Automatic Watches – what you need to know

There is no doubt that an automatic watch is a great decision

One of the most amazing part is the fact that they last forever. With its mesmerizing complexity and quality of craftsmanship, it comes with a soul. In the current time, tech and electronic devices are all around us. In contrast to the precise engineering and level of craftsmanship that goes in to creating a mechanical watch is a part of history, the traditional watchmaking dating back centuries.

What is the difference between a manual and automatic movement?

The manual movement and the automatic both use mechanical elements. A mechanical watch uses a mainspring to create tension that slowly releases into power making the watch to keep time. What differ the manual to the automatic movement is how they store energy. In a manual watch you must build up the movements tension yourself by manually wind up the crown to keep the time.

In contrast to the automatic watch which does this for you by a self-winding power reserve. These watches require nothing more than regular wear to keep them running. Every automatic watch has a rotor made of a heavy material such as gold, platinum, or tungsten to be powerful enough to wind the movement. By your natural motion when moving the arm, the rotor swings, setting the gears in motion and keeps the tension on the mainspring to power the watch itself.

Platina Watch & Co – Unbroko C1 Collection

Do I need to use an automatic watch every day for it to work?

How long your automatic watch can run without being worn depends on your watch movement. Most modern watches run from 38 up to 50 hours if fully wounded before putting to rest. If you are a watch enthusiast, you might have several pieces in your personal collection. Or you will just simply not use your automatic watch multiple days in a row. No problem, the watch doesn’t get damaged when the movement stops, it simply comes to a rest when your power reserve is out. You can let your automatic watch unwound for extended periods of time with no damage to the movement. As soon as you wind it again, it will run perfectly within seconds. Of course, you can always get a watch winder to prevent your automatic watch to stop running when not in use for a longer period of time.  

How many years will an automatic watch last?

The mechanical watches are designed to last a lifetime and if taken care of, multiple lifetimes. Normal wear and tear are of course expected but make sure to get your watch regularly serviced, between every 3 – 5 years.  

The heart and soul a watchmaker put into creating a watch last enough for you to pass down from generation to generation.