The watch movement or the caliber is a mechanism that makes every watch tick. It is an engine that powers a watch and all of its functions. The mechanism inside the watch moves the hands and powers any additional features such as annual calendars, chronographs or dual time zone displays. Powering all the timekeeping tasks, the movement is the most important component in any watch – just ask any professional who specializes in watch repair in San Diego. There are many different movements that power a watch, but they all fall into two categories: mechanical and quartz movements.

How Do These Movements Work and How to Recognize Them?

A simple way to tell a mechanical movement from a quartz movement is in the way the second hand moves. The second hand on a quartz watch moves in ticks, while with the mechanical movements, the hand moves smoothly, sweeping as seconds pass.

Quartz movements are extremely accurate and need little regular maintenance apart from replacing the batteries. While some lower-end quartz watches may run for decades without any maintenance, a fine Swiss quartz watch should be serviced every 7 to 10 years, and the batteries should be changed every 2 years to prevent damage from leakage. Quartz watches tend to cost less as they have fewer moving parts and are cheaper to manufacture. Watch aficionados aren’t as attracted to them as they lack the craftsmanship and the fine engineering of their mechanical counterparts. However, when made by high-end Swiss watch manufacturers who maintain an exceptional standard, quartz movements are a perfectly acceptable solution even for the most nitpicky.

The quartz mechanism is powered by a battery that sends an electrical signal through a tiny quartz crystal. This crystal, when electrified, produces the vibrations that keep the movement oscillating and power the motor that moves the hands. There are other alternatives to using a battery, such as solar-powered quartz watches or watches that use a kinetic mechanism to power the movement.

Mechanical movements are preferred by many watch enthusiasts because they incorporate a high level of craftsmanship and quality. They are skillfully made by seasoned watchmakers and contain a number of tiny components that work in synergy to power the mechanism. The mechanical movement uses energy created by a wound spring. This spring stores the energy and uses it to power a series of springs and gears. While the overall design of mechanical watches has remained unchanged for many centuries, the latest technology allows for even more precise engineering and even finer details.

The most popular among the mechanical watches are those that contain perpetual-wind movements. They are vastly more popular because as long as you wear them regularly, you don’t have to wind them every day to make sure they are accurate. Perpetual-wind watches gather energy through the motions of your wrist. A metal weight known as the rotor spins with each move of your wrist, harnessing that energy to continually wind the mainspring. A special mechanism prevents the spring from being overwound, keeping it at the optimum tension for impeccable timekeeping performance.

The Pros and Cons of each Movement

Quartz watches are extremely accurate, but what also makes them popular among buyers is their low price and durability. These watches can also be equipped with additional technological features such as GPS tracking or illumination. They are also slightly more accurate than mechanical watches, which may be accurate to within a few seconds a day.

On the other hand, mechanical watches boast a much more impressive mechanism that watch-lovers love to observe. Many mechanical watches will have a clear crystal window on the back of the case to allow the owner to see the mechanism at work. Mechanical watches can last for generations as they have a significantly longer lifespan than their quartz counterparts have, and thus can become cherished family heirlooms. Mechanical watches require regular maintenance and need to be cleaned by a professional every 3 to 5 years to avoid excessive wear on the parts of the movement. However, this investment will ensure that your mechanical watch lasts for many more years to come.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a cheap, accurate watch with little or no need for maintenance, you should go with quartz watches. But if you want an impressive mechanism that represents a form of art, and you are looking for a watch that will last you a lifetime, a perpetual-wind mechanical watch is an unrivaled choice.

Professional Watch Repair in San Diego

If you own a mechanical watch, make sure to have it serviced every 3 to 5 years so that it continues to perform as well as the day it was acquired. If you need your watch professionally cleaned or serviced, contact Leo Hamel’s at (619) 299-1500 and find out what our in-house watch department can do for you. Our watchmaker is a CW21 Certified Watchmaker and was Rolex factory trained.

A complete watch service at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers consists of disassembling the watch movement, cleaning out old lubricant, re-lubricating all friction points, re-assembling the movement, and adjusting the timing to factory specifications. Included is a one-year warranty on timekeeping and a 90-day warranty on parts.

The exterior of the watch is then fully refinished; removing all scratches and restoring the factory finish to the case and bracelet, making your watch look new again. You’ll be surprised at what a difference that makes!