Which clock is better - quartz or mechanical? Comparative characteristics of mechanisms and advice on choice

To date, the most popular timepieces are either quartz or mechanical. When it comes to any models of wristwatches, here the subject is not only the appearance, but also the quality of the mechanism. The main characteristics (reliability, service life and accuracy of the stroke) should always be high. Now, the "failed novelties" that the designers were so proud of have come to naught, and the technicians assured themselves of the prospect. Mechanic-electronic watches or watches with bilian did not become a worthy replacement for the classics. Quartz or mechanical watches remain the standard.

What are quartz and mechanical watches?

On the question of how, What hours are better - quartz or mechanical, you can not give an unambiguous answer. Mechanical watches are a classic of art. In terms of prestige and reliability, modern mechanical watches are slightly higher than quartz watches. By the way, aesthetically, they like many more. The smooth movement of the hands of the clock on the dial, coupled with a pleasant weight on the wrist, makes many fall in love with the mechanics. Quartz watches are more convenient to use. One of the most pleasant features of them is that there is no need to wind them up and constantly worry that they will suddenly stop. The accuracy of the stroke in quartz is higher than that of mechanical models. The functions of the quartz mechanism itself allow the creation of lighter and thinner clocks.

The principle of operation of quartz and mechanical watches

The main difference between quartz and mechanical watches is the principle of action. The role of the motor in a mechanical watch is assigned to a spiral spring. It is twisted in a special way during the plant clock procedure. Launches the clock mechanism of its gradual unwinding. Thus, a drum with small teeth is set in motion. Errors can occur due to uneven untwisting of the spring. The car factory is equipped with all mechanical Swiss watches, the price category of which starts from three hundred dollars.

The quartz watch is powered by a special battery designed for a period of two to seven years. The quartz oscillator transfers energy to the electric motor. It is he who turns the hands of the clock. Quartz watches have excellent accuracy. The quartz crystal, when pressed, generates an electrical impulse, and when it is subjected to an electric current, it contracts. If the battery is of high quality, then it will only be necessary to wind this watch once every 2-3 years.

It is impossible to state with absolute certainty which watch is better. Quartz or mechanical watches have their advantages and disadvantages.

Mechanical watches

The most technological, more complex in the development and production are rightly considered mechanical watches. Obligatory quality is the most complicated mechanism. World manufacturers compete in the art, releasing to the market the most sophisticated versions of mechanical watches. However, even the most budgetary models are reliable and accurate in the testimony.

Mechanisms of mechanical watches are a true work of art and technical thought. Over the creation of new hours, entire departments and super-powerful computers are working. A lot has been achieved: the problems of spring response to temperature fluctuations are defeated, systems are introduced that ensure constant tension, new resistant materials are used to eliminate friction in the mechanism. The result of the work is the highest accuracy. Another important point is the aesthetic. In the trend of the model, the mechanism of which can be observed. The creation of a mechanism is not only a matter of jewelry beauty. Do not forget that all materials of mechanical watches are difficult to process.

Quartz watch

A quartz movement is a well-forgotten old one. There is such an innovation in the remake of the classic watch movement in a modern way. The idea of the movement of the dial arrows, with the help of which time is shown, remains the same, but the battery itself and the quartz itself are the source of motion, and not the mechanical compressed spring. The stepper motor has replaced the complex system of gears. This mechanism is loyal in price. In the light female watch, the quartz movement is irreplaceable, because there simply is not room for a classic mechanism. No frequent factory clock quartz does not require.

Which clock is better - quartz or mechanical?

For mechanical clocks, the permissible error limits range from 20 to 40 seconds in 24 hours. In the most expensive models, the difference is only 1-2 seconds per day.

For quartz clocks, a discrepancy of 15-20 seconds per month is acceptable. If for you the main parameter is accuracy, then it is better to stop the choice on models with a quartz movement. The accuracy of mechanical watches directly depends on a variety of factors: ambient temperature, the position of the watch at wear, the wear level of the parts. Quartz is more unpretentious (there are no fragile details in the mechanism). But quartz can suffer from magnetic fields. But such watches are less susceptible to all the factors that are capable of disabling mechanics. That is why world producers, responding to the question "Which clock is better - quartz or mechanical - by service life," most often insist on quartz. Quartz mechanisms dominate the world market. Once every three years, both mechanical and quartz watches require lubrication, cleaning and adjustment.

The cost of mechanical watches is often greater than quartz watches. This phenomenon can be explained simply: mechanics has more details.

The details of the mechanical watch are subjected to a constant load. Therefore, in the manufacture of mechanisms using resistant materials: steel, brass, ruby. Parts in quartz models are more free: they are loaded for a split second, at the moment when the engine turns the wheels. Use for quartz models you can use the softest materials, such as plastic, plastic.

Recommendations

Quartz and mechanical watches are very popular. The difference is determined for each in its own way. If we are talking about male models, then we can recommend to the mechanics - it looks solid and status. With women's watches is easier - the quartz movement can easily fit in miniature models.