AUTOMATIC VS QUARTZ WATCHES?
This is a common question we get asked by customers. Which movement is better for their intended watch - quartz or automatic?
The answer is not a simple one and depends on lifestyle, the intended use of a timepiece, and if you are a watch enthusiast or not.
The key difference between a quartz watch is that it is powered by a battery that operates a quartz electronic oscillator to measure time.
An automatic time piece on the other hand operates based on converting energy from the movement of your wrist into winding of a complex mechanical mechanism based on springs and clockwork.
What this means in the simplest terms is that a quartz movement is an electronic device similar to a mobile phone while an automatic watch is more like a car engine with lots of mechanical moving parts.
QUARTZ FOR ACURACY
The key benefit of a quartz watch is it’s accuracy. Even the most prestigious automatic watches cannot come close to the cheapest quartz watches in terms of accuracy. Where an automatic watch’s accuracy is measured in seconds per day, a quartz watch is measured in seconds per month.
A quartz watch also never needs winding even if it is not worn; whilst an automatic watch will stop after a few days if left unworn.
Lastly a quartz watch is generally more robust against shocks, magnetic fields and other interference to its operation due to a much smaller number of moving parts.
RESURGENCE OF THE AUTOMATIC
So why do so many people still prefer a mechanical automatic watch over a quartz watch when there are so many benefits of owning a quartz watch?
Since the 1980’s when quartz watches nearly destroyed the mechanical watch industry there has a been a complete resurgence of the automatic watch and today virtually all the high end watches from brands such as Rolex, Brietling, Patek Philip, etc. are automatic rather than quartz.
So how does this make any sense? Well watches over the last 4 decades have moved from just being a time keeping device to being a status and fashion accessory for both men and women. As such some of the strengths of a mechanical watch really come forward.
LASTING ACROSS GENERATIONS
As a mechanical device an automatic watch, just like a classic car, can last virtually forever if it is maintained correctly.
It is hence an item that can be kept for a generation, or even generations, as a valuable asset with the associated nostalgia that accumulates along with it years of daily use.
An automatic watch as a complex mechanical mechanism is also seen as more valuable and luxurious to own and
more valuable and luxurious to own and has a lot more character and “soul” than a battery operated piece of electronics. So for most watch enthusiasts and people seeking a long term investment in a timepiece automatic watches are the preferred choice.
WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU?
So which is best for you – quartz or automatic? There are no hard and fast rules and many people own both quartz and mechanical watches. However we put a few points below that may help you to decide.
Buy a quartz watch if:
Accuracy is an important consideration.
You don’t wear the watch all the time and don’t want to reset it each time it has been left in a draw for more than a few days.
The watch is going to be exposed to very tough shocks (e.g. mountain bike riding) or being exposed to magnetic fields.
Buy a mechanical watch if:
You appreciate the aesthetics of wearing a complex piece of mechanical engineering on your wrist as well as the heritage and tradition that has gone into building a mechanical watch.
Long term value and ownership is important to you. E.g. the watch marks a very special occasion in your life, or you may want to hand your watch down to your children in the future.
You want to own a watch that has a similar movement design to that of most high end/exclusive watches available today.
PANZERA QUARTZ + AUTOMATIC
Automatic Models
Aquamarine Swiss Chronograph
Aquamarine Swiss 40
Aquamarine 45
Aquamarine Pro Diver
Flieger 46
Time Master 43 Swiss
Quartz Models
Aquamarine 36
Aquamarine Quartz Chronograph
Classivo 43 Chronograpgh
Flieger Quartz Chronograph
Time Master 45 Chronograph
