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

Festina F16884/1 Silver Men's Watch