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 Bossmatic 1514181 Green Dial Stainless Steel Men's Watch

Hugo Boss Bossmatic 1514178 Two-Tone Men's Watch with Steel Link Bracelet

Seiko GMT Red SSK031K1 Automatic Outlet Watch

Hugo Boss 1514180 Bossmatic Men's Watch Two-Tone Steel Bracelet

Guess GW0984G4 Connoisseur Automatic Men's Watch Gold

Hugo Boss Principle 1514237 Men's Watch Two-Tone Stainless Steel

Fossil Townsman ME3269 Automatic Skeleton Black Men's Watch

Hugo Boss Bossmatic 1514212 Silver Stainless Steel Link Men's Watch

Maserati Stile R8823142004 Silver Men's Watch with Steel Link Bracelet

Fossil BQ3753 Rye Automatic Silver Dial Stainless Steel Women's Watch

Emporio Armani AR1983 Men's Rose Gold Automatic Skeleton Watch

Emporio Armani AR60023 Gianni T-Bar Automatic Skeleton Stainless Steel Women's Watch

Seiko SRPD61K1 Automatic Stainless Steel Men's Watch with Green Dial

Emporio Armani AR60029 Skeleton Dial Automatic Men's Watch Blue

Seiko 5 Sports U.S SRPK20 Automatic Men's Watch Blue Dial

Maserati Sfida R8823140001 Automatic Skeleton Dial Men's Watch

Maserati R8823140011 Automatic Skeleton Silver Stainless Steel Men's Watch

Maserati Ingegno R8821119002 Automatic Skeleton Silver Dial Black Leather Strap Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60008 Meccanico Black Leather Strap Men's Watch

Seiko 5 Sports HUF SRPJ20 Automatic Green Dial Men's Watch

Seiko SRPC51K1 Automatic Stainless Steel Men's Watch

Fossil ME3181 Townsman Automatic Men's Watch with Amber Leather Strap

Citizen NJ0128-80X Automatic Orange Dial Stainless Steel Men's Watch

Citizen NJ0170-83X Automatic Tiffany Blue Dial Stainless Steel Men's Watch