Watch Movements Explained - Mechanical vs. Automatic vs. Quartz Watches

For a more in-depth guide to watch movements, click here: gentl.mn/watch-movements
Want to stay updated? Sign up here for free:
gentl.mn/2tB3Wwx
Want to see more videos? Subscribe to our channel!
/ gentlemansgazette
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gentleman's Gazette
www.gentlemansgazette.com/
gentl.mn/2VkAHts
Facebook: / gentlemansgazette
FREE EBOOK: gentl.mn/2tB3Wwx
While many men will consider or purchase a new wristwatch based solely on the looks of its exterior, the true connoisseur will give equal attention to its internal mechanisms. Such internal workings are collectively referred to as the movement or caliber of a wristwatch and they're the subject of today's video.
The movement drives the hands on the face of a wristwatch and also powers its other features, known in the trade as complications. These would include such things as the calendar, chronograph, or alternate time zones.
There are two overall categories and three individual types of watch movements. The two categories are mechanical and quartz and within the mechanical category, the two individual types there are manual and automatic.
MANUAL MOVEMENT
A manual movement, also frequently referred to as a hand-wound movement, is the oldest type of watch movement made. It dates back to the 16th century. Most manual movements will need daily winding in order to keep time accurately but some higher-end models can store energy efficiently enough to only need winding every few days. Some watches will feature a complication known as a power reserve indicator which tells the wearer how long they can go before they actually need to wind the watch again. With this said though, men who prefer to wear manual movement watches generally get into the habit of winding them daily often at a set time, usually before they go to bed, for example. Because manual movements are the most traditional type of movement available, they're typically found in conservatively styled expensive and collectible watch models.
Here are some important aspects to consider when purchasing a manual movement watch. First of all, you will need to get into the habit of winding your watch regularly. If you don't do this, the watch will wind down and it won't keep time accurately. With that said though, if a manual watch is wound too tightly or wound at an improper angle, say for example, if you try to wind it while it's already on your wrist, this can do damage to the
movement over time.
AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT
Along with manual movement watches, the other type of mechanical movement is the automatic movement, also known as the self-winding movement. This type debuted in the early 20th century. An automatic movement harnesses kinetic energy from the natural motion of the wearer's wrist. In other words, moving your arm around while you're wearing the watch throughout the
day will wind the mainspring. How is this accomplished then? It's because an automatic movement contains all of the components we covered earlier plus an additional component that's referred to as the rotor. This is most often a semi circular metal weight that can swing freely 360 degrees as the wrist moves. The rotor is connected by another series of gears to the mainspring which gets wound as the rotor swings. From there, the mechanisms of the automatic movement are the same as the manual and yes, it can also be wound from the crown, if you so choose.
QUARTZ MOVEMENT
The final type of movement we'll discuss today is the quartz movement, also known as a battery-powered movement. It was introduced to the public by the Seiko corporation in 1969. Unlike the mechanical movements we just covered, the inner workings of a quartz movement are made up by very different components. Firstly, the power source of a quartz movement is a battery. It takes the place of a mainspring. A watch battery will typically last between one and two years at which time it should be promptly replaced to prevent any leakage of battery acid. Next up is the integrated circuit which carries the electrical charge from the battery to the quartz crystal and from the crystal to the stepping motor. The quartz crystal acts in a similar fashion to the escapement on a mechanical watch. Quartz vibrates when electricity is applied to it and this generates voltage. The stepping motor transforms the electrical impulses into mechanical power and the dial train functions just like the dial train that's found on a mechanical movement.
So then, that's our overview of the three different types of watch movements. We'd like to know what were you most surprised by in today's video?
#watchmovements #watches #notsponsored

[@thistlenstar]

Excellent job, Preston. I started collecting and repairing watches back in the late 1960s. My area of interest was railroad watches and old hand made key wound movements. So, I am very familiar with this subject, even though I stopped collecting quite a while ago. You did a much better job that I could have done. By the way, my favorite wristwatch would be the Longines hour angle. I have one, but, I find it too precious to wear.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Thanks for sharing, and for your kind words! We're glad you enjoyed the video. - Preston

[@weaselGRM]

I just googled the watch. It truly is one of the most beautiful watches I've ever seen! Wow, just wow.

[@thistlenstar]

How kind of you to reply to this comment. It is rewarding to experience the different kinds of beauty and design. Sometimes the two seem to merge and you have something functional and practical, but, very engaging visually. The other thing that comes to mind is the Harley Davidson “knucklehead” engine. It didn’t have to be beautiful, but, it was.

