Should I buy a mechanical or quartz watch?

Wristwatches on the market are generally equipped with either a mechanical movement powered by a mainspring or a quartz movement powered by a battery. Watch enthusiasts tend to focus on the mechanical movement. However, the advantages of quartz movement cannot be overlooked. We will compare the advantages and disadvantages of each.

What is the difference between a quartz watch and a mechanical watch?

　Quartz watches, which became popular after 1969, were more accurate (high precision) than mechanical watches. Initially, they were expensive, but with the automation of manufacturing systems, they became available at lower prices. Meanwhile, mechanical watches, which saw a revival in the 1990s, are not as accurate as quartz watches. However, they have attracted attention for their interesting mechanical qualities, and many high-priced watches now have mechanical movements. Furthermore, most mechanical movements can be disassembled and repaired. For this reason, watches made by well-known manufacturers are considered to be valuable assets and will withstand long-term use.

Characteristics of quartz watches

Although it has weak power, it is fuel-efficient and does not easily go out of order.

Advantages and disadvantages of quartz watches

Benefits: Accurate. Works for at least 3 years. Also resistant to magnetism.
Drawbacks: The power to move the hands is weak. Many are also beyond repair. They are considered to have less asset value than mechanical watches.

　Battery-powered quartz movements are the standard for wristwatches today. Step motors move the hands, while a quartz oscillator, vibrating with voltage, provides the watch with precision. Their advantage is high accuracy. Even inexpensive quartz watches are far more accurate than mechanical watches, with monthly gains and losses within 30 to 15 seconds. Battery life, which initially only lasted about a year, has now extended to more than five years. Furthermore, Japanese manufacturers have introduced solar-powered "Eco-Drive" (Citizen) and "Solar" watches to improve battery life. These light-powered quartz movements can theoretically continue functioning forever in light-filled environments. Furthermore, quartz movements are less likely to go out of sync or stop even when exposed to magnetic fields. Even if they do stop, they will generally continue functioning again once removed from the magnetic field.

　Although quartz movements are versatile, they also have their weaknesses. First, they have less torque (i.e., force) than mechanical watches. As a result, the hands of many quartz watches are shorter and thinner than those of mechanical watches. Also, because of the lack of torque, many quartz watches in the past were unable to incorporate the complex functions of mechanical watches.

　However, Japanese manufacturers, in particular, are attempting to compensate for the weaknesses of quartz. The 9F series calibers (referring to the movement model number) used in Grand Seiko watches and the 7C series used in Seiko diver's watches have torque as strong as that of mechanical movements. Recently, Japanese manufacturers have also begun to make the hands of quartz watches thicker and longer by using lighter materials and flattening them. However, thin and light hands need to be replaced every time the watch is repaired. This makes them unsuitable for long-lasting watches.

Longines Conquest VHP
This watch was released in 2017. It is equipped with the E56 quartz movement, which was developed in collaboration with ETA. It also boasts high shock resistance, a perpetual calendar that automatically adjusts the date, and a function that corrects the misalignment of the hands when subjected to shock.

　Another weakness of quartz movements is the difficulty of repair. In particular, inexpensive quartz movements are mass-produced by machine, so they generally do not have a structure that allows them to be disassembled. Therefore, if the movement breaks, the only option is to replace it. Also, because the gears and other parts are made of plastic instead of metal, they do not last long. This is why watches with quartz movements are said to not last long. However, if the quartz movement is mass-produced, there is a good chance that a replacement movement will be available even if production is discontinued.

　Generally speaking, if a quartz watch has thick, long hands and a movement that can be disassembled and repaired, it can be considered a high-quality product. Examples of such movements include Breitling quartz, Grand Seiko and Credor quartz, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Parmigiani quartz, ETA Slimline, and Citizen quartz for The Citizen.

　Some high-end quartz movements only deviate by 5 to 10 seconds per year. These are called "annual error quartz." Current examples include the A660 and 1950 quartz models from The Citizen, the 9F series from Grand Seiko, and the E56 and 57 models from the Longines Conquest VHP. Many of these movements feature more precise crystal oscillators and temperature compensation, achieving much higher accuracy than regular quartz movements.