When most people hear the word "jewel," they imagine shimmering diamonds or sparkling gemstones. But in the world of horology, jewels are far from ornamental—they are functional powerhouses that keep your watch running smoothly. Let’s delve into what makes these tiny components so critical to the inner workings of your watch and how they’ve evolved over time.

What Exactly Are Watch Jewels?

Watch jewels are small, incredibly hard bearings made from synthetic rubies or sapphires. Unlike decorative gems, their purpose is purely mechanical: reducing friction and ensuring your timepiece’s movement operates efficiently and accurately. Think of them as the unsung heroes of your watch, silently working to prolong its life and maintain precision.

Why Do Watches Use Jewels?

• Friction Fighters: At its core, a watch is a mechanical marvel with countless moving parts. Jewels are placed at key friction points, like where gears and pivots meet, to reduce wear and tear caused by metal-on-metal contact. This ensures smoother movement and greater accuracy over time.

• Durability Champions: Beyond minimizing friction, jewels help extend the lifespan of critical components. By reducing wear, they keep your watch ticking reliably for years to come.

• Precision Enhancers: Jewels ensure that the intricate parts of your watch, from gears to levers, function seamlessly. This translates into better timekeeping performance.

Where Are Jewels Found in a Watch?

Most jewels in a watch are crafted from synthetic rubies or sapphires. These materials are chosen for their hardness, smoothness, and resistance to scratching—ideal traits for minimizing friction. Natural gemstones, while beautiful, are prohibitively expensive, inconsistent in quality, and far less practical for watchmaking. Lab-grown jewels provide uniformity and affordability without sacrificing performance.

Do More Jewels Mean a Better Watch?

It’s a common misconception that a higher jewel count equals a superior watch. Here’s the reality:

• Standard Movements: Most mechanical watches require around 17 jewels to perform basic functions.

• Complicated Movements: Watches with additional features like chronographs or perpetual calendars may use more jewels—sometimes 30 or more—to support these added mechanisms.

• Practicality Over Numbers: Beyond a certain point, additional jewels serve little practical purpose unless they’re required by the movement’s design.

Do All Watches Use Jewels?

• Mechanical Watches: These rely heavily on jewels due to their intricate, constantly moving parts. Jewels play a vital role in ensuring durability and precision.

• Quartz Watches: With fewer moving parts, quartz movements typically require fewer jewels—sometimes just one or two, or even none at all. These watches rely more on electronic components than mechanical ones.

The History of Watch Jewels

The use of jewels in watchmaking dates back to the late 1700s, when they were first introduced as a means to improve durability and accuracy. Initially considered a luxury, advancements in technology and the widespread adoption of synthetic jewels have made them a standard feature in modern watchmaking.

Discover Precision with Marathon Watches

At Marathon Watch, we understand the importance of every detail, including the expertly placed jewels that power our timepieces. Whether you’re seeking a rugged tool watch or an elegant everyday companion, our watches are built to perform with precision and durability.

Explore the full Marathon Watch collection and find your perfect timepiece today: https://marathonwatch.com/collections/watches.