Quartz That Ticks!

[bundamania]

Picked up one of these as a hoot a couple years back for around $10 and have liked it. Just noticed it ticks? Checked a few other battery watches of mine and they don't. Does this one tick because it's so cheap?

View attachment 20280

 

[roadwarrior]

ISA used to make a cheap quartz movement that would mimic the smoother sweep of an automatic. I've seen Wing boast about a newer TMI quartz with a smooth sweep hand. Price really has nothing to do with a ticking quartz. Even the higher priced movements like the 5040F, 8040N will not have a smooth sweep hand. You can see a slight difference between a 21,600bph and 28,800bph automatic if you look hard enough. The 28,800 looks smoother with 8 beats per second compared to 6 per second.

An easy way to differentiate a quartz from a mechanical movement is by looking at the second hand. On a quartz watch, the second hand has the tick-tick motion that moves once per second while mechanical watches have a smooth, sweeping seconds motion.

MECHANICAL MOVEMENT
Sweeping motion

QUARTZ MOVEMENT
Individual ticks

Mechanical.........................................................................Quartz

https://www.wixonjewelers.com/education/swiss-watches/watch-movements/

https://wornandwound.com/8-quartz-watches-worthy-of-your-attention/

The Precisionist platform Bulova introduced back in 2010. They feature a 262 kilohertz frequency (whereas a standard quartz oscillator has a 32 kilohertz frequency), which improves accuracy and results in a smooth sweep of the second hand.

Seiko Spring-Drive 9R

a Spring-Drive movement is largely mechanical except for one small fundamental part—the escapement. In its place is a tri-synchro regulator, which regulates all the energy of the Spring-Drive mechanism.

We wanted the ZX series of chronographs to pay tribute to the X-Plane project. The first case drawings drew inspiration from the X-15. The stubby, angular lugs of the ZX timepiece are reminiscent of the X-15's wings. The short lug length of 49mm makes it comfortable to wear for any wrist size, despite the seemingly large 43mm diameter.

The dials were influenced by the chronographs of the 1960s when the X-15 project was conceived. These dials were given a modern twist with the use of applied indices and subdials. A 2-layer dial is created to offer a sandwich effect, and this lower layer is painted with BGW9 luminous paint. We aim to achieve the brightest glow possible through the use of BGW9 lume, with some models having fully lumed subdials as well.

The 'Rocket' shaped hands and 'Nozzle' crown are custom designed to complete the entire timepiece. These touches are what sets the ZX series apart from other timepieces.

Materials were also an important consideration when designing this timepiece. Titanium is an important material used in high performance aircraft and we wanted to use this for a case. It offers a wearer increased comfort due to its light weight without any loss in strength. We also chose to brush and polish the titanium case, resulting in an elegant look to titanium instead of its usual matte sandblasted finish. Ceramic bezels are available on certain models due to its high hardness as bezels tends to encounter the most abuse.

Movement

The ZX Automatics are powered by the proven and reliable Swiss made Valjoux 7750 movement. The 7750 has seen decades of service in Swiss watches from the $1000-$10000 range. This will come in Elabore grade which offers a great view from the back.

Seiko VK67 Mechaquartz

We are also offering theZX series in a Seiko Mechaquartz movement. This is meant to make it more accessible in terms of price, as some might find a Swiss 7750 too rich for their budgets. A Mechaquartz movement runs off a Quartz crystal, but combines mechanical chronograph module. This means that the chrono second hand sweeps smoothly, along with a sharp reset function just like you would find in the 7750.
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[roadwarrior]

Hey Eric, don't ask me why, but it just dawned on me that it's possible the tick you're noticing could possibly be more pronounced because of the battery reaching the end of life. Even a Ronda 715, which is a lower cost movement ($10.95) has the EOL feature.

http://www.allwatchparts.com/Harley-Ronda-715-Watch-Movement_p_382.html

Product Specifications
Type Analog quartz movement
Line normtech
Caliber 715
Size 11½'''
Version Swiss Made 5 jewels / gold plated EOL
Version Swiss Parts 1 jewel / nickel plated
Standard battery life 6
THE MOVEMENT

What do I do if my watch has stopped running?

