Automatic Watch Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

• What Does ‘Automatic Movement’ mean in a Watch?

  In an automatic (or self-winding) watch, the mainspring is wound by the natural kinetic motion of a person’s body as they move. Specifically, an automatic watch has small round weights called “rotors” inside. These rotors are allowed to spin freely, reacting to your natural movement as you walk, run, gesture, or use your watch-side hand in any way. The spinning of these rotors transfers rotational movement to the mainspring, which is wound accordingly, and then unwinds and drives the watch. learn more

• Why Should You Buy an Automatic Watch?

  When it comes to traditional aesthetics, automatic watches do the trick quite well. They are convenient, durable and their detailed construction calls for little maintenance, making them unique with something for everyone. It is a known fact that as much as these watches are a great deal, their longevity of service and convenience come down to how you use and preserves them. learn more

• Why Do Automatic Watches Have Jewels?

  To reduce the internal friction that creates wear over time, watchmakers began using jewels. Diamonds, the hardest jewels with a Mohs hardness scale rating of 10, are ideal for enduring wear and precision, but they are also extremely expensive and hard to work with. To reduce costs, many watchmakers instead used sapphires or rubies, with a hardness scale of 9: almost as hard as diamonds, but much more affordable, and workable with diamond-tipped tools and implements. learn more

• Whats the difference between a quartz and automatic movement?

  Quartz Movement In a quartz movement watch, a battery sends an electrical signal through a quartz crystal. The crystal vibrates when electrified, producing oscillations as it vibrates that drive the motor in the watch. Mechanical Movement In a mechanical watch, a person has to manually wind the watch. The act of winding coils up a spring, called the mainspring, which coils up and stores potential energy. As the spring unwinds, it releases energy through a series of gears and mechanisms in the watch, providing and regulating power over time. Automatic Movement In an automatic watch (also called a self-winding watch), the watch has free-spinning rotors inside. When you wear the watch and move your arm around, those rotors spin in response to the movement, and transfer their rotation to the mainspring. The spring unwinds as in a mechanical watch, but instead of being deliberately wound by a person, the watch is simply powered through your own natural kinetic energy. learn more