How to choose a wristwatch: quartz or mechanical

Most people choose a wristwatch from a photo, then find out it needs winding every day or fogs up in the first rain. The real difference is in the movement, the water protection and the strap. Here is what to check, with real prices from the Dona catalogue.

Wristwatch movement: quartz or mechanical#

A quartz watch runs on a battery. A quartz crystal vibrates at a very steady rate, so the watch keeps accurate time and needs no attention. The battery is usually replaced once every few years. The second hand moves in steps, one jump per second.

A mechanical watch has no battery; a spring powers it. It is much less accurate than quartz: a budget movement can gain or lose anything from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds a day. In return, there is no battery to replace, and the second hand sweeps smoothly instead of jumping. There are two kinds:

• Hand-wound. You turn the crown every day or every other day.
• Automatic. The movement of your wrist swings a rotor inside, which winds the spring. Leave the watch off for a day or two and it stops, so you have to set it again.

Simple rule: for a carefree everyday watch, buy quartz; for a gift, a collectible or the joy of the mechanism, buy mechanical.

What the water resistance mark means#

The dial or case back says “30M”, “3 ATM” or “Water resistant”. This is not a diving depth: 30 metres (3 ATM) means it survives hand-washing splashes and rain, but not swimming. For pool swimming, choose at least 50 metres (5 ATM); for snorkelling, 100 metres (10 ATM). Take it off for a hot shower or sauna: steam wears out the seals. With no mark, keep it away from water.

Water resistance depends on the crown, seals and case back: push the crown fully in after setting the time, and have the seal checked after a battery change.

Glass, case and strap#

• Glass. Budget watches use mineral glass, which scratches. Sapphire is much harder but is found on expensive models.
• Case. “Stainless steel” is a good sign. A light alloy case is cheaper, but its finish can fade over time.
• Strap. Leather looks classic but dislikes water. Silicone suits sport and summer. A metal bracelet lasts long and has to be shortened to fit your wrist.

Be careful with cheap watches carrying a brand name#

If a watch carrying a famous brand name sells for a small fraction of that brand’s official price, whether 50 thousand or a few million UZS, it is almost certainly a copy. The real brands do not cost that little. A copy’s movement and materials are unknown, and its papers and warranty are not genuine. That is why the list below only includes watches sold under their own name. More in how to spot a fake.

Real prices (Dona, October 2026)#

Prices are taken from the app catalogue as of 6 October 2026. A seller can change a price at any time; the current price and availability are shown on the product page in the app.

• SABR — quartz, Arabic numerals, magnetic strap, square case — 39,900 UZS. The cheapest option.
• VIOKAI — quartz, disc-shaped dial, black strap — 69,900 UZS.
• MakTaym — quartz, leather strap — 85,000 UZS.
• CHAXIGO — quartz, stainless steel, in a gift box — 199,000 UZS.
• FLENT — mechanical; per its catalogue listing it “also works from hand movement” — 599,000 UZS. For those who want a mechanical watch.

What to check in a live stream#

Photos mislead about size, so ask the seller to put it on: does the case overhang the wrist, how thick is it. If there is a central second hand and it jumps once a second on a “mechanical” watch, it is quartz; a smooth hand alone proves nothing, as sweep-hand quartz exists. If the dial has a window onto the movement, ask the seller to wind or gently shake the watch first, then show a close-up: in a running mechanical watch the balance wheel swings back and forth non-stop. If nothing moves at all, it is decoration. Also ask: “What is the water resistance?”, “Can you shorten the bracelet?”, “Does the date change by itself?”.

Looking for a gift? Read how to choose a gift without leaving home. If you want notifications and a step counter, a smartwatch is the better fit.