For a while, watches seemed to fall out of fashion as smart trackers became the norm. However, watches are becoming a hot trend once again, whether you love the retro look of a mechanical watch or the futuristic look of a digital option. In this article, we’ll go a little more in-depth about the different types of watch movements and how they’re influencing style trends for watches in 2026. We’ll examine various watch mechanism types and help you choose the best watch movement type for your lifestyle.
We’ll also look at the pros and cons of all types of watch mechanisms and answer some of your most frequently asked questions when it comes to choosing your next watch, including insurance. Let’s start with the basics and talk about the different types of watch movements on offer.
What is a watch movement?
A watch movement is the heart of every watch. It’s the internal mechanism that ensures the timepiece keeps accurate time and powers all the additional functions. The movement works by converting stored energy into the regulated motion that drives the hands (including the second hand on some watches), as well as other functions such as date displays or chronographs.
What is the difference between a movement and the watch case and dial?
The watch movement is its engine, whether it’s on open display through ‘naked’ watch cases, or hidden away behind an exquisite gold case and sapphire crystal. Every other part of a watch, including the case and the dial, is designed to either protect or display the action of the watch movement.
In reality, cases and dials fulfil both functions, keeping the watch movement protected from everything from dust to moisture, while the dial provides a visual reference of the watch movement’s action by translating the movement’s energy into actual physical movement via the hands or, in the case of a digital watch, the display.
Why is the watch movement important when buying a watch?
There are several different types of watch movements, each of which performs differently depending on its construction. But regardless of the type of watch mechanism you choose, there are some fundamental elements that any watch movement should fulfil.
When you’re choosing which watch to buy, assessing the different watch mechanisms available should be a major consideration and an influence on your final choice. Some brands aren’t transparent about the type of watch mechanism they use; if it’s a well-known brand that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But if you don’t know the brand it may be difficult to make an accurate assessment of the accuracy, reliability, and quality of the overall product.
The main types of watch movements
Several different types of watch movements are available to the timepiece connoisseur, each with its own pros and cons, and each falling into a variety of different price brackets. Several factors will dictate the type of movement you choose – let’s look at each of the different types of watch mechanisms in turn.
Manual mechanical movements
A manual mechanical watch movement is powered by a mainspring that’s wound by hand using the crown. It’s one of the oldest forms of watchmaking and has been used for centuries to create highly accurate and beautifully designed timepieces. The internal design also means that some mechanical movements can be exceptionally thin compared to different types of watch movements (for example, automatic movements) and are used for both men’s and women’s watches.
Pros: No battery required, a slimmer design for a more elegant look, and a long lifespan if the watch is regularly serviced and properly maintained.
Cons: Requires winding every day or every two days (although this can often be a part of the attraction of manual mechanical movements, as there is a greater amount of user interaction), not as accurate as a quartz watch.
Best for: Collectors, those who want a high-value dress watch for formal wear.
Brands include:
Automatic (self-winding) movements
An automatic (self‑winding) movement is a type of watch movement that winds itself using the natural motion of your wrist. There is no need to hand-wind the watch every day. An automatic watch is powered by a rotor, which spins as you move. This, in turn, winds the mainspring, storing the energy that powers the watch.
Pros: No need for constant winding as the watch does it itself, reliable and expertly crafted, just like a mechanical watch.
Cons: If you don’t wear the watch for a few days, the spring will release all the stored energy, and the watch will stop. Generally considered not to be as accurate as other types of watches, although this varies considerably depending on the movement.
Best for: Active people who don’t want the interaction of winding the watch daily.
Quartz movements
Quartz movement watches are powered by a battery and regulated using a quartz crystal’s vibrations. This makes these types of watch movements extremely accurate and low maintenance. The crystal vibrates at 32,768 Hz. These vibrations are converted into an electrical pulse that moves the hands.
Pros: Incredibly accurate, easy to mass produce, making quartz watches extremely affordable, and no need to wind the watch daily.
Cons: Tend to be bulkier than other types of watch mechanisms, and batteries may need replacing.
Best for: Everyday wear, budget-friendly watches.
Solar-powered movements
Solar-powered watch movements are quartz movements that use light to charge rechargeable cells rather than using disposable batteries. Despite the name, solar-powered watches use any source of light to charge the cells, including artificial light.
Pros: Convenient, eco-friendly, and exceptionally accurate, even with minimal light exposure.
Cons: Fewer design options, as the dial needs to be semi-transparent or have integrated solar cells to collect the light; limited lifespan of rechargeable cells of between 8-15 years, which can be expensive to replace.
