Quartz vs Automatic: Which Movement is Best in a Luxury Watch?
• Darren
When you begin your search for a new high-end timepiece, you quickly find yourself faced with two dominant choices: watches powered by quartz or those driven by an automatic movement.
It is a defining decision and often a difficult one for new buyers. This is because both movements are closely matched and represent excellence in entirely different ways. One champions absolute precision, while the other celebrates centuries of mechanical tradition.
We understand this choice requires careful consideration. The purpose of this article is to break down the key differences between a quartz watch and an automatic watch using objective criteria. We will show you which characteristics align with your lifestyle and help you decide which investment is right for you.
Table of contents
- What’s the difference between quartz and automatic watches?
- What movement is most common in luxury watches?
- Our favourite quartz luxury watches
- Our favourite automatic luxury watches
- Which movement is best for your needs?
- Explore a full range of luxury watches at Francis & Gaye
What's the difference between quartz and automatic watches?
The primary distinction between the two types of watches lies in their power source and how that energy is regulated to keep accurate time. Understanding this process is key to appreciating the engineering marvel of both.
Quartz watches
A quartz watch movement relies on electricity supplied by a small battery. This current is channelled through a tiny, precisely cut piece of quartz crystal. When an electric charge passes through it, the quartz crystal vibrates at an exact frequency, typically 32,768 times per second.
A microchip inside the watch counts these pulses. It then converts them into a single electronic signal every second, which powers a small stepper motor. This motor drives the hands around the dial. This process results in timekeeping that is incredibly accurate, requiring minimal adjustment throughout the year.
Automatic watches
An automatic movement is a mechanical system, meaning it has no battery and no electronics. It is powered purely by kinetic energy. Inside the case, a complex network of tiny springs and gears measures time.
The watch is kept wound by an internal component called a rotor or oscillating weight. This rotor spins freely with the wearer's wrist's natural movement. This motion continuously winds the mainspring, which stores the energy required for the watch to run. This stored energy is then released slowly and regulated by a sophisticated component called the balance wheel and hairspring to ensure accurate timekeeping. An automatic watch is often called a self-winding watch.
What movement is most common in luxury watches?
While both movements are extremely common across the luxury watch sector, the automatic or mechanical movement is generally preferred in the very highest tiers of watchmaking.
The reason for this preference is simple: craftsmanship. An automatic movement is a miniature feat of engineering, often containing hundreds of meticulously finished components assembled by hand.
Collectors value the tradition, complexity, and tangible 'soul' that a mechanical movement provides. It is considered the purest form of watchmaking and represents centuries of historical development.
However, this does not discredit the value or importance of the quartz movement in luxury timepieces. High-end quartz movements, particularly those with thermoregulation or high-frequency oscillators, can offer supreme accuracy that a mechanical watch simply cannot match. For instance, in an ultra-slim, durable, or everyday reliable watch, quartz remains a truly excellent choice.
Our favourite quartz luxury watches
Modern manufacturing techniques mean that a quartz movement is no longer confined to entry-level timepieces. Many high-end houses use them for their precision and reliability. We have highlighted two examples of exceptional quartz movement watches below.
Tissot Ladies Lovely Quartz
This exquisite, compact timepiece proves that sophisticated luxury can come in a delicate package. Its petite, polished design is perfectly suited for formal or evening wear. The watch is powered by a reliable Swiss quartz movement that delivers supreme timekeeping accuracy and requires very little maintenance, making it the ultimate grab-and-go luxury piece.
Longines Men's Conquest
The Conquest range is celebrated for its classic sports elegance and phenomenal durability. This model features a robust construction that is prepared for life's adventures. Beneath the surface, the precise quartz movement ensures reliable performance in a wide range of environments, guaranteeing you have a robust yet stylish companion for daily life.
Our favourite automatic luxury watches
For many watch enthusiasts, an automatic watch is the pinnacle of the craft. These watches are celebrated not just for telling the time, but for the miniature engine ticking away inside. Here are two examples that demonstrate the artistry of automatic watchmaking.
Grand Seiko Night Birch
Representing the absolute peak of modern mechanical watchmaking, the Grand Seiko Night Birch is exceptional. It is powered by the revolutionary Hi-Beat 9SA5 automatic movement, which runs at a higher frequency for improved stability. Its innovative design provides a huge 80 hours of power reserve. Combined with the stunning Shirasu dial texture and lightweight titanium case, this watch is a true masterpiece of form and function.
Bell & Ross BR 03 Phantom
With its distinctive 'circle in a square' design, the Bell & Ross BR 03 is instantly recognisable. This model uses high-grade ceramic for its construction, ensuring maximum durability and a stunning stealth aesthetic. It houses a reliable Swiss automatic movement that delivers a pure, legible display, making it a perfect example of a modern, performance-focused mechanical watch.
Which movement is best for your needs?
Ultimately, the 'best' movement is the one that aligns most closely with your personal lifestyle and collecting goals. To help you decide, we have compared the two movements against the three most common buyer profiles.
| Buyer Profile | Key Needs | Best Movement | Rationale |
| Entry-Level | Budget, Durability, Versatility | Quartz | Quartz watches are typically more affordable to buy and service, require less frequent maintenance, and offer superior accuracy straight out of the box, making them the ultimate grab-and-go choice for everyday life. |
| Performance Enthusiasts | Complication, Durability, Function | Automatic | While quartz is accurate, automatic movements offer a much broader range of complex functions, such as chronographs and perpetual calendars. The ability to service and repair the movement indefinitely also appeals to those who demand long-term, high-performance capability. |
| Heritage Collectors | Resale Value, Unique Characteristics, Historical Significance | Automatic | Mechanical watches, especially those from revered brands, inherently carry greater historical value and tend to maintain or increase in value better than their quartz counterparts. They embody centuries of horological craft and tradition. |
Explore a full range of luxury watches at Francis & Gaye
We have explored the two defining watch movements available today. Your decision rests on whether you value ultimate precision and convenience (quartz) or the emotional connection and traditional artistry of fine mechanics (automatic).
No matter which movement speaks to you, both offer excellent options across every major luxury brand. The next step is to match your preference to a design that perfectly suits your wrist.
Your perfect luxury watch is waiting for you.
