery, quartz crystal, stepping motor, dial train, and watch hands. Basically, the battery is what powers the quartz watches. It sends electric power to the quartz crystals via a microchip circuit.
The quartz crystal serves as an electronic oscillator here. So, when the quartz crystal receives power, it usually vibrates at a frequency of about 32,768 times per second. This frequency is then reduced into single electric pulses sent to the small motor.
These pulses drive the stepping motor, causing the dial train to spin the watch’s hands. This ensures accurate timekeeping until the battery dies and needs to be replaced.
Some quartz watches also feature jewels designed to minimize friction, ensuring longevity. The jewels also work by securing your watch’s gears and other spinning parts.
Using Batteries in a Quartz Watch
Unlike mechanical watches, your quartz watch needs a battery as its chief energy source. The battery provides electrical power to the quartz crystal inside the watch, creating vibrations.
Without the battery or solar cells, the second hand of your quartz watch would be unable to spin. Generally, most quartz watches use a 1.55V silver oxide battery that lasts approximately two years. This battery does not cause environmental pollution and has high voltage stability.
Meanwhile, some watch brands also use 1.55V silver peroxide or 3V lithium batteries. The lithium batteries boast a longer lifespan and low self-discharge. However, these batteries usually die over time and must be replaced for your watch to keep accurate time.
Quartz And Electrical Circuits
A quartz watch comprises quartz and microchip electrical circuits. Quartz is piezoelectric, which means it can produce a small electric voltage if compressed. And if you apply voltage to the quartz, it will vibrate at a specific frequency.
Inside a quartz watch, the quartz usually receives electricity from the battery via electrical circuits. This causes the quartz to vibrate back and forth at 32,768 frequency per second. The electrical circuits then convert the vibrations into electrical signals once every second.
Unfortunately, if the quartz and electrical circuits stop working, you cannot have them repaired. You must replace them. On the flip side, this might cause your watch to run off by some minutes in a month.
What The Quartz Crystal Do In A Quartz Watch
It simply acts as an electronic oscillator in any quartz clock. An oscillator is a timekeeping regulating element that divides time into equal units through oscillations.
However, for the quartz crystal to work, it requires electrical power from your watch’s battery. And once the crystal receives the power, it usually vibrates quickly at the precise frequency of 32,768.
Unfortunately, without these vibrations caused by the quartz crystal, the stepping motor would not receive electrical signals. And as a result, it would be impossible for the gears of your watch to turn.
How The Stepping Motor In A Quartz Watch Works
The quartz watch uses a single-phase stepping motor boasting low power consumption and high efficiency. Its primary role is to receive electrical pulses sent by the quartz crystal. Inside the device is a magnetic axle and fixed copper wire housing arranged around the axle.
With the help of the magnetic axle, the motor usually helps drive the watch gears. This enables the gears to make full turns at a precise frequency. Consequently, your watch’s hour, minute, and seconds hand also move in a ticking motion.
Unfortunately, sometimes the battery of your quartz watch may send excessive electric current to the quartz crystal, causing the motor to fail. Also, the copper wiring of the motor may short circuit, damaging it.
Mechanical Vs. Quartz
Before the introduction of quartz timepieces, all watches were mechanical until the 1970s. Today, mechanical watches are still popular. So then, how do these watches differ from their quartz counterparts?
- How they work
Mechanical watch movement comprises small mechanical parts, including gears and wound springs. The hand or self-wound spring releases energy, which turns the gears, moving the hands of your watch. On the other hand, the quartz watch movement is electronically powered by a battery through quartz crystals.
- Hand movement style
The second hand of a mechanical watch is designed to move in a sweep or gliding motion. This occurs every 6 to 8 seconds, and the movement is not perfectly smooth. With a quartz watch, the second-hand moves in a ticking motion once per second.
- Pricing
The quartz watch movement is relatively cheaper than its mechanical counterpart. This is because of the popularity of the quartz movement and more brands adopting this technology. Not to mention, quartz watches are cheaper to manufacture.
- Accuracy
A mechanical watch will gain or lose about 3 or more seconds per day. This watch movement is also prone to going out of adjustment if you don’t wear it regularly. This makes it less accurate than quartz watch movement, which may run off for 2 seconds daily.
- Maintenance
Unlike a quartz watch, mechanical timepieces have up to 6 moving parts. These parts require maintenance at least every 4 years to keep the clock running smoothly. A quartz watch only needs a battery replacement every two years, making maintenance easier.
- Durability
A mechanical watch could last a lifetime with proper care and servicing at least every 4 years. On the other hand, a quartz timepiece can last for 20 to 30 years since the electronic components eventually wear out. So, mechanical timepieces have a better lifespan.
The Advantages of Quartz Watches
Quartz watches offer many benefits compared to other watches using mechanical or automatic winding movements. These include:
- Economical
Quartz watches are easier to manufacture because of their few moving parts. Replacing the batteries is also not expensive.
- Incredibly accurate
Another benefit is their accuracy. They only lose a few seconds over a month since the quartz crystal is designed to oscillate at a defined frequency.
- Ease of use
Once you have set the date and time on your quartz watch, you never have to do this again. Therefore, unlike with mechanical watches, you can leave them in the drawer for months without them running off for many seconds.
- Little maintenance
Because of the few moving parts, quartz watches are easier to maintain. You only need to replace the battery.
- Available in many styles
Quartz watches come in many unique colors and designs to match your style. Some also feature jewelry and allow you to choose from different types of watch clasps.
- Lightweight
Compared to mechanical watches, quartz timepieces are light in weight because they use tiny-sized quartz crystals. They also boast a thin design that sits flatter on your wrist.
The Disadvantages of Quartz Watches
While quartz watches have many advantages, they also have some drawbacks. These include:
- Poor resale value
Quartz watches lose their value quickly once you buy them. Most of them don’t make good collectibles.
- Less attractive
A mechanical watch is by far more fascinating and attractive to look at than a quartz timepiece. There is nothing much to admire about the quartz movement.
- Motor failure
The stepping motor that quartz watches use can fail anytime due to short-circuiting. When this happens, you must replace the motor and the wiring.
Are Quartz Watches Still The Most Popular?
Yes. Until today, quartz still remains the most popular mechanism for powering watches worldwide. This is perhaps because it is not as complex as a mechanical movement, is easier to maintain, and is more economical.
The main reason quartz watches are highly popular is that they are affordable and available in many novel styles. With less than $100, you can get a luxury quartz watch lasting up to 30 years. On top of that, the watches boast superior accuracy and are easier to manufacture than their mechanical counterparts.
Conclusion
A quartz watch utilizes quartz instead of a mechanical movement powered by a battery. These watches came into existence in the 1960s but remain famous to date. They use quartz crystals which boast piezoelectric properties for timekeeping.
Compared to mechanical watches, which are also popular, quartz watches offer many advantages, including affordability, accuracy, and minimal maintenance. These timepieces also have some downsides. However, the pros outweigh the disadvantages.