Why Are Mechanical Watches So Expensive When Quartz Is More Accurate

At first glance, it doesn’t make sense. A $20 quartz watch from a drugstore can keep time more accurately than a $20,000 mechanical masterpiece. It gains or loses fewer seconds per month. So why do people spend life savings on mechanical watches? Why do brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet command such reverence—and such prices?

The answer lies not in precision alone, but in what mechanical watches represent: centuries of craftsmanship, micro-engineering marvels, artistic expression, and emotional value. While quartz may win on technical accuracy, mechanical watches triumph in legacy, artistry, and human ingenuity.

The Accuracy Myth: Quartz vs. Mechanical

It’s true—quartz watches are objectively more accurate. They rely on a battery-powered electronic oscillator regulated by a tiny quartz crystal. When electrified, the crystal vibrates at a precise frequency (32,768 times per second), which an integrated circuit translates into consistent timekeeping. Most quartz watches drift by less than 15 seconds per month.

Mechanical watches, in contrast, use a mainspring to store energy, released through a series of gears and regulated by a balance wheel and escapement. These components are sensitive to gravity, temperature, position, and wear. Even high-end mechanical movements can gain or lose several seconds per day.

So if accuracy were the only metric, quartz would dominate. But timekeeping is not just about utility—it's also about meaning.

“Precision is a function. Legacy is a feeling. A mechanical watch isn’t just telling time—it’s remembering it.” — Laurent Martinez, Master Watchmaker, Geneva Institute of Horology

The Hidden Value in Mechanical Craftsmanship

A single mechanical movement can contain over 200 parts, some smaller than a grain of sand. These components are often machined, polished, and assembled by hand. Consider the ébauche, the base movement blank, which is then finished with techniques like perlage (circular graining), Côtes de Genève (striped wave patterns), and hand-beveled edges that catch light like jewelry.

This level of finishing serves no functional purpose—it exists purely for beauty and pride in workmanship. Yet it takes hundreds of hours to perfect. A single bridge plate might be polished to a mirror shine using natural horsehair brushes and diamond paste, a process repeated over days.

Unlike mass-produced quartz movements—often stamped out by machines—mechanical calibers are built to last generations. With proper servicing every 5–7 years, a well-made mechanical watch can run for a century or more.

Tip: If you inherit or purchase a vintage mechanical watch, have it inspected by a certified watchmaker before regular use—even if it appears to be running.

Engineering as Art: The Mechanics Behind the Magic

The heart of a mechanical watch—the escapement—is one of humanity’s most refined inventions. Invented in the 18th century, the Swiss lever escapement remains the standard today. It controls the release of energy in precise increments, producing the familiar “tick-tock” sound.

Each tick represents a tiny victory of engineering: controlling power from a wound spring, distributing it smoothly across dozens of gears, and resisting shocks, magnetism, and positional variance—all within a space smaller than a coin.

Complications elevate this further. A chronograph adds stopwatch functionality. A moonphase tracks lunar cycles. A perpetual calendar adjusts for leap years automatically. And grand complications like minute repeaters chime the time on demand—crafted with miniature gongs and hammers.

These aren’t digital features pulled from code. They’re physical mechanisms, each requiring additional gears, levers, and springs, all engineered to fit inside a case just a few millimeters thick.

Table: Key Differences Between Quartz and Mechanical Watches

Feature	Quartz Watch	Mechanical Watch
Power Source	Battery	Mainspring (hand-wound or automatic)
Accuracy	±15 seconds per month	±5 to ±30 seconds per day
Maintenance	Battery replacement every 1–2 years	Full service every 5–7 years
Lifespan	10–15 years (electronics degrade)	Generational (with care)
Production Method	Mass-produced, automated	Hand-assembled, artisanal
Price Range	$10 – $500	$1,000 – $500,000+
Craftsmanship	Minimal visible finishing	Decorated bridges, blued screws, hand engraving

Emotional and Cultural Capital

People don’t buy mechanical watches solely for function—they buy them for story. A Rolex Submariner evokes James Bond and deep-sea exploration. A Patek Philippe carries the slogan, “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.”

