The great majority of wristwatches made in the world today run on a quartz movement. Despite that, quartz is often waved away in watch conversations as "the cheap option". In fact the quartz movement is the most radical technical leap in the history of watchmaking, and it still stands far ahead of mechanical watches in timekeeping accuracy.
This guide explains how a quartz watch works, when it is a better choice than an automatic, and how long its battery lasts and how to care for it.
Short answer
A quartz watch measures time by using electrical energy from a battery to make a quartz crystal vibrate 32,768 times per second. Because that vibration is far more stable than a mechanical movement, quartz watches deviate by only a few seconds a month; on mechanical watches the deviation is a few seconds a day.
Its advantages: high accuracy, a slim case, low maintenance. Its disadvantages: the need for battery changes, and the absence of the craft value found in mechanical watches.
What is a quartz watch and how does it work?
A quartz movement consists of four basic components:
- The battery. It supplies a steady electric current to the circuit.
- The quartz crystal. It is usually cut in the form of a small tuning fork. When current is applied it vibrates through the piezoelectric effect. The frequency of that vibration is exactly 32,768 times per second.
- The integrated circuit. It counts those vibrations and converts 32,768 of them into one second.
- The stepper motor. It receives one electrical pulse per second and moves the hour and minute hands. That is why the second hand on a quartz watch advances with a "tick".
The number 32,768 is no coincidence: it equals 215. This lets the circuit reduce the vibration to one second through successive divisions by two, very simply and with great energy efficiency.
A short history: the quartz revolution
The first commercial quartz wristwatch was introduced in 1969. The decade that followed was shattering for the Swiss watch industry: quartz movements were both more accurate and far cheaper to produce. That period, known in the industry as the "quartz crisis", ended with Swiss watchmaking repositioning itself around craft and design.
Today's picture is the product of that transformation: quartz represents the functional side, mechanical watches the craft side. The two are not rivals but answers to different questions.
The advantages of a quartz watch
- High accuracy. A standard quartz watch deviates by ±15–20 seconds a month. On a good mechanical watch that figure is ±5–10 seconds a day, so the monthly deviation is far higher.
- A slim case. A quartz movement takes up less space. That is why slim cases of 7–9 mm are possible in women's watches.
- "Wear and forget" comfort. An automatic watch stops if it is not worn for a few days and has to be reset; a quartz watch keeps running accurately even while it waits in a drawer.
- Low maintenance cost. Mechanical watches need a full service every few years; a quartz watch usually needs only a battery change.
- More resistant to knocks. There are fewer delicate mechanical parts.
- An accessible price. At the same standard of materials and design, a quartz watch is markedly more affordable than its mechanical equivalent.
The disadvantages of a quartz watch
For a balanced assessment, this side needs stating clearly too:
- Dependence on a battery. A battery change is needed every 2–4 years, and the work should be done at an authorised service centre.
- The absence of craft value. A quartz movement is an engineering product; if you are looking for handwork and the aesthetics of complications, it will not deliver.
- Second-hand value. Collector value generally accrues to mechanical watches.
- The movement of the second hand. The stepped "tick" can be seen as an aesthetic shortcoming by anyone who loves the smooth sweep of an automatic.
Quartz, automatic and mechanical compared
| Quartz | Automatic | Hand-wound mechanical | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power source | A battery | Wrist movement (a rotor) | Hand winding |
| Typical deviation | ±15–20 sec/month | ±5–15 sec/day | ±5–20 sec/day |
| Maintenance | A battery every 2–4 years | A service every 4–7 years | A service every 4–7 years |
| Case thickness | The slimmest | Thick | Medium |
| When not worn | Keeps running | Stops within 1–3 days | Stops within 1–2 days |
| Its defining value | Function and accuracy | Craft and continuity | Tradition and ritual |
How long does a quartz watch battery last?
On average 2–4 years. The factors that affect that period:
- Extra functions. Features such as a date, a chronograph and a light consume more energy.
- Temperature. Extreme cold and extreme heat affect battery chemistry adversely.
- Battery quality. Original, branded silver oxide batteries run longer and more consistently than cheap alternatives.
