We are all aware of the terms ‘Quartz Watch’ and ‘Automatic Watch’, but not a lot of folks really understand the meaning of these terms.  Here we’ll attempt to break down the difference between quartz and automatic watches for you.

It should be noted that these are the two distinct types of watch movements (aside from manual movement).  Comprehending the basic functionality of a watch is the key to spot the difference between mechanical and quartz movements. A watch movement (also known as caliber) is the engine that operates a watch. In other words, this mechanism manages the movement of the hands in a watch, indicating time precision.

The next and the most important questions that come to mind are: What is the difference? Which of the two are better? Between two watches, which one lasts longer and most important should I buy a Quartz or Automatic?

Well, we have an answer for you! There are key differences between quarts and automatic watches, but the response to which one is better really depends on the preference of the buyer. We will dive deeper into the basic knowledge of each type in order to help you justify the right choice.

QUARTZ MOVEMENT WATCHES:

Invention

In Tokyo, Japan, during the end of 1960s, Seiko introduced the first ever quartz wrist watch named Astron. Its movement was operated by a battery and highlighted the quartz oscillator with a frequency of 8192 HZ. With the advent of technology, Seiko commenced the prolific manufacturing of these watches, ultimately leading to its reasonable prices.

The Workings

As the name suggests, a quartz watch consists of a small piece of quartz (silicon dioxide) crystal amalgamated intricately into the mechanics of the watch. Quartz watches are battery operated and involves less use of electricity, meaning the battery can last for many years sans the need of restoring it. In order to create power in the quartz movements, a battery conducts an electrical current through the quartz crystal. When the electricity transmits through the crystal, it creates vibrations and oscillates at an almost perfectly constant frequency of 32,768 times each second. Because of these perfect vibrations, the watch hands tell time very accurately making quartz a perfect material.

From the above information, it can be inferred that quartz watches are totally reliable in terms of time measurement and have an added advantage of low maintenance as it requires to change the battery once in a few years.

AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT WATCHES:

Invention

An automatic watch, also called self-winding watch, was invented by Abraham-Louis Perrelet whose design was a major accomplishment in the history of horology. According to the Geneva Society of Arts in 1977, it was necessary for the buyer to walk for about eight minutes in order to wind the watch for a day fully. Today, the same procedure of winding the watch through natural movements is the key behind the working of the automatic watches, with many touch-ups and improvements of course!

The Workings

Mechanical watches are not battery operated. They are of two types, meaning it can either be self-winding automatic watches or manual wind watches. Automatic watches are highly popular because they utilize the energy through the motion of the wearer’s wrist. These watches are more complex and constitutes the components like rotor, balance wheel, gear-trains and reverse mechanism. Automatic watches work with the help of a rotor, which is connected to the motion of the wearer and then spins freely. This rotation channels the energy and winds the mainspring. If these watches are worn for a long interval, the time accuracy remains intact.

Automatic watches are more highly priced because they have numerous tiny parts which make it time-sensitive and labor-intensive. In addition, they also require high maintenance because they have to be worn daily in order to be active.

QUARTZ WATCHES Vs AUTOMATIC WATCHES

As we have discussed the origin and the working of the two movements, we shall now proceed toward the contrast between the quartz watch and automatic watch. The key to the right choice is dependent on what you are looking for in a watch. Below is a table that will serve as a medium for you to contrast between the two as a guide to help you make the right choice.

Recapitulate:                            Quartz                                          Automatic

CONCLUSION

Learning from the above summary, it can be said that each watch has its needs and wants. If you are looking for a low-budget, low-maintenance watch, then quartz is the right choice. However, if you are looking for a more high-end and more involved and intricate watch, then automatic watches are the answer. However, you need to remember that automatic watches should be worn daily for them to efficiently keep time. This may vary on the power reserve of the piece, but daily practice makes perfect.  Therefore, if you are a daily wearer, admire craftsmanship, appreciate the digital mechanics and want to stand out from the crowd, then the automatic watch is the solution.

Browse our exclusive collection at:  https://www.truefacet.com/watches.html

Background

In 1847, the French Revolution Era in France, from the humble beginnings and passion for watchmaking, Louis Francois Cartier took over his master’s workshop and continued to thrive in the business, which in the contemporary times is well renowned for its luxury and elegance. This recognition, name and fame dates to the nineteenth century when its founder Louis Francois Cartier distinguished his piece of work in two ways. First, by being a trend-setter for number stamping the items he produced in his workshop. Second, his skill of elaborate description of jewelry as possessions in his workshop besides watches. These humble beginnings led to the uniqueness of each item designed intricately and thus embarked upon the rise of the “Cartier Era”.