[@indy2867]

I have a small collection of Hamilton RR pocket watches! Just beautiful. I believe I have most of them except for a 992a or the 950. Which I think are the most and least common models? 😂

[@tattoofthesun]

Can you recommend some types of railroad watches?

[@apongwalling5157]

He looks like he's powered by automatic.

[@MikeySlou]

Manual I think. I bet there is a dial in his back lol

[@Joker-hs8hq]

😂😂😂😊

[@HVACRTECH-83]

179 likes for a comment worth taking down for pure stupidity and nonsense. I hope you feel really special you have excited the trolls living in their parents basement just waiting to hit that like button all day instead of looking for a job to hopefully one day get out of that basement. I bet this comment hits close to home for you buddy. You too one day may just get out of that basement and start eating more than your moms meatloaf.

[@agexax13]

😂😂😂😂

[@mywaterfountain]

😂

[@metaparcel]

This is the kind of guy you want your kid tutored by to get a perfect SAT score.

[@invincible201xxx]

He looks like he would ace a test in his sleep

[@DuyTran-pt1bw]

lol

[@suexs1738]

Why did I read that a tortured 😂

[@jaex9617]

tbh, I find it hard to trust someone with such a carefully controlled self-presentation.

[@snippy5265]

@@jaex9617 so true...

[@JeMappelleFrikandel]

I found this video very moving.

[@dropfactoryrecords1114]

John ba dum tissssssss

[@prestinosmagic]

😂😂😂

[@matthewbrooder9414]

Go away

[@aintnomeaning]

I automatically hit the like on this comment!

[@demonitized6208]

Youre gonna be a great dad

[@karlsolano59]

This is the first watch video that that I watched that explains what jewels are for. I thought they were just decorative. Fantastic video.

[@raihanrivandi5025]

I think Preston is a fan of cardigans

[@gentlemansgazette]

Whatever would give you that idea? :) Thanks for watching and commenting! - Preston

[@the_absurd_hero]

Cardigans are so versatile. I wear them all the time

[@AEYEWOLF]

I’m just fascinated by the amount of engineering and everything that goes into these watches

[@blockavelli]

Love the content, you are becoming a full spectrum men’s channel

[@gentlemansgazette]

Thanks, Aireney--that's certainly our aim! After all, there should be no limit to the scenarios in which one can act as a gentleman. Thanks for watching! - Preston

[@spazumtart]

Definitely seems like this guy is on some type of "spectrum".

[@gloobark]

@@spazumtart 💀

[@edf2953]

Excellent video Preston, you did a very good job of providing a thorough overview of the various type of watch movements. Very informative and easy to follow. Well done!

[@tipiff0076]

Preston you're an asset for the gentleman's Gazette, thanks for your content and amazing information!

[@nickjohnson2101]

Sometimes his movements are so lifelike that I forget he's not a real boy

[@tigerchillyable]

Sheldon

[@theobserver314]

@@tigerchillyable *2.0

[@gedcanonizado]

The Gentleman's Gazette is the ONLY mainstream channel I know of that does not promote garbage like MVMT, Vincero, The Fifth etc. Awesome job!

[@NuhanHidayat]

You forgot one other movement developed by Seiko called Spring Drive it's kinda hybrid of mechanical & quartz, the mechanism it's pretty much the same as mechanical watch but it has different escapement system, it uses the same mainspring as power source & as the mainspring unwind it generates electrical energy that rotates the glide wheel, glide wheel is like the equivalent of balance wheel, but instead of swinging back and forth it spins in one direction then the power is transmitted to a quartz crystal then the vibration is send back to the glide wheel to regulate its movement it works as a electro mechanical braking for the glide wheel (in a nutshell the quartz crystal acts like the balance fork in a mechanical watches) then the power is transmitted to the drive train which moves the hands, so you get the accuracy of quartz watch but with mechanical value & craftsmanship (no circuit board or battery, all mechanical parts)

[@gentlemansgazette]

Thanks for adding to the discussion, Nuhan! Spring drive movements would seem to be related to the meca-quartz style mentioned below by Jeff Piper. There are a few other kinds of movements out there, of course (solar-powered watches come to mind, for example), but we've treated this video as a primer to the principal types. - Preston

[@campkira]

We will here all day just talk about movement. Best just to think your price point and move up to design you like and some may keep for investment.

[@surfside75]

My Grail watch above all others .. SEIKO spring drive with a champagne dial😍

[@manavpandey1175]

Beautiful!

[@murp61]

Kudos to you for your bravery in dressing and acting like a true gentleman, especially in this day and age.

