Jump to content

How to tell mechanical from electric at sales?

TomG
 Share

Recommended Posts

TomG Member

TomG

Posted
Posted

So, I know this is a total newb question, but I am a total newb, so here goes...

There you are at an estate sale and you want to pick up some inexpensive mechanical

watches to learn on, how do you know for sure it's mechanical, without taking the

back off?  Obviously, if it says "Quartz" on the dial it's electric, but will it always  say that?

Any other give-aways?

Thanks for the time!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AlexanderToerzs Watch Enthusiast

AlexanderToerzs

Posted
Posted

Hi Tom,

If it's a runner and has a seconds hand check that. If the seconds hands jumps from second to second it's a quartz watch. If it is sweeping from second to second with barely noticible interuptions it's mechanical. In the unlikely event that it's electrical and has yet a sweep second: buy it. It's most likely a pre-quartz tuning fork watch and a collectors item.

Cheers and all the best from Hamburg

Alex

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
KOwatch Watch Enthusiast

KOwatch

Posted
Posted

Electric (battery driven spring oscillator) and quartz watches were a big thing when introduced, so they usually advertise this on the dial.

Also, while technically quartz are battery powered and thus electric, if you see "electric" or "electronic" on the dial it's very likely one of a number of battery powered, balance wheel designs. For this reason quartz watches are usually not referred to as "electric"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_watch

Link to comment
Share on other sites
spectre6000 Distinguished Member

spectre6000

Posted
Posted

My quick-glance go-to is to look at the crown. Aside from Seiko 5s from a fews years ago and back (which are obvious in their own right), all mechanical movements I'm aware of (even automatics) can be hand wound. In order to be able to be wound, the crown has to be large and knurled enough to do so. Quartz watch crowns are intended to be used a few times a year, and only for setting, so they're almost universally smaller and not very knurled. Mechanical watch crowns [i]can[/i] be very small and smooth if they're super worn, but they'd likely also be badly brassed to go with the wear, and be obvious that way. There can absolutely be overwrought quartz watches with big crowns to look like they're mechanical, but typically they'll be pretty obviously chitzy and give themselves away that way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Neverenoughwatches
      Stem removal after fitting hands

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      So leave off the seconds. Stand the movement on its edge, its the dial edge that rests on the pad ( either rubber or cork , something that wont slip ). Use a finger of your left hand to hold the movement upright,  right hand presses the release and flicks out the stem. I do it this way so i can see what I'm under a microscope. But you could hold the movement between two fingers of your left hand, its the right that has to manipulate the stem out by pushing the release and flicking out the stem with  right ring finger nail. Sounds more complicated than it actually is. I guess you could fix a push pin to something solid, then all you need to do is push the release against the pin, leaving your right hand completely free to pull the stem out.
    • HectorLooi
      Battery

      By HectorLooi · Posted

      Try putting everything back together and closing the back cover. I think one of the two springs has to contact the metal casing to ground the casing. So when you press the button, it will touch the contact on circuit board and close the circuit.
    • PeterS
      Stem removal after fitting hands

      By PeterS · Posted

      Yes, the seconds hand is the longest and goes almost to the edge of the dial. I can’t quite picture it how you do it on the rubber pad
    • Murks
      Battery

      By Murks · Posted

      A don't think so it leaked or damaged it because the watch itself works it just the buttons ain't working not connecting with the circuit board have taken more pictures of where the buttons makes contact with the circuit board.
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Stem removal after fitting hands

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I think what peter means oh is once he has fitted the hands and  checked for  alignment if them and that they dont foul, how does he then hold the movement to remove the stem in order to case up. The dial cannot be laid on a cushion or in a movement holder as the hands will get damaged. This can be quite tricky for a beginner, what i do is  to stand the movement on edge on a rubber pad so it doesn't slip. Hold the top edge with one finger then my dominant hand uses 3 fingers to press the stem release and flick out the stem. See below peter, leave off the second hand as this is the longest and gets caught the most, then fit it once the stem is out. Alternatively place the movement in one of the cup style holders, i imagine this is what they are designed for. They only touch the very edge of the dial.  
×
×
  • Create New...