Seiko Mechanical and Quartz Watches: A Guide for Novice Buyers. 

 

Seiko is a Japanese watch brand making innovative and high-quality watches since 1881. Seiko offers a wide range of watches for different styles and preferences, but one of the main distinctions among them is the type of movement: mechanical or quartz.

Seiko mechanical and quartz watches are both excellent choices for novice buyers who want to enjoy the quality and innovation of Seiko.

What is a mechanical watch?
A mechanical watch is a watch that uses a spring, called a mainspring, to store energy and power the movement of the hands. The mainspring is wound by hand or by the motion of the wearer’s wrist, and it gradually unwinds to release the energy. A mechanical watch also has a complex system of gears, wheels, and levers, called an escapement, that regulates the speed and accuracy of the timekeeping.

What is a quartz watch?
A quartz watch is a watch that uses a battery and an electronic circuit to power the movement of the hands. The battery sends an electric current to a tiny crystal of quartz, which vibrates at a precise frequency. The vibration is converted into electrical pulses that drive a motor that moves the hands.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical watches?
Mechanical watches have some advantages over quartz watches, such as:

  • They have a more traditional and elegant appeal, representing the craftsmanship and history of watchmaking.
  • They do not need batteries or electricity, so they are more environmentally friendly and can last for decades or centuries with proper care and maintenance.
  • They have a smoother and more continuous movement of the hands, which some people find more pleasing to the eye.

However, mechanical watches also have some disadvantages, such as:

  • They are more expensive than quartz watches, requiring more skill and labour to produce and service.
  • They are less accurate than quartz watches, as they are affected by gravity, temperature, magnetism, and wear and tear. They may lose or gain a few seconds or minutes per day, depending on the quality and condition of the movement.
  • They need regular winding or wearing to keep them running; otherwise, they will stop. They also require periodic cleaning and lubrication to prevent dust and dirt from damaging the movement.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of quartz watches?
Quartz watches have some advantages over mechanical timepieces, such as:

  • They are more affordable than mechanical watches, which are cheaper and easier to manufacture and repair.
  • They are more accurate than mechanical watches, as external factors do not influence them. They may only lose or gain a few seconds per year, depending on the quality of the battery and the circuit.
  • They are more convenient than mechanical watches, which do not need winding or maintenance. They only need battery replacement every few years.

However, quartz watches also have some disadvantages, such as:

  • They have a less distinctive and refined character, as they are more common and mass-produced.
  • They need batteries or electricity to function, which may run out unexpectedly or cause environmental waste.
  • They have a more jerky and abrupt movement of the hands, which some people find less attractive or satisfying.

What are the benefits of Seiko mechanical and quartz watches?
Seiko is one of the leading watch brands in the world, and it offers mechanical and quartz watches with various features and benefits. Some examples are:

  • Seiko Prospex: This is a collection of professional sports watches designed for diving, aviation, land exploration, and marine sports. They have robust and durable cases, water resistance up to 300 meters, luminous hands and markers, rotating bezels, chronographs, solar power, GPS synchronisation, and more.
  • Seiko Presage: This is a collection of elegant dress watches that are inspired by Japanese culture and craftsmanship. They have refined and sophisticated cases, sapphire crystals, leather straps or stainless steel bracelets, enamel or porcelain dials, power reserve indicators, date windows, moon phases, automatic winding, and more.
  • Seiko 5 Sports: This is a collection of casual and versatile watches that are suitable for everyday wear. They have sporty and stylish cases, hardlex crystals, nylon straps or stainless steel bracelets, colourful dials, day-date windows, automatic winding, seconds, unidirectional bezels, and more.

Conclusion
Seiko mechanical and quartz watches are both excellent choices for novice buyers who want to enjoy the quality and innovation of Seiko. Depending on their budget, preference, and purpose, they can choose between the two types of movements and explore Seiko's different collections. Seiko mechanical and quartz watches have advantages and disadvantages, but they also share the benefits of Seiko’s reputation and reliability.