I do not own many gadgets, but my wristwatch collection? That’s a different story. And if you asked me why I prefer mechanical watches over quartz, I would tell you it goes far beyond just telling time. It is a relationship, a little ritual of patience and charm and sometimes even a touch of magic. I am not just collecting watches; I am collecting stories, a slow heartbeat of history ticking softly behind glass and metal.
Quartz watches? They are fine, sure. They tell the time perfectly, do not stop unless the battery dies, and you do not have to think twice about them. But that is exactly the point where a quartz watch and I part ways. I want my watches to feel alive, to have a soul, and to remind me that time itself is not only about seconds passing, but about moments lived.
What Makes Mechanical Watches So Special?
Mechanical watches are like tiny pieces of art and science combined. Instead of a battery, they rely on a complex web of gears, springs, and wheels. You wind them up, and the energy slowly flows through the mechanism. You can almost hear the tiny heart beating inside, like a secret whispered by time itself.
There is something magical about winding a watch every morning. It is a quiet moment, a ritual where you connect with an object that has survived decades—sometimes over a century—and still works. It is like shaking hands with history and feeling it pulse beneath your fingers. This makes every mechanical watch in my collection feel alive in a way a quartz watch never could.
The Ticking That Means More
Listen carefully. Mechanical watches tick differently from quartz watches. Quartz watches usually tick once every second, making one jump per second that some people find almost annoying. Mechanical watches, depending on their design, can tick several times per second, creating a smoother, almost continuous sweep of the second hand. That sound, that movement? It feels more organic, like watching a river flow instead of stepping from one stone to the next.
There is a kind of poetry in that sweep. It is imperfect, human almost. Sometimes my watches run a little fast or slow. That is part of the charm. They are not cold machines—they breathe and age and need a little care, just like the people wearing them.
Collecting Mechanical Watches: More Than Just Stuff
For me, collecting mechanical watches is about connecting with people who built them long ago. Every scratch, every patina, every tiny imperfection tells a story. Perhaps the watch was a gift to a newlywed in the 1940s. Or maybe it belonged to a pilot in the 1960s, bearing the marks of adventures high in the sky.
I have found the thrill of the hunt to be addictive. Scouring flea markets, vintage shops, or online auctions to find a rare model or an unusual complication is not just about the end object. It is about the chase, the learning, and the joy of discovery. It is like being a time detective, piecing together clues from tiny engravings or faded logos.
Watches That Age Like Fine Wine
Unlike quartz watches, which lose value over time, many vintage mechanical watches grow in character and cachet. A mechanical watch is like a friend who gets better with age. The dial might fade to a beautiful shade of cream or brown, the lume on the hands may glow softly even decades later, and the case might wear gently, proving it was worn, loved, and lived with.
When I restore these watches, I do not just polish and fix them. I try to preserve their soul. The tiny scratches and dings? They are badges of honor. They are memories. I want the watch to feel like an old friend, not a brand-new machine stripped of personality.
The Hands-On Art of Restoration
Here is a secret: restoration is my favorite part of owning mechanical watches. It teaches patience, concentration, and respect. When you open a watch case, you see hundreds of tiny parts working together. Each gear must be cleaned, each spring carefully adjusted.
It requires steady hands and a gentle touch. Sometimes things go wrong. Sometimes a tiny screw gets lost, or a spring snaps. It can be frustrating, but that is part of the fun. You learn from mistakes. You come back stronger. The moment the watch springs back to life is like seeing a wounded animal heal. It is deeply satisfying.
Repairing a quartz watch? Usually, it means swapping out a battery or an electronic module. Not much romance there. Mechanical watches demand more from you—and reward you with a deeper bond.
Sharing the Past, One Watch at a Time
When I wear one of my mechanical watches, I am literally carrying a piece of history. It sparks conversations too. People ask about the watch, and suddenly, there is a connection over a shared love of craftsmanship and stories. It is a reminder that watches are more than just tools. They are conversations across time.
Each watch in my collection is like a chapter in a book I want to keep writing. Some days, I want a bold, large pilot’s watch that feels like adventure and grit. Other days, a delicate, slim dress watch that whispers elegance and quiet confidence. This variety keeps my collection alive, just like mechanical watches do.
Why Quartz Watches Have Their Place, But Not In My Heart
Let me be clear: quartz watches serve a purpose. They are accurate, affordable, and reliable. They are perfect for people who want to tell time easily without fuss. I have owned quartz watches, and some still find a home in my drawer for casual days or rough activities.
But when it comes to connection, feeling, and storytelling, they fall short. Quartz watches are like fast food—efficient and functional, but lacking the soul of a slow-cooked meal. Mechanical watches invite you to slow down, notice the little things, and take part in a beautiful tradition of craftsmanship.
Why I Would Rather Fix Than Replace
Quartz watches often mean replacing parts or the whole watch when they break. Mechanical watches, once you learn their secrets, can be repaired endlessly. That is why I keep old watches ticking. Fixing them feels like rescuing lost stories, not discarding memories.
How This Preference Shapes My Collection
My collection centers around mechanical watches from the mid-20th century, mostly. I am drawn to watches with simple designs but complex inner workings. Vintage German and Swiss brands are my favorites. They have that mix of precision engineering and understated style.
I avoid quartz watches almost entirely, except for a rare few that have interesting histories or design quirks. Each watch in my collection has been carefully chosen for its story, its craftsmanship, and its ability to keep me hooked on turning that little crown to wind up another day.
- Some are daily wearers: These watches are the ones I love to wear, and they show it. You will find scratches and patina on them, proof that each moment with me adds a new story.
- Some are restoration projects: These watches wait patiently in my drawer, whispering promises of future adventures once I have cleaned, oiled, and polished their inner lives.
- Some are rare finds: These are my treasures, the watches with histories that go beyond timekeeping. They might be linked to a historic event or a famous maker, and I handle them with extra care and reverence.
In every case, the mechanical nature of these watches reminds me why I started collecting in the first place. It is not just about knowing what time it is, but about feeling time in my own hands.
Final Thoughts
I do not think the perfect watch exists. At least not a perfect answer to whether quartz or mechanical is better. It depends on what you want from your watch.
For me, mechanical watches speak to something much bigger than minutes and hours. They speak to history, to patience, to the joy of discovery and care. They remind me every day that sometimes, the slow and steady path is the most rewarding—and that even tiny, spinning wheels can carry a world of meaning.
So, if you ever look at a mechanical watch and wonder why it matters, I say: take a closer look. Wind it up, listen to the tick, and imagine the hands that made it and the stories it might tell. You might find that time itself feels just a little more human.