Information and Advice Archives - W.E. Clark & Son Limited

Do Jewellers Buy Old Watches?

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Stephen Irvine

Many people are looking to part with old watches that no longer work as desired, hold personal value or perhaps they are looking for additional funds to spend on something else. Simply put, many jewellers do indeed buy old watches. The specific watches purchased may vary from jeweller to jeweller but are impacted by the condition of the watch, brand, age and desirability.

What Types of Watches Do Jewellers Buy?

We offer a variety of refurbished watches for sale in our pre-owned range. When we buy watches we are like many other retailers, in that we are looking for desirable watch brands. These may include Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, Cartier, Breitling and Patek Philippe amongst many others. We look for brands like these as their watches are good quality and repairable (even if the watches are sold in need of repair). Lesser quality brands may still be purchased by some retailers, though these may be less likely to sell as the demand may not be there.

“Luxury watches hold their value remarkably well, making them a smart investment for buyers and sellers alike.”

Pre-owned and vintage watches offer an excellent way for customers to enter the luxury watch market more affordably. Vintage watches offer many advantages over their new counterparts, especially if buying from a retailer who has fully serviced and restored the watch in question. They often are of excellent quality (in excess of new watches from the same brands in some instances!) and come with interesting history and designs.

What to Expect When Selling Your Watch

If you are selling a watch to us, it is a very straightforward process. You can bring the watch into one of our showrooms and we will check and value the watch, providing you with a fair price for the watch. If you have the original box, paperwork and receipts it is useful to bring these as we may be able to offer you a higher price. Unlike selling with online marketplaces, selling to us is secure and complete hassle-free. We also offer immediate payment.

“A reputable jeweller ensures a smooth, transparent transaction—offering you peace of mind and the best possible value for your watch.”

If you see a pre-owned watch you like in our window, we are flexible to offer trade-ins. This way you can use your existing watch as a stepping stone, trading it in towards the purchase of a different timepiece.

Before selling your watch to a retailer we advise you to do some research – make sure this is indeed a reputable retailer to sell to. Check Google reviews and make sure they have knowledge about watches. These trustworthy retailers will offer you a fair price on your timepiece.

Summary

Selling your old watch to a trusted jeweller is a secure and straightforward way to part with it. Retailers often seek luxury brands, especially vintage and pre-owned models because these watches, even in need of repair, are valued for their quality and desirability. When selling a watch, you’ll receive a fair price and immediate payment, with the possibility of a higher offer if you have the original box and paperwork. Some retailers also accept trade-ins toward new purchases. Always ensure you’re dealing with a reputable retailer for a hassle-free transaction. Contact us with confidence to begin your seamless watch selling or jewellery selling process.

Not Ready to Part with Your Vintage Watch? Get it Repaired Instead!

Try our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service for expert servicing and repairs. Your watch is fully insured up to £20,000 throughout its journey. Book now!

How Long Does A Full Watch Service Take?

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Stephen Irvine

Wondering how long it might take to have your vintage watch serviced? The amount of time it takes to fully service a watch depends on numerous factors, including the type of watch, the complexity of the movement, the experience of the watchmaker and the specific servicing practices used at the watchmaker’s workshop. Generally speaking, to fully service a mechanical watch it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks through to a number of months, including time for testing and the sourcing of parts. If you’re unsure if you should have your watch serviced, our ‘What Happens If You Don’t Service A Watch?” article may be of interest to you.

Understanding the Types of Watch Services

There are various types of watch servicing available – many brands now classify any intervention as having to fall within one of these brackets, as they won’t offer the option to complete a “part job” (i.e. just replace the glass only). For example, if we take a simple quartz watch: a “battery service” may be defined as the replacement of the battery. A “maintenance service” would include a new battery, ultrasonic cleaning of the case and bracelet, new seals and pressure testing for water resistance, such as for this Omega Speedmaster Chronograph. A “complete or full service” would include everything previously mentioned, alongside complete disassembly, cleaning, reassembly and oiling of the movement, with all worn components replaced and the option to restore the aesthetic condition of the case and bracelet. These definitions do vary from workshop to workshop, so it’s important to make sure you understand what’s included when you take your watch for servicing. When we quote for repairs we itemise everything for our clients so there will be no surprises when you collect your watch.

