Automatic vs Quartz Watch
An automatic watch is powered by a spring wound by the movement of your wrist; a quartz watch runs on a battery. Here is how to choose.
Updated 11 November 2026
How an automatic watch works
A rotor turns as you move and winds the mainspring. A full spring runs the watch for about 2 to 3 days (70 hours on new Rolex and Tudor, 80 hours on the Tissot Powermatic 80). The second hand sweeps smoothly.
How a quartz watch works
A battery sends power to a quartz crystal that vibrates very precisely. Quartz watches are more accurate and cheaper but the second hand ticks once a second. Solar quartz (Citizen Eco-Drive, Casio Tough Solar, Seiko Astron) charges from light.
Accuracy and service
A good automatic is accurate to a few seconds a day and needs a service every 5 to 10 years. A quartz watch is accurate to a few seconds a month and needs a battery every 2 to 3 years.
Which one should you buy?
Luxury watches are almost always automatic because of the craftsmanship. Choose quartz or solar for a tough everyday watch. See automatic watches and sports and solar watches.