Automatic vs Quartz Watches: Which Should You Buy?
By Robert · · 4 min read
One of the first choices you face when buying a watch is what powers it: a quartz movement or an automatic one. Both tell the time, but they work very differently, and that affects accuracy, maintenance, price and how the watch feels to own. This guide explains automatic vs quartz watches in plain language, so you can decide which is right for you.
You can compare both types in our executive watches collection at Roberts Collections.
What Is a Quartz Watch?
A quartz watch runs on a small battery. The battery sends a current through a tiny quartz crystal, which vibrates at a very precise frequency. The watch counts those vibrations to keep time. You can usually spot a quartz watch by its second hand, which ticks once per second.
Most affordable fashion and business watches, from Binbond and Curren to Naviforce and Skmei, use quartz movements.
What Is an Automatic Watch?
An automatic watch is a mechanical watch that winds itself. Inside is a weighted rotor that spins as your wrist moves, winding a spring called the mainspring. The spring slowly releases energy through a set of gears to move the hands. There is no battery at all. The second hand on most automatics sweeps smoothly instead of ticking, and many have a clear case back or an open-heart dial so you can see the movement working.
Automatic vs Quartz: Side by Side
| Quartz | Automatic | |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | Battery | Your wrist movement |
| Accuracy | Very high, usually within seconds a month | Lower, can drift several seconds a day |
| Maintenance | Battery change every 1 to 3 years | Service every few years, no battery |
| If you take it off | Keeps running | Stops after its power reserve runs out |
| Second hand | Ticks | Sweeps |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Appeal | Practical and easy | Craftsmanship and tradition |
The Case for Quartz
- More accurate. Quartz watches keep better time than mechanical ones, often by a wide margin.
- Low effort. Put it on and go. Even if it sits in a drawer for a week, it is still on time.
- More affordable. You get more design and features for your money. A quality quartz watch like the Curren 9092, with a Miyota quartz movement, costs KSh 3,500.
- Tough. With fewer moving parts, quartz watches handle knocks well.
The main downside is the battery. When it dies, it needs a proper replacement, and an old battery left inside can leak. Our guide to watch battery replacement in Nairobi covers what to look out for.
The Case for Automatic
- No battery, ever. As long as you wear it, it keeps going.
- Mechanical craftsmanship. Watching the rotor spin and the balance wheel swing is part of the joy.
- A smoother look. The sweeping second hand and open dials feel more premium.
- A watch with character. Many people see an automatic as a watch to keep and pass on.
The trade-offs: automatics are less accurate, can stop if you do not wear them for a day or two, and need servicing every few years to stay in good shape. They also prefer to be kept away from strong magnets, such as speakers and phone cases with magnetic clasps.
Affordable Automatic Watches in Kenya
You do not need to spend a fortune to try an automatic. These models cost under KSh 8,000:
- Poedagar 1418 Leather Automatic (KSh 7,500): day, date and month displays on a genuine leather strap.
- Poedagar 1410 Automatic (KSh 7,900): a stainless steel bracelet with day, date and a 24-hour display.
- Poedagar 1427 Leather Automatic (KSh 7,900): a 24-hour display on genuine leather.
- Tevise 867C (KSh 7,900): a self-winding executive watch with a date window and leather strap, supplied with a free branded box.
- Binbond J888 (KSh 7,999): an open-heart dial, 41 mm case, luminous hands and stainless steel band.
Tips for Owning an Automatic
- Wear it regularly. Daily wear keeps it wound.
- If it stops, wind it. Gently turn the crown clockwise 20 to 30 times, then set the time.
- Set the date carefully. On many mechanical watches, avoid changing the date between about 9 pm and 3 am, when the date mechanism is engaged.
- Expect small daily drift. Reset it once a week or so.
- Service it. Our watch repairs team offers full cleaning, lubrication and calibration for automatic movements.
So, Which Should You Buy?
- Choose quartz if you want accuracy, low maintenance and the most style for your budget.
- Choose automatic if you love mechanical watches, want a watch with no battery, or are buying a special gift.
Still deciding on a budget? Our watch prices in Kenya guide and our list of the best watches in Kenya can help. You can also see more Poedagar automatics on our Poedagar collection, or contact us for advice.