[@robbymayer5987]

Weird, I literally bought my first watch as an adult last week. I was looking at buying pocket watches and wind up watches last night and woke up to this very handy video! Great stuff, as always your videos are very helpful, thanks!

[@campkira]

Calm down, save money to get nice rare one would be better choice. It still good investment and easy to keepsake.

[@robbymayer5987]

@@campkira I worry about my own laziness and winding the nicer ones... But I guess it has some novelty, and some practical purposes like just being mindful of the time. Thank you for your reply

[@Stigstigster]

@@robbymayer5987 It just becomes a habit to wind your watch, like brushing your teeth or taking your socks off before bed. When you first start wearing a manual wind watch it's possible to forget to wind it but after your watch stops a couple of times you soon make sure to do it until it becomes habit.

[@eleutherae]

Extremely helpful video explaining the movements. I’ve watched this video like 3 times over the past 2 years just to keep the information fresh.

[@macoy6150]

You look like the type of guy who claps when the plane lands.

[@layton7430]

You look like the kind of guy that isn't allowed near school's or parks

[@zachseabass7414]

Do you mean he is just like every citizen of post-USSR countries? Coz our people love to applaud when the landing is successful.

[@xtraceex]

Impeccably done, as always. Enjoy your channel; nice to see someone keeping that olde-time ethic going!!!

[@jeffpiper4374]

Some watch manufacturers are also offering a hybrid movement known as a meca-quartz on their chronographs. For example the Seiko VK 63, 67 and 83 movements. They offer the accuracy of a battery powered quartz movement, with a more traditional feel to the pushers and beat for the chronograph function. Thank you for another informative video.

[@gentlemansgazette]

And thank you for the additional information, Jeff! Good to know. - Preston

[@SassyScentsTM]

Fascinating video! I really didn't know anything about wrist watches, so this was very helpful in understanding the different types! I feel like I appreciate the watches that I have much more now.

[@TomMcMorrow]

As someone who adores wristwatches, this was pure heaven! I personally am a big automatic fan, and enjoy hunting for good second-hand watches on Craigslist from the likes of Seiko, Bulova, Tissot, etc. I love everything about the hobby, and encourage those who also enjoy manual/automatic watches to check out The Wristwatch Handbook. An excellent coffee table book that doubles as a comprehensive exploration of the hobby! Well done once again Preston!

[@prabaldeepsingh8493]

Can you send me the link of the book

[@sidharthnambiath3161]

Might I recommend the Tissot Carson Chronograph.

[@jreli11]

One of the best movement videos I’ve ever seen thanks bud

[@Dragon_rls]

Excellent video Preston. Pretty much all I wanted to know about watches explained in less than 15 minutes. Thank you Preston.

[@gsnabors]

One of the most straightforward presentations about watch movement types I have seen. Congratulations! I got into vintage Hamilton pocket watches over the last year and explored other wrist watches as well and was frustrated by the jargon in the watch hobby. It’s almost as if watch snobs want there to be a barrier of entry so as to not let the riff-raff in! 😊

[@yaduk8502]

That was a superb clean explanation. Thank you!

[@tedbrayton]

I really needed this video and I think it was very clearly done. Thank you!

[@MRMorris81]

Excellent and informative video! Wrist watches have always been my guilty pleasure.

[@johndoe-ox7ns]

Great video, excellent communication of information. You look like a 1960s psychologist.

[@drpsycho2618]

Before watching this video, I didn’t know anything about these movements. But now, I do.....Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@danielfajkis4952]

I swear I’ve seen this guy in a movie before...

[@demonitized6208]

Daniel Fajkis nah hes just white

[@fisheater6]

Kingsman

[@brandeng.8718]

He seems easy to make as a Mii character. Great video too

[@steampunkvampyre]

At last something very informative about watch movements thank you

[@dbags7617]

At first i thought this guy looks entirely too young to be teaching me the intricacies of watches but you definitely proved me wrong. Great video

[@markegge6704]

Great video all around. Bravo!

[@michaelluu7469]

i learned so much in such a short period. thank you

[@paraichaughney]

That was a very well thought out explanation, thank you very much!

[@fastleopard1]

Great tutorial

[@williamtucker4182]

I absolutely enjoyed listening to your video. Thank you. I almost never take the time to compliment the authors of these videos so please understand how much I enjoyed your presentation.

[@danndeelion]

Fascinating... Thank you for being clear and precise. I never understood anything about the truth mechanics behind watches!

[@DeZomer35]

No single time "um", your words are very well thought. Very fluent speaking. Smart guy.

[@monitorjain7806]

Yoeri De Zomer Zomer - he’s definitely using a teleprompter. Professionals you tubers have a studio like setup which the presenter is facing towards in this video

[@exitplan2]

It's like this kid was put in a time capsule in the 1950's. Good Video.

