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Swiss Quartz Movement: Top Facts You Need to Know

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Johnson Watch
Swiss Quartz Movement: Top Facts You Need to Know

Watches that use quartz movements are called quartz watches. A few common components in a quartz watch are the EC board, a synthetic quartz crystal and a battery. This sets them apart from mechanical watches that use rotational gears and other similar components. Several countries around the world have turned to producing watches with quartz movements, even Switzerland. 


In all quartz watches, a button-type cell battery uses an oscillatory synthetic quartz crystal to charge or relay an electric current. In most quartz movements, the second hands’ individual movements occur at 32,768 oscillations per second, but with developments and new VHP calibres joining the market, there are now watches with movements that vibrate at more oscillations per minute. 


The vibrations of the crystal drive a motor that ensures the hands in the dial move at a constant rate. This is what makes quartz watches so desirable; their precise movement and accuracy because of their constant and long-lasting driving force. Quartz watches usually run for around 2 to 5 life spans. Quartz movements are now used in luxury watches to give them more precision and durability.


The History Behind Swiss Quartz Watches

Quartz technology gained popularity in the 1970s, giving watches with mechanical movements stiff competition, especially Japanese watches. Quartz watches were so appealing to the mass market because they didn’t require frequent winding or servicing and were easy to use.


Brands creating Swiss watches did not originally seem too keen on shifting from traditional mechanical techniques to this new quartz movement. In contrast, Japanese and American watch brands were quick to recognize its potential and capitalised on the opportunity.


In 1977, sales of Swiss watch brands crashed, and by 1978, they went into the Quartz Crisis. Traditional Swiss watch brands were being put out of business, and mechanical watches were rarely being bought. 


Nicholas G. Hayek Senior was brought into the picture to help rebuild the Swiss watch industry and improve sales. Under his direction and supervision, Swiss watch brands turned to quartz movements, and by 1983, the world was shaken when Swiss brands made a comeback with improved quartz technology and more accurate watches.


The Difference between Swiss and Japanese Movements

  • Currently, Swiss premium watch brands selling quartz watches are doing well in the market. The main difference between a Swiss quartz watch and a Japanese quartz watch is the country of origin. 


  • Another noticeable difference is that Swiss movements tend to take more aesthetically pleasing routes, while the Japanese focus more on precision and accuracy. 


  • The main manufacturer of Swiss movements is ETA, while the Japanese movement is Miyota. The ETA is known for the flair that goes into manufacturing watches, and Miyota is known for its use of an automatic robotics line to do the manufacturing for them. 


Furthermore, Swiss watches have several requirements that must be met for a watch to be considered an authentic Swiss watch. For a movement to be identified as a Swiss movement, its entire calibre needs to have been put together in a Swiss-based factory, and the inspections should be done in Switzerland. 


A minimum of 60% of the components must have been made in Switzerland. The way to identify a movement as Swiss is based on its stamp. There are a few stamps, such as a Swiss Movement (MVMT), to identify them. Several Swiss watch brands adhere to these regulations to ensure the top-notch quality of their watches.



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