Luxury watches, contrary to popular opinion, don’t just look good — they also have a rich history. When you think of Japanese watchmaking, names such as Seiko and Orient may come to mind, but an underrated name is the Miyota movement.
Born from the genius minds at Citizen Watch Co. in 1959, this powerhouse of a movement has been making waves without all the unnecessary noise. Here’s everything you need to know about the Miyota movement.
What is a Miyota Movement?
Okay, enough raving about the Miyota quartz movement — what even is it? Miyota: it was named after the town Miyota in Nagano, Japan. While Citizen built it in 1959, it wasn’t until 1980 that Miyota became an independent brand.
In its initial years, Miyota made waves with the release of the quartz calibre 2035. When we say waves, we mean it! It even made it to the Guinness Book of Records for being one of the most produced watch calibres of the time.
Soon enough, by 1991, those sales climbed up, amounting to almost 1.7 billion! This was a milestone no other watchmaker had achieved at the time. The 8000 series also quickly became a fan favourite, soon followed by the 9000 series, which did just as well.
What Characterizes a Miyota Movement?
Now that you’re familiar with the Miyota quartz watch movement, you’re probably wondering what makes this kind of watch stand out from the rest.
The Energizer Bunny’s Got Nothing on Miyota
First off, let’s talk battery life. If we told you that the Miyota movement is battery-powered, consuming significantly less power than most and lasts years, you’d think we’re lying. But we’re really not.
A typical quartz watch would last you, what? A couple of months at max? Not a Miyota. This bad boy can give you years. You could even stretch it if you’re extra careful and pull the crown when it’s not in use.
Shock Control (Because, Well, Life Happens)
You can want to enjoy a luxury watch and be a complete klutz at the same time — the Miyota quartz watch movement had you in mind when they began manufacturing. Whether you’re always on the go and lead an active lifestyle or are just plain old clumsy, Miyota’s shock control technology is a lifesaver.
Whether it’s slammed into with high impact or dropped from a height, this movement will not fail you.
Specilised Designs
Who wants to settle for a plain old watch? Not the Miyota movement. They don’t believe in putting their customers in a box and selling them one-size-fits-all watches.
We’re here for it. From chronographs, perpetual calendars and tourbillons to skeleton and dive watches, Miyota has something for everyone. That’s probably why they’ve done so well in the market. They’re not just another pretty face, they know what they’re doing.
What Brands Use Miyota Movements?
Miyota watch movements, have quickly garnered quite the attention and rightfully so. Here are some established names and micro brands that have incorporated the Miyota movement in their watches.
1. BEAUBLEU
French luxury brand, BEAUBLEU, partnered with Miyota 9015 in 2017, in hopes of combining quality with affordability. And boy, did they deliver! The Beaubleu Vitruve Date Steel is probably the most well-known watch featuring Miyota 9015, featuring a 39mm stainless steel case.
2. Nodus
Founded in 2018, Nodus watches, brought watch lovers low-light visibility, Avalon II Bronze Diver watch. It houses the Miyota 9075, featuring a flyer-style GMT movement. The rich bronze case, a textured lacquered dial, and blue highlights are just a few reasons why this is a favourite among many.
3. Borealis
From the streets of Lisbon, Portugal, Borealis incorporated a Miyota movement in their probably most well-known watch, Adraga. Featuring a sleek tonneau case, a rich sunray grey dial, and a bright C3 Super-LumiNova, Adraga has got to be your next underwater adventure buddy.
Not only does it have incredible specs, but it’s also really light on the pocket. If you ask us, that’s a win-win.
4. Lorier
Straight out of the city that never sleeps — New York City, Lorier came out with Falcon III. Since it’s the third iteration of the model, it’s seen quite the upgrades, including a headset and a bracelet.
It’s the sort of watch which reminds of the old-school charm yet still somehow manages to be a piece you’d wear daily in modern life.
5. Fossil
So that was it for the microbrands. Miyota’s automatic movements have also been making waves with more well-known brands such as Fossil. A popular amongst fans has got to be the Heritage Automatic Brown LiteHide™ Leather Watch, featuring Miyota 8N24.
