The triumphant conquest of the market by quartz watches began 25 декабря 1969 года... On this day, the company Seiko made a gift to watch lovers all over the world: presented a watch Quartz ASTRONequipped with a quartz movement with a frequency of 8192 Hz. Note that the frequency of modern calibers is already 4 times higher - this increases the accuracy, but the principle of their operation - replacing the anchor with a quartz generator, or "generation fork", a tuning fork of quartz, which is exposed to an electric current, remains the same.
And whether to transfer oscillations of the generator to the mechanism that rotates the arrows, or to display them on a crystal display is a matter of taste for the manufacturer. Both work great, and protect the hands or the display equally well. True, those with arrows are usually called quartz, and those with liquid crystals instead of arrows - electronic. But the essence does not change from this. You can also call them, as is customary in the international market, "quartz watches with digital display". By the way, the watch market after that day grew with tremendous speed.
To describe all the types, properties and advantages of quartz watches, you need not an article, but a small encyclopedia. We will not place complex and incomprehensible schemes here. Those who wish can do this on the all-knowing Internet. But we will consider the main qualities of "quartz" on examples of the most famous calibers ETA and Ronda, and along the way we will destroy some myths.
Something common to all quartz watches:
- They are accurate. There is no doubt.
- Do not need a mechanical plant. Obviously.
- They are difficult to break. They have less detail. For this reason alone.
- They are easier to fix (see point 3).
- Quartz watches are easier to make shockproof - they do not have thin knots and details.
- They are cheap ... In principle, yes, but it depends on which ones.
Quartz calibers - and their properties
When heated, the mechanical watch can be knocked out or worn out. But quartz doesn't care. Excessive cooling can drain the battery. A chronograph, stopwatch, alarm clock and many other complications easily fit into quartz, this only slightly complicates the microcircuit and does not even have a very strong effect on the price. Here are examples of quartz calibers produced by the Swiss ETA company. Many manufacturers use them in their watches: Oris, Epos, Frederique Constant, Maurice Lacroix, Louis Erard, Raymond Weil, IWC, Omega and many, many others.
THERMOLINE series
These calibers are used to build temperature-compensated quartz chronometers. All mechanisms are equipped with a low battery indication (EOL) function. A very relevant caliber for climbers, parachutists, polar explorers - and for Siberians!
FLATLINE series
This series includes gold-plated quartz movements and is equipped with a low battery indication (EOL) function. Both round mechanisms and rectangular and barrel-shaped mechanisms are presented. This series is distinguished by a small mechanism height (in terms of functionality and size) from 0.98 mm to 6.90 mm. Typically used in watches above the middle category, as well as in gold watches.
NORMFLATLINE series
This series includes quartz movements, consisting of both metal and synthetic parts, which significantly reduces their cost. All movements are gold-plated and equipped with a low battery indication (EOL) function. Both round mechanisms and rectangular and barrel-shaped.
TRENDLINE series
This series includes economical quartz movements. All gold-plated movements are equipped with three hands and a Low Battery Indicator (EOL) function.
Серия NORMLINE differs from the previous one only in that it is assembled in China. Much cheaper!
FASHIONLINE series
In this series are presented "disposable" quartz movements, almost entirely made of synthetic materials, which, if broken, are not subject to repair, but to be replaced. These are calibers with a wide range of functionality: from simple movements with three hands to chronographs with alarm clocks.
Analog - ECOLINE series, made in China. The most inexpensive.
All these movements from ETA describe the properties of quartz calibers quite fully. Everything related to operating conditions, water protection, resistance to mechanical damage, etc. - refers to the quality of the case.
However, using the example of quartz calibers Ronda one more trend can be said - unification... Ronda AG produces calibers for quartz analog or analog watches. There are many different companies among the brands using these mechanisms. Unification significantly reduces the cost of repairs - the main goal of unification is that the parts of the mechanisms of the same series fit together. For example, the mechanisms of the so-called. "7-series" - mechanisms 753 and 763 can easily "exchange" parts - they are almost identical. The movements 705, 715, 775, 785 are built on a general scheme with three hands and a calendar, and service centers and watchmakers have tables of interchangeability of Ronda parts.
In Japan companies Seiko, Casio, Citizen or Orient use their own calibers. Traditionally, Japanese "quartz" is considered better ... and in vain. He is the same as the others. And the Swiss, and Japanese, and any other mechanism works perfectly. But let us note one thing - the Japanese nobly refused patent protection and made quartz watches the property of everyone. A chivalrous act.
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