Quartz Movements
How does a quartz crystal enable watches and clocks to keep such good time?
The workings of a watch are called the "movement". This includes traditional mechanical watches as well as modern quartz watches.
The quartz movement, as used in the vast majority of all watches and clocks made in the world today, was invented in 1927 by Warren Marrison, an engineer at Bell Laboratories in New Jersey.
It relies on a phenomenon know as the piezo-electric effect. If certain types of crystal, including quartz, are squeezed or stretched, their atoms respond by producing an electric field. In timepieces with quartz movements, the mirror image of this effect is used - an electric field is applied to the crystal (hence the need for a battery!) and this makes it change shape.
Marrison discovered that by applying an alternating voltage to such crystals, they could be made to vibrate at rates of anything from 33,000 to more that 4 million time per second, maintaining that rate with extraordinary precision.
Using electronics and mechanical gearing, Marrison was able to create a quartz clock accurate to within one second in a decade - a 10-fold improvement on the best electrically-powered clocks then available. However, miniaturising all the necessary elements so that they could be fitted into a case that could be worn on the wrist took another 40 years; this is why it was not until Christmas Day, 1969, that the first quartz watches were marketed by the Japanese company, Seiko.
Water Resistance
This is a guide to the terms used to describe Water Resistance and advice as to what activities can safely be carried out at each level.
No Indication
A watch is NOT water resistant unless stated on the dial or case back. Watches that are not indicated to be water resistant to any degree should NOT be worn whilst washing hands, dishes or showering etc.
Water Resistant Watches
The notion of water resistance to a given depth (e.g. 30m, 50m, 100m) is based on the fact that the case has been designed to withstand a STATIC laboratory test to the stated depth for SHORT periods only. The number of metres shown does not indicate the depth that the watch can be taken to.
Most water resistant watches are NOT designed for prolonged and active use in water. The only watches designed to withstand these types of conditions are professional divers watches.
Water Resistant
If a watch is simply described as "Water Resistant" or "WR", then it is splash proof. There is no absolute guarantee, but this means that it should be fine in normal wear, including going out in the rain and hand washing, but not where any immersion in water takes place such as washing dishes, showering, bathing, etc.
Water Resistant to 30m/3ATM/98ft
Suitable for everyday use and will withstand accidental splashing, but NOT suitable for swimming.
Water Resistant to 50m/5ATM/164ft
Suitable for everyday use and swimming, but NOT suitable for poolside diving, snorkelling or water sports.
Water Resistant to 100m/10ATM/328ft
Suitable for everyday swimming and snorkelling, but NOT suitable for high board diving or sub aqua diving.
Water Resistant to 200m/20ATM/662ft
Suitable for all high impact water sports and scuba diving at depths NOT requiring helium gas (at these depths it is recommended that a professional diver's watch be purchased).
*Only watches marked "Divers" on the dial should be used for diving, as they fully comply with the international standards for divers watches.
Watch manufacturers use other terms to measure water resistance:
- A.T.M. (atmosphere), where 1 A.T.M. equals 10 metres.
- Bar, where 1 bar equals 10 metres.
General Points
The figures quoted refer to STATIC pressure. The actual water pressure on the watch during use can be far greater than static pressure. For instance, maximum pressure on the watch when poolside diving is likely to be at the point of impact with the water.
Condensation can also be a problem. A sealed watch will pick up body warmth in wear during poolside diving. If the watch is then suddenly plunged into water that is some degrees colder moisture can then be created within the watch and become visible as small droplets under the glass. This normally dissipates of its own accord once the watch is removed from the water, but this is not always the case. The watch may then need to be returned to the supplier for drying. This situation does not necessarily mean that the watch is leaking although it may appear so.
Buttons and crowns should not be operated whilst the watch is under water or immersed in it for any reason, as stated in most instruction leaflets. Watches with screw crowns are usually more water resistant than watches with push crowns therefore this feature is more likely to be found in Divers' style watches.
Taking Care Of Your Watch
There are some things that you need to know in order to help you keep your watch in good condition.
Caring for your watch case and band:
Metal bracelets should be washed carefully in water. If very dirty use a soft toothbrush with soap and water gently brush away the dirt. Rinse with water and carefully dry with a soft cloth so as not to scratch. If your watch is not water resistant be very careful not to get any water on the case. To clean the case wipe gently with a slightly moistened soft cloth and dry.
In the summer weather loosen your leather strap slightly as they will absorb perspiration. If a strap becomes wet with perspiration wipe it with a soft cloth.
Upon removing your watch keep it in a well-ventilated area. Don't leave it in a container or box if still damp with perspiration.
Avoid immersing a leather strap in water.
How should I take care of my watch from day to day?
