Hey there, watch connoisseurs and curious minds alike! If you've ever wondered why quartz seems to be the love interest of watches, you've come to the right place.
In this article, we’re going on an exciting journey into the fascinating world of quartz watches, and we’ll discuss the reasons behind this captivating mineral attraction to watches as well as the mystery behind its presence in our cherished timepieces. So, the first question that comes to mind is, “Why do watches use quartz?”
It’s because- quartz watches measure time using an electronic oscillator that is controlled by a quartz crystal. Because of the extremely precise frequency that this crystal oscillator produces, quartz watches and clocks are at least ten times more accurate than mechanical clocks.
Now that you have a straightforward answer, let's go over some specific details. If you'd like to understand more about this topic, consider reading this article. Without more delay, let's get going!
What Is Quartz?
It's important to know a bit about the nature of quartz to fully understand why watches use it.
Quartz is a kind of mineral that is widely distributed throughout the crust of the entire earth. It is made from the atoms of silicon and oxygen and has a crystalline, clear structure.
Quartz is known as piezoelectric because it produces a tiny but measurable electrical current when it gets pressured via heat or physical stress. Quartz crystals in watches produce electricity when they are precisely stressed mechanically. Because of this quality, quartz is a perfect material for use in present-day timekeeping.
Now you know quartz isn't only a fancy component of expensive watches but also, it's very essential to their accuracy and precision.
How Does a Quartz Watch Work?
Inside each quartz watch, there are small quartz pieces that are typically formed like a musician's tuning fork. An electronic circuit powered by the battery in a quartz watch delivers energy to the quartz crystal. The quartz crystal creates vibrations that are reflected into the internal forks of the watch and around it.
After measuring the vibrations, the circuit produces one electronic pulse for every 32,768 vibrations. The vibrations of a properly tuned quartz clock should equal one electrical pulse each second. These pulses drive the gear wheels forward, which causes the hands of the clock to move around the dial in a clockwise direction.
The Differences Between Quartz and Mechanical Watches
Quartz watches are a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking high-quality timepieces because of how reliable and accurate they are. Quartz watches don't lose a few seconds a day like mechanical watches do so you won't have to worry about winding them at all.
But because quartz watches rely on electrical pulses to work, their connected hands aren’t always moving. The hands of mechanical clocks move continuously as they are driven by gears that are in a constant state of rotation. Quartz watches often create a more abrupt and rapid movement, whereas mechanical watches produce smoother hand movement.
Pros
· Extremely accurate ( an average quartz watch loses approximately 5 seconds a day)
· Don’t require winding
· Affordable
Cons
· Battery replacement is required
· Lack of style/craftsmanship
FAQs
Does a Quartz watch need a battery?
Yes, a battery is required for quartz watches to provide an electrical charge to the quartz crystal. As the watch doesn't need that much power to keep running, these batteries typically last for many years.
How long do Quartz watches last?
If you change the battery when it runs out, you can easily use quartz watches for 20 to 30 years before the electrical parts of it wear out.
I have a Casio Illuminator in my collection that was passed on to me by my late grandfather. He had been using the watch for more than 26 years, and I have been using it for 3 years since his demise. The watch looks rusty, and the buttons don’t work as well, but the timekeeping is working perfectly!
Conclusion
Because of their appealing qualities, we can see quartz watches everywhere. With a cheap price tag and carefree maintenance, it gives unbeatable accuracy. So, if you are looking for a timepiece that is focused on functionality (which is showing the time obviously), then you should opt for a quartz watch.
Stay tuned to our site as we will test out some low-budget quartz watches as well as some expensive ones and provide a comprehensive buying guide on quartz watches!
FAQs
Quartz crystals are formed when silica dioxide molecules bond together in a specific pattern. That molecular formation makes quartz crystals incredibly stable, and this stability makes them ideal for use in watches. When electricity passes through a quartz crystal, it vibrates at a precise frequency.
Why quartz watches are better? ›
Both quartz and automatic watches are widely considered to be accurate for most practical purposes. However, quartz watches offer more reliable accuracy, because they are consistently accurate to within approximately half a second per day, while automatic watches can be off by a few seconds per day.
Do quartz watches need batteries? ›
The main difference between them is the fact that quartz watches are battery powered, while automatic watches rely on movement and energy from the wearer in order to tick.