The duration of a watch service is affected by the complexity of the movement. A simple quartz watch will undoubtedly be serviced and ready much quicker than an automatic chronograph. With more complicated movements there are significantly more components (and often more faults to find and correct) and the level of skill needed to work on these watches is higher. Add into this equation the age of a movement, how well it has been looked after (or not!) and how common the movement is, all of these will affect the speed of service.

Factors Influencing the Duration of a Watch Service

The experience of a watchmaker is another factor. If you have been trained in the servicing of a particular movement with significant experience working on them day in and day out, you begin to know specific pitfalls to look out for. While a tray full of 100+ parts may look bewildering to someone inexperienced with a movement, with experience this changes. Invariably this leads to more speed when it comes to the completion of a service. Specific workshop practices will hugely affect the duration of a service. While there are industry standards, different workshops like to test their watches in different ways and the workflow through the workshop can vary. In our experience, you should be very sceptical of a watchmaker who “services” and returns your watch in a matter of days, as at the very least the testing has been sub-standard. Watch polishing, for example, may sound simple but it requires specialist training and expert precision to achieve the best results. Entrusting your timepiece to a reputable workshop ensures it is restored to its finest condition, preserving both its beauty and value. Look out for positive Google reviews, authorised workshops and experienced watchmakers – this will be a good sign that your watch is being looked after by a reputable business that does not cut corners.

“A high-quality watch service is not a rushed process. From model-specific delicate disassembly to thorough testing, a proper service can take weeks or even months to ensure precision, longevity, and reliability.”

Summary

The time required for a full watch service depends on multiple factors, including the type of service, the complexity of the movement, the experience of the watchmaker, and the workshop’s specific practices. A simple quartz watch may be completed relatively quickly, whereas intricate mechanical movements can take weeks or even months, especially if rare parts need sourcing. Reputable watchmakers follow detailed processes, including thorough testing, ensuring longevity and precision. At W.E. Clark Watch Repairs, we pride ourselves on expert craftsmanship, transparent pricing, and a commitment to quality—ensuring every timepiece is serviced to the highest standard, without cutting corners.

Looking to Have Your Watch Serviced?

At W.E. Clark Watch Repairs, we specialise in servicing and restoring luxury timepieces with the utmost precision. Whether your watch requires a routine maintenance service, a full overhaul, or expert repairs, our master watchmakers ensure every detail is handled with care. As a jeweller and watch repair company, we also buy watches — if you are looking to part ways with a vintage or branded watch, get in touch.

Take advantage of our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service—your watch is fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout its entire journey, giving you complete peace of mind.

Book your watch service today and trust W.E. Clark for expert craftsmanship and exceptional service!

Can A Jeweller Polish A Watch?

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Stephen Irvine

Polishing and refinishing a watch is a specialist skill, separate from those of watchmaking and from those of a jeweller. While dedicated brand workshops and some independent watchmakers learn these skills, in our experience it is very rare to find a jeweller who has been trained in the correct process for refinishing a watch case.

In order to maintain the correct lines and edges on a watch case, it’s essential to have access to the correct equipment and to be trained in how to refinish a watch. Perhaps the best known watchmaking education provider – WOSTEP – has a number of dedicated courses teaching this skill, independent from their watchmaking-specific programmes.

“Polishing a watch isn’t just about restoring its shine—it’s about preserving its integrity, craftsmanship, and value for the future.”

Alongside this avenue for training, major watch brands have their own refinishing workshops, staffed by dedicated watch polishing technicians. Accredited independent workshops may attend special courses to learn refinishing techniques specific to each brand.

Watch cases are often made of different materials to those a jeweller is used to working with. Even when cases are gold or silver, these may still prove problematic to an average jeweller who is used to polishing rings, bangles and necklaces. To polish a watch correctly we use various different methods, utilising dedicated wheels and polishing compounds on a variable speed machine. Without the necessary training, knowledge and skills, it is highly likely an attempted polish will compromise the shape of your watch case.

We haven’t even mentioned some of the very specialist equipment available in some workshops, including a laser welding machine to fill in major dents and a lapping machine – used to reinstate very precise sharp edges and finishes.

If you’re unsure how to refinish a watch or lack the necessary equipment, it should be left as is. It’s far better to leave a watch in unpolished condition rather than do a sub-standard job. Especially on high-value watches, sub-standard polishing simply acts to devalue a watch. We recommend you always get your watch polished at a dedicated watch workshop, in particular those who can talk in detail about refinishing and who have images of their work available online.

Summary:
Polishing a watch is a highly specialised skill distinct from both jewellery work and traditional watchmaking. Proper watch refinishing requires expert training, the correct equipment, and knowledge of the specific materials and techniques for preserving the watch’s original lines and edges. Attempting to polish a watch without these essentials can result in irreversible damage and devaluation. Entrusting your watch to a dedicated watch workshop ensures a professional finish that maintains its value and craftsmanship.

Looking to have your Watch Serviced and repaired?

Try our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service, all watches are fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout their postal journey from the moment the package leaves your hand to when it is received by you. Book yours in now!

How Long Can A Watch Last Without Servicing?

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Stephen Irvine

Watches can last for varying amounts of time before being serviced, depending on various factors including the type of watch, how often it is used and under what circumstances. Generally speaking, a mechanical watch should be serviced every 3-5 years. This is because the oils and greases which allow a watch movement to work properly need to be replaced. If these are left for any longer, they may begin to degrade, leading to increased wear in the movement and potentially affecting timekeeping. While a watch may keep going for many years beyond its recommended service interval, parts will be wearing out and this will lead to a much higher repair bill in the long term when it eventually does stop.

It may be a watch will last for well over a decade working and keeping time without a service. This may lead to the incorrect conclusion that there are no issues with the movement. Watch movements are complex mechanisms relying on various wheels, springs and other components. These parts are often extremely small and are prone to wearing out when oils and greases are not fresh. A watch movement also has numerous parts which are nothing to do with the timekeeping – these may relate to the winding, hand setting, automatic winding, chronograph, date change or any number of other areas.

If a watch continues to work and keep time despite having not been serviced in many years, this is more a testament to the genius of the design of a watch movement then a sign your watch is ok. When we work on watches which have not been properly maintained, they often need numerous replacement parts, such as with this Omega Constellation. This means the cost of repair is considerably higher than if the watch had been correctly maintained.

It’s even more important to stay on top of maintenance if you have a vintage watch. Parts for certain vintage models are increasingly hard to obtain and are becoming increasingly expensive. Some parts may even not be available at all, which means we need to make parts to repair these watches. One way to avoid all this unnecessary additional expense is to simply adhere to 3-5 year service intervals.

Quartz watches are a little different to their mechanical counterparts. Quartz watches have less moving parts and use much finer oils in lower quantities. This means service intervals are longer. As quartz watches rely on batteries, our advise is to take your watch to a watchmaker like us for the battery replacement. While replacing the battery we can test the movement to confirm it is operating within the manufacturers tolerances, and if not then we can go down the servicing route. If pushed to give an approximate timescale for a quartz service interval, we suggest 5-7 years, though it really does vary based on the quartz movement.

The conditions a watch is used in may also impact service intervals. Watches which are frequently exposed to extremes of heat, dusty or humid environments will undoubtedly need attention from a watchmaker on a more regular basis. If you use your watch in water it is important to have the seals checked frequently – we suggest every 12 months.

Our advice is to have your mechanical watch serviced every 3-5 years, and to have your quartz watch checked when it needs a replacement battery, but with 5-7 years as a rough guideline. Leaving service intervals for much longer than the suggested period causes increased wear throughout the mechanism, which will only cause a higher repair bill in the long-term, as more parts will need to be replaced.

Is your Watch Overdue a Service or Repair?

