A watch that does not function properly can be one of the most frustrating things out there. It is even worse when you do not know where to buy watch movements because your local department store probably does not have them either in stock or at all.
If you have questions related to this or how to fix a watch, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will tell you everything you need to know about where to find watch movements online, how to install them, and what tools you’ll need to finish the job. If you’re interested in this, then read on to learn all of the necessary information.
What Are Watch Movements?
To know what movement you should purchase for your defective watch, every watch collector should know what a watch movement is and how it operates. A watch movement is essentially the heart of the watch—it’s what makes the watch “tick,” and without it, the watch would not work.
So, what about the inner workings of it? Are there multiple types of watch movements, or are they all the same basic structure? These are valid questions that beg educated answers.
There are two different kinds of movements that we will examine: mechanical movements and quartz movements. Of course, there are many more types of movements out there. However, these are two of the most common kinds. Each will be examined individually.
1. Mechanical Watch Movements
We will take a look at mechanical movements first because they are the more complicated of the two. Furthermore, they even have subcategories of their own that need to be distinguished from the other types. These are manual-winding and self-winding.
In a manual-winding mechanical watch movement, the wearer must—as the name implies—manually wind the crown to set the hands and time in place. Then, the watch will tell the time for a certain duration before it has to be rewinded again.
A self-winding mechanical watch movement is something that you often see in brands such as ROLEX and OMEGA—which is also known as an “automatic” watch. These watches have an oscillator that uses the movements of the wearer’s wrist to automatically wind the watch and keep it going. Essentially, the watch will continue to work as long as the wearer has it on his or her wrist.
2. Quartz Watch Movements
This type of movement is battery-powered. In a sense, this is the “real” automatic watch. However, it is not considered so by the watch community.
Quartz watch movements have a system of sensitive and micro-mechanical parts that use the electrical signals generated by the battery to a quartz crystal. This crystal—in turn—vibrates and causes the watch to operate in its desired manner.
This type of mechanism is much more common today than mechanical watch movements. However, it did not use to be that way. This is because, obviously, the battery was invented much later than other forms of generating power for watches. In fact, quartz watch movements were only invented in the year 1969 by a Japanese brand called Seiko.
So, as you can see, these two types of watch movements are completely different and thus required clarification and an analysis of their operations. Every watch collector (or aspiring watch collector) needs to know the different kinds of movements so that they can know which one to purchase if their watch stops working.
How Much Do Watch Movements Cost?
As you could probably guess, watch movements come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Because of this, there is no one set price for watch movements.
Additionally, finding an entire movement for purchase can be very challenging because most online and in-person stores will only sell watch parts. Nevertheless, they are still helpful.
As you have seen from the previous section of this article, watch movements are comprised of many different tiny parts. Generally speaking, though, a watch movement will cost between roughly $70 and $300. These prices are not set, however, and are subject to change depending on the size of your watch and the company you purchase the movement from.
What Tools Do I Need To Install A Watch Movement?
Now that you know at least two of the most common types of watch movements and their costs, it is time to look at what watchmaker tools you will have to obtain to conduct your at-home watch repairs. Some of the most essential tools are listed below.
- Watch case opener
- Screwdriver set (meant for watches)
- Tweezers
- Watch hand lifting levers
These are just a few of the more important tools you’ll need to repair your watch movement. Though there are many more, it will be very hard to get the job done without these. Finally, having a moissanite tester would be handy.
Where Can I Buy Watch Movements Online?
There are, of course, many different online stores where you can find watch movements. However, when deciding on which company you will choose, you must keep in mind pricing, prestige, and credibility. This is because there are many different companies out there who will try to scam you of your hard-earned cash.
One company that will not let you down is C.R. Time Company. They have been around for a while and have earned a reputation that you can trust. As far as costs go, they have some of the best in the market and you’ll not find another company like them around without some serious online searching.
Check Out C.R. Time Company Today
Well, there you have it. This article has informed you of everything you need to know regarding the types of watch movements, how much they cost, the tools you’ll need to install them, and where you can find them online. It is now time for you to make your decision.
What are you waiting for? Head on over to C.R. Time Company’s website today and pick up whatever watch part you need be it watch batteries, movements, or movement parts. You won’t be disappointed in their services or products!