Miyota movement is a type of quartz or mechanical movement manufactured by Miyota, a Japanese company known for producing high-quality watch mechanisms. As one of the most popular and reliable movements in the world, Miyota movements are often found in many luxury and mid-range watches. They are celebrated for their precision, durability, and affordability, making them a preferred choice for numerous watch brands globally.
In the world of horology (the science of timekeeping), the movement, also referred to as the “heart” or “engine” of the watch, is the mechanism that drives the hands and keeps accurate time. Miyota, part of the Citizen Group, has earned its reputation as a trusted supplier of reliable movements since its founding in 1959.
In this article, we’ll delve into the key aspects of Miyota movements, exploring their history, types, technology, and the brands that use them.
History of Miyota
The story of Miyota began in 1959, in a small town in Japan. At this time, Japan was emerging as a leader in precision engineering, and Miyota became part of this movement, literally. The company quickly made a name for itself by producing movements that were not only accurate but also affordable.
Miyota is a subsidiary of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., one of the most well-known Japanese watchmakers. While Citizen manufactures its watches, Miyota supplies movements to a wide range of brands, both inside and outside Japan. The connection to Citizen adds credibility to the brand, as Citizen has been a leader in watchmaking for over a century.
Miyota movements became particularly prominent during the rise of quartz watches in the 1970s. The “Quartz Crisis” of that period revolutionized the watch industry by making accurate watches more affordable, and Miyota played a major role in this transformation.
What is a Watch Movement?
Before diving deeper into Miyota, it’s essential to understand the concept of a “watch movement.” A watch movement is the internal mechanism responsible for keeping time and powering the watch’s functions, such as the hands, date, or additional features like chronographs. There are two primary types of movements: quartz and mechanical. Each has its pros and cons, and Miyota produces both types, which we’ll discuss further.
Quartz Movements
Quartz movements use a small battery to power the watch. A tiny quartz crystal oscillates at a precise frequency (usually 32,768 vibrations per second) when an electric current passes through it. This oscillation keeps the movement ticking, and its precision ensures the watch keeps accurate time.
Quartz movements are known for their accuracy, typically losing or gaining only a few seconds per month. They are also more affordable and require less maintenance compared to mechanical movements, as they have fewer moving parts. Miyota is one of the most significant quartz movement manufacturers, supplying affordable, durable, and highly reliable quartz movements to many brands.
Mechanical Movements
Mechanical movements, on the other hand, rely on a complex system of gears, springs, and other mechanical components. They require manual winding or automatic winding (through the movement of the wearer’s wrist) to power the watch. Mechanical movements are highly prized for their craftsmanship and the skill required to assemble them.
There are two main types of mechanical movements:
Manual: Requires the wearer to wind the crown to power the watch.
Automatic: Uses a rotor inside the watch that winds the mainspring as the wearer moves their wrist.
Miyota is best known for its automatic movements, which are highly respected for their durability and accuracy.
Types of Miyota Movements
Miyota produces a wide variety of movements to cater to different types of watches, ranging from quartz movements to sophisticated automatic ones. Here, we’ll break down the most common types of Miyota movements:
Miyota Quartz Movements
Miyota quartz movements are known for their reliability, accuracy, and affordability. These are often found in fashion watches and are the go-to choice for brands looking to create stylish yet cost-effective timepieces.
Miyota 2035: One of the most popular quartz movements, known for its thin profile, making it ideal for slim watch designs. It’s simple but highly reliable, often found in fashion-forward brands.
Miyota 2115: A standard three-hand movement with a date complication. This movement is often used in entry-level quartz watches.
Miyota 6S: This is a more complex quartz movement that includes chronograph functions, allowing it to track elapsed time, commonly used in sports watches.
Miyota Automatic Movements
Miyota is particularly celebrated for its automatic movements. These movements are self-winding, which means they wind themselves using the natural motion of the wearer’s wrist. Miyota’s automatic movements are known for their robustness and accuracy, offering excellent value for money.
Miyota 8215: One of the most famous and widely used movements, the 8215 is an automatic movement with 21 jewels, offering a power reserve of about 42 hours. It has a date complication and operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour (vph). This movement is praised for its reliability and ease of servicing, making it a favorite among watchmakers.
Miyota 9015: This is part of Miyota’s “Premium” series. The 9015 is a higher-end automatic movement that operates at 28,800 vph, offering smoother hand movement and improved accuracy. It also has a power reserve of about 42 hours. Many consider the 9015 a rival to Swiss movements like ETA, as it delivers Swiss-like quality at a more affordable price.
