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

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

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

Fossil ME3191 Automatic Stainless Steel Two-Tone Men's Watch

Fossil ME3200 Townsman Automatic Skeleton Black Leather Strap Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60032 Skeleton Dial Black Leather Strap Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60014 Automatic Men's Watch with Visible Movement

Emporio Armani AR60013 Luigi Automatic Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60004 Skeleton Men's Watch

Emporio Armani AR60012 Skeleton Leather Strap Men's Watch Black

Hugo Boss 1514203 Men's Watch Automatic Stainless Steel Black Bracelet

Hugo Boss 1514201 Automatic Men's Watch, 42mm Two-Tone Case, Blue Dial

Festina F20536/3 Skeleton Automatic Men's Watch Stainless Steel Bracelet Silver

Hugo Boss 1514202 Automatic Troper Men's Watch Silver Stainless Steel Bracelet Black Dial

Maserati R8821112001 Traguardo Men's Watch Automatic Skeleton Movement

Maserati R8823112003 Skeleton Automatic Silver Dial Two-Tone Stainless Steel Bracelet Men's Watch

Maserati R8821118003 Automatic Men's Watch Skeleton Dial

Maserati R8821108027 Skeleton Automatic Men's Watch Black Dial

Maserati R8821108011 Automatic Skeleton Men's Watch Black Leather Strap

Maserati R8823112001 Traguardo Automatic Men's Watch with Visible Movement

Maserati R8823118001 Skeleton Automatic Milanese Mesh Men's Watch

Maserati R8821108028 Men's Automatic Silicone Blue Watch - 2-Year Warranty

Maserati Potenza R8821108002 Automatic Skeleton Men's Watch with Black Leather Strap

Maserati R8821118002 Automatic Men's Watch Skeleton Dial

Festina F16884/4 Silver Men's Watch