WHAT IS A MECHANICAL WATCH?

When looking for the perfect timepiece, there are many details you need to consider. From the type of bezel or crystal to the specific types of complications, there are countless designs and functions available. But before you get overwhelmed with the various features a watch can have, a good place to start is the movement.

There’s no right or wrong choice when choosing your watch movement, but knowing the difference between the types of movements will impact whether you opt for a quartz or mechanical watch. It all comes down to your preferences, needs, and lifestyle. In this blog, we’ll be going over mechanical watches in more detail and learning all about what makes them tick.

Defining a Mechanical Watch

So what is a mechanical watch and how does it work? A mechanical watch uses a clockwork mechanism to measure time and needs to be wound for power. It’s driven by a mainspring (which is wound periodically by hand or a self-winding mechanism). The force the mainspring creates is transmitted through a series of gears to power the balance wheel – a weighted wheel that oscillates back and forth. With each swing of the balance wheel, a device called the escapement releases the wheels and allows them to move forward a small amount. This is what causes the hands to rotate around the watch face and makes that iconic 'ticking' sound. The inner mechanism is literally what makes your timepiece tick.

Types of Mechanical Watches

There are two types of mechanical watches available on the market: hand-wound and automatic. Hand-wound watches, as their name suggests, need to be wound up by hand. You do this by using the crown on the side of the watch case. Don't worry, you cannot wind it too much as most modern watches come with built-in preventatives. This is not true with vintage hand-wound styles; they need to be wound carefully as overwinding can damage the delicate mechanisms inside the watch.

Automatic watches use the momentum of your arm to wind your watch as you walk, run, and go about your daily life. Mechanically, they’re almost identical to hand-wound watches, but with one big difference: they feature an additional, free-spinning rotor as part of the winding mechanism. This rotor spins in response to your movements and keeps the mainspring wound throughout the day. As long as you regularly wear the watch, it will stay wound – almost eliminating the need to wind it yourself.

Comparing Mechanical Watches and Quartz Watches

We’ve given you the ins and outs of mechanical movements and briefly mentioned quartz watches. But what’s the difference between mechanical and quartz watches?

A quartz watch, like one of our Q Timex watches, is just another type of movement. These watches get their power from a battery rather than using momentum created by winding an inner mechanism. The timekeeping is regulated by a quartz crystal that vibrates at a particular frequency – hence the name.

Benefits of Mechanical Watches

If you want your timepiece to make a statement, a mechanical watch is for you. These classic watches are beautiful to wear and show off – whether you’re out for dinner, in a work meeting, or just spending time enjoying your favorite hobbies.

Due to their high level of craftsmanship and intricate design, mechanical watches are often thought of as investment pieces and, naturally, are more expensive than their quartz movement counterparts. An additional benefit is, because a mechanical watch doesn’t rely on a battery, they can be considered more environmentally-friendly. Many vintage watches are timeless pieces (pun intended) that can be worn for years, gain value over time, and, with the proper care, make excellent family heirlooms.

Timex Mechanical Watches

Ever since our first pocket watch back in the 1850s, we pride ourselves on our masterful craftsmanship of our mechanical watches. With a Timex watch, you get a reliable timepiece instilled with over 170 years of innovation, expertise, and craftsmanship.

Automatic Watches

There is something to be said for a watch that is beautifully designed and our automatic watches are no exception. Each automatic Timex watch boasts masterfully crafted mechanisms that keep you on time while also making a statement on your wrist without the need to wind them every day. Simply go about your daily life and your Timex will keep up.

Hand-Wound Watches

For those who prefer to keep their accessories more traditional and enjoy the morning ritual of winding a watch, our range of Timex hand-wound watches are ideal. Our range boasts everything you could need from your watch, from adventure-ready outdoor watches to accompany you on expeditions to sleek timepieces that look right at home with a suit.

SHOP OUR FAVORITE MECHANICAL WATCHES:

• 
  M79 Automatic 40mm Synthetic Rubber Strap Watch

  40 mm Stainless Steel/Stainless Steel

  $279.00
• 
  Expedition Titanium Automatic 41mm Recycled Fabric Strap Watch

  41 mm Green/Titanium

  $349.00
• 
  Marlin® Automatic 40mm Leather Strap Watch

  40 mm Black/Stainless Steel

  $259.00
• 
  Marlin® Hand-Wound 34mm Leather Strap Watch

  34 mm Black/Stainless Steel

  $209.00
• 
  Marlin® Hand-Wound x Snoopy Floral 34mm Leather Strap Watch

  34 mm White/Rose Gold-Tone

  $229.00

Key Takeaway

While there are many different features to choose from when shopping for a new watch, the movement is one of the best places to start. Quartz watches run on battery power while mechanical watches use the momentum provided by a wound mechanism. This mechanism can be manually wound by hand or automatically as you move, depending on what you prefer.