Swiss vs Japanese movement
Watches are not just timepieces but also a reflection of one’s style, taste, and personality. Among the various components that make up a watch, the movement is considered the heart and soul of the timepiece. The movement is what makes the hands move and is responsible for the watch’s accuracy and reliability. When it comes to watch movements, there are two major players in the industry: Swiss and Japanese movements.
Swiss watches have been renowned for their precision, quality, and craftsmanship for centuries, while Japanese watches are known for their technological innovation, affordability, and mass-production capabilities. As a watch enthusiast, choosing between a Swiss and Japanese movement can be a daunting task, as each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.
In this blog post, we will explore the differences between Swiss and Japanese movements, and compare them based on price range, technology, design, and accuracy. We will also examine factors to consider when choosing between the two, such as purpose, budget, personal style, and brand preference. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of which movement is right for you, and whether Swiss or Japanese movement is the way to go.
Table of Contents
What is a movement in a watch
The watch movement (also known as “calibre“) is the engine of the watch, which is the source of power for the operation of the watch and its functions. This internal mechanism moves the hands and powers complex devices such as chronographs, almanacs, or dual time zones. Watch movements can be divided into two main types by country: Swiss and Japanese.
What is Swiss movement on a watch?
A watch is considered to be a Swiss movement watch if the movement was assembled in Switzerland and has been inspected by the manufacturer in Switzerland. The components of the movement also have to account for 50 per cent of the total value of the timepiece, without taking into account the cost of assembly.
Swiss movements are typically hand-crafted by skilled watchmakers, using high-quality materials such as gold, silver, and platinum. The movements are often complex and intricate, with many small parts that must be assembled with great care and precision.
Quartz watches aren’t as desirable to most watch enthusiasts because they lack the technical craftsmanship and engineering of mechanical timepieces.So why do premium Swiss watch brands like Patek Philippe ,Omega still use Swiss quartz movements in some of their collections? Because Swiss movements are regulated by the Swiss Federal Office of Metrology (METAS), which ensures that the movements meet strict standards of accuracy and reliability.Hence swiss quartz movement is also good.
What is a Japanese movement？
Watches with Japanese movements have mechanical movements, automatic movements or quartz movements that are made in Japan.
Japanese watch movements are known for their technological innovation, affordability, and mass-production capabilities. Japanese watch movements were introduced in the 1970s, and they quickly gained popularity due to their reliability and accuracy.
Japanese movements are often mass-produced using automated processes, which makes them more affordable than Swiss movements. They also use quartz technology, which is known for its accuracy and precision.
Some of the most famous Japanese watch movements include the Seiko 7S26 movement and the Citizen Miyota movement,which are used by many popular Japanese watch brands such as Seiko, Citizen, and Casio.
If you learn more about what is a Japan movt watch,please read this article.
Price range
Swiss movements are typically more expensive than Japanese movements due to their high quality and hand-crafted nature. On the other hand, Japanese movements are mass-produced using automated processes, which makes them more affordable
Design
Swiss movements are often complex and intricate, with many small parts that must be assembled by hand. Japanese movements are often simpler and more streamlined, with fewer parts.
Accuracy
Swiss movt: the most important feature of ETA movement is very stable,accurate time and two-way winding. 28,800 times / hour frequency are able to ensure accurate time
Power reserve up to 40 hours and the 1 month error is just about 2 minutes (2 minutes faster or 2 minutes slower).
If you can do proper maintenance such as 8 years maintenance oil wash once, the life time can more than 60 years.This Swiss watch can be used as a family heirloom.
Japan movt: generally Japan movt is with 21 or 24 diamond.The oscillating frequency is 21800 and 28800.one of Japan movt feature is one-way winding.
Generally speaking Japan movements need to be maintained once every 3 or 5 years.
Manufacturing process
Japanese movements are more focused on accuracy and effectiveness and cost saving. That’s why the production process of Japanese movements is done on automated robotic production lines.So Japanese movements generally do not have a complex appearance and are cheaper than Swiss movements, but the quality is just as high.
On the other hand, Swiss movements are concerned with aesthetics and artistic beauty.
From the jewelry color and shape which the way it is cut,every detail is taken into account during the design and manufacturing process.That’s why many Swiss movt need hand assembled .
Appearance
Swiss movements will have a larger center axis, such as Swiss ETA’s automatic tourbillon, while Japanese watch movements such as Citizen’s will have a smaller center axis.
In terms of the number of seconds
Swiss movement: ETA movement is generally 8 times per second.Japan movement: Citizen 3 times per second, other Japanese movements are generally 5 times per second
Overall, both Swiss and Japanese movements are high-quality and reliable, but they have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Choosing between a Swiss and Japanese movement ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs.
Which is better, Swiss VS Japanese movement?
Deciding which movement is better ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs. Here are some factors to consider when choosing between a Swiss or Japanese movement:
Purpose
Consider what you will be using the watch for. If you need a watch for formal occasions or for collecting, a Swiss movement may be the way to go. If you need a watch for everyday use, a Japanese movement may be more practical and affordable.
Budget
Swiss movements are often more expensive than Japanese movements due to their high quality and craftsmanship. If you have a limited budget, a Japanese movement may be a more affordable option.
Swiss movements are much more expensive than Japanese one If the movement is similar in function. For example, Seiko 7S26 and Valjoux 7750, the latter is many times more expensive.
Personal style
Consider your personal style and what type of watch design you prefer. Swiss movements are often complex and intricate, while Japanese movements are often simpler and more streamlined.
Brand preference
Consider your preference for specific watch brands, as many luxury watch brands use Swiss movements while many affordable watch brands use Japanese movements.
In general, Swiss movements are known for their precision, quality, and craftsmanship, while Japanese movements are known for their technological innovation, affordability, and mass-production capabilities. Both types of movements are reliable and high-quality, but the choice ultimately depends on your personal needs and preferences.
Conclusion：swiss vs japanese movement
In conclusion, both Swiss and Japanese movements are highly regarded in the watch industry, and each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Swiss movements are known for their precision, quality, and craftsmanship, while Japanese movements .
In addition to discussing the differences between Swiss and Japanese watch movements, watchessy want to let our readers know that our company offers a wide variety of watches with both Swiss and Japanese movements. We understand that each individual has their own unique preferences, and we strive to offer a diverse selection to meet everyone’s needs.
