Quartz vs Automatic Watches — What's the Difference?
How Quartz Watches Work
A quartz watch uses a battery-powered electronic oscillator regulated by a quartz crystal to keep time. It is the most common type of watch movement in the world, found in everything from £20 fashion watches to £500 Swiss timepieces.
The Mechanism
Inside every quartz watch, the process is the same:
- Battery sends an electrical current to a tiny quartz crystal (typically a tuning-fork shape, about 6mm long)
- Quartz crystal vibrates at a precise frequency of 32,768 times per second when electricity passes through it
- Circuit counts the vibrations and converts every 32,768 oscillations into one electrical pulse
- Pulse drives a stepping motor, which advances the second hand by exactly one tick
That’s it. No springs, no gears (except to drive the hands), no complicated mechanics. The quartz crystal’s vibration frequency is so stable and predictable that the watch keeps time to within ±15 seconds per month — far more accurate than any mechanical movement.
Why Quartz Changed Everything
When Seiko introduced the first commercial quartz wristwatch in 1969, it triggered the “Quartz Crisis” that nearly destroyed the Swiss watch industry. A £50 quartz watch was more accurate than a £5,000 mechanical chronometer. Swiss manufacturers survived by repositioning mechanical watches as luxury/heritage objects rather than pure timekeeping instruments.
Types of Quartz Movement
Standard Quartz
Battery-powered, 2–3 year battery life. The most common type. Found in BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Olivia Burton, and Swarovski watches. Also used in many Tissot models (PR100, PRC200 quartz).
Solar Quartz (Eco-Drive)
Light-powered quartz — no battery replacement needed. The solar cell charges a rechargeable power cell. Citizen Eco-Drive is the most recognised solar quartz technology. Tissot now offers PRC100 Solar models too.
The Ticking Second Hand
The easiest way to identify a quartz watch is the second hand. In a quartz watch, the second hand “ticks” — jumping once per second in distinct steps. In an automatic watch, the second hand “sweeps” — moving in a smooth, continuous motion. This sweep is created by the balance wheel oscillating 6–8 times per second, making the steps so small they appear continuous.
How Automatic Watches Work
An automatic (or self-winding) watch is a mechanical timepiece powered by the natural motion of your wrist. There is no battery, no electronics, and no quartz crystal. Every function is performed by springs, gears, and levers — a miniature mechanical engine running on kinetic energy.
The Mechanism
- Rotor — a weighted semicircular disc mounted on the movement. As you move your wrist, gravity pulls the rotor, causing it to spin
- Mainspring — the rotor’s rotation winds a coiled spring (the mainspring) inside a barrel. This stores the energy that powers the watch
- Gear train — a series of precisely machined gears transfers energy from the mainspring to the escapement
- Escapement & balance wheel — the heart of the movement. The balance wheel oscillates back and forth at a controlled rate (typically 28,800 times per hour), releasing one tooth of the escape wheel with each oscillation. This creates the “tick-tick” sound and regulates timekeeping
- Hands — the final gear reduction drives the hour, minute, and second hands at the correct speeds
A typical automatic movement contains 100–300 individual components, many machined to tolerances of a few hundredths of a millimetre. This mechanical complexity is precisely what makes automatic watches so fascinating to enthusiasts — and so different from the simplicity of quartz.
Power Reserve
When you take an automatic watch off your wrist, the mainspring continues to unwind and power the watch for a limited time. This is the “power reserve.” Standard automatics offer 38–42 hours. Tissot’s Powermatic 80 delivers an industry-leading 80 hours — meaning you can leave it off from Friday evening and it will still be running Monday morning.
Do Automatic Watches Need Winding?
If you wear the watch daily, no. The rotor winds the mainspring continuously as you move. However, if the watch has been sitting unworn and the power reserve has depleted, you will need to:
- Wind it manually — most automatics have a hand-winding function via the crown. 20–30 turns is usually sufficient
- Set the time and date — since the watch has stopped
- Wear it — normal wrist motion will keep it wound from then on
If you own multiple automatic watches and rotate them, a watch winder (a motorised cradle that simulates wrist motion) can keep them running. But it is not essential — resetting an automatic takes about 30 seconds.
