When Were Quartz Clocks Invented?

Quartz battery powered clocks were invented in the 1920's. They did not become readily available until the 1970's when advances in technology made the production of them affordable to everyone. They are extremely accurate time keepers and are not only popular as clocks but also wristwatches.

Bell Labs was one of the first to use quartz as a clock mechanism in 1927. This was accomplished by introducing electricity into the quartz to create a precise frequency.

Quartz clock operation is based on this technology. Unlike the mechanical clock, the quartz version does not use gears to measure time. Instead it uses quartz and an electronic oscillator. The quartz crystal is shaped like that of a small tuning fork. It is lapped to vibrate at 32,768 Hz. With each electrical impulse from the battery powered electronic oscillator, a precise frequency vibration is created. It is this precise frequency which runs the timepiece.

Quartz can have its disadvantages, too. Temperature changes and impurities in the quartz itself can cause slight drifting in the vibrations over time which can alter the size and shape. Regardless, the quartz clock is considered to be one of the most accurate.

With the development of semiconductors, quartz technology entered a new era and popularity. In 1969 the first commercial quartz wristwatch was introduced. Today the most popular wristwatches are those which run on quartz technology. Quartz powered timepieces are the most inexpensive and accurate of all that are available on the market today for the general consumer.