 Image Courtesy: Alchetron.com

Affluence of French Society

The historian period during which Cartier had started to bloom was favorable for Louis as it brought him clients from all corners of aristocracy. In fact, this helped him fund his store and even outsource the non-timepieces of exceptional quality. This was a steppingstone to his magnificent set up at the present location on Rue de la Paix, Paris in 1899. This vicinity left a room for spectacular opulence which emphasized the shift from retailing to designing and manufacturing.

Image Courtesy: Loff.It

The Golden Period

The 20th century (1904-1920) marked the Golden Age for Cartier. For Louis then, “Fancy” was the keyword to define Cartier style in the French jewelry market and traditionally it was passed in lineage to his successors when the expansion was shouldered by Alfred, the son, who oversaw the establishment of stores in New York and London. Further until 1964, the Cartier as a brand remained a family owned business, when it was sold off as separate stores internationally.  However, in 1972, it was bought by one of the associations who re-established it as one of the leading high-end jewelry brands.

The Period of Expansion

During its period of expansion, Cartier had gained its name for its perfection besides making fancy pieces. As the time passes, the history of Cartier gets yet glorified by the mention of some of the world’s never seen before pieces of art, for example, Tutti Frutti necklace and bracelets for the Maharaja of Patiala, the graceful yet light weighted Belle Époque garland necklace in Platinum for King Edward VI and the ‘big cat’ jewels for the Duchess of Windsor. Such inspirational and revolutionary ideas is what defines Cartier even today with its worldwide operations in more than 200 stores in 125 countries with three Historical Maison’s – Paris, London and New York.

Contemporary Cartier Inc.

Embracing Cartier’s historical journey with its luxurious approach, fascinates not only its retail customers but also the whole high-end jewelry industry. For the modern generation, Cartier’s history, style of leadership of its founder, inspirational ideas from all over the world- Russia, Britain, Middle East and its homeland aristocratic France is what defines Cartier Inc., all things considered. For the brand’s loyal and royal customers, it has given them a lifestyle itself dwells on its glorified past and teaches its stakeholders the everlasting importance of quality over everything.

The collage represents collection of Cartier styles-Panther, Tutti-Frutti, Belle-Epoque, Cartier watch

Ultimately, at TrueFacet, we aim at furnishing your lifestyle with the above learned elite yet affordable luxury of fineness that the Cartier family has ever provided.

Spring cleaning the home…and the jewelry box.

Every year, we welcome this season with the bitter sweetness of spring cleaning, the symbolic revival of our home and of ourselves. The time has come to declutter your space, which for the past year was overtaken by long forgotten items that were once perfectly useful to us. Well, now they still can be!

Wondering where to sell those hidden gems? Whether they’re watches or jewelry, you can list, consign, or trade them in at TrueFacet. Not only will you be cleaning your home out for the springtime, you’ll also earn top value for the things you’ve let go. Take your personalized pick of how to sell on our site:

CONSIGNMENT

TrueFacet takes care of the insured shipping, authentication, appraisal, cataloguing, photographing, and listing process for you in order to optimize the experience and salability of your piece(s).  You’ll be kept up-to-date through the entire process, from when your listing goes live to when it sells so you can kick back and relax knowing with confidence you’ll be taken care of.  Check it out here: CONSIGN YOUR ITEM

LISTING

For those who prefer to self-manage listing your watch or jewelry item, you can make it happen on our site. This option suits the aspiring seller who knows his/her items in detail and wants the opportunity to show off his/her skills as a photographer. Try it here: LIST YOUR ITEM

TRADE-IN

If you’re ready to fill that void in your jewelry box, you can choose to send your item to TrueFacet in return for store credit towards another piece you fancy. Take the time to discover the hidden gems on our platform, there are nearly endless finds.

Well adored jewelry and watches like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Rolex are TrueFacet family favorites to choose from.  Start your trade-in here: TRADE-IN

Once you have sorted through the box of tangled necklace chains, consider the potential items that could be listed on our platform. The true benefit of finding those pre-loved pieces is that they can be passed down to because a new love for another person.

Take your first steps here: START SELLING HERE

Spring cleaning just became a whole new symbol!

