What is an automatic watch and how do they work?

Automatic watches are a type of watch that uses the movement of your body to wind the watch and keep it running. This means that you don’t have to manually wind the watch or replace the battery, as it will simply run off the energy from your body movements. Automatic watches have been around for centuries, but have recently become popular again.

So, how do automatic watches work?

Essentially, there is a rotor inside the watch that winds the watch’s mainspring when you move your wrist. The mainspring stores energy and provides power to the watch movement, which then keeps time.

Most automatic watches have a power reserve of around 40 hours.

This means it will keep ticking even if you don’t wear it for a day or two.

If you want your watch to maintain its accuracy, it’s best to wear it regularly. 

There are several different types of automatic watch movement, but the most common is the Swiss lever escapement. This type of movement uses a series of gears and springs to keep the watch ticking.

This happens in 3 steps;

1. The watch winder is connected to the mainspring
2. The mainspring is wound up as you move your wrist
3. As the mainspring unwinds, it powers the watch movement

Not all brands use the same type of automatic watch movement, but most use some variation of the Swiss lever escapement. Some brands, such as Seiko, use a different type of watch movement called Kinetic. This type of watch movement uses a tiny generator to create electricity that powers the watch. 

Whether you choose a watch with a Swiss lever escapement or a Kinetic movement, you can be sure that your automatic watch will keep accurate time as long as you keep wearing it!

Automatic watches can be accurate to within a few seconds per day, which is far more accurate than most people need.

Interested in buying an automatic watch?

There are a few things that you should keep in mind if you’re thinking of purchasing an automatic watch. Firstly, because they are powered by your own motion, they are not as accurate as quartz watches. Secondly, they tend to be more expensive than quartz watches, due to the more complex mechanics involved.

Many people believe that automatic watches are more attractive and luxurious, and that’s certainly something to consider when you’re making your decision. 

Make sure that you choose a watch with a good reputation from a reputable brand.

Also, be aware that automatic watches require regular maintenance and servicing in order to keep them accurate and running properly. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, an automatic watch can be a beautiful and fascinating piece of machinery that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Whatever you decide, we hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about how automatic watches work!