Quartz vs Automatic: Which Movement Should You Buy?

The quartz versus automatic debate is older than most watch buyers. Strip away the nostalgia and it is a practical decision about accuracy, maintenance and budget.

What each one is

A quartz watch is powered by a battery and regulated by a crystal that vibrates at a precise frequency. It is accurate to a few seconds a month. An automatic is a purely mechanical machine, wound by the motion of your wrist, accurate to a few seconds a day.

The real differences

• Accuracy: quartz wins easily, but a good automatic is accurate enough
• Maintenance: quartz needs a battery every 1 to 3 years, automatic needs a service every 4 to 6 years
• Price: quartz starts far lower, automatic adds real cost
• Experience: an automatic has a sweeping second hand and a mechanical heartbeat

Who should buy quartz

Buy quartz if this is your first watch, your only watch, or you want something you never have to think about. A quality quartz watch is the most reliable everyday object most people will ever own.

Who should buy automatic

Buy automatic if you enjoy the craft, the history and the ritual of winding and wearing a machine. Just understand the service cost and the accuracy limits before you commit. In Dhaka, servicing a good automatic usually means finding a reputable watchmaker, which is worth it for a piece you plan to keep.

Quartz is a tool. Automatic is a companion. Choose the one you will actually enjoy wearing.