Watches are for more than just telling the time. They make for bold fashion statements, conversation starters, and investment pieces. Time telling and horology has been around for as long as time has been kept. They evolved into pocket watches in the 1800s, turning into mechanical wristwatches.
Particularly during the age of exploration and discovery, accurate timekeeping became increasingly more important. Watches were important for pilots, sea captains, and all sorts of other travelers. Increasingly higher expectations were created – watches developed to withstand pressure, temperature, and jolts. All while keeping accurate time.
These days, mechanical watches (including automatic watches) are consistently ranked among the most sought-after timepieces on the market. The cost of a mechanical watch is typically higher than a quartz counterpart. Some would say it’s due to the precision of mechanical timepieces. Read on for the 5 biggest reasons that lead to the higher price tag.
1. Artistry, Legacy, and Advanced Engineering
Mechanical watches are often worth purchasing for this reason alone. Dozens and dozens of tiny parts are intricately working cohesively in a small ~40mm case to keep time through analog means.
2. Social piece
For lots of mechanical watch collectors, their watch collection is more than just watches. It’s their passion and a source of community. Every watch has a different story behind it, and can lead to a whole conversation with others who appreciate the history and details behind watches. The watches can be paired with an outfit, and serve as a conversation starter, especially around the watch community.
3. Reliability
While a quartz watch would require a fueled battery at all times to allow the watch to continue moving, a mechanical watch is battery-free and can run without digital means. An automatic watch has a rotor spinning in the back that collects energy and keeps the watch running indefinitely when charged up and worn.
4. Longer Lasting
When properly maintained, mechanical watches can be passed down for generations. In the event of damage, parts can be replaced by a watchmaker. They’re typically made with higher quality parts as well, to ensure it’s more likely to become an heirloom piece.
5. Complications
Mechanical movements are more than a pretty accessory. They can include a whole range of complications as well. A complication in a watch is basically a function other than telling time. That can include a day/date feature, a tourbillon, and a moon phase feature. All of these features require additional parts in a watch and add to the intricacy of the whole movement. Complications can often add some $$$ to the final price of the watch.
Rotate Watches offers a complete toolset for making a working mechanical wristwatch. Components, toolkits, and a customer guide are also included. In our Newton, we see a modern take on a classic idea. Newton exemplifies the adage less is more by demonstrating how complexity may be attained through seeming simplicity.