Glossary
What an automatic watch is
what is an automatic watch
An automatic watch is a mechanical watch that winds itself as you move. A rotor inside the case turns and tensions the mainspring, so you never need a battery and rarely need to wind it by hand.
How it works
A coiled mainspring stores energy. Gears release that energy to move the hands. In an automatic, a weighted rotor spins with wrist motion and winds the spring. Leave the watch still long enough and it stops. Wear it or put it on a winder and it runs again.
Automatics need periodic service (often every several years) and won't match quartz accuracy out of the box. Many people choose them for the craft, the longevity, and the feel of a small machine running on your wrist.
What this means in practice
If you rotate several watches, an automatic may stop between wears. That's normal, not a defect. If you want accuracy you never have to think about, quartz may fit better. Neither is better in the abstract. They suit different people. Most modern automatics include hacking seconds for precise time-setting, and the rotor you see through an exhibition caseback is what winds the mainspring as you move.
FAQ
Do automatic watches need batteries?
No. They run on a wound mainspring. Some modern watches add a battery for quartz or hybrid modules, but a classic automatic doesn't.
What is power reserve on an automatic?
Power reserve is how long the watch runs when fully wound without further motion. It's often one to three days, depending on the movement.
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