Put simply, quartz movements are powered by batteries, while automatic movements are mechanically powered by the spinning of a rotor and do not require batteries. The rotor spins as you move your wrist, winding up the movement and giving it power.

If an automatic movement watch is worn daily, it does not need to be manually wound. However, if it is not worn for a duration longer than the power reserve (the exact duration depends on the movement), then it will need to be reset and be manually wound.

Quartz movement watches, on the other hand, never need to be wound and will continue ticking until the battery needs to be replaced, usually every couple years (the exact duration depends on a variety of factors).

Another main difference between quartz and automatic movements, is the motion of the second hand. Generally, in quartz movement watches it has a ticking motion, while in automatic movement watches it has more of a sweeping motion.

Neither quartz nor automatic movements are inherently better than the other, as it comes down to personal preference. Quartz movements are more commonly seen due to their widespread availability. However, automatic movements are considered more premium due to being mechanically intricate.

At Pangino, we offer watches with quartz and automatic movements made by reputable manufacturers like Miyota and Seiko. Both types of movements are highly precise and ready for daily wear, and you cannot go wrong with either.