What causes a quartz watch to stop intermittently?

　　The causes for intermittent stopping in mechanical and quartz watches are often vastly different, with numerous possibilities, and repairs require identifying the root cause to apply the correct remedy. So, what causes a quartz watch to stop intermittently and what should be done about it?

　　Causes of intermittent stopping in quartz watches

　　(1) Intermittent stopping caused by low battery: when a quartz watch has low power and requires a battery replacement, unstable voltage prevents consistent power supply, leading to intermittent stopping.

　　(2) Intermittent stopping caused by magnetisation: when a watch is magnetised, the hands may stick together when they meet, causing skipping. In severe cases, magnetisation can even cause the watch to stop completely.

　　(3) Intermittent stopping caused by poor contact: if there is poor contact within parts such as the circuit board of a quartz watch, the watch is also prone to intermittent stopping.

　　(4) Intermittent stopping caused by movement failure: wheel train issues within the movement can also lead to the watch stopping intermittently.

　　(5) Intermittent stopping caused by pivot damage: the worst-case scenario is damaged watch bearings or coaxial intermittent stopping.

　　Tips for adjusting time and maintenance

　　1. Please use and adjust the watch correctly. Before using an automatic mechanical watch for the first time, it must be wound manually, but remember not to overwind it so as to avoid damaging the movement and jamming the mechanism. Take care to gently pull and push the crown when adjusting, without using excessive force. Once adjusted, ensure the crown is pushed fully back in to prevent water resistance failure caused by an unsealed crown!

　　2. All mechanical watches have a bedding-in period. During this period, a daily rate variation of plus or minus one minute within 24 hours is considered normal. Once the bedding-in period has passed and the watch enters a stable phase, a secondary adjustment can be made! The bedding-in period is generally set at three months!

　　3. For multi-functional models, take care not to press the chronograph pushers arbitrarily, and remember not to press them in rapid succession! The chronograph function should not be used when the mainspring is fully wound. The sapphire crystal must not rub against diamonds or other glass surfaces!

　　Solutions for Quartz Watch Intermittent Stopping

　　If a watch has previously stopped, a gentle shake may get it running again. At this point, you can manually wind it (turning the crown a few dozen times) and observe the timekeeping. If it runs significantly slow within 24 hours, you can conclude that the watch is suffering from intermittent stopping. If the timekeeping is normal and it stops by the following day, the issue is simply insufficient power.

　　Some watches may have lower automatic winding efficiency and rely on arm movement. Typing on a keyboard while wearing the watch involves too little wrist motion, resulting in very low winding efficiency. If you prefer not to wind it manually, you can place the watch face down and gently shake it flat for a few minutes every night before going to bed.

　　If intermittent stopping is caused by a movement fault, the entire movement is generally replaced outright. Unlike mechanical watches, quartz watches cannot be repaired by replacing individual movement components. Therefore, once a movement issue is confirmed, it is best to take it directly to a professional watch repairer for a movement replacement.

　　Preventing intermittent stopping in quartz watches is quite straightforward: replace the battery promptly when it runs low. Avoid subjecting the watch to heavy impacts during use. If the watch begins to stop intermittently, you should take it to a professional watch repair service for inspection without delay. Many people hold misconceptions about quartz watch maintenance, believing that simply changing the battery when power is low is enough, while neglecting overall servicing. Like mechanical watches, quartz watches also require movement maintenance; due to different internal structures, wear and tear is lower, and servicing is generally only needed once every 4-5 years or so.