The Heartbeat of Time: Understanding Watch Movements
When you choose a watch, you're not just picking a style, you're selecting a piece of precision engineering. The "movement" is the engine that drives a watch, and it’s the key to its unique performance. At Showcase Jewellers Te Awamutu, we offer a diverse range of watches with different movements, each with its own character and benefits.
The Four Key Movements
1. Automatic Movement: An automatic watch is a marvel of traditional watchmaking. Powered by the motion of your body, it winds a mainspring, which stores energy and keeps the watch running. It's a truly self-sufficient timepiece, provided you wear it regularly. It has a power reserve of 40-50 hours and an accuracy of approximately +/- 20 seconds per day.
· Example: For a classic timepiece, check out the Seiko Automatic Gents Watch with a Green Dial.
2. Kinetic Movement: Seiko's innovative Kinetic movement combines the best of both worlds. It uses the motion of your wrist to generate electrical energy, which is then stored in a rechargeable battery. This means it has the reliability of a quartz watch but is powered by your body's movement. It has a power storage of 4-6 months and an accuracy of +/- 20 seconds per month.
· Note: While it was a groundbreaking technology, Seiko has largely discontinued the Kinetic line in favour of their more popular automatic and solar movements. However, it's still a well-known movement that many people own and appreciate.
3. Solar Movement: Say goodbye to battery changes. Solar watches are powered by any light source, whether it's the sun or indoor lighting. The energy is converted into electrical power and stored in a rechargeable cell, ensuring your watch is always ready to go.
· Capacity: 6-10 months of power storage.
· Accuracy: Approximately +/- 20 seconds per month.
· A Showcase Favourite: Citizen Eco-Drive: Citizen’s revolutionary Eco-Drive technology is a prime example of a solar movement. These watches are celebrated for their sustainability and reliability, powered for life by light. A great choice for women is the Citizen Women's Rose Tone Eco-Drive with Gradient Brown Dial, while men can find a durable option like the Citizen Men's Zenshin Titanium Solar Powered Analogue Watch. For another brand example, we also have the Boccia Women's Solar Titanium Two-Tone Analogue Watch.
4. Quartz Movement: The quartz movement is celebrated for its remarkable accuracy and low maintenance. It uses a battery to send an electrical current through a tiny quartz crystal, causing it to vibrate at a precise frequency. This vibration drives the watch hands, offering incredible precision.
· Capacity: Approximately 2 years.
· Accuracy: Approximately +/- 20 seconds per month.
· Example: The Boccia Women's Gold Plated Titanium Quartz Watch is a beautiful and accurate timepiece. We also offer many other quartz options across different brands like Olympic and Casio.
A Digital Dimension
Digital Watches: While many people think of them as a separate category, most digital watches are powered by a quartz movement. The key difference is the display. Instead of hands, a digital watch uses an electronic screen to show the time numerically. They are known for their modern, often sportier look and come packed with extra functions like stopwatches, alarms, and world time. They are the perfect blend of high-tech function and a no-fuss display.
· Example: For men, we have the rugged Casio G-Shock Digital Watch in Black. For women, the vibrant Casio Baby-G Digital Quartz Watch is a great choice.
Special Features to Consider
· Chronograph: A watch with a built-in stopwatch function, featuring extra dials on the face.
· Perpetual Chronograph: This advanced feature combines the precision of a chronograph (stopwatch) with a perpetual calendar function. This means the watch will automatically adjust the date for short months and even leap years. It’s a truly complex and impressive piece of engineering.
o Example: We have a Seiko Gents Solar Perpetual Chronograph that perfectly showcases this feature.
· Alarm Chronograph: A watch with an audible alarm that can be set once every 12 hours.
Still Not Sure Which Watch Is Right for You?
With so many incredible movements and features available, choosing a new watch can feel like a big decision. But it doesn't have to be overwhelming.
That's what our expert team at Showcase Jewellers Te Awamutu is here for. Whether you're looking for the ultimate accuracy of a quartz watch, the eco-friendly convenience of a solar model, or the timeless tradition of a mechanical timepiece, we can help you find the perfect watch that fits your lifestyle and your budget.
Visit us in-store today or give us a call, we'd love to help you find a watch that’s not just a beautiful accessory, but the perfect partner for your wrist.
