What Is A Watch Movement?

A watch movement, also known as a calibre, is the heart of a wristwatch or pocket watch. The intricate mechanism powers the watch and enables it to measure and display time accurately.

The movement is responsible for various functions, such as indicating hours, minutes, and seconds and additional complications like date displays, chronographs, and moon phase indicators.

A watch gains all the accuracy due to its movements and cannot work without it.

Watch movements are a testament to the artistry and precision of watchmaking. Artisans meticulously assemble and regulate the intricate components to ensure accurate timekeeping and the smooth operation of various watch functions.

When choosing a watch movement, different watch enthusiasts may have their preferences based on factors like accuracy, craftsmanship, heritage, and personal taste.

Some luxury watch brands develop and manufacture their movements in-house, showcasing their technical expertise and craftsmanship.

Moreover, some watch brands, especially those at lower price points, source movements from specialized movement manufacturers like ETA (owned by the Swatch Group) or Sellita. The brands often modify and customize these movements to suit their specific requirements.

It’s important to note that various watch movements are available, each with its characteristics, features, and price ranges.

Watch enthusiasts often appreciate the unique qualities and history associated with different movements, making them a crucial factor in the selection and appreciation of watches.

Watch movements can be categorized into three main types: mechanical, quartz, and hybrid.

What is mechanical movement?

Mechanical watch movement [1] is a type of watch movement that relies on a system of gears, springs, and other mechanical components to measure the time and power of the watch.

It is considered a traditional and artisanal form of watchmaking, highly valued for its craftsmanship and intricate design.

Manual-Winding Movements:

In a manual-winding mechanical movement, the watch is powered by a mainspring that the wearer manually winds. This is done by turning the watch’s crown, which tightens the mainspring and stores potential energy.

As the mainspring gradually unwinds, it releases this stored energy, which drives the movement’s gears, hands, and any complications in the watch.

Components of Mechanical Movements:

Mainspring: The mainspring is a coiled, ribbon-like spring that stores potential energy when wound.

Balance Wheel: The balance wheel has a weighted rim that oscillates back and forth, acting as the timekeeping regulator.

Escapement: The escapement controls the release of energy from the mainspring to the balance wheel, ensuring precise timekeeping.

Gears and Wheels: Mechanical movements employ a system of gears and wheels to transmit power from the mainspring to the hands, indicating hours, minutes, and seconds.

It’s worth noting that mechanical watch movements require periodic servicing to maintain optimal performance. This includes cleaning, oiling, and regulating the movement, usually performed by a professional watchmaker.

Mechanical movements offer a unique connection to the traditional craftsmanship and art of watchmaking, appealing to enthusiasts who appreciate mechanical watches’ mechanical complexity and timeless elegance.

Know more about Leedon Watch Service:

Private Label Watch

China Watch Manufacturing

ODM & OEM Watch

What is Automatic movement?

An automatic, or self-winding, is a mechanical watch movement [2] that doesn’t require manual winding to induce power. It utilizes a rotor, a semi-circular weight, to automatically wind the watch’s mainspring as the wearer’s wrist moves throughout the day.

Rotor and Winding Mechanism

The rotor is a weighted disc connected to the movement’s gears. It is typically mounted on a central pivot and can rotate freely in response to the wearer’s wrist movements.

As the wearer moves their wrist, the rotor rotates, and its motion transfers energy to the mainspring through a series of gears. The winding mechanism includes a winding train that efficiently transmits the rotation of the rotor to the mainspring.

Power Reserve and Winding Efficiency

Automatic movements feature a power reserve, which indicates the duration for which the watch can run without further winding.

The efficiency of the winding system can vary among different automatic movements. Some are designed to wind more efficiently with minimal wrist movement, while others may require more frequent and vigorous wrist activity to achieve optimal winding.

Automatic watch movements are highly sought after by watch enthusiasts who appreciate the convenience, craftsmanship, and traditional horological heritage associated with mechanical watches.

They offer a blend of mechanical artistry and practicality, allowing wearers to enjoy a mechanical watch’s continuous operation and accuracy without the need for frequent manual winding.

What is Quartz Movement?

A quartz movement is a type of watch movement that uses a quartz crystal to regulate timekeeping. It is a battery-powered movement that is known for its exceptional accuracy and low maintenance requirements.

Here are some key aspects of quartz movements:

Quartz Crystal

At the heart of a quartz movement is a small piece of quartz crystal, usually shaped like a tuning fork. Quartz has the property of piezoelectricity, which means it vibrates at a precise frequency when an electric current is applied to it.

Oscillator and Circuit

The quartz crystal acts as the movement’s oscillator, providing a stable time-keeping reference. The quartz crystal is connected to an electronic circuit that counts the vibrations and converts them into regular electrical pulses.

Quartz movements revolutionized the watch industry when they were introduced in the 1960s. Their exceptional accuracy and low maintenance requirements made watches more accessible to a wider audience.

While quartz movements lack the intricate mechanical craftsmanship of mechanical movements, they excel in providing reliable and precise timekeeping at an affordable price point.