Miyota 9039: This is a no-date version of the 9015, designed for minimalist watches that prefer a clean dial without a date complication. It’s also a part of the premium line and operates at 28,800 vph.
Miyota Mechanical Movements
While Miyota is best known for its automatic and quartz movements, the company also produces manual mechanical movements. These are less common but still widely respected.
Miyota Caliber 6T33: A hand-wound mechanical movement with 17 jewels, known for its slim profile. It’s used in more traditional, minimalist watches that pay homage to classic mechanical timepieces.
Why Miyota Movements Are Popular
Several factors have contributed to the global popularity of Miyota movements. They have become a favorite choice for both independent watchmakers and well-established brands due to the following key attributes:
Reliability
Miyota movements are widely recognized for their dependability. Whether it’s quartz or automatic, Miyota’s movements are built to last, often running for years without needing major maintenance.
Affordability
While Swiss-made movements like ETA are often more expensive, Miyota offers similar reliability and accuracy at a fraction of the cost. This affordability has allowed many watch brands to offer quality timepieces without breaking the bank.
See Also: Tissot Automatic vs Powermatic: What is the Difference?
Precision
Quartz movements are inherently more accurate than mechanical ones, and Miyota’s quartz movements are no exception. Their quartz movements can be accurate to within a few seconds per month. On the other hand, their mechanical and automatic movements, especially the 9015, are praised for their excellent timekeeping abilities.
Durability
Miyota movements are tough. They’re built to withstand everyday wear and tear, making them an excellent choice for both luxury and everyday watches. Many watch enthusiasts value Miyota for producing movements that are robust enough to last for decades with proper care.
Easy to Service
Miyota movements are straightforward to service, which is another reason they’re preferred by many watchmakers. Since parts are widely available, it’s easy for a watchmaker to repair or replace Miyota movements without the need for expensive or hard-to-find components.
Miyota vs. Swiss Movements
When comparing Miyota movements to Swiss-made movements like ETA or Sellita, there are several factors to consider. While Swiss movements are often regarded as the gold standard in the watch industry, Miyota movements hold their own in several key areas:
Cost: Miyota movements are significantly more affordable than Swiss movements. This is a major selling point for brands looking to offer quality watches at lower price points.
Availability: Miyota movements are widely available, making them a go-to choice for many watchmakers. In contrast, Swiss movements can sometimes be harder to source, especially for smaller brands.
Performance: While Swiss movements are known for their craftsmanship, Miyota’s higher-end movements, such as the 9015, offer similar levels of performance, particularly in terms of accuracy and durability.
Brand Prestige: One area where Swiss movements often have the upper hand is in terms of brand prestige. Some watch enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium for the “Swiss Made” label. However, this does not diminish the performance and quality of Miyota movements.
Brands that Use Miyota Movements
Many watch brands, from luxury to affordable, use Miyota movements in their timepieces. Some of these include:
Citizen: As Miyota is part of Citizen, it makes sense that Citizen uses Miyota movements in many of its watches, particularly in their more affordable models.
Bulova: Another brand under the Citizen umbrella, Bulova uses Miyota movements in some of its watches.
Fossil Group: Known for making fashion-forward yet affordable watches, Fossil often uses Miyota quartz and automatic movements in its timepieces.
MVMT: This newer brand, known for its minimalist designs, uses Miyota quartz movements in many of its watches.
Invicta: Invicta, a brand known for its bold designs, also frequently uses Miyota movements in its watches.
Vincero: Vincero is a microbrand that has gained popularity in recent years. Many of its automatic watches feature Miyota movements, particularly the 8215 and 9015.
Dan Henry: Another independent brand that uses Miyota movements, offering high-quality watches at a relatively affordable price point.
Conclusion
Miyota movements are a cornerstone in the world of watchmaking. Known for their reliability, precision, and affordability, they have earned a strong reputation among watch enthusiasts and brands alike. Whether it’s a quartz movement that powers a fashion watch or a high-end automatic movement that rivals Swiss craftsmanship, Miyota offers something for every type of watch lover.
Their contributions to both the affordable and luxury watch markets have cemented their place as one of the most respected movement manufacturers in the world. For anyone considering purchasing a watch with a Miyota movement, you can expect a timepiece that balances performance, durability, and value.
Related Topics:
