
The use of IIII also brings more balance between the left and right sides of the dial. First, the use of IIII allows the clock or watch dial to be divided into three groups of four numerals: the I group (I, II, III, III, IIII), the V group (V, VI, VII, VIII), and the X group (IX, X, XI, XII). It was only during the 15th century that the use of the subtractive system became the norm… except for the 4 of the clock dials (hence the name “watchmaker’s four” given to the IIII). These 2 writing systems were used interchangeably during Antiquity. The subtractive principle (4 = IV, 9 = IX), only appeared later, during the imperial period. It is worth knowing that initially, the Roman numeration system was based solely on an additive principle: 1 = I, 2 = II, 3 = III, 4 = IIII, 5 = V, 9 = VIIII, and so on. Have you ever noticed that, on most watch dials, the number 4 is often written IIII instead of IV as the Roman numeration rule would have it? Depending on the model, you may have to bring your quartz watch to a watchmaker or a jeweller to get the battery changed. As far as maintenance, mechanical watches need servicing about every five years, while quartz watches typically need new batteries every 2 years. A mechanical watch (even from a luxury brand such as Longines, Breguet, TAG Heuer, Philippe Patek, Rolex, Tissot or Seiko) will typically gain or lose a few seconds a day. It’s a one-of-a-kind sight for a lover of all things mechanical.Ĭompared to quartz watches, mechanical watches are generally more fragile, more expensive and less accurate timekeepers. Mechanical watches are usually preferred over quartz watches because of their skeletonized appearance, which allows their wearer a peek at the working machinery of the watch.
Steampunk pocket watch manual#
An automatic movement is powered by the kinetic energy created by the wrist and arm movements, while a manual movement need to be powered by winding the crown every 24 or 48 hours. There are two types of movement (also referred to as clockwork or mechanism) found in mechanical watches: automatic (self-winding) and manual (hand-wound).
Steampunk pocket watch series#
On the other hand, a mechanical watch uses a mechanical movement consisting of an intricate series of springs and gears working together to produce, store and release the energy to power the watch.

A quartz watch is a battery-powered watch that uses an electronic quartz oscillator to measure the passage of time. If you’re considering buying a steampunk watch, you need to understand the pros and cons of mechanical vs quartz watches. If you’re in the market for a mechanical watch, you should prefer a model with a Swiss or Japanese movement (which are known to be very reliable), or a watch that comes with a warranty. Please note that mechanical watches are typically more fragile than quartz ones. The first section is dedicated to steampunk wrist watches, and the second to steampunk pocket watches ( click here to directly see the pocket watches).

To help you pick the steampunk watch that meets your taste and needs, we’ve listed the best models available today. In addition to their dazzling Neo-Victorian vibe, steampunk watches allow you to keep track of time and they offer a unique way to feel the power of the past, present and (retro-)future all in one.

Only steampunk wrist watches, pocket watches and watch cufflinks (when wearing a shirt and a suit jacket) come to mind. And of course, you can’t miss with a steampunk watch.Ĭonversely, men have fewer choices. You can also wear steampunk clothing (gothic skirt, corset) or some victorian jewelry (lace bracelet, choker necklace), but that might be going overboard. When you’re a woman, you have lots of ways to add a steampunk feel to your everyday wardrobe: steampunk necklaces, steampunk rings, steampunk earings, you name it.