We know the holidays are the time to think about your loved ones and surprise them with thoughtful gifts… But, before the holiday season truly kicks into high gear, why not treat yourself to a little something this holiday season?

We round up our favorite items—further discounted during TrueFacet’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales—to nab for yourself!

Cartier Love Bracelet Cuff

Cartier Love Bracelets are a deeply sentimental gift idea, symbolic of devotion and faithfulness thanks in large part to the screwdriver your partner holds to open and close the bangle. But, if you love the look of the bracelet and are indifferent to the meaning behind it, the Cartier Love Cuff is a smart choice. You’ll get the iconic look of the Love collection but without the cumbersome locking screw system.

Panerai Luminor

The Panerai Luminor is an intriguing conversation piece that stands out for its crisp and clear dial and elegantly-shaped watch case. The Panerai Luminor’s unconventionally cool design makes it an excellent choice if you’re looking for a premier-quality watch that expresses your personal style.

Rolex Explorer

While less universally recognized compared to the Submariner or Datejust, the Rolex Explorer is a quintessential Rolex model. As its name suggests, the Explorer was designed to honor renowned adventurers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, who were the first climbers to successfully summit Mount Everest in 1953, during which Hillary wore a Rolex watch. This is the type of watch model that belongs in every collection but may be skipped over as a gift idea in favor of more romantic-feeling Rolex models like the Datejust or Cellini. Therefore, the Explorer is the ideal rugged gift-to-me.

CHANEL Brooch

Instantly elevate any outfit—from your office-appropriate shift dress to your weekend sweater and jeans—by pinning on a CHANEL brooch. These playful statement pieces immediately add luxe appeal to any ensemble and make for a strong addition to your jewelry repertoire if you’re looking for a bold wardrobe workhorse. Plus, because they come in a wide variety of designs (from classic quilted C&C’s to avant-garde styles with miniature Coco Chanel figurines), it’s a good gift to shop for yourself since you know your style and wardrobe best!

Omega Speedmaster

The Omega Speedmaster has a very impressive history: it was the first watch to be NASA-certified and ultimately became the first watch on the moon.  (Learn more about the fascinating origins of the Speedmaster here.) The Speedmaster is, to put it simply, a very cool watch—historically, aesthetically, and mechanically. If you don’t have one in your collection yet, treat yourself to a Speedmaster because it is truly a must-own.

Bulgari B.Zero1 Ring

Inspired by Rome’s Colosseum, the Bulgari B.Zero1 ring boasts a sleek and clean-lined look. We love how the weight and banded design makes the B.Zero1 feel impressive without being cumbersome or too bling-bling-y. For that reason, the B.Zero1 ring makes for a luxe everyday ring to add to your usual jewelry line-up.

IWC Portofino

If you’re not yet a full-fledged watch collector but are eager to lean into this growing hobby, buy yourself an IWC Portofino. IWC ranks as one of the most respected watch brands, marked for its precision engineering and no-frills designs, and the Portofino is its elegant entry-level model. With the Portofino, you’ll get all the tradition of Swiss watchmaking with a distinctly modern and on-trend minimalist look.

David Yurman Albion Collection

The David Yurman Albion Collection was a total game changer when it debuted; the Albion Collection took all the stuffiness out of precious stones that historically were reserved for evening or formal occasions. Through this breakout collection, Yurman ushered in a new outlook and reintroduced gemstones as an option for everyday wear. So, if you’re looking for something to add a little pizzazz to your wardrobe, we recommend a piece from the Albion Collection, set with a colorful gemstone.

Michele Signature Deco WatchIn the past few years, the Michele Signature Deco Watch has quickly grown into a favorite watch among bloggers and street style stars. The Signature Deco balances an Art Deco-inspired square case with luxurious details (think diamond bezels and mother-of-pearl dials) for an impressive watch—without an impressive price tag. Pick up this Michele watch for yourself if you’re looking for a watch that feels luxurious while leaving you with budget left over for the rest of your holiday shopping!

David Yurman Crossover CollectionWith an incredible breadth of cable weights and colored gemstone caps, each of David Yurman’s signature collections has an undeniable collect-them-all appeal. While we love the look of Yurman bangles stacked together, if you’re looking to jumpstart your layered look, pick up a cuff from David Yurman’s Crossover Collection. This newer Yurman collection plays upon the brand’s signature cable motif but weaves together cabled and sleek bands so it looks like multiple bangles in one.

