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TIME AND TIME AGAIN
A short essay on the different types of watch movements
Watches come in various types of movements, which determine how they keep time and function. Some are more traditional, some are more efficient, some are mechanical, and some are electronic. Indeed, in the history of timekeeping timepieces have run the gamut of what engineers, technicians and timekeepers can create, the first of which was the sundial.
An instrument that shows the time of day via the shadow of a pointer cast by the sun on to a plate marked by the different sections of the day, the sundial has been around for millennia and was the timekeeper of choice of the early Babylonians and Egyptians.
Another ancient type of timekeeping device is the water clock, the simplest form of which is known to have existed in Babylon, Egypt and Persia around the 16th century BC. A device that measures time via the regulated flow of liquid into, or out from a vessel, a water clock usually involved a bowl from where the amount of water is measured.
Timekeeping as it is known today, however, relies less on nature and more on human ingenuity, the grand daddy of which is the mechanical movement. Finding its roots all the way back to 13th century Western Europe, the mechanical watch needs to be manually wound. This releases energy, which is then transmitted through a series of gears to drive the watch hands. As previously said, this type of timepiece is the grand daddy of all modern timepieces. It is known for its craftsmanship and its traditional appeal making it the preferred choice of watch collectors and enthusiasts.
Building on the structure of the mechanical movement is the self-winding or “automatic” movement. This type of timekeeper winds itself automatically by adding a mechanical rotor to the mix. This generates energy via the wearer’s wrist movements. As the wearer goes about his day, his movements spin the rotor, which transfers energy to the mainspring. This movement is ideal for those who prefer the convenience of a mechanical watch without the need for manual winding.
Next up is the type of movement that almost single handedly obliterated the Swiss mechanical watchmaking industry. Inherently more accurate and more reliable than its mechanical counterpart, the quartz movement was invented by the Japanese and is powered by a battery and uses the oscillations of a quartz crystal to regulate timekeeping. Instead of a mainspring, the battery sends an electric current through the crystal, causing it to vibrate at a precise frequency. These vibrations are counted and converted into regular electrical pulses, which in turn drive the watch's hands.
Another Japanese invention, the Kinetic watch combine elements of both automatic and quartz movements. Like a self-winding movement, the motion of a Kinetic watch while worn generates electricity. This is stored in a rechargeable battery that powers a quartz movement, resulting in highly accurate timekeeping. Best of all, Kinetic watches do not require manual winding or battery replacements and are often considered environmentally friendly.
Yet another Japanese invention, the solar movement is powered by light energy, typically from the sun or even artificial light sources. These feature a solar panel beneath the watch's dial to convert light into electrical energy, which is then stored (once again) in a rechargeable battery. Solar-powered watches are highly convenient as they can be charged by various light sources and can often store energy for months, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
Then there are the highly precise timekeeping devices that use the vibrations or oscillations of atoms to measure time. Considered to be one of, if not the most accurate timekeeper ever invented, atomic clocks are widely used in scientific research, telecommunications, navigation systems, and various applications where high precision and accuracy are required. They serve as the basis for coordinating time standards worldwide and are utilized to calibrate other timekeeping devices including while radio-controlled clocks, which receive time signals from atomic clocks via radio signals for use in practical applications in daily life.
Speaking of which, the accuracy of a radio-controlled clock is entirely dependent on an atomic clock. A receiver to the atomic clock’s transmitter, the radio-controlled movement receives regular time updates via radio signals from incredibly accurate atomic clocks. These watches automatically adjust their time to maintain precision and are often equipped with a receiver that picks up signals from dedicated time transmitters, ensuring accurate timekeeping in regions where such signals are available.
Last but not least is the Smartwatch. More of a gadget that a dedicated timekeeper, a Smartwatch is a digital device that can connect to smartphones and other electronic devices to provide a range of additional features beyond timekeeping. No actual ‘movement’ to be found here, just a combination of electronic components, such as microprocessors, touchscreens, sensors, and wireless connectivity, the Smartwatch offers various functions like fitness tracking, health monitoring, app integration, and more.
Whether mechanical and traditional, or electronic and technological, every kind of watch movement has its advantages and disadvantages, and caters to the different needs and preferences of each individual watch wearer. They may vary wildly in terms of components and construction but they all share one thing in common: the capability to convey the time, time and time again.
