A watch’s movement — what’s on the inside, powering the device’s timekeeping functions — can say a lot about its quality and purpose. Which movement technology is best is also a huge debate among watch fans.
On one side sit Quartz movements. They became popular in the mid-to late 1970s and are known for being exceptionally accurate and light to wear. They’re also usually cheap to make and buy. But they require a battery replacement every so often to keep the watch working.
On the other side you have mechanical watch movements, a technology which dates back to the 17th century. They work at the most basic level by unwinding the tension stored in a spring in a controlled manner. Simpler mechanical watch movements require wearers to wind the watch’s crown regularly to keep running it.
Automatic mechanical movements are much less of a hassle to operate. They feature a rotating weight known as a rotor, which spins as wearers move their wrists, harnessing kinetic energy to constantly wind the watch’s spring.
This means automatic watches never require manual winding as long as they’re worn consistently and routinely serviced.
For most people, the appeal of watches than can keep running without battery swaps or winding is obvious. And that’s before you factor in the charm of owning an intricately crafted machine.
Welcome to a new era of choice
Watch fans used to have only two options: buy an affordable quartz watch or an expensive automatic version. But that’s now changed thanks to brands like MVMT.
Pronounced “movement,” the California-based company is unlike any other approachable micro brand out there. It was founded specifically to make quality timepieces that were both affordable and distinguished by modern, versatile designs inspired by life on the West Coast. After being acquired by the Movado Group, in 2018, the company also gained access to 140 years of watchmaking expertise, research, and infrastructure.
This is why the brand is today known for its well-crafted, feature-rich watches which offer fresh looks in categories otherwise filled with the same stale homages.
The company’s growing line of automatic mechanical watches in the sub-$500 zone showcases all of these strengths.
The ultra-thin 42mm Legacy Slim Automatic dress watch is available in four different styles, including classic white and blue faces on leather straps and even a bold emerald green on a gold-colored bracelet. But it’s the sheer slimness of this watch that makes it stand out.
At just 7.8mm — less than the thickness of four nickels — it’s the slimmest automatic watch available under $500. The result is a timepiece that’s effortless to wear and, when you consider that the automatic movement’s more than 140 components fit inside, it’s an engineering marvel that’s just plain cool.
In the tool watch category, the sporty 40mm Cali Diver can handle more than just underwater adventures since it also includes a full GMT complication that allows wearers to track another time zone. Oh, and it’s ISO-certified with 200m water resistance — a difficult (and costly) certification to obtain, making its sub-$500 price that much more impressive. Fun fact for gamers and the “tacti-cool” inclined: MVMT developed a custom Cali Diver Automatic for an upcoming collaboration with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
For an all-rounder that’s even more affordable, there’s MVMT’s 46.5mm Raptor Automatic, which offers motoring-inspired details, while the 44mm Classic II mirrors the classic styling of everyday watches.
