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Learning Center
FAQs
- What's the difference between quartz and mechanical/automatic movements?
The movement, or inner workings, of the watch are what make up the main timekeeping
mechanism. Most watches have either a quartz movement or a mechanical movement.
The type of movement you choose depends mostly on one's taste. Mechanical movements
are a tribute to the watchmaker's art and monitor the passage of time by a series
of gear mechanisms. When a mechanical movement does not have to be wound, it is
known as an automatic movement. These self-winding movements are wound by the movement
of your wrist. (No, you don't have to shake it to work! The normal, everyday movement
of the watch on your wrist charges the winding reserve.) When this type of watch
is removed from your wrist, the movement winds down in 10 to 72 hours, depending
on the size of its winding reserve.
Quartz movements, on the other hand, are powered by a battery and do not stop working
once removed from your wrist. When activated by a battery or solar power, the thin
sliver of crystal very predictably vibrates at an extremely high frequency (32,768
times per second), thus providing very accurate timekeeping. The battery in a quartz
watch generally needs to be replaced every 1.5 years.
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What's the difference between quartz and mechanical/automatic movements?
The movement, or inner workings, of the watch are what make up the main
timekeeping mechanism. Most watches have either a quartz movement or a mechanical
movement. The type of movement you choose depends mostly on one's taste. Mechanical
movements are a tribute to the watchmaker's art and monitor the passage of time
by a series of gear mechanisms. When a mechanical movement does not have to be wound,
it is known as an automatic movement. These self-winding movements are wound by
the movement of your wrist. (No, you don't have to shake it to work! The normal,
everyday movement of the watch on your wrist charges the winding reserve.) When
this type of watch is removed from your wrist, the movement winds down in 10 to
72 hours, depending on the size of its winding reserve.
Quartz movements, on the other hand, are powered by a battery and do not stop working
once removed from your wrist. When activated by a battery or solar power, the thin
sliver of crystal very predictably vibrates at an extremely high frequency (32,768
times per second), thus providing very accurate timekeeping. The battery in a quartz
watch generally needs to be replaced every 1.5 years.
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How do watches work?
Watches essentially tell time by the integration of three main components: an energy
source, a time regulating mechanism and a display. The energy source can be electronic
(as in a battery) or mechanical (as in a wound spring). A watch's main timekeeping
mechanism is called its movement. Today's watches fall into two categories: Mechanical
movements and Quartz movements. Mechanical watches are made up of about 130 parts
that work together to tell time. Automatic mechanical movements mark the passage
of time by a series of gear mechanisms, and are wound by the movement of your wrist
as you wear it. The gear train then transmits the power to the escapement, which
distributes the impulses, turning the balance wheel. The balance wheel is the time
regulating organ of a mechanical watch, which vibrates on a spiral hairspring. Lengthening
or shortening the balance spring makes the balance wheel go faster or slower to
advance or retard the watch. The travel of the balance wheel from one extreme to
the other and back again is called oscillation. A series of gears, called the dial
train, then turns the hands on the watch face.
Quartz watches work with a series of electronic components, all fitting
together in a tiny space. Rather than a spring, a quartz watch relies on a battery
for its energy. The battery sends electrical energy to a quartz crystal, which vibrates
at an incredibly high frequency (32,768 times a second), providing highly accurate
timekeeping. This energy is then transmitted via a stepping motor, which transforms
the electrical impulses into mechanical power, turning the gear train, which moves
the hands on the watch face. For more detailed information on how watches work,
along with descriptions of their parts, visit our Learning Center.
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Are watches really waterproof?
No. In fact, they aren't. It is actually illegal to represent a watch as being "water-proof".
Watches, however, can be water-resistant. In fact, most watches have some sort of
water-resistance. A watch marked as water resistant without a depth indication is
designed to withstand accidental splashes of water only. Do not submerge such a
watch. Higher levels of water resistance are indicated by increasingly higher acceptable
depths, usually indicated in meters.
There are a variety of ways to make a watch water resistant. All such
watches use rubber gaskets or "O" rings to seal the case back. A watch
with a back that screws onto the case provides a higher degree of water resistance.
Some crowns (the "winding stem") actually screw into the case to further
increase water resistance.
Usage Recommendations
The following usage recommendations are suggested by the Seiko Corporation of America.
-
Water-resistant to 30 meters (100 feet). Will withstand splashes of water or rain
but should not be worn while swimming or diving.
-
Water-tested to 50 meters (165 feet). Suitable for showering or swimming in shallow
water.
-
Water-tested to 100 meters (330 feet). Suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
-
Water-tested to 150 meters (500 feet). Suitable for snorkeling.
-
Water-tested to 200 meters (660 feet). Suitable for skin diving.
-
Diver's 150 meters (500 feet). Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.
- Diver's 200 meters (660 feet). Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.
Please note that we do not recommend swimming or diving with your watch unless it
has a screw-down crown (also known as 'screw-lock' or 'screw-in' crown) and is water-resistant
to at least 100 meters.
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What's the difference between a chronograph and a chronometer?
A chronograph is a name given to a multifunction sport watch with a stopwatch
function. Most have two or three sub-dials, or mini-dials, for measuring minutes
and hours. A chronometer, on the other hand, is a precision watch that has been
rigorously tested by the Control Officile Suisse de Chronometers (COSC), an official
watch testing laboratory in Switzerland, to keep accurate time in various temperatures
and positions over a 15-day period. The watch must lose no more than five seconds
per day in order to be designated a chronometer.
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How long should the battery in my watch last?
Generally, the battery in a quartz watch will need to be replaced every
1.5 years.
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What's a crystal?
The clear cover over the watch face is called the crystal. Three types of
crystals are commonly found in watches: Acrylic crystal is an inexpensive plastic
that allows shallow scratches to be buffed out. Mineral crystal is composed of several
elements that are heat-treated to create an unusual hardness that aids in resisting
scratches. Sapphire crystal is the most expensive and durable, approximately three
times harder than mineral crystals and 20 times harder than acrylic crystals. A
non-reflective coating on some sport styles prevents glare.
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Is it better to get a leather band or a metal one?
Strap watches may have bands made from a variety of materials, including
leathers, exotic skins and synthetics. In general, it's best to avoid fine leathers
if you will expose the watch to water or perspiration from physical activity. Rubber
straps are a little more durable against water and perspiration. Do keep in mind,
that if you do not like a certain strap on a watch, it's relatively inexpensive
and easy to replace the band with one of many varieties, textures and colors. Metal
bands are called 'bracelets', and are available in various metals, including gold,
platinum, stainless steel and titanium. Some manufacturers have styles that combine
two kinds of metals, such as gold and steel, which are known as two-tone bracelets.
The choice is really a matter of personal taste. Generally speaking, strap watches
are viewed as a more casual fashion statement, although they can be very attractive
and quite costly.
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What's the best way to care for and clean my watch?
The best way to clean your watch is by using a lint-free cloth and a toothpick.
Use the toothpick to clean out any dirt buildup in the bracelet or casing of the
watch and the cloth to wipe it clean. If it is water-resistant, give it an occasional
cleaning with a mixture of warm water and a mild soap. If the strap is leather or
non-metal, clean only the case. For more information, visit our Learning Center.
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