Quartz is used in electronic watches because it has a property called piezoelectricity, which allows it to generate precise electrical pulses to measure time with great accuracy.
Quartz is a special material because it is piezoelectric. What does that mean? Basically, when you apply an electric current to it, it slightly deforms, and conversely: if you press or bend it a bit, bam, it generates a small electric charge! It's this characteristic that makes quartz super interesting for devices like electronic watches. By supplying it with a small electric voltage from your watch battery, the quartz starts to vibrate at a very stable and regular frequency. These regular vibrations are then used to measure time accurately. Cool, right?
Quartz has a unique ability: when an electrical current passes through it, it begins to vibrate at a very regular frequency. This precise and constant vibration, typically at 32,768 times per second (32.768 kHz), acts as an ultra-reliable metronome for electronic watches. This frequency stability ensures ultra-accurate timekeeping, varying by only a few seconds per month, unlike other mechanisms that can easily lose or gain several minutes. Simply put, this crystal becomes something like the "internal clock" of your watch, ensuring you always arrive right on time for happy hour.
One of the great qualities of quartz in electronic watches is that it requires very little energy to operate. When the crystal is subjected to a small electric voltage, it vibrates, sending out a regular pulse, all without quickly draining the battery. As a result, the watch can run for several years without frequent battery replacements. This low consumption is ideal for devices you wear every day, as no one wants to change their battery every few mornings. Quartz thus allows for a comfortable autonomy with just a small source of energy.
Quartz is a naturally solid material that is resistant to mechanical vibrations. Unlike other more fragile components, its internal structure allows it to withstand everyday shocks or jolts without going out of sync or breaking. As a result, a quartz watch can last for years without losing its qualities. Quartz degrades very slowly, maintaining an extremely stable frequency for a long time, which means that this component almost never needs to be replaced throughout the life of the watch. Convenient, right?
Quartz is one of the most common minerals on Earth, found on a large scale in sand and rocks. Its widespread nature makes it easy to find and very inexpensive. There's no need to search far or use costly techniques to obtain it: a few purification and cutting operations are enough to get a usable crystal for watchmaking. As a result, building a watch with quartz comes at an ultra-competitive price, perfect for putting a reliable watch on everyone’s wrist without breaking the bank.
Although very abundant on Earth, quartz has an extremely regular and stable crystalline structure, capable of producing a very precise regular signal when an electric current is applied to it.
A typical quartz crystal in a watch vibrates exactly 32,768 times per second (32.768 kHz). This specific frequency is chosen because it is easily divisible by two, making it easier to measure time very accurately with simple electronic circuits.
Before the advent of quartz watches, the majority of timepieces used a mechanical movement, based on springs and gears. These mechanical watches are generally less accurate and require more frequent periodic maintenance.
Quartz is not only used for measuring time: it can also be found in microphones, speakers, and even in electronic lighters due to its piezoelectric properties.
A quartz watch requires minimal maintenance. It is advisable to change the battery every 1 to 3 years and to conduct a general check of the water resistance and overall condition of the watch at that time. However, unlike mechanical watches, no complex regular maintenance is necessary.
Quartz watches have good resistance to magnetic fields compared to mechanical watches. However, prolonged exposure to a very strong magnetic field can slightly affect their accuracy. Generally, this accuracy returns to normal once the watch is moved away from the magnetic field.
The typical lifespan of a battery in a quartz watch is generally between 1 and 3 years, or even longer depending on the model and the functions used. The quartz crystal ensures very low power consumption, which allows the battery to last a long time.
A mechanical watch uses a spring mechanism that is wound by hand or wound with the movements of the wrist, while a quartz watch operates with a battery powering a quartz crystal that regulates time electronically. Quartz watches are generally more accurate, more affordable in terms of cost, and require less maintenance than mechanical watches.
No, generally synthetic quartz is preferred because it offers higher purity and more consistent performance due to its structural and chemical homogeneity. This ensures better accuracy and reliability in watch operation.
The quartz watch uses a quartz crystal that vibrates under the influence of an electric current due to its piezoelectric property. These regular vibrations (typically 32,768 vibrations per second) enable precise measurement of the elapsed time by powering an electronic circuit and driving the hands or the digital display of the watch.
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