What makes an antique watch tick?

Last updated on November 26, 2024

When people think of antique watches, one of the most iconic associations is the sound of ticking. That steady, rhythmic tick has become deeply intertwined with the passage of time, symbolising the precision and reliability we expect from these mechanical timepieces. A commonly held belief is that quartz watches tick while mechanical watches produce a sweeping motion. While there is some truth to this, it is not entirely accurate. Most mechanical watches, in fact, do tick, although the movement of the second hand may appear smoother. In this discussion, we’ll explore the true nature of ticking and answer the question: What makes an antique watch tick?

Power source: the heart of timekeeping

To understand why watches tick, we need to look at what drives them: their power source. Mechanical watches rely on a mainspring, a tightly wound coil of metal that stores energy. As the mainspring unwinds, this energy is gradually released to power the movement of the watch hands. The tension created by the spring’s resistance to uncoiling is the force that keeps the watch running. However, there needs to be a system in place regulating how energy is released. This is where the escapement comes in, a crucial part of any watch’s movement.

The escapement: regulating the flow of energy

The escapement is the core mechanism that dictates how energy from the power source is released into the watch. In a mechanical watch, without this regulating system, energy would be expended too quickly, causing the hands to spin wildly. The escapement solves this problem by releasing energy in controlled, precise increments, enabling the watch hands to move in small steps, resulting in the familiar ticking sound.

In a mechanical watch, the escapement is composed of several components, including the escape wheel, the pallet fork, and the balance wheel. As the escape wheel turns, its teeth interact with the pallet stones, which are mounted on the pallet fork. This process slows down the release of energy from the mainspring, allowing the hands to advance incrementally. The balance wheel, which oscillates back and forth, plays a key role in determining how frequently these ticks occur, creating the rhythm of the watch’s timekeeping.

The tick: the sound of time

At its most basic level, the ticking sound you hear from a watch is the result of mechanical interactions within the escapement. When the teeth of the escape wheel collide with the pallet stones, a small burst of energy is released. As a result, this impact produces a ticking sound. Each time this happens, it signifies that a precise amount of energy has been transferred, allowing the second hand to move forward.

The frequency of mechanical watches

Mechanical watches operate at different frequencies, measured in vibrations per hour (vph). A typical antique watch runs at 18,000 vph, which means the balance wheel vibrates 18,000 times per hour. Since each vibration corresponds to one “tick,” this results in five ticks per second. The higher the frequency, the more ticks occur per second. This creates the illusion of a smoother, sweeping motion of the second hand. However, if you look closely at an antique watch with an 18,000 vph frequency, you’ll still see the tiny, discrete steps of the second hand as it advances with each tick.

Unlike the one-second jump of modern quartz watches, mechanical watches offer a smoother transition. However, the watch still ticks multiple times per second, rather than moving in a truly continuous motion. Each tick is the result of a vibration of the balance wheel, which is carefully regulated by the escapement, ensuring that the watch keeps accurate time.

The escape wheel: the watch’s braking system

A key component in controlling the ticking is the escape wheel. The escape wheel acts like a brake, preventing the stored energy in the mainspring from being released all at once. As the balance wheel oscillates, the escapement unlocks momentarily, allowing the escape wheel to move forward one tooth at a time. This controlled release of energy moves the hands of the watch forward incrementally, creating the ticking sound.

Each time the escape wheel’s tooth strikes the pallet stone, it releases just enough energy to move the watch’s hands forward slightly. This is what creates the audible “tick” sound in mechanical watches. The sound itself is generated by the repeated collision of the escape wheel with the pallet fork, an interaction designed to slow down the flow of energy so the watch doesn’t run out of power too quickly.

Why we hear the tick: a closer look at the sound of time

The ticking of a watch is not just a byproduct of timekeeping, it’s a carefully engineered sound. The volume and frequency of the tick depend on several factors, including the escapement’s design, the materials used in the watch, and the precision of the components. In a well-crafted mechanical watch, the tick can be soft and rhythmic, almost like a heartbeat. In quartz watches, the tick is often louder and more noticeable due to the larger movements of the second hand.

Antique watches, in particular, often have a louder more pronounced tick, due to the older materials and technologies used in their construction. As a result, the ticking becomes an audible reminder of the intricate mechanisms at work within the watch. This gives these antiques a special charm that is absent in many modern, battery-powered timepieces. I must admit, as sad as it is, I quite enjoy winging up a handful of my watches and just sitting at my desk and listening to them tick. An antique watch ticks so much louder than a modern watch, the sound is music to my ears.

Summary

In summary, the ticking of an antique watch is more than just a nostalgic sound. The ticking is the audible proof of the complex mechanical dance taking place inside. The tightly wound mainspring of every watch relies on its escapement to regulate the flow of energy. This ensures the hands move in controlled steps rather than spinning out of control. Each tick is the result of a carefully timed release of power, a testament to the precision of watchmaking. The next time you hear a watch tick, remember that you’re listening to centuries of watchmaking innovation, packed into a small yet incredibly sophisticated device. Each tick is a small step forward in time, a simple reminder that time marches on, one tick at a time.