What is the difference between mechanical, quartz, and automatic movements?

The specifications on the watch’s dial tell all about its tiny details. These details have a lot to do about its aftercare and maintenance. The watch’s movements serve as an engine that powers the motion of its hands and serves other major complications inside a watch.

Depending on its mechanism and movement, a few factors are worth your wristwatch and how long it will serve you. Here are some main differences between mechanical, quartz, and automatic watch movement.

Power source

Mechanical movement: it is powered by a mainspring and coiled spring that needs manual winding to induce power in the watch. The wearer must rotate the key to wound the mainspring and power the watch. It stores energy and transfers it to other gears and springs to keep the hands moving.

Automatic movement: It is powered mechanically with the movement of the wearer’s wrist. It is also known as a self-winding watch that does not need manual winding. The wearer does not have to worry about the watch’s winding because it automates the winding with a slight movement.

Quartz movement: This type of watch has a quartz crystal oscillator powered by a battery. Batteries send electric signals to the quartz signal and make it vibrate for a few vibrations, which are measured by the circuit and converted into time signals that are one second. [3]

Timekeeping Regulation

Mechanical movement: Mechanical movements use a balance wheel and escape mechanism to regulate timekeeping. The balance wheel oscillates back and forth, and the escapement controls the release of energy from the mainspring, ensuring precise timekeeping.

Automatic Movement: Automatic movements use the same timekeeping regulation mechanism as mechanical movements, involving a balance wheel and an escapement.

Quartz movement: Quartz movements use the vibrations of a quartz crystal to maintain precise timekeeping. The crystal’s vibrations are converted into regular electrical pulses that regulate the movement of the watch hands.

Characteristics

Mechanical movements are often hand-assembled and finished by skilled watchmakers, showcasing intricate craftsmanship. They are valued for their traditional, artisanal approach to watchmaking.

Moreover, every unique masterpiece wristwatch has mechanical movement to depict its supreme intricacy and worth. It is appreciated for its sweeping second’s hand motion, the tactile experience of winding the watch, and the presence of complications like chronographs, moon phases, and tourbillons.

Automatic movements: it offers the convenience of continuous operation without manual winding, craftsmanship, and mechanical artistry.

Quartz movement: Quartz movements provide precise timekeeping, a ticking seconds hand motion, and a hassle-free user experience.

Maintenance

Mechanical movement: The mechanical movement needs regular maintenance to keep it working in its best condition. Avoid frequent water contact to secure the gear and spring from rusting.

Automatic movements: it requires periodic servicing, including cleaning, lubrication, and regulation, to maintain optimal performance.

Quartz movements: it requires minimal maintenance. They do not need regular winding, but the battery needs to be replaced periodically, usually every one to three years.

Accuracy and convenience

Mechanical movement: it is accurate in its timekeeping but least convenient because every time you wear the watch, you must wind it manually, which seems a hassle for busy people.

Quartz movements are known for their exceptional accuracy, often losing or gaining just a few seconds per month. As it is a battery-powered movement system, there is the least chance of time mismatch.

Moreover, the battery feature makes it easy to use.

Automatic movements: it eliminates the need for manual winding. By wearing the watch regularly, the natural motion of the wrist keeps the mainspring wound and the watch running, making it convenient to use with extra accurate timekeeping.

Overall, the main differences lie in the power source, timekeeping regulation mechanism, maintenance requirements, accuracy, and the overall user experience of each type of movement.

Mechanical movements offer traditional craftsmanship and sweeping seconds hand motion, while quartz movements provide exceptional accuracy and low maintenance. A

utomatic movements combine the convenience of self-winding with the artistry of mechanical watchmaking. The choice between these movements often depends on personal preferences, desired features, and budget.

Start manufacturing your private label watches with Leedon watch

If you’re interested in manufacturing private-label watches, consider contacting watch manufacturers or suppliers offering private-label services. Here are some general steps you can take:

Leedon Watch is an emerging watch manufacturing company that owns all the latest trends and fashion watches with high-end quality and supreme finish to excite all your wrist watches desires and fulfil your dreams of an entirely amazing and reliable wristwatch.

If you want to invest in wristwatches or start your own wristwatches business with your company label, then Leedon is your spot. Count yourself into an entrepreneur and invest your savings in an outclass business of wristwatches with your company label.

Buy watches from Leedon Watches and establish your brand by selling those amazing and delicate wristwatches at high prices to flourish your business and earn from it. Clearly define your vision, design specifications, and target market for your private label watches.

This includes watch style, materials, colours, branding, packaging, and any additional features or customization you desire.

Once satisfied with the samples, you can move forward with production. Establish clear communication channels with the manufacturer of Leedon watches to ensure they understand your requirements.

Implement quality control measures to maintain consistency and meet your quality standards.

Order Now! Revolutionize the watch market and bring remarkable masterpieces to ultimate watch lovers.

Links:
1.https://www.brinkersjewelers.com/blog/mechanical-automatic-quartz-understanding-type-watch-movement

2.https://teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/watches/watch-movements

3.https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/calibre/inspiration/a-guide-to-quartz-watch-movements