THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO WATCH MOVEMENTS - EP 3

If you’re new to the world of watches, one of the first terms you’ll come across is movement. It’s the heart of every timepiece, the mechanism that makes it tick. But with so many types and technical terms, it can feel confusing. At Montare, we believe that understanding what’s inside your watch helps you appreciate it even more. So, here’s a simple guide to help you understand what really powers your time.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A WATCH MOVEMENT?

A watch movement, also called a calibre, is the engine that drives everything your watch does. It moves the hands. It powers the date. It keeps your time accurate. In simple terms, there are two main types of movements: quartz and mechanical. Each one has its own strengths, and your choice depends on what matters most to you.

QUARTZ MOVEMENTS: PRECISION AND PRACTICALITY

Quartz watches are powered by a small battery. Inside, a tiny piece of quartz crystal vibrates at a steady rhythm when electricity passes through it. Those vibrations keep the time incredibly accurate, often down to the second. Quartz movements are practical, reliable, and require little maintenance. The trade-off is that they lack the character and craftsmanship of a traditional mechanical watch.

MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS: TRADITION IN MOTION

Mechanical movements, like the NH35 we use at Montare, are powered by gears, springs, and motion. No batteries. No circuits. Just pure mechanics. There are two main types: manual, which you wind by hand, and automatic, which winds itself as you move. Each one is a small piece of engineering art, where hundreds of parts work together in harmony. A mechanical watch isn’t just a tool for keeping time, it’s alive in a way that quartz will never be.

WHICH MOVEMENT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

If you want something precise, low-maintenance, and easy to live with, go for quartz. If you love craftsmanship, heritage, and the rhythm of something mechanical, choose automatic. At Montare, we lean toward the latter. Because we believe time shouldn’t just be measured. It should be felt.