Mechanical vs Quartz Watch Movements: Which One Is Actually Better?

Okay, so you’re standing there at the watch counter (or more likely, scrolling through pages of watches online at midnight), and you keep seeing these terms thrown around: “automatic movement,” “Swiss quartz,” “hand-wound caliber,” and so on.

And you’re thinking, “I just want something that tells time and looks good on my wrist, what’s with all the jargon?”

I get it. When I bought my first “real” watch, I nodded along while the salesperson rambled about “28,800 vibrations per hour” like I had any clue what that meant. (Spoiler: I didn’t, and I was too embarrassed to ask.)

So let’s break down this whole mechanical vs. quartz thing in normal human language. No watch snobbery, I promise—just the stuff that actually matters when you’re trying to figure out what to buy.

The Super-Quick Version

If you’re in a hurry, here’s the TL;DR:

Mechanical watches are powered by a wound spring and have a moving gear system. They’re often more expensive, require more maintenance, but are adored by enthusiasts for their craftsmanship.

Quartz watches are powered by a battery and use a vibrating crystal to keep time. They’re typically more affordable, more accurate, and need minimal maintenance beyond battery changes.

But there’s a lot more to it than that, and honestly, it’s pretty interesting stuff once you get past the technical mumbo-jumbo.

Inside a Mechanical Watch: Old-School Cool

Imagine a tiny, intricate universe of gears, springs, and levers all working together in perfect harmony. That’s what’s happening inside a mechanical watch, and it’s kind of magical when you think about it.

How It Actually Works

At its heart (literally called the “heart” of the watch) is the mainspring—basically a coiled strip of metal that stores energy when wound. As this spring slowly uncoils, it releases energy through a series of gears and eventually to the escapement, which meters out the energy in precise, even intervals.

This controlled release is what moves the hands around the dial. Each tick represents the escapement allowing the gears to move forward just a tiny bit.

The Two Flavors of Mechanical

There are two types of mechanical watches:

Hand-wound (or manual): You physically wind the crown every day or two to tighten the mainspring. It’s a bit like having a little ritual with your watch. My grandfather had a hand-wound Omega he’d wind every night before bed—said it helped him decompress from the day.

Automatic (or self-winding): These have a weighted rotor that spins when your wrist moves, automatically winding the mainspring. Basically, your natural arm movement throughout the day keeps it powered. Pretty clever, right?

The Pros of Going Mechanical

It’s alive! Okay, not literally, but mechanical watches have a certain soul to them. There’s something about knowing that pure engineering and physics—not electronics—are keeping time on your wrist.

They can last generations. My friend’s dad gave him a Rolex from the 1960s that still runs perfectly. With proper care, mechanical watches can become family heirlooms.

No battery needed. As long as you keep it wound (or wear it regularly if it’s automatic), it’ll keep on ticking.

The craftsmanship is ridiculous. Some mechanical movements are hand-finished with decorative touches you’ll rarely ever see—except when you’re showing off to other watch nerds. It’s like having a tiny art piece on your wrist.

That smooth sweep. Many mechanical watches have a second hand that moves in a continuous sweep rather than the one-tick-per-second jump of most quartz watches. It’s subtle, but kinda mesmerizing.

The Cons of Mechanical Life

They’re less accurate. Even high-end mechanical watches typically gain or lose seconds per day, while a decent quartz might be off by only seconds per month.

They need regular servicing. Every 5-7 years, you’ll need to get it serviced, which involves disassembling, cleaning, and re-lubricating the movement. This can cost anywhere from $200-800+ depending on the watch.

They’re sensitive souls. Strong magnetic fields, sharp impacts, and extreme temperatures can affect performance. My friend’s automatic watch went haywire after he had an MRI (pro tip: take your watch off before medical imaging).

The price tag can be eye-watering. Sure, there are affordable options (Seiko 5s are amazing bang for buck), but generally, you’ll pay more for a mechanical watch than a quartz one with similar features.

Inside a Quartz Watch: Modern Precision

While mechanical watches feel almost Victorian in their approach, quartz watches are firmly products of the electronic age—the first commercially available quartz wristwatch was introduced by Seiko in 1969 with the Astron.

How It Actually Works

At the center of a quartz watch is a small piece of… well, quartz crystal. When electricity from the battery passes through this crystal, it vibrates at a precise frequency—typically 32,768 times per second.

These vibrations are measured by a circuit that converts them into regular electric pulses, which power a motor that moves the watch hands. It’s basically using the consistent vibrations of the crystal as a super-accurate timekeeper.