These brands invest decades in building identity, authenticity, and exclusivity. Limited editions, in-house movements, and historical continuity create emotional resonance. Owning one becomes a rite of passage—a symbol of achievement, taste, or family tradition.

Consider this real-world example:

Mini Case Study: The Heirloom Effect

David Chen, a financial advisor in Toronto, inherited his grandfather’s 1957 Omega Seamaster. The watch hadn’t been serviced in 30 years. When he took it to a specialist, the technician found rust in the mainspring and worn pivots. After a $1,200 restoration, the watch ran within +6 seconds per day—far less accurate than David’s Apple Watch.

Yet he wears the Omega daily. “It connects me to my grandfather,” he says. “He wore it during the Hong Kong handover, through immigration, building a new life. Every scratch tells a story. I’d never trade it for anything more ‘accurate.’”

This is the intangible value of mechanical watches: they are not devices. They are heirlooms, artifacts, personal monuments.

The Economics of Exclusivity

Most mechanical watches are made in limited numbers. Brands like Jaeger LeCoultre produce fewer than 100,000 watches annually—compared to millions for Casio or Timex. Many components are still made in Switzerland under strict regulations governed by the Fédération de l’Industrie Horlogère Suisse (FH).

Producing a single in-house movement can take years of R&D. Developing a new caliber involves designing gear trains, testing durability, adjusting for thermal expansion, and certifying chronometric performance. Some brands submit their movements to COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) for certification, but even non-certified pieces undergo rigorous internal testing.

Labor costs are high. A master watchmaker earns $80,000–$150,000 annually in Switzerland, and training takes 7–10 years. Automation is limited because many tasks—like adjusting the beat error of a balance wheel—require human touch and judgment.

All of this drives cost. But scarcity also fuels desire. Limited availability, combined with strong brand heritage, allows manufacturers to maintain premium pricing without sacrificing demand.

Checklist: What Justifies the Price of a Mechanical Watch?

• ✅ Hand-finishing of movement components (perlage, chamfering, polishing)
• ✅ In-house developed and manufactured movement (not outsourced)
• ✅ Use of premium materials (e.g., silicon escapements, gold rotors)
• ✅ Complications beyond basic timekeeping (date, chronograph, etc.)
• ✅ Brand heritage and historical significance
• ✅ Limited production runs or collector exclusivity
• ✅ Long-term serviceability and generational durability

Frequently Asked Questions

Isn’t a smartwatch more practical than a mechanical one?

Yes, for tracking fitness, notifications, and GPS. But smartwatches are technology products with a shelf life of 3–5 years. Mechanical watches are designed to outlive their owners. They serve different purposes—one is utility, the other is legacy.

Can’t a quartz watch also be luxurious?

Yes—brands like Grand Seiko and Breitling offer high-end quartz movements (called \"thermocompensated quartz\") that rival mechanical accuracy while featuring premium finishes. However, they still lack the kinetic soul of a beating balance wheel. For purists, the absence of motion diminishes emotional appeal.

Do mechanical watches hold their value?

Some do exceptionally well. Iconic models like the Rolex Daytona, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, or Patek Philippe Nautilus often appreciate. However, most mechanical watches depreciate upon purchase. Their value is primarily experiential, not financial—unless they’re rare, vintage, or in mint condition.

Conclusion: Time Is More Than Numbers

The question “why are mechanical watches so expensive when quartz is more accurate?” assumes time is only about measurement. But humans have never treated time that way. We mark it with rituals, memories, and milestones. We give watches as gifts for graduations, weddings, retirements—not because they’re precise, but because they endure.

A mechanical watch is a machine powered by human intention. Winding it each morning creates ritual. Watching the sweep of its second hand—smooth, continuous, alive—connects you to the mechanics of existence in a way a digital display cannot.

If you’re looking for the most accurate timekeeper, buy a quartz watch. But if you want a piece of history, engineering excellence, and personal meaning wrapped around your wrist, a mechanical watch is worth every penny.

💬 What does your watch mean to you? Share your story in the comments—whether it’s a vintage heirloom or your first luxury timepiece.