What traits and characteristics makes a good watchmaker?

Posted on March 8, 2024 by David Clark

When people discover our chosen profession, it is often followed with comments like “You must have very good eyesight” or “you must have the patience of a saint”. In this blog post we hope to outline some of the traits and characteristics we feel makes a good candidate for becoming a watchmaker.

Firstly, having good finger dexterity is important. As watchmakers we are manipulating small components, using hand tools and specialist equipment. The ability to do this with precision and excellent hand-eye coordination is very much required. It is possible to learn and improve this skill, but some natural dexterity is a must.

The other half of hand-eye coordination – good eyesight – is likewise needed. You don’t need 20/20 vision, but we work using Loupes and Microscopes, so it’s a must to be able to focus clearly on small parts for prolonged periods of time.

Indeed, the nature of our business means we are working on the same job sometimes for hours at a time. Having patience and the ability to concentrate for long spells is vitally important. Anyone without a calm, patient attitude is at a huge disadvantage in the world of watchmaking. Getting frustrated with a job will often only result in problems getting worse.

Showing excellent patience may also mean you’re a perfectionist – another asset in the world of watchmaking. We’re dealing with tiny, intricate mechanisms where small imperfections can make a huge difference to the correct functioning of a watch.

Fixing watches is about identifying and solving problems, so having strength in this area is another plus. Watches are complicated mechanisms, so linked to this is the ability to understand how they work and to then be able to translate this understanding to the watch you’re working on. This means you need good understanding and ability to comprehend often quite technical information.

The above are our main “base” characteristics for who we consider to be an excellent candidate to be a watchmaker. It is possible to learn and enhance some of these traits. Indeed, much of watchmaking is an unending educational journey where skills are constantly honed and knowledge gained. Educational institutions exist to teach watchmakers, though the number of locations is somewhat limited. We support the British Horological Institute as Business Partners and we are in full support of their role leading the education of Watchmakers here in the UK.

Yours sincerely

David Clark FGA DGA MJVA PJDip. PJGemDip.

Managing Director, JVA Registered Valuer®

W.E. Clark & Son Limited

How does a mechanical watch work?

Posted on June 6, 2023 by David Clark

A mechanical watch is a timepiece that uses mechanical components to track and display the time. Mechanical watches have been in use for centuries and are still preferred by many watch enthusiasts for their timeless appeal and intricate design. In this blog post we’ll explore in basic terms how a mechanical watch actually works.

Mechanical watches use a combination of gears, springs, and other mechanical components to track the passage of time. The watch is powered by a mainspring, which is wound by the user or, in the case of an automatic mechanical watch, by the motion of the wearer’s wrist. As the mainspring unwinds, it releases energy that is transmitted through a series of gears, eventually reaching the escapement.

The escapement is the part of the watch that controls the release of power through the gears. It works in combination with an oscillator – the balance wheel. The balance wheel is a weighted wheel that oscillates back and forth at a constant rate, typically between 2.5 and 5 Hertz. As it oscillates, it moves the pallet fork back and forth. This motion allows power to be gradually released from the gear train due to the engagement of the pallet fork with the escape wheel.

The gear train is another critical part of the watch and is responsible for transmitting the energy from the mainspring to the escapement. It consists of a series of gears that are arranged in a specific ratio to regulate the movement of the watch hands. The gear train in traditional movements includes a centre wheel, which is connected to the mainspring barrel, as well as a third wheel and fourth wheel which transmit power from the centre wheel to the escapement.

The motion of the hands is controlled by the movement of the gear train. The hour hand is mounted on a separate shaft from the minute hand, which allows the hour hand to move independently. The gear ratio is designed so that the hour hand moves at a slower rate than the minute hand, allowing the hour hand to track the passage of hours while the minute hand tracks the passage of minutes.

Accuracy of a watch can be affected by many factors, including changes in temperature, position, and wear and tear on the components. To ensure your watch is performing as effectively as it can, it should be serviced periodically by a trained watchmaker. We are able to assist in the servicing and repair of most makes and models of watch – do get in touch and see how we can help. Most watches have a 3-5 year service interval, depending on their age and quality.

In addition to the basic components described above, many mechanical watches include additional features such as a date display, chronograph function, or moon phase indicator. These features typically involve additional gears and mechanisms being added to the watch movement. For example, a chronograph function might include a separate set of gears, springs and levers for the chronograph mechanism, drastically increasing the number of parts which make up the movement. This is why working on these models is often more complicated and time consuming than when dealing with a “basic” mechanical watch.

Do you have a mechanical watch in need of attention? If so, get in touch and see how we can help. We offer a fully insured freepost watch repairs service and we serve clients all around the UK, as well as to customers local to us in Lewes and Uckfield, Sussex. As holders of a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award and business partners of the British Horological Institute you can be confident in the service we provide.

Yours sincerely

David Clark FGA DGA MJVA PJDip. PJGemDip.

Managing Director, JVA Registered Valuer®

W.E. Clark & Son Limited

Watch Testing and Diagnostic Equipment

Posted on April 6, 2023 by David Clark

We are experienced in the repair of almost every type and brand of watch here at WE Clark Watch Repairs. In order to repair watches to a high standard, we continually invest in the best quality tools and equipment for our workshop. While you may find budget versions of some testing machines, the calibration and quality of the equipment is – speaking from experience – not the same. In order to appropriately test a high end watch, it requires high end, specialist equipment.

One piece of equipment we use multiple times a day is a Timegrapher. This is a machine which listens to the sound of a mechanical watch escapement (the ticking sound you can hear) and is able to display this sound as a graph. From this graph we are able to ascertain a number of factors, all of which contribute to diagnosing faults and adjusting the watch. It is possible to use budget Timegraphers, such as those made in the far east. While these machines are reasonable for the price, they are not calibrated to the same level and built to the same quality of their Swiss counterparts. Our machine is made by Witschi – a Swiss watchmaking equipment manufacturer – and it’s their Watch Expert IV model. It’s a pleasure to use and comes with a certificate of calibration so we can be confident in the accuracy of machine. With this machine we can accurately test and diagnose faults on a huge range of different mechanical watches.

If we are dealing with a quartz watch we need to use a different piece of equipment. In order to test a quartz watch, we need to conduct a variety of electrical tests. These tests include assessing the power consumption of the watch, the coil resistance, the lower working voltage, the battery voltage under load and the accuracy of the movement. To do this we use an industry favourite – the Elma Watch-Master. This machine is actually produced by Witschi too, under the name Tech-Handy. Testing is done using probes with are positioned on the movement in different locations based on the test being conducted. As with the Timegrapher, it is possible to get more budget quartz testing equipment, but these are often unable to conduct the full range of tests required after servicing.

After a service is completed on a mechanical or quartz watch, it may be appropriate to pressure test a watch for water resistance. To do this we use our state-of-the-art Sigma pressure testing machine. This machine is able to test the water resistance of watches up to a rating of 300m (30BAR). The test is conducted using air pressure, and the machine tests the deformation of the case. As this is a “dry” test, watches are able to be tested complete – i.e. with the movement inside the case. Having the capability to test up to 300m means we can test watches suitable for extensive use in water. Models rated to 300m include some iterations of Omega Seamaster – so we can test these to their original rating.

We do also have the option to conduct a “wet” test. We most commonly use this machine to pinpoint where a seal is failing on a watch. A watch case without the movement is attached inside the machine and we then increase the air pressure. If there’s a failing seal, this means the inside of the case will be pressurised. The case is then immersed in water and the pressure is slowly released. A steady stream of bubbles will be visible at the location of the damaged seal.

Suffice to say, we offer a comprehensive repairs service utilising top quality watch diagnostic and testing equipment. To take advantage of our expert watchmakers and state-of-the-art equipment, do get in touch. We are able to repair almost any watch and we offer a comprehensive watch repair service. We cater to clients all around the UK thanks to our fully insured freepost watch repairs service. As Business Partners of the British Horological Institute and a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award accredited business, you can be confident when dealing with us.

