What's the real difference between quartz and automatic watches?

Two watches can look exactly alike on the outside, yet completely different on the inside. The difference is usually limited to the movement — automatic (mechanical) or quartz (battery-powered). This is what will help you choose the most appropriate one to match your way of life.

What is a quartz watch?

A quartz watch maintains time by using a battery and a quartz crystal.

• Pros: very precise, less maintenance, and generally less expensive.
• Best for: busy professionals, daily wear, gifting.

Many luxury daily watches, including some Rado and Ebel collections, offer quartz options that make it easy to own luxury.

What is an automatic watch?

An automatic watch is mechanical. It's powered by a rotor that winds the movement as you wear it.

• Pros: artisanship, provenance, emotional connection, collectability.
• Best for: enthusiasts, collectors, tradition lovers.

Automatic options are common across performance and heritage brands like Longines, TAG Heuer, Breitling, and bold design houses like U-Boat.

Accuracy: which is better?

Quartz typically dominates in pure accuracy. Yet accuracy is not the only thing that makes a watch luxurious — it's also about the manner in which it was made, how it feels in hand, and what it represents.

Maintenance: what should you expect?

• Quartz: battery change and basic maintenance.
• Automatic: routine servicing (think of it like maintaining a fine engine).

Which one should you buy first?

If what you feel most comfortable with is quartz, start with that. If you want the more immersive watchmaking experience, start with an automatic.

A simple decision guide

• Choose Quartz when you need: accuracy, convenience, lowest maintenance.
• Choose Automatic if you want: craftsmanship, heritage, collector value.