Why mechanical watches are most loved

   Why do most watch enthusiasts obsess over mechanical watches? It sounds simple, but quite a few friends still confuse mechanical watches with quartz watches. Why do people love mechanical watches? Speaking about why he loves mechanical watches, one friend put it this way: “I love mechanical watches because every jump of the hand is the accumulation of time and the inheritance of culture, turning the classic into eternity.” While this phrasing sounds very ornate and poetic, do not let such beautiful words distract you from the issue at hand, because the hands of a mechanical watch generally sweep smoothly and quietly across the dial, whereas ticking hands that jump every second usually belong to a quartz watch. Therefore, it is very necessary for us to figure out what a mechanical watch actually is.

　　A mechanical watch, simply put, is a timepiece driven entirely by internal mechanical structures such as mainsprings and gears, rather than batteries, solar power, or other energy sources. They are further divided into manual-winding mechanical watches and automatic mechanical watches; as the names suggest, we will not elaborate further. Nowadays, there is also an additional type of smart watch spearheaded by a certain fruit company. In truth, these multi-functional or smart watches that require continuous charging still belong to a variant of electronic quartz watches, or upgraded products of electronic quartz watches, and remain distinct—or worlds apart—from mechanical watches.

　　1, mechanical watches best represent the beauty of craftsmanship

　　Many friends mention that mechanical watches represent industrial beauty, but if we merely say that mechanical watches represent industrial beauty, the argument is certainly lacking in persuasion. Why is that? Because whether we look at electronic watches, quartz watches, or smart watches, which of them is not a product of industrialisation and modernisation? Why can they not represent industrial beauty? Furthermore, what exactly is this so-called industrial beauty? One of the outcomes brought by large-scale industrialisation is the ability to efficiently and massively produce uniform products. If this can be called beauty, it must be a beauty of scale and speed, yet the charm of mechanical watches lies precisely in the opposite. It is a beauty of small and delicate proportions, a beauty closely linked to handcrafting. As we all know, those designed and crafted by N factories nowadaysNoob watchfrom movement manufacturing, grinding and polishing, engraving and lacquer painting, through to jewellery setting, are almost entirely completed by hand, bearing a close resemblance to other exquisite handicrafts. They belong to handmade art rather than industrial products, which is the main way mechanical watches differ from electronic quartz and smart watches, and something electronic quartz and smart watches can never replace.

　　2, the harmonious beauty between mechanical watches and the human body

　　What is meant by “the harmonious beauty with the human body”? To put it rather bluntly, do handsome quartz watches, electronic watches, and smart watches not have this? We know that humans need to eat, drink, work, exercise, and maintain health every day, and mechanical watches also require frequent adjustment and careful maintenance, which actually takes quite a bit of effort. In this regard, there is a wonderful resonance with living entities. Electronic quartz watches fitted with a battery can keep accurate time for years without issue, and they are very robust; although they save you trouble, they feel rather cold and lifeless. And smart watches? They are fully featured, almost to the point where whatever you can think of, they can do, and whatever you haven't thought of, someone else can make them do for you. Aside from remembering to charge them every day, there seems to be nothing special to prepare for them. By comparison, does a mechanical watch truly feel like a demanding little companion, yet many people still remain intoxicated by it, unable to extricate themselves, infatuated with the process of adjusting it, and captivated by watching its lively motion? Even though looking after its maintenance breaks your heart, you stay by its side through thick and thin—truly embodying “my clothes are getting looser, yet I do not regret it, pining away for her”. Such emotion and dedication go far beyond any harmonious beauty with the human body, reaching a level of intimate coexistence with the soul. The unique magic possessed by mechanical watches, even if electronic quartz and smart watches possess a fraction of it, is genuinely not in the same league and simply incomparable.

　　3, mechanical watches possess a unique and enduring beauty of heritage

　　Mechanical watchHigh-end mechanical watches, in particular, are unique artisanal creations, which is precisely what makes them distinctive and worthy of appreciation, rather than serving merely as functional or utilitarian objects. Because of this uniqueness, the process of thoughtful appreciation can elevate the experience to a spiritual level. A friend on social media commented on this as follows: “ A mechanical watch is a heritage of craftsmanship and history; it is a soulful work of art painstakingly handcrafted by watchmakers, which can never be replaced by cold, industrial products ”. I deeply agree with this sentiment; the beauty of the uniqueness and heritage of mechanical watches cannot be compared to simple industrial mass-produced items. Furthermore, industrial products like electronic quartz watches and smartwatches, beyond lacking uniqueness and collectability, are defined by their lack of rarity due to the massive quantities produced. Conversely, mechanical watches (primarily referring to high-end replica watches) are, by virtue of their manual production, not only unique but also impossible to mass-produce, which destines them to hold greater value for collection and inheritance.

　　Mechanical watches are unique, rare, emotionally resonant, and inheritable works of craftsmanship. Much like how clients for certain prestigious Patek Philippe models must be personally interviewed by the company's president to earn the right to own one, the same applies to replica watches; they belong only to those who understand, love, and cherish them.