Since the 19th century, classic wristwatches have been around us. Even before the emergence of new alternatives, such as digital watches that began to appear a few decades ago and smartwatches, which in recent years have been attracting more followers, the traditional examples with hands have refused to disappear.
Despite having been around for a long time, analog wristwatches continue to be used in a massive way and not only as an eye-catching accessory, since the technology behind them gives them precision and a long useful life cycle. that inspire confidence.
Mechanical watches versus quartz watches
The first wristwatches to become widespread in the world were mechanical watches. To function, a gear system calibrated to keep pace with the hour must be actuated by a spring, which must be periodically tensioned by hand, to ensure that it continues to run thanks to the accumulated kinetic energy.
New electronically operated clocks began to appear in the early 1920s. In appearance, they are very similar to their predecessors. However, its operation is different, as it has a piece of quartz that generates, feeding energy through a battery, the impulses necessary to vibrate at a constant rate, by which the passage of seconds is measured.
This last variant is the one that has prevailed over time. A large part of the analog clocks that circulate today are based on this operating mechanism.
How does a quartz watch measure time?
The passage of time in an analog and electronic watch is measured through the constant vibration of one of its components, driven by the quartz through an electrical impulse.
The key component in question usually consists of an oscillator, tuned to generate a constant, periodic signal. This vibration is captured by a circuit that processes these stimuli, dividing them into minutes, seconds and hours, in order to activate the mechanical gears of its hands.
The resonator of this type of watch vibrates at a frequency of 32,768 hertz in general, because this figure is an exact power of two, which makes it possible to speed up the work of its frequency dividing mechanism. Thanks to this condition, despite the passage of time these watches enjoy an excellent reputation, given the precision with which they work. The most modest ones have a margin of error of two seconds a day, while the most robust ones reduce this indicator to 0.1 seconds, patenting a precision index higher than 99%.
Depending on the complexity of the watch in question, this system can also activate alternative elements, such as a stopwatch if available or a digital display, if it is a hybrid example.
Analog clocks with additional functions
Taking advantage of the capabilities of this watchmaking system, there are watches that have additional hand panels to the hour indicator. In some cases, these correspond to a date indicator or a stopwatch that can be activated separately. Also, other examples may contain some lighting system, alarms and countdowns. To see them inside there is nothing like a video with someone restoring a classic:
In terms of design, these examples tend to attract attention because they contain an alternative panel that in appearance is similar to the tachometer of a vehicle.
In general, these types of wristwatches have more than one control knob or button, to operate each of their functions separately.
The operating dynamics after these added tools are similar to those mentioned with respect to the basic dynamics of a quartz watch. Everything is reduced to the same principle, but in those multifunction watches, their operating mechanism is usually more complex to be able to enjoy such characteristics.
Where to get a good classic watch?
Among the available alternatives, due to their quality and variety of designs, we have several brands: Rolex, Omega, Seiko, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe … today we are going to talk about the details of one that I have closer to (on the wrist): Nordgreen, with prices that are not as high as that of some of his brothers.
Nordgreen is a Copenhagen-based brand that offers analog wristwatches at affordable prices. It has varieties for all tastes, both for men and women.
Its Philosopher and Native models are its unisex variants, with a sober and elegant character. For women, the Infinity model is also available, which is emerging more as a colorful and robust accessory; while for men, the Pioneer model is also present, which has a tachometer design, like the one mentioned above, with stopwatch functions in its additional panels.
The difference between watches for men and women is made mainly by their size. However, this does not constitute a real limitation to choose between one model and another.
The materials from which all Nordgreen models are made are of good quality. Its stainless steel parts coexist with sapphire parts that give these specimens great quality and durability, although for my taste it lacks weight (I like heavy watches, which we are going to do).
On its website you can find the complete catalog of this brand. Some watches are sold in a complete kit, ready for use, while others can be personalized by choosing from the available bracelets.
These are watches that do not usually exceed 200 euros, so I find it a good option to have a quality watch without spending the thousands of euros for some excellent options in this sector.