The first step is to see if the battery needs to be replaced. Most watch batteries are designed to last about 2 years. However, some quartz watches are designed to have extended battery life, which can last up to 3 or more years. (Most of these watches do not have second hands). A watch service technician will check the battery and the condition of the contacts.
The second hand ticks back and forth in one spot and the watch does not run.

This may indicate the watch is functioning electronically, but the mechanical portion is not due to a problem with the internal gearing. Quartz watches have insufficient power to push through obstructions like mainspring-wound watches. In this case, the watch movement most likely needs to be serviced. Although there are numerous conditions that cause this malfunction, it is usually corrected by complete maintenance.
My watch runs fine when I don't wear it, but it stops when I put it on.

This is somewhat of a common problem and could be because the electronic circuitry has a defect. One of the factors causing this to happen can be explained using the principles of basic physics. Expansion occurs when there is an increase in temperature. In this case, the electronic circuit may have a bad contact or defect within. When the watch is off the wrist at room temperature, all of the contact points and circuits function properly. However, when the watch is worn, body temperature causes a slight expansion and the circuit connection to break. This results in the watch no longer functioning. The circuit will need to be replaced in conjunction with a routine maintenance.
My watch always stops at midnight.

The watch is most likely stopping due to a problem with the calendar trip mechanism. You should bring it in for service.

THE TIMING

The second hand skips several seconds at a time.

This is a battery end-of-life indicator (EOL). Watches with this feature have electronic circuits that detect when the battery voltage is getting low. Their circuitry makes the second hand move forward erratically to alert the wearer that it is time to replace the battery. Installing a new battery should restore the second hand to advance normally.

THE BATTERY

I use my chronograph often and the battery life doesn’t last more than a year.

Using the chronograph function often or leaving it running constantly will considerably shorten battery life. It is important to understand that more battery power will be required to enable all of the numerous functions, more so than for basic timekeeping. It is not advisable to run the chronograph/stopwatch function continuously. In fact, some electronic chronograph/stopwatch functions will stop running automatically if left running for extended periods of time. To conserve battery power, it is best to stop the chronograph function when the timing feature is not being used.
I've had the watch for a year. Should I replace the battery just to be safe?

With many of today's quartz watches having an end-of-life (EOL) feature, it is not advisable to replace the battery until it is absolutely necessary. Opening the case presents the possibility of compromising the factory seals, resulting in the need to perform water-resistant maintenance before it is required.
How long does a battery last?

This depends on the age of the watch and the type/ number of functions (i.e., stopwatch chronograph applications, alarms, second hand, etc.). A battery should last for at least 1 year in analog watches and digital styles.
The alarm worked fine until the battery was changed.

Several factors can cause this problem. The most common explanation is that the alarm contact spring is not in the correct position. The watch may need to be sent to the service center. Other possible causes may be the case back was installed incorrectly or there is a problem with the alarm contact plate. The watch will usually need to be sent for service.

https://www.tourneau.com/watch-education/common-technical-questions.html

 

[bundamania]

Thanks Mike...Once again I was challenged by the English language, it's the audible tick noises each time it advances the second hand. None of my others make a noise? I've been real busy lately and sorry it took so long for my clarification. Great info. from you as usual!

 

[curiousgeorge]

Thanks Mike...Once again I was challenged by the English language, it's the audible tick noises each time it advances the second hand. None of my others make a noise? I've been real busy lately and sorry it took so long for my clarification. Great info. from you as usual!

I've never heard it in any of my quartz watches. Though in some mechanical hand winds and my tourby's I can hear the ticking if I put it up to my ears.

 

[bundamania]

I've never heard it in any of my quartz watches. Though in some mechanical hand winds and my tourby's I can hear the ticking if I put it up to my ears.

