Automatic vs Quartz Which Watch Movement Should You Buy?

If you've spent any time looking at watches, you've seen the terms automatic and quartz. Most people assume automatic means better. The reality is more interesting  and the right choice depends entirely on how you wear a watch.

What Is a Quartz Movement?

A quartz movement runs on a battery. An electrical current passes through a small quartz crystal, which vibrates at exactly 32,768 times per second. That vibration drives the hands with remarkable precision typically accurate to within 15 seconds per month.

The practical advantages are real: lower cost, virtually zero maintenance, and consistent accuracy regardless of how often you wear the watch. Leave it in a drawer for a month, put it back on, and it keeps correct time until the battery runs out, typically every two to three years.

At Tomell London, our chronograph and core collection pieces use precision Japan quartz movements chosen for reliability and long-term accuracy over daily wear.

What Is an Automatic Movement?

An automatic  or self-winding  movement has no battery. Instead, it uses the natural motion of your wrist to wind a mainspring, which stores energy and powers the watch through a series of gears and an escapement.

The movement is mechanical. Tiny components work in precise sequence to measure the passage of time. An automatic in good condition is accurate to within plus or minus 10 to 30 seconds per day less precise than quartz, but entirely acceptable for daily wear.

The appeal of automatic isn't just mechanical. There's something satisfying about a watch that runs on motion rather than battery a physical connection between wearer and timepiece. Our 365 Automatic collection uses the Miyota 8215 movement  one of the most trusted automatic calibres in independent watchmaking, used by brands at several times our price point.

Key Differences

Accuracy: Quartz wins. Around 15 seconds per month versus 10–30 seconds per day for automatic.

Maintenance: Quartz needs a battery every 2–3 years. Automatics need servicing every 5–7 years but no battery at all.

Character: Automatics have a living quality you can feel the movement. Quartz is invisible, reliable, and entirely practical.

Price: At equivalent quality, quartz is typically less expensive. A £200 quartz watch will often outperform a £200 automatic in raw accuracy.

Which Should You Choose?

If you wear one watch daily and want it to just work accurate, low maintenance, reliable quartz is the sensible choice. If you rotate between watches, quartz won't lose time sitting unworn.

If you're drawn to the mechanical side of watchmaking and want to see or feel the movement at work, automatic is worth the extra consideration. Just be prepared to wear it regularly most automatics need daily use to stay wound.

Many collectors own both. A quartz piece for everyday reliability. An automatic for occasions when the watch itself is the point. Both movements, built with quality components and worn properly, will last a lifetime.