My Quartz Watch

Quartz movements, unlike mechanical or automatic movements, have few or no moving parts. A varying electric voltage is applied to a quartz crystal, and it resonates at a highly stable frequency, which is then used to accurately pace a timekeeping mechanism.  Quartz movements are primarily electronic but are often geared to drive mechanical hands on the face of the watch to provide a traditional analog time display. Quartz-powered movements are considerably more accurate than their mechanical counterparts.

Did you know?

In 1959, Epson – the company considered to be the brains of the quartz movement - started developing a quartz wristwatch for parent company Seiko. Seiko had a working prototype ready by 1964, and it was used as the official timekeeper for that summer’s Tokyo Olympics.

CHANGING & SETTING THE TIME

Step 1 – Pull out the Crown

Remove the watch from your wrist and pull out the crown (button usually on the right side of the case). Do not pull too hard, as excessive force could cause damage.

Step 2 – Set the Date

Pull the crown out one notch, and turn clockwise. Keep rotating until you reach the desired date.

Step 3 – Set the Time

Pull the crown out to the 2nd notch, and turn to adjust the time. For models with a date feature, make sure to correctly set the time to AM or PM.

Step 4 – Closing the Crown

When the time and date have been set, push the crown back in towards the case.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• On models with a quick-set date feature, do not adjust the date if the watch is between 9pm-3am. As the movement is preparing to automatically adjust the date, any manual switching of the date could disrupt this process and damage internal elements. Try adjusting the time to 6 o’clock and then set the date.
• Do not adjust the time and date by going backwards with the hands. Always go forwards, even if it takes longer to adjust.
• Quartz watches will keep going until the battery expires. Most modern batteries last between 2-5 years. When the battery is low, the second hand doesn’t tick regularly, but instead sweeps several seconds at a time, indicating it is time for a battery change.
• It is very important to push the crown in correctly prior to any exposure to water. Failure to do so can result in damage to the movement, dial and hands.