Question 1

Does an automatic watch need a battery?

Accepted Answer

No. An automatic watch is entirely mechanical: it draws its energy from wrist movement, which causes a rotor to pivot and winds the mainspring. No battery is ever needed. If you wear it regularly, it runs continuously. After a period without wearing it, simply wind it by hand via the crown and reset the time to restart it.

Question 2

How long does an automatic watch run without being worn?

Accepted Answer

This depends on its power reserve, typically 38 to 42 hours, sometimes up to 70 hours on recent calibres. A watch set down on Friday evening may therefore stop during the weekend. To avoid winding it each time, an automatic winder keeps it running, which is particularly useful for models with a date or complications that would otherwise need to be reset.

Question 3

Automatic or quartz: which should you choose?

Accepted Answer

Choose automatic for the pleasure of mechanics, the fluid seconds hand and a watch that can be serviced and passed down over decades. Choose quartz for maximum accuracy and zero maintenance. An automatic drifts by a few seconds per day (normal) and is serviced every 5 to 8 years; a quartz simply needs a battery change. It is a choice between watchmaking soul and practicality.

Question 4

Why does my automatic watch run fast or slow?

Accepted Answer

A drift of a few seconds per day is perfectly normal on a mechanical movement, unlike quartz. If the variation becomes significant (several minutes per day), the frequent cause is magnetisation: contact with a magnet (bag clasp, speaker, induction hob) disrupts the movement. A watchmaker can demagnetise it in seconds. Regular servicing also maintains original accuracy.

Question 5

Does an automatic watch need to be serviced?

Accepted Answer

Yes, approximately every 5 to 8 years. Servicing involves dismantling the movement, cleaning and relubrifying the gears, then checking water resistance. This is what allows an automatic to function across several generations, whereas a quartz movement is replaced. Between services, wear it regularly or use an automatic winder, and keep it away from strong magnetic sources.

Automatic Watch

Hugo Boss 1514200 Automatic Men's Watch 42mm Stainless Steel Silver Dial Green

Fossil ME3160 Neutra Automatic Men's Watch with Brown Leather Strap

Maserati R8871612001 Skeleton Automatic Men's Watch

Fossil FB-01 Automatic ME3190 Skeleton Dial Stainless Steel Men's Watch

Maserati R8823140004 Sfida Automatic Limited Edition Men's Watch

Maserati R8823140003 Sfida Automatic Limited Edition Men's Watch

Fossil Original Boyfriend ME3065 Skeleton Rose Gold Steel Women's Watch

Maserati R8823140010 Men's Watch Stainless Steel Two-Tone, Automatic 2-Year Warranty

Burberry BU9358 Chronometer Smoke Check Stainless Steel and Black Leather Watch

Emporio Armani AR1945 Meccanico Skeleton Dial Silver Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60007 Meccanico Skeleton Automatic Leather Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR1982 Automatic Skeleton Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60009 Automatic Luigi Collection Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR1981 Skeleton Automatic Stainless Steel and Leather Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60002 Automatic Skeleton Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60028 Skeleton Dial Black Leather Strap Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60025 Automatic Skeleton Stainless Steel Black Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60031 Skeleton Dial Silver and Gold Case Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60005 Zeta Automatic Skeleton Dial Men's Watch

Festina F16885/4 Black Men's Watch with High-Contrast Dial

Festina F20536/2 Skeleton Automatic Silver Stainless Steel Men's Watch

Festina F20536/1 Skeleton Automatic Stainless Steel Silver Men's Watch

Fossil ME3111 Automatic Stainless Steel and Blue Leather Watch

Maserati R8823118002 Automatic Skeleton Stainless Steel Black Milanese Mesh Men's Watch