How does a quartz watch work, explained: Short answer: How does a quartz watch work? A battery sends power to a tiny quartz crystal, which vibrates exactly 32,768 times per second. A circuit counts those vibrations, turns them into one pulse per second, and that pulse makes a small motor move the hands by one step. Because the crystal keeps such a steady rhythm, quartz watches are more accurate than most mechanical watches and need no winding.
How does a quartz watch work, explained: Short answer: How does a quartz watch work? A battery sends power to a tiny quartz crystal, which vibrates exactly 32,768 times per second. A circuit counts those vibrations, turns them into one pulse per second, and that pulse makes a small motor move the hands by one step. Because the crystal keeps such a steady rhythm, quartz watches are more accurate than most mechanical watches and need no winding. In short, this is the answer to “how does a quartz watch work?”
How does a quartz watch work? The short answer
For example, click any part below, or use the numbered buttons, to see what it does. The glowing dot shows the electric signal travelling through the watch, and the crystal vibrates so fast that it looks like a blur. Press “Slow motion” to see it move.
How does a quartz watch work? The five parts of the movement
- Battery: a small button cell, usually 1.5 volts. It powers the circuit and the motor.
- Integrated circuit: a chip that drives the crystal and counts its vibrations.
- Quartz crystal: a tiny tuning-fork-shaped piece of quartz. When electricity passes through it, it vibrates at 32,768 Hz.
- Stepper motor: receives one pulse per second and turns by a fixed step each time.
- Gear train and hands: gears reduce the motion so that the second, minute and hour hands move at the right speeds.
How does a quartz watch work? Why 32,768 vibrations per second
The number 32,768 is 2 to the power of 15. A simple circuit can halve a frequency 15 times in a row, which turns 32,768 vibrations per second into exactly one pulse per second. This is what the counter under the diagram shows: each second it divides the frequency by two once more, until it reaches one. The crystal also vibrates above the range of human hearing, so a quartz watch does not make the tick you hear from a mechanical watch. The tick you hear is the motor stepping the hands.
How does a quartz watch work and how accurate is it?
A typical quartz watch gains or loses only a few seconds per month, and temperature changes cause most of the drift. Good mechanical watches are usually less accurate than this. The first quartz wristwatch, the Seiko Quartz-Astron, went on sale in 1969, and quartz soon became the standard way to make an affordable, accurate watch. In short, this is the answer to "how does a quartz watch work?"
How long does the battery last?
A quartz watch battery typically lasts one to three years, depending on the size of the cell and on extra features such as backlights, alarms and chronographs. When the battery runs low, many watches show it by moving the second hand in jumps of four seconds at a time. Have the battery replaced by a watch shop if the watch is water resistant, so the seals stay intact.
Quartz vs mechanical watches
- Accuracy: quartz is more accurate and keeps steady time in any position.
- Maintenance: quartz needs a battery change every few years, while mechanical watches need regular servicing.
- Price: quartz movements are cheap, so good quartz watches cost less.
- Charm: mechanical watches have a sweeping second hand and craftsmanship that many collectors love.
If you want to try a mechanical watch, see our guide to the best cheap automatic watches.
Pros and cons of quartz watches
Pros
- Accurate to a few seconds per month
- No winding and very little maintenance
- Affordable, with many styles and sizes
- Robust, because there are fewer delicate moving parts
Cons
- Battery needs replacing every few years
- Less appeal for collectors than mechanical movements
- The second hand ticks in steps instead of sweeping
Quartz watches to look at
Many of the watches we review use a quartz movement. See the best watches under $100, the Timex guide, the Swatch Big Bold review and the G-Shock DW6900-1V review. In short, this is the answer to "how does a quartz watch work?"
Quartz watches you may like on Amazon
Now that you know how does a quartz watch work, you can shop with confidence. For more background, see the Wikipedia article.
How does a quartz watch work: FAQ
How does a quartz watch work in simple words?
A battery makes a quartz crystal vibrate, a chip counts the vibrations and sends one pulse per second, and a small motor moves the hands.
Why do quartz watches tick once per second?
The motor receives one pulse per second and moves the second hand one step each time. In short, this is the answer to "how does a quartz watch work?"
Are quartz watches better than mechanical watches?
In addition, they are more accurate and cheaper to run, but mechanical watches are loved for their craftsmanship. It depends on what you value.
Do quartz watches need winding?
No. The battery supplies all the power, so you only replace it every few years.
Verdict
A quartz watch is a simple and clever machine: a crystal that vibrates 32,768 times a second keeps time, and a motor turns that rhythm into hand movement. For most people, a quartz watch is the practical, accurate and affordable choice. In short, this is the answer to "how does a quartz watch work?"
