A watch movement is the engine of a watch that acts as the powerhouse to make the watch and its functions operate. – is a crucial component that determines its accuracy, reliability, and durability. And for watch movements, few countries can match the reputation of Switzerland. . When a movement is made and inspected in Switzerland, watchmakers refer to it as Swiss movement. More than 60% of the value manufactured movement components come from Switzerland.
Swiss movement watches are known for their precision, accuracy.There are countless types and brands of Swiss movements, so many consumers or start-up brand founders face all these Swiss movements and don’t know how to choose the right movement.So In this blog post, we will explore parts of a watch movement,what is A Swiss movement watch, Swiss watch movement manufacturers, advantage of Swiss movement watches.This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of Swiss movement watches and their significance in the world of horology.
Table of Contents
What is a watch movement
what is a movement watch
A watch movement (also known as a “calibre”) is the engine of a watch that controls the motion of the watch hands and displays the time accurately. There are three main types of watch movements: quartz, mechanical, and automatic.
parts of a watch movement
The components of a watch movement are the individual parts that make up the mechanism that powers a watch. There are four main parts of a watch movement: the power source, the regulator, the transmission, and the display.
The power source is the component that provides the energy to power the watch. In quartz watches, the power source is a battery that powers a quartz crystal oscillator. In mechanical and automatic watches, the power source is a mainspring that is wound by hand or by the movement of the wearer’s wrist.
The regulator controls the rate at which the power source is released, which determines the accuracy of the watch. In quartz watches, the regulator is a circuit that controls the frequency of the quartz crystal oscillator. In mechanical and automatic watches, the regulator is a system of gears and levers that control the speed at which the mainspring is unwound.
The transmission is the component that transfers the power from the power source to the display. In quartz watches, the transmission is an electronic circuit that sends a signal to the display. In mechanical and automatic watches, the transmission is a series of gears and wheels that convert the rotational energy of the mainspring into the motion of the hands.
The display is the component that shows the time on the watch. In analog watches, the display is a set of watch hands that indicate the hours, minutes, and sometimes seconds. In digital watches, the display is a digital readout that shows the time in numerals. Some watches also have additional displays, such as date or chronograph functions, which are powered by additional components within the watch movement.
Swiss movement watch
Swiss movement watch can be defined as a watch that has a movement mechanism that meets the criteria for the “Swiss Made” label set by the Swiss Federal Council. To comply, the movement needs to be assembled and undergo quality control in Switzerland, with over 50% of its parts made in Switzerland and at least 60% of its component value being derived from Swiss-made components.
It is easy for many watch enthusiasts to confuse Swiss movement watches with Swiss made watches. They are not the same. According to Swiss law, a watch can be considered Swiss-made if it meets specific criteria. These criteria include having a Swiss movement, assembling the watch, and conducting the final inspection in Switzerland. A Swiss made watch contains a Swiss movement. However, a watch with a Swiss movement is not called a Swiss made watch.
Swiss quartz movement
Instead of mechanical moving gears, wheels, and other components, a Swiss “quartz” watch is one that is powered by a quartz movement, complete with electronic circuit board, synthetic quartz crystal, and battery.
Swiss quartz movement was hit by the Japanese watch brand Seiko around the 1970s, creating the so-called quartz crisis. In the following year, many historic Swiss mechanical watch brands fell by the wayside. Eventually it was ETA that developed an inexpensive Swiss quartz movement and started using it in Swatch’s plastic watches, laying the groundwork for Swiss quartz watches to regain their footing. Most Swiss brands followed with their own quartz watches.
Today, the accuracy of Swiss quartz movements is comparable to that of Japanese quartz movements, with the difference being only one of origin. Now not only do the top watch brands produce their own Swiss quartz movements to meet their own brand needs, but there are also many Swiss quartz movement manufacturers such as Sellita, ETA, and Ronda that supply Swiss quartz movements to small and medium-sized watch manufacturers or brands.
For further information on the difference between quartz vs automatic watches, click here for our related article.
Swiss watch automatic movement
Swiss watch automatic movement means that the Swiss watch manufacturer assembles and inspects the movement in Switzerland, and that the Swiss-made movement components account 50% of the total value of the watch, without taking into account assembly costs.
In addition, the automatic movement is entirely mechanical, with no electronics or batteries, etc. Unlike the Winding Mechanical movement, the automatic watch movement has a metal weight-rotor on the back, so the movement of the wrist can wind it without having to be wound manually.
Swiss mechanical movement
A Swiss mechanical movement is a type of watch movement that uses a spring-driven mechanism to power the watch. It is known for its precision, craftsmanship, and attention to detail, and is widely regarded as one of the best types of watch movements in the world.
