There are several types of watch mechanisms. Alongside mechanical and automatic ones, there are quartz watches, which exploit the piezoelectric properties of this mineral to make the hands of the watch move in a regular rhythm. Characterised by a high level of precision, due to regularity of the oscillations of the quartz crystal, the quartz watch is available in many models, ideal for satisfying all requirements of taste and style. Below we will discover together how they work and how to find the perfect model for your style.

The Origin of Quartz Watches

To find out when watches equipped with this mechanism were born, it is necessary to go back a little in time and, more precisely, to the 1920s, when, in the United States, Horton and Morrison invented the quartz movement: it was 1927. Twelve years later, in 1939, the mechanism found its first practical application for calculating time at the Greenwich Observatory.

Several more years were to pass before the mechanism became small enough to be used inside wristwatches. This important step took place in the 1960s and opened the door to the production of increasingly accurate quartz watches.

How They Work

But how exactly does the mechanism of a quartz watch work? To begin with, this type of timepiece always requires the presence of a tiny capsule containing a thin quartz crystal in the shape of a tuning fork and a battery.

The latter transmits electric current to the crystal and causes it to vibrate at a frequency generally equal to 32,768 oscillations per second or 32,768 Hertz. This frequency, passing through the drive circuit and motor, sets the hands in motion, ensuring precise and constant movement.

How to Choose a Quartz Watch

On the market, it is possible to find many models of watches with quartz mechanism, for both men and women. In order to find the right one, several factors need to be taken into account, starting with the style, which can be either sporty, thus perfect to complete a casual look, or elegant, ideal to wear on formal occasions or to give an extra touch to casual chic outfits.

Elements to consider include the type of strap, shape, colour, materials, dial size and, last but not least, the presence of additional functions (or complications), such as date and chronograph.

It is also essential to take into account the cost, which must be within your budget, and the price-quality ratio.

The Elegance of Quartz Watches

If you want to show off an accurate, high-quality quartz watch that is made of stainless steel, also with yellow or red PVD coating, and equipped with a steel or leather strap, they owe their high quality and inimitable design to the long history they have behind them. Among the perfect models to complete men’s looks are those with strong, elegant lines and high performance, equipped with a round case and date display. Sportier and solid, but no less elegant, are the water-resistant models equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel, you can opt for a model of the renowned Swiss brand with the winged hourglass.

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