Best for: Everyday wear, outdoor watches
Kinetic movements
Developed by Seiko, kinetic watch movements use a rotor like an automatic watch to generate electricity. Rather than transferring that energy into a mainspring, it’s used to charge a capacitor or rechargeable battery to power a quartz movement. Wrist movement spins the rotor, negating the need for winding.
Pros: No need to charge batteries or wind the movement, long power reserves, and quartz-level accuracy.
Cons: Limited brand availability, more complex servicing requirements, and capacitors degrade over time and need replacing.
Best for: Dress watches and general wear
Co-Axial movements
A Co‑Axial movement is Omega’s signature mechanical movement technology. This particular type of watch mechanism is designed to reduce friction, improve long‑term accuracy, and extend service intervals. It’s one of the most important modern innovations in watchmaking, replacing the traditional sliding friction of a lever escapement with radial or rolling contact that dramatically reduces wear.
Pros: Less internal friction means a longer lifespan and far greater accuracy over time. Longer service intervals make a co-axial a more affordable watch experience.
Cons: When servicing is required, it is more complex and requires specialist training, making services more expensive. Co-Axial watches are only available from Omega, giving them a higher price point.
Best for: Prestige watches, high-value investment watches.
Spring Drive movements
A Spring Drive movement is one of the most technically advanced watch movements in the market today. Developed by Seiko and used primarily in Grand Seiko, it combines traditional mechanical watchmaking with the accuracy of quartz regulation but without a battery. It’s a true hybrid movement. This type of watch movement uses a mainspring (like a mechanical watch) for power but regulates time using an electromagnetic quartz‑controlled glide wheel instead of a traditional escapement.
Best for: Watch connoisseurs and collectors
Pros: Exceptional accuracy and a smooth second-hand sweep make it a high-value and prestigious timepiece.
Cons: Exclusive to Grand Seiko, Credor and Seiko, an expensive investment with complex servicing requirements.
Which watch movement is the most accurate?
Of all the different types of watch movements, the title for the most accurate must go to quartz movements. Watches like the Grand Seiko 9F or the Citizen Caliber 0100 can achieve accuracy levels of +/- one second per year. High-quality mechanical movements in watches such as the Rolex Superlative Chronometer achieve accuracy levels of +/- two seconds a day.
Which watch movement lasts the longest?
Generally, a premium-quality mechanical movement, such as a Rolex, Omega, or Grand Seiko, can last decades if serviced periodically. There are no electronic components that can fail, including batteries, and all the moving parts, including the mainspring, are replaceable.
Which watch movement requires the least maintenance?
High‑quality quartz movements require the least maintenance, especially solar‑powered quartz with long intervals between servicing and offer the advantage of everyday reliability and accuracy.
What is the difference between quartz and automatic watches?
The main difference between the two types of watch movements is how they are powered. A quartz watch is powered by a battery and regulated by a vibrating quartz crystal. An automatic watch is powered by a mainspring that winds itself using your wrist movement.
Is an automatic watch worth buying?
An automatic watch is worth buying if you value the experience and feel of a mechanical watch. If you buy a watch as a status symbol, for its heritage and craftsmanship, or as an investment, automatic watches such as Rolex are well worth the investment.
How often should a mechanical watch be serviced?
Generally, mechanical watches should be serviced every five to ten years, but this will depend on the movement, how often the watch is worn, and what conditions it is exposed to. High-end Swiss mechanical movements will need less frequent servicing than standard movements.
Watch buying advice for 2026
The different types of watch movements provide buyers with so many choices in 2026 that more ethereal elements determine which watch you should buy. For most people, it’s all about the experience of wearing and owning a watch, as all types of watch mechanisms now offer good timekeeping and accuracy, durability, and styling.
The type of watch you choose should balance the movement type with servicing regularity, reliability, and how you use your watch. If you lead an outdoor lifestyle, more rugged, durable watches are the obvious choice, whereas formal occasions call for elegant dress watches.
There is no reason why you should only have one watch in your collection. And if there’s one takeaway for watch buying in 2026, it’s that ownership of more than one watch is perfectly acceptable.
Once you’ve chosen your watch, you want to make sure that your financial investment is fully protected. That’s where TH March can help. For over 130 years, we have provided competitively priced, specialist insurance for your valuables, including watches. While we can never replace the sentimental value of a precious watch, we can help you protect your financial investment should your watch be lost, stolen, or damaged. You can find out more on our Watch Insurance page, or call us today to discuss your needs with one of our team.