[@orangefanization]

Great video, this really clarified things for me because i am just now getting into watch collecting. I have my first “Automatic” watch coming soon and it showed all of the intricate guts of the watch. This watch will mesmerize me for awhile since i am fascinated how mechanical watches work. I’ll be subscribing and watching more of your videos!

[@oveman]

Just a quick heads-up -- not all automatic watches can be hand wound. Excellent video, btw.

[@mohammedrizwan8836]

Oveman... Could you name any automatic watch without hand wound feature, me as watch expert i have never seen any watch without crown to wound.

[@Stigstigster]

@@mohammedrizwan8836 The extremely popular Seiko 7S26 found in many of their dive watches and older Seiko 5 models has no hand wind and I am certain there must be others. Of course they do have a crown but it is only for setting time and date, not winding the mainspring. To get them going you just give them a shake for 20 seconds or so then start wearing it. Just because a watch has a crown it doesn't always mean it will wind the mainspring. It seems like you are imagining a watch with no crown at all when you read that some movements don't hand-wind. Now that would be daft because you still need to set the watch!

[@mohammedrizwan8836]

@@Stigstigster it will have 2 major problems if any highend watch maker will use this same system like 7S26 seiko, 1st issue is if you shake watch very often, watch movement will get damage. 2nd issue is it will not keep time precision coz of power reserve issue, the main spring which is not wound by crown and just shaked.

[@Stigstigster]

@@mohammedrizwan8836 The 7S26 is famously robust, as in people have worn them as daily beaters for 20 years(!) without service. There are stories of people being in explosions and plane crashes where these watches have been torn away from the wrist, found later and they still work. As for "shaking" the watch to start it, I'm not talking about whipping it around like a maniac, maybe I should have said "swirl it around gently"!

[@lenimbery7038]

@@mohammedrizwan8836 I just bought an Orient Katana which doesn't have a hand wind feature

[@stephanfeinen3923]

Beautifully presented video! I'm wearing a simple Seiko Series 5 watch. I wanted an automatic movement because I know what will happen when the battery runs out on a quartz watch if I ever own one. It'll take weeks before I find the time to got to a store and have the battery replaced. I also like the idea of keeping track of time with a purely mechanical device. Of course quartz movements are more precise than most mechanical watches but when do you need the exact time up to the second (ok, NASA and ebay but then you have a precise clock available on your computer 8-). Just avoid the cheap automatic watches with fake german brand names which are exclusively sold online and have unreliable chinese junk movements inside. Here in Germany there are watchmakers who on their websites have blacklists of brands they refuse to repair.

[@TarziKV]

Nice video, you caught me right in the middle of buying the new addition to my collection. You explained the basics well, however, you did omit, that not all automatic movements can be hand wound. For examples most of the seiko 5 collection does not not have this feature but explains it by it's extreme durability :) Maybe you could also mention watch winders, as they are must for someone, who has multiple automatics. Maybe that is content for another video about the watches ;) It would be an interesting series.

[@roderickfraser9788]

I love pocket watches and would enjoy seeing a pocket watch video. When and how to wear with different dress options, casual, formal, etc.

[@OlsenTheWonderDog]

I am glad to see someone showing off their Timex. Too many watch snobs would put down a Timex.

[@Nik930714]

Great video. Well written and informative, as always. I just have a small not pick, as someone who designs electronics. At 9:04 this is not an integrated circuit (IC), but a circuit board (commonly knows as a PCB - printed circuit board). The PCB may have ICs on it. At this day and age it usually does, but it's not mandatory. On first glance the one in the video does not have any ICs, but i may be wrong. It appears to have just discrete components. Fun fact about the watch in the video. There is a repair on it. Its on the right side, above the buzzer. It may be factory "bodge job", this is done when a design has problems, but some boards are already manufactured. By doing it this way boards can be used, in order to save money, before newer boards are made, with the error corrected. Or it may be a legitimate repair, there is no real way to tell.

[@a.j.flores6824]

Outstanding video. Very informative and well explained. Finally, someone created something interesting to watch.

[@buzzufy]

This is really informative and best for those who are really into watches. Thank you!

[@mattcameron9349]

Very well presented and informative video. I can't help but be fascinated by the engineering that goes into wristwatches. Worth mentioning that the last few years have seen a big step-up in the quality of synthetic oils used servicing. It is now easily possible to double the time between services. 👍

[@timshull59]

Great video Preston,looking sharp as always!

