What is better to choose - quartz or mechanical watches

There are two types of wrist chronometers - quartz and mechanical. And they differ not only in price. They have only similar scope of use and, perhaps, the presence of arrows.

Quartz and mechanical watches differ in the principle of operation, the need for maintenance and accuracy.

How do mechanical watches work

Mechanical watches - the most classic version of chronometers. The system of levers, springs, gears and arrows used in them is a real piece of engineering art. Such devices are completely mechanical, they do not have a single electronic component, which means that with proper care and enough quality materials they will work for eternity.

The source of energy in the "mechanics" is a special spring. When the institution she stretches, and then tends to straighten during the day. As soon as it opens up, the energy from the clockwork disappears and the hands stop. As a result, mechanical watches need to be wound up every day (although some chronometers can work longer from one factory).

The presence of internal energy of the spring leads to the fact that a very high voltage appears on the details of the clock mechanism. Most likely, in childhood, when sorting out an alarm clock, you yourself saw how its parts scatter when the attachment is removed. The wrist watches are all the same, so the mechanism is made of materials that withstand long-term stress - steel, brass, ruby.

That is why often the "mechanics" is equipped with stone elements. Ruby or diamond (in top models) parts have greater compressive strength and do not break when trying to bend. The more stones in the mechanism, the longer the chronometer will last. But its price increases, of course.

In general, the main advantage of “mechanics” is their high reliability. In theory, they are able to work forever. But this also leads to high prices, as well as the need to start them daily. In addition, it is desirable that the gears and levers are made of reliable materials and have at least a few stone elements in their structure.

But they have a serious drawback. We'll talk about it later.

How do quartz watches

The clock mechanism of quartz chronometers is similar to that in mechanical, except that a battery acts as an energy source. It is complemented by an electronic control module and a quartz crystal.

When electricity is supplied to a quartz crystal, it begins to vibrate at tremendous speed, due to its piezoelectric properties. The oscillation frequency is always the same, regardless of the current strength. Then, a special control element carefully calculates the number of oscillations made by a quartz crystal, and upon reaching a certain number, sends a command to the stepper motor to turn the mechanism. He turns - and the arrow moves for one second.

Quartz is so accurate that it is used not only in electromechanical chronometers, but also in electronic ones, as well as in many other devices where time is measured in seconds.

It is clear that the mechanism is at rest most of the time, turning only on command from the control unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to carry it out of high-strength materials. Gears of quartz devices can even be made of plastic, as is often the case with Chinese alarm clocks - and nothing will work for themselves.

The use of quartz and an electronic mechanism allowed to significantly reduce the cost of watches. Quartz electromechanical chronometers can be extremely inexpensive. Of course, the case is also based on the case material, design and much more, but the fact remains that during mass production such watches can cost tens of rubles.

However, electricity is required for the operation of quartz and control electronics. Batteries in chronometers need to be changed regularly. Moreover, the period depends on many factors. So, for some models, the battery needs to be changed every few months, while others are able to work from one “tablet” for a couple of years.

The average operating time of a quartz watch is extremely difficult to predict. With mechanical simpler - well-functioning devices preserved in museums show that with proper care a chronometer can last for centuries. But quartz appeared on the market only about three decades ago, so it is not clear whether to bequeath to their grandchildren or not yet.

However, quartz watches have one very important advantage - and this is not the price. About him - below.

What is more accurate - quartz or mechanical watches?

And so we got to the main aspect of comparison - accuracy. And mechanical chronometers lose quartz.

Due to the fact that the strength of the plant is different each time, as well as the unstable transfer of kinetic energy from the tense "mechanics" helix, it shows extremely average accuracy. A good result for such chronometers is a deviation of ± 20 seconds per day, excellent - ± 5 seconds. Cheap models may well be behind or in a hurry for a minute for a day! This is a lot, and mechanical chronometers need regular reconciliation.

Quartz can also start to lag or hurry - but due to defects or loss of energy in the mechanism itself. A good result for such chronometers is ± 20 seconds per month, excellent - ± 5 seconds per year. High-quality quartz watches do not need regular reconciliation, as they all show the time with the necessary and sufficient accuracy.

What is better - quartz or mechanical watches?

So, we finally got to the comparative table, where we oppose these two types of chronometers to each other.

In addition, it is worth considering another factor. A mechanical watch is often a status device rather than an exceptionally functional one. Chronometers from companies such as Montblanc, Tissot, Corum or TAG Heuer cost hundreds of thousands and millions of rubles - and look like a work of art. They can also be used as an investment, although not very reliable, or they can be inherited by their grandchildren. With quartz so will not work.

In general, choosing a watch, you should proceed from your own preferences. Both quartz and mechanical chronometers are equally good. Of course, the latter have a drawback in the form of the divergence of time from the reference, but in the modern world a couple of minutes of difference does not always play an important role. And if on your wrist a stylish, expensive chronometer is you are in charge of time, and not time is in control of you.