Analysis of the Components of a Watch

Firstly, when it comes to a wristwatch, we can divide it into seven parts based on its components: the watch case, watch face, watch hands, watch strap, buckle, and movement. The quality of the materials, appearance, and structure of these seven parts determines the final grade and value of the finished product. Additionally, these seven parts must be matched and consistent with each other to achieve a coordinated and beautiful appearance. Understanding the wristwatch from these aspects is our starting point.

Wristwatch Movement

The movement is the "heart" of a wristwatch. Its place of origin, material, craftsmanship, function, accuracy, and other factors determine its quality and tier.

Wristwatch movements can be classified by their structure: mechanical movements, quartz movements, electronic movements, etc.

It is easy to distinguish between a quartz watch and a mechanical watch. The words "QUARTZ" or "AUTOMATIC" on the watch face or back cover usually indicate which type it is.

Another way to identify them is by observing the way the second-hand moves. If it moves in a jumping manner once per second, then it is a quartz watch; otherwise, if it moves continuously, it is a mechanical watch. (If you find the second hand moving once every two or four seconds, it is still a quartz watch. This phenomenon indicates that you need to replace the battery. Some well-designed quartz watches have a device that makes the second-hand move for four or five seconds at a time to notify you in advance that the battery needs to be replaced.)

We need to focus on understanding the quartz watch working principle.

Wristwatch movements can be classified by their function: two-hand movements, three-hand movements, six-hand movements, single calendar movements, double calendar movements, alarm movements, multi-functional movements, etc.

The movements can also be classified by their place of origin: Chinese movements, Japanese movements, and Swiss movements ("SWISS MADE" indicates a Swiss-made movement, while "SWISS PART" indicates Swiss-made components assembled abroad. The bottom plate of the movement usually includes the relevant words as a mark of identification. These two movements of the same model have a large price difference.)

Points to note:

1. When ordering movements, the battery's production date must not exceed six months.

2. There are several positions (such as 3H, 6H, and 4H) for the calendar window on the same type of movement, which are not interchangeable.

3. To meet the requirements of different dial thicknesses, movements have various sizes of pivots, including No. 1, 2, and 3. The decision must be made through engineering calculation.

Wristwatch Case

The watch case serves to assemble the movement, watch face, and watch hands, protect the internal structure, meet waterproof requirements, operate the movement's functions, and serve as a decorative and artistic shell.

Wristwatch cases can be divided by structure: single shell, one shell and one ring, and multiple pieces that combine to form a shell.

Wristwatch cases can be divided by shape: round cases, square cases, barrel cases, egg-shaped cases, and irregular cases.

Wristwatch cases can be divided by material: plastic cases, alloy cases, copper cases, steel cases, titanium cases, tungsten steel cases, and ceramic cases.

1. Plastic watches: The wristwatch's outer shell is formed through one-time plastic molding. The mold cost is high, but the follow-up processing volume is small. If produced in large quantities, the cost is relatively low. They generally use inexpensive electronic movements and are mostly in the low-end gift watch market.

2. Alloy case watch: Made from zinc alloy material by casting. Lightweight and easy to process, the surface of the workpiece requires electroplating. The short production cycle, large output, and low price. However, its waterproof, abrasion resistance, and corrosion resistance are poor, and it belongs to the low-end wristwatch market.

3. Copper cases: Use copper and other materials and process them through stamping or casting. Copper cases are easy to process, beautiful, have good waterproof performance, and the surface is wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant. They are medium-priced wristwatches with a moderate advantage in price. The surface of the workpiece requires electroplating.

4. Stain steel watches: Use 304 or 316L steel, and process them through stamping or casting. Steel is durable, has good waterproof performance, and the surface is wear-resistant and has strong corrosion resistance. Other advantages include rust and magnetic resistance, high strength, and environmental protection (it is less prone to cause skin allergies when worn). However, the processing is more complicated, the output is small, and the price is high. They are generally used in high-end quartz watches and mechanical wristwatches and are considered high-end wristwatches. This is another part that we need to focus on.

5. Tungsten steel and ceramic cases: These are difficult to process and wear-resistant special materials. They are typically used in higher-end wristwatches.

Wristwatch Dial

The dial, also known as the face or dial plate, is the visible part below the front surface. It generally includes numbers, minute dots, etc.

The purpose of the dial is for time display and for design and decoration purposes.

The wristwatch's dial is like a person's face. The success of a wristwatch's appeal to consumers largely depends on the dial's design and production. The dial and field of vision collide the most, and its attractiveness is the most able to arouse people's desire to buy.

The material of dial is usually made of copper sheets. After stamping, drilling, grooving, polishing, etching, lathe turning, electroplating, oil spraying, printing, pasting UP, installing real nails, and other processing steps, a finished dial can be produced.