It sounds a little like a wall clock...thought I was hearing things...Thanks George.

 

[roadwarrior]

Thanks Mike...Once again I was challenged by the English language, it's the audible tick noises each time it advances the second hand. None of my others make a noise? I've been real busy lately and sorry it took so long for my clarification. Great info. from you as usual!

You gave me a project Eric. I'm going to find an ultra sensitive microphone and record a bunch of different quartz movements and make a video of them.

http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2008/07/sensitive-microphone-heartbeat-of-snail-ants/

Thomas Edison (or his students, one really never knows with him) worked on the carbon microphone in 1876. Since then, microphone technology has come a heck of a long way, from liquid microphones that rendered speech so you could actually understand it (early mics couldn’t render speech intelligibly), to condenser mics used for studio recordings and scientific recordings.

We’ve also got digital mics, silicon mics on a chip, parabolic microphones for spies and eavesdroppers, ribbon microphones, laser mics, electret condenser microphones, lavalier microphones that clip onto clothing for interviews and even speakers are sometimes used for mics in intercoms and walkie talkies (and by creative sound engineers ). We’ve come a long way.

Throat microphones are used to pick up voice in environments with lot of ambient noise and are a type of contact microphone. Some contact mics are used to pick up the sound from acoustic instruments (piezo mics), but a company in Japan called Sanken have a moving-coil contact microphone called the MO-64 that is sensitive enough to pick up the footsteps on an ant, or amazingly the heartbeat of a snail (which, by the way is about 10-40 bpm.
(example of 2 contact mics on an anthill)

This mic, which was developed a few years ago but hasn’t been available commercially until recently, isn’t the only high-sensitivity mic out there, but the great thing about this microphone is that it uses a tiny pin to detect vibration on a surface, therefore sound in the air is not picked up by the microphone. This allows very faint sounds to be amplified a great deal with little ambient noise.

 

[repOman]

@bundamania

Found this info...for what it's worth...

[FONT=q_serif]Mechanical watches - which are not at all synonymous with expensive watches - primarily use a mechanism called a mechanical escapement to transfer energy to the timekeeping element and to the hands that will produce a very faint ticking sound. In addition, most quartz watches with a seconds hand will also produce ticking noises because of the stepper motor that rotates the seconds hand around the watch dial. In both cases, the sound is quite faint, and a well-made watch will not make very much noise at all.[/FONT]

 

[roadwarrior]

Quartz watches that aren't typically “expensive” don't usually have a ticking noise.Watches that feature either hand wound or automatic movements do make a tick-tick sound, but is usually only noticeable when you hold the watch near your ear and listen carefully.

Oct 14, 2016

"Audible ticking is no indicator of quality, some expensive watches are quite loud and many cheap watches are basically silent.

Most expensive watches use a mechanical movement, which commonly features 21,600 or 28,800 "vibrations per hour" (3 or 4 hertz, respectively). This means each 1-second increment has 3-4 little movements instead of one big tick. This makes it look like a "sweep" rather than a "tick". Sounds like a bunch of fast and tiny clicks. The tick rate is not an indicator of quality.

Most cheap watches use a quartz movement, which has one big tick each second, which can often be heard. But, some expensive watches use a quartz movement as well. Rolex, Tag, Omega, Breitling, and many others currently make or have made quartz models.

Just like some expensive watches use a cheap movement, some "cheap" watches use relatively nice mechanical movements. EX: Steinhart Ocean series uses an ETA 2892-A2 movement, and sells under $500. Breitling's Galactic series uses the same base movement. A "21 Jewel" Citizen you get for $30, a $100 Invicta, and a $1,000 SevenFriday might all use the same Miyota movement."

 

[abbadon]

I don't believe it has anything to do with the cost of the quartz movement. A quartz watch will often make an audible "tick" sound when advancing from second to second - "tick tick tick tick" - I can hear it in almost every one of my quartz pieces from TAG to Timex - whereas a hand wound mechanical or automatic movement will sound like a continuous "tickatickatickaticka".