Mechanical Watches: What Are They and How Do They Work? 

Mechanical Watch Movement

Mechanical Watches: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Mechanical watchmaking is an intricate artform that has existed for centuries. Their straps, designs and faces may have evolved along with our fashion trends, but the basic mechanics have remained the same for a long time. While battery-powered watches are a modern-day phenomenon, genuine craftsmanship is still found within mechanical watches.

The world of mechanical watches is immense and once you enter it, it can be overwhelming. With the sheer number of models, shapes and brands on the market, gaining a better understanding of the quality and mechanics of watches can really help you choose the right one for you. For those of you who share a love of intricate art or if you are interested in engineering, you’ll almost naturally become fascinated by the workings and designs of mechanical watches.

Mechanical watches, at their core, are pieces of pure craftsmanship. While the designer faces and fashionable straps are all impressive, it’s really the craftsmanship of the watch movement that we’re all so hypnotised by. In the same way that car lovers are impressed by the mustang and art music lovers are entranced by Mozart, mechanical watches bring together lovers of history, engineering and craftsmanship.

The history of mechanical watches

They say that time’s a man-made concept and whilst we aren’t experts on the theory of time and space, we can say that humans have needed to be able to tell and measure the time for almost as long as we have walked the Earth. From the Greeks measuring the day with sundials through to the ancient Egyptians compressing and measuring time according to the 24 hour day. As society has evolved, our requirement for telling the time accurately is more important now than ever.

The history of mechanical watches is long and rich and can be dated back to as early as the 16th century. Originally birthed in Europe, the mechanical watch was transformed from portable spring-driven clocks and has been an evolving artform ever since. From here, the modern mechanical watch was adapted and enhanced by the military in the 19th century, for the use of synchronising manoeuvres and attacks during war.

Today, however, the rare skill of watchmaking has developed and improved tremendously since the first generation of military wristwatches. Through the enhancement of modern technology and improved materials, watches are now more accurate, durable, and stay in greater condition for much longer. A good quality watch from a luxury designer such as Rolex, Omega or Tag Heuer can last for several lifetimes and indeed are often passed down through generations.

How do mechanical watches work?

So, what exactly makes a watch tick? Well, it takes a deep and intricate understanding of what a mechanical watch movement really is in order to fully appreciate the skill that goes into making mechanical wristwatches. The power source within a watch is the key to its marvel and is the pillar of over 600 years of expertise, ingenuity, and engineering refinement.

Mechanical watches are made from a huge variety of small and delicate interconnected parts that must be carefully assembled into what is a very small working engine. The most notable component in a mechanical watch winding is the mainspring. This winding action mobilises a series of gears to power it, setting off that comforting and reassuring tick of a working watch. The mainspring is interconnected with a mechanical watch’s wheel train and escapement which regulates the timing of the mainspring’s release of stored energy or, more simply, makes the watch accurate.

Within the escapement lies some of the most delicate parts of the watch. These incredibly delicate components are called the balance wheel, regulator, and hairspring. These parts all work to maintain the watch’s rate of released energy and ensure that the watch ticks regularly. This release, which is regulated by the escapement, is held in place by a tiny yet very important pin and as the balance wheel within the escapement rotates, the tiny pin periodically releases the escape wheel. The beauty behind this simple yet imperative motion is what allows the wheel to spin and therefore unwinding the mainspring in beats or ticks.

Picking the perfect watch gift for him

Many still question whether you should invest in a mechanical watch when you could simply opt for a quartz (battery-driven) watch. Whilst a quartz watch has benefits over a mechanical watch, it doesn’t hold the luxury nor artistry that a mechanical watch does.

Buying the right gift online can be tricky, but there’s no need for things to get complicated.

At George Fox Cufflinks, we have been making beautifully designed watch cufflinks for over 10 years.  We like to design innovative products, which can be treasured by your loved ones for years to come. With every gift handcrafted using high-quality materials, you can guarantee each gift will be unique and bespoke to you. All of our watch cufflinks come with a 12-month warranty.

Choosing a sincere and stylish piece of watch jewellery doesn’t need to be complicated. Our talented team crafts watch cufflinks of the utmost quality from the most prestigious watch brands from around the world such as Rolex and Omega. Contact us today to learn more about our collections or check out our Instagram @GeorgeFoxCufflinks

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