The movement is the engine inside your watch. It decides how the watch is powered, how accurate it is and how you look after it. Here is a simple guide to the three most common types.
Quartz: accurate and easy
A quartz watch runs on a battery. The battery sends a current through a tiny quartz crystal, which vibrates at a very precise frequency.
- Very accurate – typically within a few seconds per week or month.
- Low maintenance – just a battery change every two to three years or so.
- Great value and usually slimmer and lighter.
Best for: anyone who wants a grab-and-go watch that is always on time. Most fashion watches (Michael Kors, Emporio Armani, Fossil, Tommy Hilfiger) and many Tissot and Casio models are quartz.
Automatic: traditional craftsmanship
An automatic (self-winding) watch has no battery. A weighted rotor spins as you move your wrist and winds the mainspring, which powers hundreds of tiny mechanical parts.
- No battery needed – wear it and it keeps running.
- Power reserve – most run for about 40 to 80 hours when taken off (Tissot’s Powermatic 80, for example, is known for its 80-hour reserve).
- Smooth sweeping seconds hand and often an exhibition case back to see the movement.
- Slightly less accurate than quartz – a few seconds per day is normal.
- Benefits from a service every several years.
Best for: people who love craftsmanship and want a watch with character. Popular automatics include Seiko 5 and Presage, Orient, Tissot PRX Powermatic 80, Hamilton Khaki and Citizen Tsuyosa.
Solar: powered by light
Solar watches convert any light – sunlight or indoor light – into energy and store it in a rechargeable cell.
- Quartz accuracy without regular battery changes.
- Fully charged, many keep running for months even in the dark.
- Eco-friendly and practical.
Well-known solar technologies include Citizen Eco-Drive, Seiko Solar and Casio Tough Solar. Tip: if a solar watch stops, simply leave it in bright light for a while to recharge.
Which one should you choose?
- Want accuracy and zero fuss? Choose quartz.
- Love tradition and mechanics? Choose automatic.
- Want the best of both, with no battery changes? Choose solar.
Still deciding? Ask our team on WhatsApp or visit us in Banani – we will show you the difference in person.