Swiss movement History
Swiss watch movements have a rich history dating back to the 16th century, when Huguenot refugees brought their skills to Geneva, Switzerland.Over the years, Swiss watchmakers have become known for their precision, innovation, and dedication to quality craftsmanship.In the early 20th century, Swiss watch movements faced competition from cheaper and more accurate American,Germany and Japan made watches, but Swiss manufacturers adapted by focusing on high-end luxury timepieces. In the 1970s, Swiss watch movements faced new competition from Japan quartz watches, but the industry rebounded by producing high-end luxury mechanical movements.
Swiss watch movements manufacturer or brand
Valjoux
Rolex
Omega
Patek Philippe
Audemars Piguet
Girard-Perregaux
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Breitling
As for the future of Swiss watch movements, the industry is facing new challenges from smartwatches and other wearable technology. However, many Swiss watchmakers are adapting by creating their own smartwatches or by focusing on producing high-end luxury mechanical movements that offer features and craftsmanship that cannot be replicated by technology. Additionally, some Swiss watchmakers are exploring the use of new materials, such as silicon, to improve the accuracy and reliability of their movements. Overall, the future of Swiss watch movements looks promising, as many watch enthusiasts still appreciate the tradition, history, and quality of mechanical watch movements.
Advantage of Swiss movement watches
Precision: Swiss watch movements are known for their precision and accuracy, thanks to the country’s long tradition of watchmaking and high standards for quality control.
Craftsmanship: Swiss watchmakers are renowned for their attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship, resulting in timepieces that are both functional and beautiful.
Durability: Swiss movt watch is durable and reliable, using high-quality materials and rigorous testing processes to ensure longevity.
Prestige: Swiss movement watch is associated with prestige and luxury, with many of the world’s most prestigious watch brands being Swiss-based.
Innovation: Swiss watch movement manufacturers are constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries of watchmaking, resulting in new technologies and features that enhance the functionality and desirability of their watches.
Conclusion About Swiss Watch Movements
In conclusion Swiss watch movements are good because Swiss watch movement are the industry standard. They are known for their precision, craftsmanship, and durability and quality. It’s worth noting that Japanese movement are just as well, and they’re loved by a wide range of consumers for their accuracy, practicality and affordability. Watchessy offers a range of high-quality Swiss and Japan watch movements.
FAQ
Swiss movement vs automatic
This refers to the difference between the Swiss automatic vs Japan automatic movement. With movements with the same function, the Swiss movement 2824-2 vs Miyota 8215 for example, Miyota 8215 movement is made up of 21 jewels, has a frequency of 6 beats per second, and a power reserve of 42 hours, whereas ETA’s caliber 2824-2 comprises 25 jewels, and has a frequency of 4 beats per second. The power reserve for 38 hours.
In addition, Swiss automatic movement does not stop for a moment because of the movement of the wrist like the Japan automatic movement.
Overall, if you are on a budget, Swiss movement is a better choice. If you are looking for an affordable automatic movement, then the Japan automatic movement is a good choice.
Swiss quartz movement vs automatic
Swiss quartz movement is powered by a battery. The Swiss automatic movement is powered by the movement of the wrist, because the automatic movement has a metal weight called a rotor behind it, which rotates to wind the watch with the movement of the wrist.
Swiss vs Japanese movement
Explain the difference between Swiss vs Japanese movement according to different movement types. Swiss quartz and Japanese quartz movement are both accurate and reliable, but the same quality of Swiss movement is more expensive than Japanese quartz movement. The difference between Swiss mechanical movement and Japanese mechanical movement is that Swiss mechanical movement is more aesthetically pleasing, like a work of art. Japanese mechanical movements are more focused on accuracy.
Related post
What is a tachymeter
Tachymeter is a common feature on some watch bezel. It is primarily used to measure the speed at which the wearer is moving over
A complete guide to Sellita SW200
Sellita SW200 is a reliable Swiss made automatic movement. Many famous watch brands use the Sellita SW200 movement as an alternative to the ETA 2824 movement. In
Watch movement types
A watch movement is the engine that powers the watch. Different watch movement types determine its accuracy, durability, and functionality. There are 3
How does a mechanical watch work?
Mechanical watch holds a special place in the world of timekeeping. These timeless pieces are not only accurate and precise, but they also possess
Swiss movement VS. Japanese movement
Swiss movement vs Japanese movement Watches are not just timepieces but also a reflection of one’s style, taste, and personality. Among the various watch components that
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!