The wonderful technique of mechanical and automatic watches

Many reputable watch brands have automatic watches in their range. But what exactly is an automatic watch? If the time which a watch displays is created fully mechanical we speak off an mechanical watch, also called an automatic watch. An automatic watch is powered by spring generated energy. This energy makes the hands move and ensures that the watch displays the correct time and somethimes date. Before you start using an automatic watch you
need to wind it. You can wind the spring by twisting the crown of the watch several times in clockwise direction around.

After this operation, and additional operations such as the time and date setting the watch is ready to be worn. By wearing the watch on the wrist the mechanical movement remains sufficiently activated. If an automatic watch is not being worn for a long time the spring has to be activated again by winding te watch manually. A watch winder can ensure that the watch remains always activated. This electrical device simulates the wrist movement watch. by turning the watch about 90 degrees.

Characteristics of an automatic watch:

  • After purchase the automatic watch has to be winded by hand to provide enough energy to make the watch and running and letting the hands turn.
  • Automatic watches stop running if they are not being carried for a longer period,this is caused by the spring wich don't provide enough power anymore to make the mechanical movement run. To avoid the stopping of an automatic watch you can place the watch in a so called watch winder. This electrical device simulates the wrist movement by frequently turning the watch about 90 degrees.
  • The mechanical movement of an automatic watch needs maintenance because of the permanent friction of the mechanical parts.
  • Most automatic watches have a small deviation.Depending on the type of movement, this deviation is more or less. In some cases the movement needs a service check.

Appearances


Automatic watches are available in many different appearances, for example as chronograph watches, divers watches, tourbillion and pilots watches. Automatic watches are made by many brands like: TAG Heuer, Breitling, Omega, Jaeger LeCoultre, Rolex and Cartier

Read more about early automatic watches here.