Watch Movement Types
A Watch movement is the inner workings of a watch. Different movements are more accurate than others. Any movement that uses quartz crystals are by far the most accurate and reliable. However hand wound or automatic movements are popular as they herald a tribute to fine craftsmanship and the heritage of a watch making tradition.
Below are the different movement types and a basic guide to how they work:
Quartz Watches
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Casio Waveceptor
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A Quartz movement uses a battery to power the functions of the watch. An electric current from the battery causes a small quartz crystal to oscillate, or vibrate, at high speed. The frequency of the vibration is broken down through the circuit and the power is released through a motor which sets the functions of the watch in motion. A quartz movement can power either an analogue or digital display.
The reason a quartz crystal is used is because when the current passes through it, it oscillates at a steady 32,768 times per second. No other material found can vibrate at a steady frequency in this way.
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Mechanical
A mechanical watch is powered by manually winding the crown to charge a main spring inside the watch. When the watch is fully wound tension from the spring is released through a series of cogs which powers the movement. Our traditional J&T Windmill brand all feature a mechanical movement, coupled with precious metals used on the case, as a tribute.
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J & T Windmill
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Eco Drive (How it Works)
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Eco Drive Movement
Eco Drive is a patented movement type exclusive to Citizen. It works in the same way as a quartz watch, but instead of drawing current from a battery, power is stored in a capacitor which is charged by a light source, whether natural or artificial.
Different watches in the Citizen range offer different functions. Some watches have a sleep mode, which powers down the watch when it is kept away from light, and will set itself automatically when a light source is found.
Others have a power indicator to show you when the watch is low on charge. A few minutes in direct light will soon power your watch to run for at least six months in darkness.
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Automatic
An automatic watch is powered in the same way as a mechanical watch, but instead of winding it every day; a rotor arm is fixed into the back of the watch so the main spring is wound by the movement of your wrist. This means wearing your watch literally powers the movement.
The downside of a mechanical movement or an automatic movement is that the timepiece can comprise of up to 600 parts and, like a car engine, will need regular servicing to keep the watch running smoothly and accurately.
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Rotary Automatic Skeleton Dial
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Seiko Premier Kinetic
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Kinetic
A Kinetic movement is largely used in particular Seiko ranges. This is a blend of automatic and quartz movements. A rotor arm powers a capacitor which provides a current which passes through a quartz crystal. This means there is less moving parts than in an automatic watch so needs less regular servicing. In addition to this the watch is as accurate as a quartz movement and has no need for battery changes.
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Atomic Timekeeping (Radio Controlled Watches)
Casio Citizen AT Skyhawk
Waveceptor |
Radio controlled timepieces have a quartz analogue movement to power the functions of the watch. In addition to this accuracy and reliability they also have a radio controlled frequency which picks up signal from an atomic powered clock in Europe. This updates your timepiece on a regular basis by radio waves, which ensure your watch is spot on accurate at all times. On some models daylight savings time can be automatically updated, as well as perpetual date features to ensure you never have to adjust your watch again. Dual time features can also mean at the press of a button you can adjust your watch to whichever time zone you may be visiting. |
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