What is the purpose of the crystal in a watch? ›
A watch crystal is the piece of glass or acrylic that protects the watch dial from shock, dust and moisture damage. Watch crystals come in a variety of materials including acrylic, mineral glass and sapphire.
How fast does quartz vibrate? ›
Quartz naturally vibrates at an exact frequency and contains piezoelectric properties, which means that when it is pressurized, it produces a small volt of electricity. The inverse of this is also true, so that when an electric current is passed through quartz, it vibrates, usually at 32,768 times per second.
What are the disadvantages of a quartz watch? ›
Battery: Quartz watches require batteries or another energy source that needs regular replacement. Lack of Artistry: Most quartz watches lack the artistic and traditional value that mechanical watches possess.
Are Rolex quartz or mechanical? ›
There was a time long ago when Rolex produced the Rolex Oyster Quartz which had a battery but they have almost immediately stopped producing this watch. Nowadays, all Rolex watches are mechanical and use either automatic (self-winding) movements or in some cases, a manual wind movement.
What fails in a quartz watch? ›
Why do quartz watches stop working? As quartz watch movements are battery powered, quartz watches generally stop working due to the following reasons: The most common reason – dirt becomes embedded in the movement. Oxidation and corrosion forms around the battery.
Is it OK to leave a quartz watch without battery? ›
If you do not plan to wear your watch for a while (e.g. 1 year), should you have the battery taken out? Yes, that is a good idea. No matter how good the battery, if it dies, there is always the risk of leaking.
How long will quartz watch last? ›
A well-crafted quartz timepiece, supported by regular maintenance and attentive care, can confidently last for decades, often spanning 20 to 30 years or even longer in some cases. While the average lifespan of a quartz watch is impressive, it's essential to emphasize the pivotal role of proper care and maintenance.
Rolex watches are known for their exceptional quality and durability. One of the key components that contribute to this reputation is the watch's crystal or glass. Rolex watches use a special type of crystal known as sapphire crystal, which is known for its strength, clarity, and scratch resistance.
Why do clocks say quartz? ›
Quartz clocks and quartz watches are timepieces that use an electronic oscillator regulated by a quartz crystal to keep time. This crystal oscillator creates a signal with very precise frequency, so that quartz clocks and watches are at least an order of magnitude more accurate than mechanical clocks.
What is the purple crystal in a watch? ›
It is called Amethyst and it gets its purple colour from from the substitution of iron for silicon the crystal structure.
Why quartz 32768? ›
Due to quartz's piezoelectric properties, the battery causes it to vibrate (oscillate) at a very specific frequency: 32768 times each second. The circuit counts the number of vibrations and uses those to create an electric pulse. Once pulse for every 32768 vibrations.
What happens when you run electricity through quartz crystal? ›
The property that makes quartz an electronic miracle, is the fact that, when compressed or bent, it generates a charge or voltage on its surface – a phenomenon called the Piezoelectric effect. In the same way, if a voltage is applied, quartz will bend or change its shape very slightly.
What happens when you rub quartz together? ›
When you go into a dark room and rub two quartz crystals together, you will start to see them glow. This process is called Triboluminescence and it is a flash of light produced from the energy of friction, impact, or breakage. It is considered a “cold light” because no heat is produced.
Is it worth buying a quartz watch? ›
The appeal, especially to a newcomer to watch collecting bringing a limited budget to the table, is in many respects obvious: a quartz watch is cheaper, more accurate, more durable, and able to incorporate more complications than a mechanical watch without a correspondingly eye-popping markup.
Can a quartz watch last 100 years? ›
A well-crafted quartz timepiece, supported by regular maintenance and attentive care, can confidently last for decades, often spanning 20 to 30 years or even longer in some cases.
What makes a quartz watch special? ›
Regular wearing of a quartz watch significantly reduces the magnitude of environmental temperature swings, since a correctly designed watch case forms an expedient crystal oven that uses the stable temperature of the human body to keep the crystal oscillator in its most accurate temperature range.
Are quartz watches 100% accurate? ›
A non-certified modern quartz watch has an accuracy of about 99.9998%. A certified one is 99.9999% accurate. To put this into perspective, a non-certified quartz watch will lose only around a second per day while a certified one generally won't lose any.
