You have undoubtedly asked yourself this question, and it is not that easy to answer, especially when you are a neophyte. Chronotempus will accompany you in this guide to discover the operation of horological time-measuring instruments (clock, watch, and pendulum). Therefore, you will see that, if everyone knows how to tell the time, few people can explain the operation of a watch, whether it is a mechanical, Quartz, or hybrid system.
The Basic Principles
Whether it works with just mechanical force or with the help of electricity, a watch always uses basic principles common in different technologies. To put it simply, there is a source of energy inside that activates a motor that transmits a movement to a regulator whose objective is to ensure precision to the watch. Finally, the regulator transmits energy to a display (whether digital or analog by hands), allowing you to read the time on the dial.
This fundamental principle can be applied to a mechanical movement (automatic or manual), a quartz version, and a hybrid movement combining a quartz caliber with a mechanical movement. Of course, a classic watch like Rolex day date will offer the hours and minutes functions, but there are also plenty other functions such as seconds, date, moon phase, chronograph, etc.
The Different Types Of Movements
The main differences between the movements are found in the energy source and the regulator, which varies significantly from one case to another.
Mechanical
The mechanical movement was created several centuries ago for mechanical clocks and, throughout developments, it has become miniaturized and improved in performance and precision.
Quartz
It appeared in the 1960s, and Quartz revolutionized watchmaking by making watches easier to manufacture, more reliable, more precise, and thinner. Find out everything you need to know about how the quartz movement works.
Spring Drive Hybrid
Trying to have the best of mechanics and Quartz, this is what hybrid watch movements offer us in which we notably find Seiko’s Spring Drive, but not only.
