Swiss Quartz vs. Japanese Quartz: What's the Difference?

Quartz clocks are analogue or digital clocks that measure time with an electronic oscillator controlled by a quartz crystal. Quartz is a crystalline mineral found in the sand and crust of the planet. Quartz watches function by vibrating a tiny slice of artificial quartz in response to electrical charges, allowing the watch to keep time. Since the mid-twentieth century, Switzerland and Japan have been at the forefront of quartz movements. The Swiss and Japanese, on the other hand, are locked in a never-ending battle to become the world's biggest quartz producers.

Swiss quartz has a long history

During WWII, Switzerland held a monopoly on consumer watches, while other countries converted their clocks into military timepieces. When quartz timepieces were first released in the early 1950s, demand for them skyrocketed. The Swiss, on the other hand, resisted change because they did not want to abandon their traditional methods of Swiss production and workmanship. This is why, in the 1970s, the Swiss watch industry suffered from the so-called "quartz crisis." Despite the fact that the Ebauches SA Beta 21 was the first quartz watch produced in 1971, Swiss quartz did not achieve popularity until 1983, when the Swatch, a more elegant version of the quartz watch, was introduced.

Quartz timepieces from Switzerland

Swiss quartz watches must be legitimately manufactured with high-quality Swiss materials in order to be labelled as such. The Swiss Watch Industry Federation maintains a list of "Verordnung Swiss Made" rules: Only a quartz watch with a Swiss movement built by a Swiss manufacturer and housed in a Swiss casing qualifies as Swiss. Despite the fact that the Japanese were the first to introduce quartz to the market, Swiss watches are often more expensive due to the greater quality of Swiss movements. Swiss quartz is renowned for its dependability, precision, resistance to water, and shock resistance.

Japanese quartz history

The Japanese took advantage of the "Quartz Revolution" while the Swiss were embroiled in the quartz problem. Although the Swiss began developing quartz watches in the 1960s, Seiko, the first Japanese watch firm, beat the Swiss to market with the release of the Seiko QC-951 crystal chronometer, a portable quartz clock. The Astron, the first commercial quartz watch, was unveiled on Christmas Day 1969 by the Japanese. Japan was the world's top exporter of electronic quartz timepieces in the 1970s.

Quartz timepieces from Japan

Seiko, Japan's foremost quartz watchmaker, has been creating compact quartz watches at more affordable costs since the 1960s. By reducing the volume of the watch case and lowering its power consumption, Japan has eliminated the large case and limited battery life. Japanese quartz is also resistant to shock and water, and some models feature built-in alarms. Quartz from Japan is famed for its accuracy, and it has served as the official timekeeper at numerous Olympic Games. Despite the fact that Swiss and Japanese quartz watches are both functional and of good quality, Switzerland is currently the top quartz watch exporter.

Old gold watches have a monetary value

The maker, condition, and kind of material all have a role in determining the value of antique or antique timepieces. Antique pocket watches and wristwatches don't usually sell for a lot of money. An 18k gold watch, on the other hand, is far more valuable than any other watch. Some jewellers have a habit of automatically adding $500 to the worth of a watch with an 18k case.

Types

The majority of antique watch casings are constructed of stainless steel or a base metal containing lead, iron, copper, tin, or zinc. "Gold plated" or "gold plated" watches are available. Gold-filled watches are rather frequent in vintage or antique watches. The price of a gold watch starts at $9,000. The majority of these timepieces are created in the United Kingdom. The average price of a watch built in the United States is $10,000. The 10k gold filled watch is followed by the 14k and 18k gold watches, which are more valuable. There are no watches made of 24k gold since the metal is too delicate and prone to damage.

Plating vs. filling

The thickness of the gold layer soldered to a base metal casing determines the value of a gold-plated or gold-filled watch. An electroplated gold watch has a layer thickness of at least 0.175 microns, or one millionth of a metre, and is 14k or above. The thickness of a gold plated watch ranges from.5 millimetres to 2.5 microns. A gold-filled watch has a 200-fold thicker gold layer than the thickest gold-plated wristwatch. On the inside of the caseback of most vintage gold watches is a micron stamp.