The Heritage collection was probably the first one where Fossil decided to part ways with their neutrals for a bit, and we can’t say we’re complaining.
6. Danial Wellington
DW watches are a classic and it’s hard to imagine a watch collector not owning something from these guys. Their Classic Bristol features the Miyota movement 1L22, which stays true to their OG minimalist chic vibe. The classy, brown leather strap also wears pretty well and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Does Miyota Have A Solar Powered Movement?
So, does Miyota sport a solar-powered movement? You bet they do! That’s probably what we love about them so much; they’re always innovating and never seem to give it a rest! Citizen and Miyota alike prioritise green manufacturing and even incorporate it into their movements.
The Miyota Caliber 2100 series features solar power technology to keep your watch running for months on end. The Miyota movement can store energy generated from any power source — both natural and artificial light.
How To Remove Stem From Miyota Quartz Movement?
If you find yourself in a sticky situation, wanting to remove the stem from a Miyota quartz watch movement, here’s what you need to do:
1. Gather your tools
You’ll need a:
- Screwdriver
- Pair of tweezers
- Magnifying glass
2. Open the case
When you’re opening your watch’s case, you want to make sure you’re extra careful. Opening your case depends entirely on your Miyota movement model, but a flathead screwdriver or a case back opener should do the trick.
3. Find the detent button
Once inside, locate the detent button. You need to keep an eye out for a small lever near the stem, known as the detent button.
4. Press the detent button
Remember those pair of tweezers we told you to grab? Here’s where they’ll come in handy. All you need to do is press the detent button gently while simultaneously pulling the stem out. This step may require some serious hand coordination, we’re warning you beforehand.
5. Remove the stem
Once you’ve pressed the detent button enough, the stem should ideally slip out easily with no problem. If it’s not sliding out, don’t put extra force on it, this may cause irreparable damage to your timepiece.
6. Close back the case
Now that you’ve safely removed the stem, you can close the case. And there you have it, that’s how easy it is to remove a stem from a Miyota quartz movement!
How Accurate Are Miyota Movements?
Japanese Miyota movements are arguably one of the most accurate movements in the watchmaking industry. That’s quite a bold statement to make, and fortunately, Miyota’s impeccable engineering and craftsmanship are a testament to it.
Quartz movements are typically a lot more accurate than your traditional mechanical movements and that’s because they rely on consistent vibrations of a quartz crystal. For example, the Calibre 2035, featuring Miyota quartz movement, has an accuracy of ±20 seconds per month!
However, that’s not to say that Miyota’s mechanical movements are any less. The Miyota 8215, for instance, offers an accuracy of -20 to +40 seconds per day. The 9015 takes it up a notch by providing an even tighter range of -10 to +30 seconds per day.
This is also a good time to mention that the Miyota movement is incredibly consistent. Whether you’re flaunting a quartz or mechanical watch, they’re all produced in-house for maximum accuracy.
How Long Will A Miyota Movement Last?
Miyota automatic movements age like fine wine — that is, if you take care of them of course! But no, seriously, these movements are built to last you a lifetime. We’re talking family heirlooms, pass it on to your generations to come sort of watches.
The 8215 and 9015 are classics, meant to be serviced every 3 to 5 years, depending on their usage. And since Miyota quartz movements are built with only the most premium quality materials, they can easily withstand the wear and tear of everyday life.
Miyota Movement — Ticking all the Right Boxes
You’ll find several movements in the world of horology, but nothing quite matches the charisma of a Miyota movement. While most movements are known to cosy up to giants in the industry, Miyotas been making ripples (in not waves) by forming its very own microband community.
If you’re still debating whether or not a Miyota quartz movement is worth the leap of faith, we’ve got a selection of pre-loved luxury watches. These feature manual wind, quartz, and automatic self-winding movements — such as the Rolex Datejust 31. Head on over to Love Luxury to satisfy all your luxury needs!
