By passing a constant electric current through a quartz crystal, it vibrates or oscillates at a constant frequency. The oscillating quartz crystal then drives the stepper motor to move the watch's hands at a constant rate. The battery, quartz crystal and stepper motor replaced the mainspring and gears of the venerable mechanical movement. Ironically, Hamilton chose to produce LCD watches and sold basic analog quartz technology to a little known company called Seiko in Japan. Within 10 years, Seiko became the largest watch company in the world. Today, however, the finest watches, mechanical and quartz, are built back where almost all early watch technology was born and perfected...in Switzerland.

Swiss Quartz

We believe the finest quartz movements are produced in Switzerland. They have been developing their technology for centuries. By using traditional mechanical based chassis and real jewels, the Swiss Quartz movements are the most rugged, accurate and reliable movements made. Quartz's greatest advantage is cost and most watches under $1000 today use quartz movements. When choosing a watch, Swiss quartz is an excellent choice if you want to set it and forget it.

Automatic Revolution

The most interesting and desirable watches are called Automatic watches. Automatic watches are mechanical watches that are driven ?automatically? by harnessing the kinetic energy produced by a simple flick of the wrist. For this reason, they are also called "kinetic" watches.Often called ?self winding?, automatic watches save energy when a simple oscillating rotor at the base of the movement spins as the arm moves. That rotor winds a simple mainspring, storing up that energy, which is then released at a constant rate, moving the hands of the watch. The classic automatic movement is really quite a remarkable feat of engineering, requiring almost 200 precisely crafted parts, working in perfect harmony to keep proper time. Today's best automatics are so well built that, with proper maintenance, they will last for generations. However, unlike Quartz watches, they are often expensive, and the top-end models will set you back tens of thousands of dollars.