watchmaking...
Within the watch family, there are two main categories: mechanical watches and quartz watches.
We will explain how these two categories work with simple terms.
and finally, we will explain why you should maintain them.
Mechanical Watches
tradition and artisanal precision
A mechanical watch operates thanks to a watch movement composed of several key elements:
The mainspring: This is a coiled steel blade that stores energy when the watch is wound (manually or automatically with a rotor that moves with the wrist).
​
The gear train: A set of toothed wheels that transmits the energy from the mainspring to the other components.
​
The escapement: This regulates the release of energy in precise pulses, thanks to an escape wheel and an anchor that locks and releases it at a regular rate.
​
The balance: This is the "heart" of the watch, oscillating at a set frequency to ensure the precision of the movement.
Quartz Watches
precision and modernity
A quartz watch operates electronically:
Battery: Provides a stable source of power.
​
Quartz oscillator: A small piece of quartz that vibrates at a precise frequency (32,768 Hz) when supplied with electricity.
​
Electronic circuit: Converts these vibrations into regular pulses (1 Hertz) sent to the stepper motor.
​
Step motor and gears: Converts electrical energy into mechanical motion to move the hands.
To summarize
mechanical vs quartz
Mechanics: Imagine a spring slowly relaxing and turning gears, but at a speed controlled by a clever “brake” (escapement) that keeps track of time.
​​
Quartz: The battery sends current to a quartz crystal, which vibrates very precisely. A small circuit captures these vibrations and transforms them into hand movements.
Why maintain your watch?
Lubrication and Wear: In a mechanical watch, the gears rub against each other, and the watch oil eventually evaporates or degrades, increasing friction and wearing out the parts.
​
Accuracy: A lack of maintenance can cause the watch to malfunction or even stop completely.
​
Water-resistance: The watch gaskets protect the watch from water and dust wear out over time and must be replaced to prevent internal damage.
​
Issues Related to Shock and Magnetic Fields:
A strong shock can throw the balance wheel out of alignment, and a magnetic field can disrupt the balance spring of a mechanical watch, causing rate errors.
