Does the Number of Jewels in a Watch Correlate to Its Value?

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The watch industry is one that is full of myths and legends. One of the most prevalent myths is that the number of jewels in a watch movement indicates value. Well, is that true? Different people will have a different say about this. However, here’s the quick answer: no.

The Number of Jewels Does Not Correlate to Watch Value

This myth has been perpetuated for years by the watch industry. It is one that is perpetuated because it benefits the industry. The more jewels a watch has, the more expensive it is, and the watch industry loves to sell expensive watches. After all, the more people spend, the more money they make! Unfortunately, the reality is that the number of jewels in a watch movement has nothing to do with value. There are watches with movements that have fewer jewels than other watches, but they are not less valuable. In fact, some of the most valuable watches in the world have movements with fewer jewels. The Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 is a perfect example. It is one of the most valuable watches in the world, and it has a movement with just 17 jewels.

So, is the number of jewels just a meaningless number? Not really. The jewels are there for another purpose: reducing friction.

The Real Purpose of Jewels in Watches

We all know that friction is the force that opposes motion. In a watch, jewels are used to reduce friction between the moving parts. The jewels are usually made of sapphire or ruby, and they are set in the watch movement in order to lubricate and protect the gears.

The use of jewels in watches can be traced back to the 18th century when watchmakers began to experiment with different ways to reduce friction in their timepieces. The first recorded use of jewels in a watch was in 1704 when a watchmaker named Pierre Le Roy used diamond dust to lubricate the gears of his watch.

Today, most watchmakers use synthetic sapphire or ruby for their jewels. Sapphire is the harder of the two materials, and it is often used for the bearings that support the balance wheel. Ruby is slightly softer than sapphire, and it is typically used for the bearings that support the escape wheel.

The number of jewels in a watch movement varies, but it is usually between 17 and 23. The more jewels a watch has, the more accurate it is likely to be. But again, even some of the best watches in the world today can get away with a lower count.

Conclusion

All in all, the number of jewels in a watch does not necessarily correlate with its price. Some expensive watches have far fewer jewels than their cheaper competitors and vice versa. Either way, when it comes to buying watches, jewels aren’t the sole thing you must consider. Everything else about it must also be thought about, from the dial to the hands and even the brand. All of these factors play a huge role in the watch’s value, and if you’re looking to invest in great watches, then accounting for all these factors is a must.

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