Yours sincerely

David Clark DGA PJDip PJGemDip CertGA

Managing Director

W.E. Clark & Son Limited

Water Damaged Watches

Posted on November 25, 2022 by David Clark

Water damaged watches are all too common, and we see them quite regularly in our workshop. Depending on the type of watch and the severity of the damage, water ingress can lead to a hefty repair bill. But why does water damage happen in the first place? And what should you do if the worst does happen? We’ll attempt to briefly answer the first of these questions in this two part blog post..

Watches labelled as water resistant are just that – water resistant, rather than waterproof (and if they’re labelled “waterproof” this is often erroneous). Each watch has a different level of water resistance, ranging from not at all and splashproof through to 50m, 100m, 200m and even more. These ratings mean your watch can handle being exposed to this level of use in water. There is often some confusion caused by the labelling of these ratings, as it is not as clear cut as 50m = it can be used in water to depths of 50m. Here’s our guide to the common ratings:

No labelling on case or dial: Not resistant to splashing or contact with moisture of any kind.
Water-resistant: 30M / 100Ft / 3ATM / 3Bar: Will resist moisture from accidental splashing, rain, sweat etc. Not suitable for immersion.
Water-resistant 50M / 160Ft / 5ATM / 5Bar: Will resist moisture from accidental splashing, rain, and showering or swimming.
Water-resistant 100M / 300Ft / 10ATM / 10Bar: Watch may be worn during swimming, snorkelling and skin diving, if properly sealed.
Water-resistant: 200M / 660Ft / 20ATM / 20Bar: Watch may be worn during standard scuba diving.
Water-resistant: 300M / 1000Ft / 30ATM / 30Bar: Watch may be worn during scuba diving and saturation diving.

It may be your watch has been exposed to water at above and beyond it’s rating, causing one of the seals to fail. Seals may also fail for other reasons – they’re often made of rubber, which is perishable. Rubber seals need replacing every so often. They also need to be kept clean and seated properly. If you have your watch regularly serviced the seals can be assessed and changed as required – another reason not to skip on that maintenance service just because your watch appears to be running well at the moment.

Water damage may also occur due to human error. If your watch has a screw-down crown, this needs to be screwed down for the watch to be sealed and thus water resistant. If you have a chronograph watch, pushers should not be pressed when the watch is immersed in water as this may again compromise the seal. Damage to the glass can allow water to leak into the case through the front. All of these are examples of user error and would not be covered under any sort of a guarantee.

In part two of this blog post we’ll discuss what to do if the worst does happen, as well as look at what not to do! Look out for part two coming soon.

Yours sincerely

David Clark DGA PJDip PJGemDip CertGA

Managing Director

W.E. Clark & Son Limited

Types of Pivot

Posted on November 26, 2021 by David Clark

In watchmaking we use a number of different types of pivot, depending on the situation. The pivots are the end part of a wheel’s arbor – so the part which holds it in place in the bearing as it rotates. In this blog post we’ll briefly look at the different types of pivot commonly found in watch movements, as well as their strengths and weaknesses.

The straight or square pivot is the most commonly found in the train – so the wheels used to convey power from the mainspring through to the escapement. These pivots have – as the name suggests – straight sides, with a squared off shoulder. Straight pivots provide good strength though the friction across both horizontal and vertical positions is fairly high, due to the larger surface area in contact with the jewelled bearing.

Watch pivot diagrams

Watch pivot diagrams

A Conical pivot is commonly found on a watch balance. These pivots are paired with an olive shaped jewel and a cap jewel. The conical pivot is indeed somewhat conical in shape and it has a domed end. Due to the shape of these pivots and the respective jewels they act in, friction is reduced to an absolute minimum across both vertical and horizontal positions. The trade-off is that the pivots are weaker, hence they are found operating in shock-resistant settings, such as Incabloc and Kif.