Accuracy — How They Compare
This is where quartz wins decisively — and where the numbers make the difference clear.
| Movement Type | Accuracy | Time Drift Per Year | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Quartz | ±15 sec/month | ~3 minutes/year | BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Olivia Burton, Swarovski, Tissot PR100 quartz |
| Solar Quartz (Eco-Drive) | ±15 sec/month | ~3 minutes/year | Citizen Eco-Drive, Tissot PRC100 Solar |
| High-Accuracy Quartz | ±5 sec/year | 5 seconds/year | Citizen Chronomaster (not currently stocked) |
| Standard Automatic | ±20–25 sec/day | ~2–3 hours/year | Citizen Tsuyosa (Miyota 8210) |
| Premium Automatic | ±7–10 sec/day | ~45–60 min/year | Tissot Powermatic 80, Tissot Le Locle |
| COSC Chronometer | ±4–6 sec/day | ~25–35 min/year | Tissot select models |
What This Means in Practice
- A quartz watch needs the time adjusted roughly twice a year (when you change the battery or adjust for daylight saving)
- A standard automatic watch will drift by 2–3 minutes per week if not regulated, requiring regular adjustment
- A well-regulated Tissot Powermatic 80 drifts about 1 minute per week — manageable with weekly correction
- If perfect timekeeping is your priority, quartz is objectively superior. If you value craftsmanship over precision, automatic offers something quartz cannot
Maintenance & Running Costs
Quartz Watch Maintenance
Battery replacement: Every 2–3 years, £10–£20 at a jeweller
Water resistance check: Recommended when the battery is changed (resealing the caseback)
Full service: Not typically required unless the watch stops or runs erratically after a battery change
Eco-Drive exception: No battery changes needed. Solar cell lasts 20+ years. The lowest-maintenance watch type available
Total 10-year cost: £40–£80 (3–4 battery changes)
Automatic Watch Maintenance
Full service: Recommended every 5–7 years. Involves complete disassembly, cleaning, re-oiling, and reassembly. Cost: £150–£350 depending on the movement
Regulation: Fine-tuning the balance wheel to improve accuracy. Usually included in a service
Crystal replacement: Sapphire crystal rarely needs replacing, but mineral crystal can scratch and may need changing
No battery: There is no battery to replace — the watch runs on motion and mainspring power
Total 10-year cost: £150–£350 (one service interval)
The Hidden Cost of Automatic
Servicing is the factor most first-time automatic buyers overlook. A £350 automatic watch will need a £200 service after 5–7 years. That is not a fault or a drawback — it is standard mechanical maintenance, much like servicing a car. But it does mean the total cost of ownership is higher than quartz. If low maintenance matters to you, Citizen Eco-Drive is the most cost-effective option over a lifetime.
Price Comparison
Quartz watches span a wider price range because the technology is simpler and cheaper to manufacture. Automatic watches start higher because the movement itself costs more to produce — those 100–300 hand-assembled components add up.
| Price Bracket | Quartz Options at OD’s | Automatic Options at OD’s |
|---|---|---|
| £50–£100 | Tommy Hilfiger, Olivia Burton (entry) | None available at this price |
| £100–£200 | BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Olivia Burton, Citizen Eco-Drive (entry), Swarovski | None available at this price |
| £200–£350 | Tissot PR100, Tissot PRC200 quartz, Citizen Eco-Drive, BOSS chronograph | Tissot Classic Dream (select), Citizen Tsuyosa (from £350) |
| £350–£500 | Tissot Seastar quartz, Tissot PRC100 Solar, Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive | Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80, Tissot Gentleman, Citizen Tsuyosa, Citizen Promaster Auto Diver |
| £500+ | Citizen Skyhawk, Citizen Bullhead Ltd Ed | Tissot Seastar auto, Tissot PRX Powermatic |
Value Perspective
- At £100–£200, quartz is the only option — and brands like BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, and Citizen Eco-Drive deliver excellent quality at this price
- At £350–£500, you have a genuine choice between quartz and automatic. This is the “decision zone” where your preference for precision vs craftsmanship matters most
- Automatic watches below £300 exist but tend to use basic movements. The sweet spot for automatic quality starts around £350–£450
Side-by-Side Specification Comparison
| Feature | Quartz | Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Power Source | Battery or solar cell | Wrist motion (mainspring) |
| Accuracy | ±15 sec/month | ±7–25 sec/day |
| Second Hand | Ticks (1 step/second) | Sweeps (smooth motion) |
| Battery Required? | Yes (except solar/Eco-Drive) | No |
| Power Reserve | 2–3 years (battery) / 6–12 months (solar) | 38–80 hours |
| Thickness | Thinner (simpler movement) | Thicker (rotor + mainspring) |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier (more components) |
| Service Interval | Battery change every 2–3 years | Full service every 5–7 years |
| Service Cost | £10–£20 per battery | £150–£350 per service |
| Stops When Not Worn? | No (keeps running until battery dies) | Yes (after power reserve depletes) |
| Heritage / Prestige | Practical, modern | Traditional, artisanal |
| Components | ~30 | 100–300 |
| Price Range (at OD’s) | £95–£745 | £350–£550 |
Our Watch Brands — Quartz & Automatic
Here is how the watch brands we stock map to quartz and automatic movements. Some brands offer both types.
