The sound of time: mechanical symphonies on your wrist

Does your watch “make noise”? Is it normal or a sign something’s off?

That slight vibration, that faint buzz or click, can tell you much more than you think. Some parts proudly sing their own melody… and others only make noise when something’s not right. Today, let’s listen to the sounds of watches together. Not with our ears, but with our soul (yes, we’re feeling poetic).

The secret language of watches: why they make sounds

The sounds your watch makes are not an error or a distraction. In many cases, they’re proof you’re wearing a piece of living engineering on your wrist, in constant motion, where every part has a voice.

In mechanical watches, the ticking is the result of the escapement and the balance wheel oscillating to regulate the mainspring’s energy. In automatic watches, you might hear the rotor spinning, winding your watch as your arm moves. And in haute horlogerie models… you’ll find true hidden symphonies.

Microrotors: the whisper of discreet winding

Unlike a conventional rotor (large and visible), the microrotor is a small oscillating mass that spins on its own axis and winds the watch without covering the movement. It emits a subtle, clean sound, almost imperceptible but deeply satisfying if you know how to listen.

A great example of this technology is Sinn watches, where the microrotor helps achieve an ultra-slim profile without giving up automatic winding. It doesn’t make noise… it makes music for those who know how to hear it.

Tourbillon: the dance that needs no words

The tourbillon wasn’t made to produce sound but to counteract gravity’s effects on a watch’s precision. Yet its constant spinning motion has a visual and mechanical rhythm often accompanied by a faint murmur, almost like a musical box’s ticking.

Models like the Philipp Plein The Skeleton Tourbillon turn this ballet into a hypnotic experience. Its sound isn’t heard — it’s felt.

Other sounds you might notice

• Loose rotor: in some automatic watches (like Seiko or G-Shock), the rotor can make a noticeable sound if it spins fast. It’s normal if the watch is in good condition and the sound isn’t metallic or irregular.
• Sounds when adjusting the crown: when winding or setting the time, clicks or friction are normal. In watches like the Luminox Navy SEAL, this sound feels robust. But if you feel the crown scraping or skipping, it’s time for a check-up.
• Mechanical alarm: some models, like the Vostok Europe Almaz Alarm, have a mechanical alarm that vibrates and rings with surprising intensity. In this case, the sound is part of the show!

When to worry: sounds that shouldn’t be there

Not every sound is a good sign. These can be alerts that something’s wrong:

• A constant buzz in quartz watches (like Citizen Eco-Drive): might signal an electromechanical interference or a stepper motor issue.
• Irregular or overly loud ticking in automatic or manual watches: could mean a misaligned balance wheel or wear in the escapement.
• Metallic noise when rotating the watch: if it sounds like a loose screw or something rattling inside… it probably is. Better have it checked by a technician.

Silence speaks too

Some watches are made to be silent. Quartz watches are usually completely silent, and digital models like G-Shock make no mechanical noise at all. If your watch was noisy and suddenly goes quiet… something has stopped.

Listen to understand: a new way to appreciate your watch

Listening to your watch’s sounds is a way to connect with it beyond aesthetics. You’re not just watching time pass — you’re hearing it live.

Next time you wear your watch, hold it to your ear. Not to check if it’s working. But to remind yourself you’re wearing a machine with its own heartbeat — one that ticks, sings and sometimes whispers secrets only you can decode.