You can also find Cone shaped pivots. These tend to be found in lower grade pocket watches (and indeed small clocks). They are used instead of conical pivots as they are easier to make. The pivots turn in cups which are made into the end of a screw. Over a number of years this type of pivot wears out – and as it does so, the area of contact at the end of the pivot increases, which increases friction and causes even more wear. The timepiece will eventually stop in certain positions as a result.

Problems with pivots can occur in a variety of different ways – the watchmaker must always be aware of possible issues with pivots which need addressing. A pivot may become “necked” for example – this is where a section of the pivot is worn into a smaller diameter than the rest of the pivot. Reducing the diameter by only a small amount causes a significant reduction in strength.

Other issues found may include short pivots. bent pivots and, of course, worn pivots. In modern watches if we find a pivot problem, the correct repair is to replace the defective part. With older watches where parts are no longer available, we may need to burnish the existing pivot to resurface and toughen it, so it can be used once more.

Do you have a watch in need of repair? If so, get in touch and see how we can help. We are watch repair specialists with a fully insured freepost watch repairs service. We offer repairs to clients all around the UK and we are experts in the repair of modern and vintage watches. As holders of a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award and business partners of the British Horological Institute you can be confident in the service we provide.

Please Contact Us for further information regarding any requirement you may have.

Yours sincerely

David Clark DGA PJDip PJGemDip CertGA
Managing Director
W.E. Clark & Son Limited

How a quartz watch works

Posted on November 26, 2021 by David Clark

Quartz watches – watches usually powered by batteries – are very popular and we regularly see a huge variety of quartz models in our workshop. But how does a quartz watch actually work? In this blog post we’ll do our best to describe just how a quartz watch is able to transfer power from a battery through to the hands to indicate the time.

A battery (or strictly speaking, a cell), supplies the electricity needed to power a quartz watch. Electrical energy is produced by a chemical reaction between the two battery terminals and an electrolyte.

In order for a watch to work and accurately tell the time, it needs to use a ‘resonant oscillator’ – that is an oscillator which has a natural frequency of vibration. In mechanical watches or clocks this could be a pendulum (a weight acting against gravity), or a balance (a weight acting against a spring). Quartz watches use – as the name would suggest – a tiny piece of quartz. This piece of quartz is shaped like a tuning fork and when this is made to vibrate, it maintains a constant frequency.

Quartz watch movement Quartz watch movement

Thanks to the piezo-electric effect, applying a voltage to the quartz crystal will set it vibrating. This vibrating quartz crystal acts as the balance would in a mechanical watch and is responsible for the incredible accuracy of quartz watches. Indeed, a standard mechanical watch balance may vibrate at 2.5Hz, whereas a quartz crystal vibrates at a staggering 32,768Hz! This accounts, at least somewhat, for the incredible accuracy of the quartz watch.

In order for a quartz watch with a second hand to tell the time, we need an electrical pulse once per second. The watch integrated circuit is responsible for dividing down this figure to achieve the required single pulse per second.

This regular pulse per second is now used to drive a motor. The motor consists of a rotor, a stator and a coil. The motor is a permanent magnet and it is made to rotate through 180 degrees for each pulse received. Thanks to some clever design, this rotor will always turn in the same direction. That means if we attach a pinion to the top of the rotor we are able to drive a series of wheels from it.

From the rotor, the intermediate wheel is driven, the pinion of the intermediate wheel drives the second wheel (and on the pinion of this the second hand is attached). The second wheel pinion drives the third wheel. The third wheel arbor extends through to the dial side of the watch movement, and this is responsible for turning the driving wheel. The driving wheel leads to the rotation of the minute and hour hands.

As you can see from the brief description above, there’s actually quite a lot to a quartz watch. Do you have a quartz watch in need of repair? We are able to repair and restore almost any model and type of watch, including quartz. With our fully insured freepost watch repairs service we offer repairs to clients all around the UK. As holders of a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award and business partners of the British Horological Institute you can be confident in the service we provide.

Please Contact Us for further information regarding any requirement you may have.

Yours sincerely

David Clark DGA PJDip PJGemDip CertGA
Managing Director
W.E. Clark & Son Limited