The Pros of Quartz Power

They’re incredibly accurate. A typical quartz watch might be off by only 15-30 seconds per month, compared to a mechanical watch that could be off by that much in a single day.

Set it and forget it. Besides changing the battery every 1-3 years (and some newer ones go 10+ years), there’s virtually no maintenance required.

They’re generally more affordable. You can get a solid quartz watch from a respectable brand for under $100, though there are certainly luxury quartz watches too (looking at you, Grand Seiko).

They’re tough as nails. Quartz movements have fewer moving parts and are less affected by position, impacts, and magnetic fields. They’re perfect for active lifestyles or rough environments.

Features, features, features. Due to their electronic nature, quartz watches can more easily incorporate additional functions like chronographs, alarms, backlighting, and multiple time zones—often at a lower price point than their mechanical counterparts.

The Cons of Going Quartz

Battery changes. Eventually, you’ll need to replace the battery, which usually means a trip to a watch shop (though some people do it themselves).

Less “soul” factor. For many enthusiasts, quartz lacks the emotional connection and engineering marvel aspect of mechanical watches. It’s kinda like the difference between vinyl records and digital streaming—the latter is more practical, but some people just love the experience of the former.

The ticking can be loud. Some quartz watches have a fairly audible tick that can be annoying in quiet rooms. I had one I couldn’t leave on my nightstand because the ticking would keep me up.

Limited collector appeal. Generally speaking, quartz watches don’t appreciate in value or become collectibles the way some mechanical watches do (though there are exceptions, like vintage Seiko quartz pieces).

Hybrid Options: Getting the Best of Both Worlds?

The watch world loves a good compromise, so there are some interesting middle-ground options too:

Spring Drive (Grand Seiko): Uses a mainspring for power but regulates it with a quartz oscillator. You get the smooth sweep of mechanical with quartz accuracy. Also costs a small fortune.

Meca-Quartz: Combines a quartz movement for timekeeping with a mechanical chronograph module. You get the accuracy of quartz with the satisfying feel of a mechanical chronograph pusher.

Kinetic/Eco-Drive: These use your movement (Seiko Kinetic) or light (Citizen Eco-Drive) to generate electricity, eliminating the need for battery changes while maintaining quartz accuracy.

How to Decide What’s Right for You

I own both mechanical and quartz watches, and honestly, there’s a place for both in most collections. Here’s how I think about it:

Go mechanical if:

• You appreciate traditional craftsmanship and engineering
• You enjoy the ritual of interacting with your watch (winding, etc.)
• The idea of an heirloom piece appeals to you
• You’re fascinated by how things work
• You don’t mind a bit of maintenance and inaccuracy

Go quartz if:

• Practicality and accuracy are your top priorities
• You have an active lifestyle or work in environments with strong magnetic fields
• You want the most features for your money
• You prefer minimal maintenance
• You’re on a tighter budget (generally speaking)

Some Recommendations from Both Camps

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the mechanical world without emptying your wallet:

• Seiko 5 Series (automatic, ~$100-200)
• Orient Bambino (automatic, ~$150)
• Timex Marlin Hand-Wound (~$200)
• Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical (~$400)

And for solid quartz options that aren’t just fashion watches:

• Casio Duro “Marlin” (~$50, amazing value dive watch)
• Citizen Eco-Drive BM8180 (~$150, solar-powered field watch)
• Timex Q Reissue (~$180, vintage-inspired diver)
• Seiko SNE Solar (~$200, solar-powered diver)

The Bottom Line: There’s No “Better” Option

Watch people can get weirdly tribal about mechanical vs. quartz, but here’s the honest truth: both are cool in their own ways, and neither is objectively “better.”

It’s kind of like asking whether a classic Mustang is better than a Tesla. One has the soul, sound, and feel of traditional engineering; the other offers precision, convenience, and modern technology. Both are valid choices depending on what you value.

The cool thing about watches is that most enthusiasts eventually end up with both types in their collection. My everyday beater is a solar quartz that can take a beating, but I still get a little extra joy when I strap on my mechanical Seiko on weekend date nights.

So what’ll it be—the charming, old-world craftsmanship of gears and springs, or the practical precision of crystal vibrations? Or maybe both? The wrist is yours to decide!

Got questions about watch movements I didn’t cover? Drop them in the comments! I love geeking out about this stuff without getting too technical.

SEE also

Rolex
Omega
Patek Philippe
Audemars Piguet
TAG Heuer
Seiko
Longines
Tissot
Casio
Citizen