| Brand | Quartz | Automatic | Notable Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tissot | PR100, PRC200, Seastar quartz, PRC100 Solar | Le Locle, Gentleman, PRX, Seastar auto, Everytime Swissmatic | Powermatic 80 (80hr reserve), Swiss Made |
| Citizen | Eco-Drive (solar), Promaster, Skyhawk | Tsuyosa, Promaster Auto Diver | Eco-Drive solar, Super Titanium, Perpetual Calendar |
| BOSS | Most models — Troper, Admiral, Grand Prix, Cheswick | Select models (Champion Automatic) | Fashion-forward design, Movado Group quality |
| Tommy Hilfiger | All models — Kent, Max, Parker, Bruce | None currently | American heritage styling, accessible prices |
| Olivia Burton | All models — Honeycomb, Classics, Bee | None | Nature-inspired design, feminine aesthetics |
| Swarovski | All watch models | None | Crystal-set bezels and dials |
Pattern to Notice
Fashion watch brands (BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Olivia Burton, Swarovski) are almost exclusively quartz. Horological brands (Tissot, Citizen) offer both. If an automatic movement is important to you, your choices at OD’s centre on Tissot and Citizen — the two brands with genuine watchmaking heritage.
Our Quartz Picks
Three standout quartz watches from different brands and price points.
All available in-store at 41 Barrow Street, St Helens, WA10 1RY — try before you buy.
Browse the full jewellery range at OD's.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an automatic watch better than a quartz watch?
“Better” depends on what you value. Quartz is more accurate, lower maintenance, and cheaper. Automatic offers mechanical craftsmanship, a sweeping second hand, and no battery. Neither is objectively superior — they are different philosophies. Quartz is practical; automatic is artisanal.
How long does an automatic watch last?
With proper servicing every 5–7 years, an automatic watch can last a lifetime and beyond. Many vintage automatics from the 1950s and 1960s are still running today. The mechanical components can be cleaned, oiled, and replaced indefinitely. This repairability is a genuine advantage over quartz — when a quartz circuit fails, the watch is often not economical to repair.
Why are automatic watches more expensive?
An automatic movement contains 100–300 individually machined and assembled components, many made from specialised alloys. A quartz movement contains roughly 30 components, most of which are mass-produced electronically. The manufacturing complexity, labour, and materials in an automatic movement justify the higher price.
Can I hear an automatic watch ticking?
In a quiet room, yes — you can hear a faint, rapid ticking from the balance wheel oscillating. It is much faster and softer than the distinct “tick” of a quartz watch. Many automatic watch owners find this sound reassuring — it is the sound of a mechanical heart beating on your wrist.
Do automatic watches need batteries?
No. Automatic watches are powered entirely by the natural motion of your wrist. A weighted rotor converts kinetic energy into mainspring tension, which powers the watch. There is no battery, no electronics, and no charging. The same basic technology has been used since Abraham-Louis Perrelet invented the self-winding mechanism in the 1770s.
What happens if I do not wear my automatic watch for a few days?
The watch will stop once the power reserve depletes — typically after 38–80 hours depending on the movement. When you pick it up again, wind it manually (20–30 crown turns), set the time and date, and start wearing it. This is completely normal and does not damage the watch.
Which brands at OD’s sell automatic watches?
Tissot and Citizen are our primary automatic watch brands. Tissot offers the Powermatic 80 movement (80-hour power reserve) across collections including the Le Locle, Gentleman, PRX, and Seastar. Citizen offers the Tsuyosa collection (Miyota 8210 automatic) and the Promaster Auto Diver. BOSS also has limited automatic models in select ranges.
Can I try quartz and automatic watches side by side?
Yes. Visit OD’s Jewellers, 41 Barrow Street, St Helens, and we will show you both types. Feeling the weight difference, seeing the sweeping vs ticking second hand, and trying them on your wrist is the best way to decide. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9am–5pm.