A watch mechanism, often referred to as a movement, is the internal system that powers a watch and keeps time. There are two main types: quartz and mechanical. Quartz movements use a battery and a small crystal to maintain accuracy, while mechanical movements rely on intricate gears and springs, often requiring manual winding or automatic winding through wrist movement. The components of a watch mechanism include the escapement, which regulates the release of energy, and the balance wheel, which helps maintain a consistent timekeeping rate. Together, these parts work harmoniously to ensure that the watch displays the correct time.