Shopping for a new watch and stuck on the words "quartz" and "automatic"? You are not alone. Those two words describe what makes the watch tick, and the difference affects how you wind it, how you care for it, and what kind of person it suits best. This guide breaks it down in plain English so you can pick the right one for yourself or as a gift.
What is a quartz watch?
A quartz watch runs on a small battery. The battery sends a tiny current through a quartz crystal, which vibrates at a steady rate, and the watch counts those vibrations to keep time. That is why you see the second hand "tick" once per second on most quartz watches.
Quartz is the most common type of watch sold today because it is simple, low-maintenance and keeps steady time. You put it on and forget about it until the battery eventually needs replacing.
A good example is our men's sport quartz watch with luminous hands. It uses a multi-function quartz movement with three sub-dials, luminous hands for reading the time in the dark, a 47mm dial and a soft silicone strap, and it comes in blue, blue gold, dark blue, black, green and red.
What is an automatic watch?
An automatic watch is a mechanical watch that winds itself. Inside is a mainspring that stores energy. As you move your wrist through the day, a weighted part inside the watch spins and keeps that spring wound. No battery is needed.
Automatic watches have a smooth, sweeping second hand and a lot of old-school charm. Many people like knowing their watch is powered by their own movement. If you take it off for a while it can stop, but you can wind it by hand to get it going again.
Our classic men's automatic watch is a self-winding design that works from the movement of your wrist and can also be wound manually, so it does not need a battery. It has a 40mm dial, a full calendar and 3ATM water resistance, and it comes in brown, silver, brown silver, black silver and black.
Quartz vs automatic: the key differences
Power source
Quartz runs on a battery. Automatic runs on the motion of your wrist and a wound spring. If you hate the idea of battery changes, an automatic is appealing. If you only wear a watch now and then, quartz is easier because it keeps running in the drawer.
Accuracy
Quartz movements are generally more accurate than mechanical ones. Automatic watches can drift a little over time and may need to be reset now and then. For most people that small difference does not matter, but if you want "set it and forget it" timekeeping, quartz wins.
Maintenance
Quartz needs a battery swap every so often. Automatic watches need no battery, but like any mechanical item they benefit from gentle care. Either way, keep them away from hard knocks and hot water.
Feel and style
Automatic watches tend to appeal to people who love craftsmanship and a classic look. Quartz watches come in every style imaginable, from dressy to sporty to digital, and they are usually lighter and thinner.
Which one is right for you?
Choose quartz if you want a watch that is always ready, light on the wrist and easy to own. Busy people, students and anyone who switches between several watches usually do best with quartz.
Choose automatic if you wear a watch every day, love the idea of a self-winding mechanism and want something with a classic, traditional feel. It also makes a memorable gift for a dad, husband or grandfather who appreciates the "how it works" side of things.
Still undecided? Think about how the watch will be worn. For a slim dress watch that slides under a shirt cuff, our ultra-thin leather strap quartz watch is just 6.5mm thick with a 40mm dial and a calendar window. For a sporty everyday look with a chronograph, the men's modern luminous quartz chronograph has a 47mm dial, silicone band and hands that glow in the dark.
What about digital watches?
Digital watches are a type of quartz watch with a screen instead of hands. They are great for sports, kids, teens and anyone who wants extras like an alarm or stopwatch. Our unisex digital watch has dual time, a daily alarm, countdown, stopwatch and backlight, with a soft silicone strap in five colors.
Wearing a watch in Florida heat, sand and salt air
If you live near the beach like we do in the Daytona area, a few habits will keep any watch looking good. Check the water rating before you get it wet. Many everyday watches, including several of ours, are rated 3ATM or 30 meters, which means they handle hand-washing and splashes but are not made for swimming or showering. Take your watch off before you head into the ocean or the pool.
After a day at the beach, wipe off sand and salt with a soft damp cloth and let the watch dry. Do not leave it sitting in a hot car on the dashboard. Leather straps last longer if you let them air out after a sweaty day, while silicone straps are easy to rinse and are a smart pick for the beach or Bike Week.
For a dressier gift for her, our women's crystal bracelet quartz watch has an adjustable stainless steel band and comes with a band remover tool for sizing. It is not waterproof, so keep this one dry and save it for dinners and nights out.
Frequently asked questions
Do automatic watches need a battery?
No. An automatic watch is powered by a mainspring that winds as you move your wrist. If it stops after sitting unworn, you can wind it by hand or simply wear it to get it running again.
Is a quartz watch more accurate than an automatic?
Generally, yes. Quartz movements keep very steady time, while mechanical automatic movements can drift slightly and may need resetting from time to time. For everyday use, both work well.
Can I swim with a 30 meter (3ATM) water-resistant watch?
Not really. A 3ATM or 30 meter rating is meant for splashes, rain and hand-washing, not swimming or showering. Take the watch off before you go in the water.
What happens if I don't wear my automatic watch for a few days?
It will usually stop once the stored energy runs out. Just wind it by hand, reset the time and date, and put it back on.
Which type makes a better gift?
Quartz is the easy, low-fuss choice for almost anyone. An automatic is a great pick for someone who wears a watch daily and appreciates classic craftsmanship.
Find your next watch
Whether you want the easy reliability of quartz or the classic charm of a self-winding automatic, there is a style that fits your wrist and your routine. Browse our full Jewelry & Watches collection to see every color and style we carry.