Mechanical, Automatic and Quartz Watches: What Is the Difference?

The main difference is where the watch gets its energy: a mechanical watch is wound by hand, an automatic winds itself from wrist motion and a quartz watch runs on a battery.

Mechanical (hand-wound)

Energy is stored in a spring by turning the crown. The watch needs regular winding. Many people enjoy this ritual and the craft of the movement.

Automatic

An automatic is also mechanical, but a rotor turns with wrist motion and winds the spring. It stops some time after you take it off. A few turns of the crown restart it.

Quartz (battery)

A battery makes a quartz crystal vibrate, and time is measured from that vibration. Quartz watches are usually more accurate and need less maintenance. The battery needs changing, and water resistance should be checked at the same time.

Which suits you?

Choose quartz for everyday convenience and accuracy. If craft and tradition matter, choose mechanical or automatic. Automatics are among the most popular choices because they need no winding in daily wear.

Use the movement filter in the Guven Watches catalogue to browse automatic, quartz and hand-wound watches.