- Time spent unworn. The battery still drains because the circuit keeps running even when the watch is not worn.
A critical warning: Leaving a dead battery inside the watch for a long period can cause it to leak and permanently damage the movement. Replace the battery soon after the watch stops. A detailed guide: How long does a watch battery last?
Does a watch warn you when the battery is nearly flat?
Some quartz watches have an EOL (End of Life) indicator: instead of moving every second, the second hand moves once every 2 or 4 seconds, jumping that many steps at a time. It means the battery will run out within a few weeks.
Caring for a quartz watch
- Have the battery changed at an authorised service centre. When the case back is opened, the gasket must be checked and renewed if necessary; otherwise water resistance is lost.
- Keep the crown fully closed. A crown left half open after setting the time is the most common way water reaches the movement.
- Keep it away from magnetic fields. Quartz watches are less affected by magnetism than mechanical ones, but strong magnets (speakers, some bag closures) can affect the stepper motor.
- Clean the strap regularly. A guide to strap care.
- If you will not wear it for a long time, removing the battery eliminates the risk of leakage.
Who is quartz the right choice for?
- Anyone who does not wear their watch every day. An automatic stops if it is not worn regularly; a quartz watch does not.
- Anyone who wants a slim case. On slim wrists in particular, this is decisive for proportion.
- Anyone who does not want a maintenance burden. No intervention is needed beyond a battery change.
- Anyone buying a gift. When you do not know whether the recipient will attend to a watch's upkeep, quartz is the safest choice.
- Anyone who wants better materials for the same budget. A quartz movement lets a larger share of the budget go to the case, crystal and design.
Models with quartz movements
Extra function
Date and multi-function models
Everyday practicality with date window and multi-function dial options. A quartz movement, 5 ATM water resistance and hardened mineral glass are standard across all models.
See date models →Frequently Asked Questions
What is a quartz watch?
A quartz watch measures time by using electrical energy from a battery to make a quartz crystal vibrate 32,768 times per second. An integrated circuit counts those vibrations and converts them into seconds, and a stepper motor moves the hour and minute hands. This structure delivers far higher timekeeping accuracy than mechanical movements.
How much does a quartz watch deviate?
A standard quartz watch deviates by roughly ±15–20 seconds a month. For comparison: a well-regulated mechanical watch deviates by ±5–15 seconds a day, so its total monthly deviation is far higher.
Which is better, quartz or automatic?
They answer different needs. If timekeeping accuracy, a slim case, low maintenance and irregular wear matter, quartz is more suitable; if craft value, running without a battery and collector appeal matter, automatic is. For someone who does not wear their watch every day, quartz is markedly more practical.
How long does a quartz watch battery last?
On average 2–4 years. Extra functions such as a date and a chronograph, extreme temperatures and low-quality batteries shorten that period. The battery drains even when the watch is not worn, because the circuit keeps running.
What happens when a quartz watch battery runs out?
The watch stops. Some models have an EOL (End of Life) indicator: instead of moving every second, the second hand jumps once every 2 or 4 seconds. Because leaving a dead battery inside the watch for a long time can cause leakage and permanent damage to the movement, the battery should be replaced promptly.
Where should a quartz watch battery be changed?
At an authorised service centre. When the case back is opened, the gasket must be checked and renewed if necessary; if that is not done, the watch loses its water resistance. Closing the case back incorrectly can also affect both the seal and the warranty.
Are quartz watches good quality?
Quality is determined not by the type of movement but by materials and production standards. For the same budget, a quartz movement usually offers better material quality because it lets a larger share of the budget go to the case, crystal and design. And in timekeeping accuracy, quartz is ahead of mechanical movements.
About this content
Written by: The Dice Kayek Timepieces Editorial Team · Editorial review: Dice Kayek product and customer experience team
The technical information in this guide (case sizes, movements, water resistance, crystal and strap types) is based on the technical specifications of Dice Kayek Timepieces collections and on standards widely accepted in the watchmaking industry. Price and stock information reflects values at the date of publication; please check the product pages for current details.
Related guides: Watch sizing guide · Watch care guide · Warranty and service
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