Content of gold

On the inside of the caseback, the watch may include a marking such as "1/20 14k GF." This means that 14k gold must account for 1/20th of the total weight of gold. During typical use, the gold-filled covering will often wear away, exposing the base metal. This significantly lowers the watch's value.

The great leveller

An ounce of gold was worth roughly 786 pounds sterling in July 2010. A vintage 18k gold watch can be purchased for around this amount. The watch is worth € 487 because of the gold content, plus the value assigned to the brand and condition of the watch. Some jewellers will purchase 18k gold watches, discard the mechanical movement, and sell the gold case and dial as scrap. In the mid-1950s, a discarded Cyma Autorotor 18k Cyma watch can sell for the same price as a discarded high-end Omega Constellation 18K.

Considerations

Gold watch prices are not usually dictated only by the price of gold. The price of a gold watch is determined first by the watch's brand, then by the watch's condition and model. A 1950s Rolex 18-karat Oyster Perpetual men's watch may be had for € 2,466. A antique men's watch identical to this one, such as an Eterna 18k Eterna from the late 1940s, costs no more than £ 484. When compared to Rolex, Eterna does not have the same brand recognition. Eterna's worth is defined by its gold content.

What's the best approach to fix a Swiss timepiece?

A Swiss watch is similar to a watch made in the United States or Japan in terms of repair. Mechanical, automatic, and quartz watches all have the same basic components. The replacement of batteries and the repair of crystals (the glass that protects the dial) are simple procedures. Knowledge and ability are required to repair the mechanical movement, which is the spring motor that rotates and operates the clock. Minor repairs on watches made before 1980 are fairly simple to complete. Repairs on modern clocks should only be performed by skilled watchmakers after 1980. Most non-working watches only need to have their movements cleaned, not repaired.

Examine the crystal with a jeweler's loupe or a magnifying glass or magnifying glass. Replace the crystal, which is made of acrylic on older watches, if the scratches are serious. A watchmaker should replace a damaged sapphire crystal.

Apply a dab of Brasso or similar comparable polish on the surface of the crystal. The crystal of the watch does not need to be removed. Toothpaste can be used as an alternative. It has similar abrasive qualities to Brasso.

Using a toothbrush or a clean cloth, apply the polish on the crystal. Rub lightly in circular strokes for around five minutes. Repeat the process by wiping the area clean with a cloth. Scratches must be removed from the surface.

Wrap your fingers over an ancient Swiss timepiece's bezel. The bezel is the ring that surrounds the outside of the crystal and secures it. Turn the bezel counterclockwise with your fingertips until it separates from the watch case. Use a rubber can opener to twist a stubborn scope. Remove the watch's bezel from the case.

Using a case blade or your fingernail, pry the crystal from the watch case. The crystal of an antique watch can be fixed to the case with plastic or rubber cement. Wiggle the crystal in the case with your fingertips.

Using a brush with a squeeze bulb, brush or blow away dirt and dust from the dial. Clean the dial with a cotton swab dipped in lukewarm dish soap to remove stubborn grime. Keep in aware that moisture damage to antique painted dials can occur if you're not careful.

In the watch case, replace the crystal. It is not necessary to use rubber cement or adhesive to secure it to the casing. Secure the replacement bezel to the case using your fingertips. Hand-tighten the bezel to ensure it is secure and the crystal is flush with the case.

To open the case back of a classic Swiss mechanical watch, a case blade is utilised. Release the tension in the main spring, which is a metal ribbon wound around the main spring barrel, by pushing back the stopper with a toothpick. The stopper for winding the watch is a little notch on the stem attached to the crown (winding at 3 o'clock).

Remove the two little screws that secure the mechanism to the watch case with a screwdriver. Getting rid of the movement is a must.

Using tweezers, remove the mainspring from the barrel. It's time to replace the mainspring. Tighten the screws and reinstall the movement in the case. Replace the casing and reassemble the watch.

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