Clockwork, explained
A mechanical watch measures time with a wound spring, a geared train and a balance wheel that swings at a fixed rate. This reference walks through the movement part by part, sets it against quartz timekeeping, and gives a practical winding and storage routine.
| Specification | Mechanical, hand-wound |
|---|---|
| Energy source | Mainspring, wound by hand |
| Regulator | Balance wheel and hairspring |
| Typical frequency | 21,600–28,800 vph |
| Power reserve | 38–42 hours |
| Typical drift | About 1–2 seconds per day |
| Winding needed | Daily |
| Service interval | 5–7 years |
A wound mainspring supplies torque, a gear train steps it down, and the escapement releases it in equal ticks.
The mainspring is a coiled ribbon of steel inside a barrel. Winding it, by hand or by a self-winding weight, stores elastic energy. That energy leaves the barrel through the first wheel of the gear train and is geared down until it reaches the escapement.
The escapement is the gatekeeper. With each swing of the balance wheel it locks and releases the train, letting the wheels advance by one tooth. The hands move forward in these small, equal steps, which is why the second hand appears to tick rather than glide.
The balance wheel is a weighted ring on a hairspring. The hairspring returns it to center after each swing, setting the rate. Adjusting the effective length of the hairspring, or the position of regulating weights, changes how fast the watch runs.
Mechanical watches regulate a swinging balance; quartz watches count a vibrating crystal, which changes accuracy, winding and cost of ownership.
A quartz watch uses a piezoelectric quartz tuning fork, typically at 32,768 Hz, and an integrated circuit divides that frequency down to one pulse per second. There is no mainspring and no escapement, so there is nothing to wind.
A mechanical watch depends on the balance wheel's oscillation, which is affected by temperature, position and lubrication. A well-regulated mechanical movement may vary by a second or two a day; a quartz watch typically varies by a few seconds a month.
The trade-off runs the other way on character and service. Mechanical movements need periodic winding and servicing, while quartz watches mainly need a battery change every few years.
Wind at the same time each day, keep the crown pushed in, and store the watch where it will not be knocked or magnetized.
For a hand-wound watch, wind the crown clockwise until you feel resistance, usually 20 to 40 turns from empty. Stop when the spring is fully coiled; forcing past that point strains the winding train.
A self-winding watch winds from wrist motion. If it has been off the wrist for more than its power reserve, typically 38 to 42 hours, give it 15 to 20 manual turns to restart it before wearing.
Store the watch away from speakers, magnets and strong vibration. If you keep it in a box, leave the crown screwed down and avoid laying it face-down on a hard surface.
| Specification | Mechanical, hand-wound | Mechanical, self-winding | Quartz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy source | Mainspring, wound by hand | Mainspring, wound by wrist motion | Battery |
| Regulator | Balance wheel and hairspring | Balance wheel and hairspring | Quartz tuning fork at 32,768 Hz |
| Typical frequency | 21,600–28,800 vph | 28,800 vph | 32,768 Hz |
| Power reserve | 38–42 hours | 38–42 hours | 2–5 years battery life |
| Typical drift | About 1–2 seconds per day | About 1–2 seconds per day | A few seconds per month |
| Winding needed | Daily | Rarely, if worn daily | None |
| Service interval | 5–7 years | 5–7 years | Battery every 2–5 years |
The source list names the reference used for the movement description; no brand or retailer information is included.