Behind every ticking second and elegant sweep of a hand lies the intricate “heart” of your watch: its movement. This complex miniature engine, whether mechanical or quartz, is a marvel of engineering that brings your timepiece to life. At Perfectwatch, we don’t just admire these movements; we understand them intimately, ensuring every watch we service or certify performs at its absolute peak.
What exactly is a watch movement, and why is it so crucial?
The movement is the internal mechanism that drives the watch’s functions – telling time, displaying the date, or powering complications like chronographs. There are two main types:
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Mechanical Movements: These are powered by a mainspring that stores energy and releases it through a series of gears, levers, and springs. They are often hand-wound or automatic (self-winding from the wearer’s motion). Mechanical watches are prized for their craftsmanship, tradition, and the fluid sweep of their second hand.
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Quartz Movements: These are battery-powered and use a vibrating quartz crystal to keep time with extreme accuracy. They are generally more robust and require less maintenance than mechanical watches.
Regardless of the type, the precision of the movement dictates the accuracy and reliability of your watch. Over time, components can wear, lubricants can degrade, and adjustments can drift, impacting performance. This is where Perfectwatch’s expertise becomes invaluable.
Our Commitment to Movement Perfection:
In our Perfectwatch Certified Pre-Owned program and our repair services, we place immense focus on the health and accuracy of the movement. Our horologists are specialists in diagnosing and meticulously restoring these intricate mechanisms.
Consider these key aspects of our care:
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Jumping & Gear Control: This isn’t just a basic check; it’s a precise calibration. We adjust the “beat” of the movement and the engagement of its gears to achieve an average deviation of no more than ±15 seconds per day, measured across four different positions. This level of accuracy is a testament to our detailed work.
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Amplitude Check: The amplitude is the degree of rotation of the balance wheel, a crucial component in mechanical watches. A healthy amplitude (we aim for a minimum of 200° in 4 positions) indicates the movement is running freely with optimal energy transfer, essential for consistent timekeeping.
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Power Reserve: For mechanical watches, we verify that the power reserve meets or exceeds a minimum of 24 hours, ensuring your watch keeps ticking through the night or during periods off your wrist.
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Case Gaskets & Tightness: Beyond the movement, the integrity of the watch’s case is vital for protection. We meticulously check and grease all case gaskets and perform rigorous tightness checks (3 ATM / 5 ATM / 10 ATM, depending on the model) to safeguard the delicate movement within from dust and moisture.
Your watch’s movement is its soul. At Perfectwatch, we honor this with unparalleled care, precision servicing, and transparent certification. Trust us to keep your cherished timepiece ticking with perfect accuracy for years to come.