[@steampunk888]

Been waiting for a watch video from you, as the timepiece is regarded by many as an indispensable accessory. Worth noting for your viewers that there has been extensive consolidation in the watch business and many watchmakers today are using mass-produced mechanical movements, generally purchased from a supplier like Swiss manufacture ETA, probably the largest. Also, the markups in fine wristwatches are quite large, and generally the cost of production is only on the order of 10-15% of retail.

[@robrtweber4715]

Love this dude! Thanks for teaching me about some movements man!

[@dhandapanipalanisamy8165]

Short and excellent talk on watch mechanism.

[@salohcin1013]

Great video Preston! I’m new to the world of watches and this was so helpful to learn the distinctions between types of movements and how they work. Great stuff

[@subibosa8243]

excellent video, thanks so much for being so clear

[@ralphmarkasher]

Nice explanation, I myself only have mechanical both automatic and manual. My wife has mostly quartz. The one drawback of the quartz we found out was one of her favorite watches where the quartz died and could not be replace became just a piece of metal.

[@gayanem.3880]

Thank you for such a amazing detailed video! I was surprised by the fact that Quartz are the most accurate ! Good to know👍🏼 Thank you🙏

[@tjohara947]

Very informative. I never considered the meaning of "movement!" I now have a better understanding of how watches are designed and how they work. Also, I was surprised about the maintenance requirements. Thank you.

[@Jorge-125]

Thanks for the informative video! I'm definitely going considering an automatic watch now.

[@ZeRueben]

Enjoyed your video. Thank you for the education on watches. Good job,

[@RizwanKler]

Thanks Preston so the Kinetic Energy is converted to Potential Energy in the spring 😎

[@delamoraenterprises]

Excellent Presentation! I just began to collet watches and this video has been very helpful.

[@Roddy1965]

Super clear information. Thanks.

[@AL5J_]

Great job Preston. Good information for the beginner!

[@lorenzoor3177]

Superb! thank you for explaining the intricacies of these 3 so well....

[@ahobimo732]

First video I've seen of this channel. I think I've stumbled upon something special.

[@myChanOl]

Thanks for the brief information. Much appreciated 👍🤩

[@Totemparadox]

Excellent video with all of the knowledge a person could need. I would have brought up ONE thing though and that's those cases for automatic watches that "wind" the watch for you.

[@MILITAWATCH]

thanks very much for the work, very valuable info

[@dracovenit9549]

I for one hail our robot overlords! Great video!!! I really enjoy this style of presentation. Kia kaha!

[@avishayberckovich3326]

Great video !! Thank you for the info !!

[@theriikk]

Very informative and simplified, thanks for the vid!

[@bmj4052]

Great explanations. Thanks

[@saqibkhan2552]

Very nice an informative video. Such a brilliant effort. This video must be a part of curriculum of any secondary school.

[@LordChastened-hl7ke]

13:13 INCREDIBLY detailed and informative video!THANK you!

[@bobnelson9480]

I have grown to dislike battery watches and now prefer anything that requires me to interact with it - mutual dependence, so to speak. It makes for a deeper connection.

[@MrAlvaradodan]

Great explanation!

[@MohammadAli-fx9vy]

Thanks. Very neatly explained. Good luck 👍

[@lizzardmoto9386]

Great info, thanks!

[@richardberry3234]

Great content. Did not expect to learn so much.

[@mywaterfountain]

This is very helpful!

[@hsoniuk]

Well presented video, thank you.

[@roberto88py]

Great content!

[@martinmoore8216]

Fantastic overview, thank you. M

[@r.kalaivaniradhakrishnan5144]

Thank you for the explanation

[@Poborsky-fx1wo]

Excellent explanation

[@yaboii299]

I really appreciated this video, thank you my good man

[@MrJames-cr6lu]

Gentleman's Gazette--> Excellent video Preston!

[@Kakemo]

Thank you!! Excellent video!! So informative. It was like a proper course.

[@evacaridad]

Love this video, very informative

[@randomrequirements9066]

what am i most surprised by? That i got to that part of the video and subscribed at the end.

[@rickmiccoli9141]

Excellent presentation thanks

[@handpowers]

Thank you for this very good video explaination.

[@polloloci21]

Love your commitment to your persona. Bravo

[@albongo3949]

Thank you for this fascinating lesson

[@kensprings8667]

What an absorbing episode!!!

[@cranberriesdoodle1450]

Great video!

[@EvLSpectre]

Although this is some amazing info on watches, and just a small insight on the hobby/topic of them. I still cannot get over my old Casio F91 which I bought around 8 years ago and it has never been opened up and been abused for the most part. Still holds has not lost its timing either.