Black Friday has become a phenomenon known for its doorbuster deals, and crowds of customers. While some people line-up for savings, there’s countless horror stores of Black Friday brick and mortar product sell-outs, rude customers, and even riots. In fact, Business Insider did an article on these cases several years back.

So why wait out in the cold, and at all times of night?  TrueFacet has a better way. At TrueFacet we are kicking off our early Black Friday sale so you can shop at more convenient times, and from the comfort of your own home.

Stay tuned this week for when we announce our official TrueFacet Black Friday sale!

One for the Record Books

At this years Only Watch charity auction, records were broken once over again. With a hammer price of  $31.2 million, Patek Philippe’s one-of-a-kind Ref. 6300A-010 Grandmaster Chime in hardened stainless steel with a gorgeous black leather band, became the most expensive watch ever sold at such an event.  

Beginning in 2005, the Only Watch auction has grown into a watch industry staple, bringing light to one-of-a-kind timepieces by the highest tier of watchmakers worldwide. If incredible watches wasn’t enough, 100% of its proceeds benefit research on Duchenne Muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact. To date, the event has raised more than a staggering $40 million.

This Watch industry staple is hosted in the beautiful Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues, in the ever fitting Geneva, Switzerland.  The Grandmaster Chime was developed to commemorate the Patek Philippe 175th anniversary in 2014. As one of the most complex timepieces ever built, the Grandmaster Chime is true to its name. With multiple chiming or striking functions among its 20 complications on two dials, it was the pinnacle of Patek’s long standing craftsmanship in striking complications. 

A beautiful watch, at a beautiful event, raising upwards to $40 million USD for a beautiful cause. 

Shop pieces like this gorgeous Patek Philippe, without a record breaking price tag. 

An Autumn Outro in Audemars

This fortune 500 luxury watch company founded in 1875 by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet, remains a tight-knit family business to this day. This family run organization, has gone far and away to stay true to their familial, legacy. So much so, that they have never been sold, at any point in history. Both founders come from traditional watchmaker backgrounds, who had established headquarters in Le Brassus in the stunning Swiss Vallee de Joux.

Some would be surprised to know that these founders worked from a somewhat symbiotic relationship– The technical productions of the luxury timepieces were left to Jules-Louis Audemars while Edward-Auguste Piguet was in charge of the business aspects of the company.

Today the pinnacle watch of the AP brand is the  Royal Oak. The younger relative of the model – the Royal Oak Offshore – bears a higher level of sporty appeal. Enthusiasts of sophisticated watch mechanics are familiar with the gorgeously intricate timepieces and the hefty price tags that come along with them.

Audemars Piguet has gone through more than 130 years acing the development of their watches and multitudes of complications. They pride themselves on creating extravagant multidimensional watches, ready to withstand nearly whatever may occur.

Audemars Piguet ranks among the exalted “grand trilogy” of Swiss high horology alongside Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. A level of notoriety which spans over more than 140 years. They have changed utilizing new materials, for example, carbon and titanium. The organization is still in the hands of the founding families, enabling the organization to keep on following its very own singular and unique vision.

                                    Come Shop like you’re one of the Family this Fall

                                                            Shop Now at TrueFacet

Cardi B in Cartier

Even though it’s only been a few years, Cardi B has cemented herself as a household name. Anyone within the ‘know’ of current trends, conversations, and the happenings of the times are merely degrees of separation from rapper Cardi B. Whether you love her, hate her, or are indifferent, she remains to be a top tier talent in an ever changing, highly tumultuous industry.

While stars & one-hit-wonders alike seem to fall victim to the ever flaming-out limelight which once shined so bright, Cardi B has surprised, and in some ways infuriated others with her clear sustainability as both a bonafiable musician, as well as a bankable star.

She is all over our televisions, and as of this past September, she is in womens’ make up cabinets as she adds her name to the products of  Tom Ford. Cardi also had multiple Grammy nominations added to her resume as her debut album Invasion of Privacy scored five nominations. 

This clear an unstoppable force Cardi B embodies, is most reflective in her bold and eye-grabbing fashion and jewelry style. 

Via a ‘Christmas morning’ Instagram Post, Cardi B put on display her gifted wrist full of “mega-carat” diamond Love bracelets, including two diamond-encrusted Cartier watches which retail for $43,000 each. These incredible presents, gifted to her by her significant other, ⅓ of the Migos–Offset, can be purchased at TrueFacet at a fraction of the price. 

Step your game up this Holiday season–shop like a star, save like a pro.

Come Shop Cartier at TrueFacet