Shocks: Try to avoid knocking or indeed dropping your watch on any hard surfaces. Remember it is a precision instrument.
Perspiration: Try to avoid heavy perspiration coming in to contact with your watch. If it does then wipe it as soon as possible with a soft dry cloth.
Substances: Chemical substances, gases, mercury, etc., may change the colour of cases, bracelets and straps.
Direct contact with sprays such as hairsprays, perfumes or detergents may cause damage to your watch.
Can magnetism affect my watch?
It won't usually affect digital quartz watches, but it can affect analogue watches, as they use a tiny electric motor to turn the hands. Powerful magnetism can affect the performance of this motor.
Analogue watches may gain or lose time, or even stop under the influence of powerful magnetic fields, they will usually return to normal time keeping as soon as they leave the source of magnetism. (You may need to reset your watch, of course).
Avoid putting your watch near medical equipment, headphones, loudspeakers, or refrigerator door magnets. Electric mixers and blenders and a wide range of other electrical equipment may also have strong enough magnetism to affect timekeeping.
Watch Terminology
Analogue
Using hands to display the time, not a digital display.
Automatic
Automatic watches are exactly the same as mechanical except they do not need winding as long as they are being worn on a wrist. The movement of the wrist is sufficient to move an oscillating weight, which keeps the mainspring wound up.
Bezel
The ring on the outside of the watchcase around the dial.
Bracelet
A metal bracelet, which holds the watch to the wrist. Made up of links allowing the bracelet to fit any wrist comfortably.
Bracelet sets
Bracelet sets are matching watch and bracelet designs.
Case
The body of the watch to which the bracelet or strap is attached. Cases are available in a wide variety of shapes and metals.
Case back
The cover on the back of a watch, which protects the movement. A case back normally snaps back into place or in the case of a water resistant model will be of the screw down variety to ensure water cannot permeate the seal.
Chronograph
A watch, which also acts as a stopwatch.
Crown
Used for setting the watch hands. Also known as a button.
Crystal
Cover made of glass, plastic, or synthetic sapphire, fitted with a bezel.
Clasp
The fastening mechanism on a watch bracelet.
Dial
The dial sits on top of the movement and displays the time.
Digital Watch
Displays the time using a digital display.
Electroplating
The process of applying a decorative finish to base material. Electroplating can be used for gold plating, rhodium plating or palladium plating.
Kinetic
Seiko's latest and most technically advanced watches are called Seiko Kinetics. They contain their own internal electrical generators--operated by natural wrist movements--making them independent of conventional storage batteries.
LCD
Liquid crystal display of numerals in a digital watch.
LED
Light emitting diode, the display of numerals in early digital watches.
Lug
Metal projections at either side of the case, which hold the spring bar onto which the bracelet or strap is attached.
Mechanical
A mainspring in a housing called a barrel powers a mechanical watch. The mainspring when wound by hand, unwinds very slowly, transmitting power to a system of interconnected gearwheels called the gear train. This in turn is connected to the escapement mechanism consisting of a wheel and a pallet fork, which transmits impulses to the balance wheel, making it oscillate. This is the element, which makes the characteristic ticking noise. There is a further train, which moves the hands of the watch.
Mineral glass
A hardened watch glass (or crystal) that is scratch resistant.
Moon Phase
The phases of the moon are displayed in a window on the dial.
Movement
The complete unit inside the watch that makes it work.
Perpetual Calendar
A calendar mechanism that adjusts itself to the different months and leap years. Will continue until February 28, 2100.
Power cell
Another name for a battery.
Quartz
Rock crystal made to oscillate by electronic current. Maintains constant frequency according to its weight and mass. In modern quartz watches a synthetic material is used.
Sapphire Glass
Sapphire crystals are made from synthetic sapphire and are practically unscratchable.
Screw Down Crown
This type of crown is threaded and winds down to secure enhancing dust and water resistance.
Self Winding
Automatic.
Shock Resistant
If a watch is dropped onto a hard surface from a height of 3ft and it does not stop it is judged to be shock resistant, or if it’s daily rate is not affected by more than 60 seconds per day.
Solar Powered
Panels capture the light converting it into electricity, which powers the quartz movement.
Sterling silver
Contains at least 92.5% pure silver.
Stainless Steel
A dense, extremely durable, and rust-resistant metal, which does not require electroplating.
Strap
Can be leather, simulated leather, plastic or nylon. It is the band that holds the watch to the wrist.
Spring Bar
A metal pin used on most straps to fasten them to the watchcase.
Tachymeter (tachometer)
A measuring system located on the bezel or outer ring of the dial that can be used to calculate speed in mph or kph.
Water-resistant
Please see our chart explaining Water-resistant
World Time Watch
Displays the current time in any time zone.
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