Why Quartz Movements are Taking Over the Watch Industry

What is quartz movement? There are plenty of other watch movements on the market that are less expensive than the quartz movement, but they don’t provide the benefits of an accurate and reliable timepiece like quartz does. This article will take you through everything you need to know about quartz movements to help you understand why they’re taking over the watch industry, and how they can help improve your own experience with watches and timepieces.

The History Of Timekeeping

Timekeeping has progressed from sundials, hourglasses, and water clocks to pendulum clocks and quartz movements. It was not until 1656 that Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens invented the pendulum clock. It was this invention that led to improvements in accuracy and reliability of timekeeping. However, it is still a matter of opinion which type of movement is superior between a quartz movement or mechanical movement.

Early Mechanical Watches

Since their invention in 1795, mechanical watches have always been a symbol of prestige, elegance, and craftsmanship. Early-days versions were used by Napoleon, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln. But with the advent of quartz movements in 1967 (which is much more accurate and less expensive to produce), they soon became popularized among consumers because they were easier to use and cheaper. Nowadays it's rare to find a luxury watch that is powered by anything but a quartz movement.

The Birth of The Electronic Timepiece

The use of an electronic timepiece is a relatively new invention. The idea was first conceived in 1876 by inventor Edward Barlow Thomas. It took nearly 20 years for his idea to come to fruition and be used commercially. Today, quartz movements have taken over the watch industry because they offer many benefits not found with other types of timepieces.

The Quartz Revolution

Quartz movements were introduced in 1969 by Seiko and ushered in a new era of watchmaking. They were an instant success because they were reliable, accurate and required little maintenance. Today, quartz is king. Almost all watches use quartz movement because it offers great value for money and stands up to rigorous testing better than any other type of movement.

Benefits and Advantages Of A Quartz Movement

Quartz movements have many benefits that make them a popular choice for timepieces. One of the most obvious advantages is their lack of need for winding or changing a battery. This means that you will never have to worry about your watch not running and you can enjoy it at all times. Another benefit is that it's more accurate than an automatic movement since quartz crystals vibrate at a constant frequency, which in turn provides more precise timing. Finally, quartz watches are much lighter weight than others because they don't contain heavy metal parts like gears or springs. These characteristics make them perfect for people who live active lives and want to avoid burdening themselves with extra weight on their wrists.

From Mechanical to Hybrid to Smartwatches

Mechanical watches have been around since the 16th century, but now that quartz movements have become more affordable and accurate than ever, many watchmakers are turning to them instead. The most popular reason for this change is that they can be cheaper to manufacture because they require less materials and labor. They also run on a battery which makes them easier to repair, less expensive to maintain, and allow for more accurate timekeeping with their quartz oscillators. The vast majority of high-end manufacturers have switched over as well with Rolex being one of the last companies to do so in 2010.

Back to blog