Mechanical vs. Quartz: How to Choose Your First Watch

The short answer

If you enjoy the ritual of winding and want to see the movement at work, choose mechanical. If you simply need a watch that keeps time with minimal fuss, quartz is the sensible choice.

Mechanical

A wound mainspring drives a gear train, so a mechanical watch can run a few seconds off each day and needs regular winding or wear. It never needs a battery, and the movement itself is a small mechanical artwork. Our automatic homage pieces use the classic architecture found in Swiss design, built and regulated in our own workshop.

Quartz

A battery and a quartz oscillator keep time to within about a minute a month, with very little maintenance. It suits commuting, sport and travel.

At AURELIS TIME we usually suggest an automatic as a first watch: it brings a sense of occasion without demanding a daily ritual.

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