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Automatic Watches

An automatic watch winds itself with no need for a battery. With a weighted, free-spinning rotor inside that moves as you do, you’ll keep your watch wound with every action. Browse our selection of automatic watches below.

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Popular Brands
  1. Panerai Panerai
  2. IWC IWC
  3. Rolex Rolex
  4. Omega Omega
  5. Breitling Breitling
  6. Tag Heuer Tag Heuer
  7. Hublot Hublot
  8. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  9. Cartier Cartier
  10. Tudor Tudor
  11. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  12. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  13. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
All Brands
  1. A. Lange and Sohne A. Lange and Sohne
  2. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  3. B.R.M Watches B.R.M Watches
  4. Ball Ball
  5. Baume et Mercier Baume et Mercier
  6. Bell and Ross Bell and Ross
  7. Blancpain Blancpain
  8. Breguet Breguet
  9. Breitling Breitling
  10. Bremont Bremont
  11. Bvlgari Bvlgari
  12. Carl F. Bucherer Carl F. Bucherer
  13. Cartier Cartier
  14. Chanel Chanel
  15. Chopard Chopard
  16. Corum Corum
  17. Eterna Eterna
  18. Franck Muller Franck Muller
  19. Frederique Constant Frederique Constant
  20. Girard Perregaux Girard Perregaux
  21. Glashutte Original Glashutte Original
  22. Grand Seiko Grand Seiko
  23. Hamilton Hamilton
  24. Hermes Hermes
  25. Hublot Hublot
  26. IWC IWC
  27. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  28. Jaquet Droz Jaquet Droz
  29. Longines Longines
  30. Maurice Lacroix Maurice Lacroix
  31. Montblanc Montblanc
  32. Omega Omega
  33. Oris Oris
  34. Panerai Panerai
  35. Parmigiani Parmigiani
  36. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  37. Perrelet Perrelet
  38. Piaget Piaget
  39. Porsche Design Porsche Design
  40. Rado Rado
  41. Raymond Weil Raymond Weil
  42. Roger Dubuis Roger Dubuis
  43. Rolex Rolex
  44. Tag Heuer Tag Heuer
  45. Tudor Tudor
  46. Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Nardin
  47. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  48. Zenith Zenith
Series
Case Size
The size of a watch is very important for style and comfort. If you prefer an oversized watch like a Panerai Luminor, you’ll probably want Large. If you’re looking for something more discreet like a Rolex Lady Datejust, you’ll want Small. For everything in between, Medium.
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  1. Stock Stock
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  1. Aluminium Aluminium
  2. Bronze Bronze
  3. Carbon Carbon
  4. Ceramic Ceramic
  5. Platinum Platinum
  6. Rose Gold Rose Gold
  7. Silver Silver
  8. Steel Steel
  9. Steel & Rose Gold Steel & Rose Gold
  10. Steel & Rose Gold Plated Steel & Rose Gold Plated
  11. Steel & White Gold Steel & White Gold
  12. Steel & Yellow Gold Steel & Yellow Gold
  13. Titanium Titanium
  14. White Gold White Gold
  15. Yellow Gold Yellow Gold
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  1. Bracelet Bracelet
  2. Fabric Fabric
  3. Leather Leather
  4. Rubber Rubber
Box and Papers
  1. Original box Original box
  1. Original papers Original papers
Movement
A mechanical watch is powered by a spring. Manual mechanical watches must be hand wound. Automatic watches are also mechanical, and are wound by a weight that spins with the wearer's movements. A quartz watch is battery powered and extremely accurate.
  1. Automatic Automatic
  2. Manual Manual
  3. Quartz Quartz
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  1. Limited Edition Limited Edition
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Results (552)
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Tudor Black Bay M7941A1A0RU-0002 268036
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Black Bay
M7941A1A0RU-0002

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€4,250
Frederique Constant Manufacture Tourbillon FC-980V4SZ9 244611
Limited Edition

Frederique Constant
Manufacture Tourbillon
FC-980V4SZ9

Box
Papers
Year 2012
€5,865
Vacheron Constantin Overseas 4500V/110A-B128 267059

Vacheron Constantin
Overseas
4500V/110A-B128

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€25,865
Breguet Marine 8818BB/59/864 244394

Breguet
Marine
8818BB/59/864

Box
Papers
Year 2011
€6,580
Bvlgari Octo 103085 244589

Bvlgari
Octo
103085

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€4,300
Bvlgari Octo 102859 273163

Bvlgari
Octo
102859

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€5,975
Bremont Supermarine S500/BK 244256

Bremont
Supermarine
S500/BK

Box
Papers
Year 2014
€1,385
Tudor Royal M28600-0003 280256
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Royal
M28600-0003

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€2,070
Breguet Marine 8400BA/12/942 282129

Breguet
Marine
8400BA/12/942

Box
Papers
Year 2014
€6,035
Bvlgari Bvlgari 103133 244051

Bvlgari
Bvlgari
103133

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€2,035
Breguet Classique 3500 244008
Limited Edition

Breguet
Classique
3500

Box
Papers
Year 1995
€4,630
Tudor Black Bay M79733N-0003 281867
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Black Bay
M79733N-0003

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€3,520
Glashutte Original Senator Sixties 1-39-52-06-02-04 249589

Glashutte Original
Senator Sixties
1-39-52-06-02-04

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€3,250
Tudor 1926 M91551-0003 282574
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
1926
M91551-0003

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€1,695
Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars 26380BC.OO.D002CR.01 244293

Audemars Piguet
Jules Audemars
26380BC.OO.D002CR.01

Box
Papers
Year 2015
€11,105
Tudor Black Bay M79250BB-0001 282785

Tudor
Black Bay
M79250BB-0001

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€3,465
Glashutte Original PanoMaticLunar 1-90-02-46-32-35 278631

Glashutte Original
PanoMaticLunar
1-90-02-46-32-35

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€6,635
Breguet Marine Chronograph 5527TI/G2/TW0 266865

Breguet
Marine Chronograph
5527TI/G2/TW0

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€14,375
Bvlgari Octo 101963 244720

Bvlgari
Octo
101963

Box
Papers
Year 2015
€11,300
Frederique Constant Slim Line FC-775G4S6 244236

Frederique Constant
Slim Line
FC-775G4S6

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€4,200
Blancpain Evolution 8850-11B34-64B 244578

Blancpain
Evolution
8850-11B34-64B

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€6,320
Frederique Constant Heart Beat FC-310MB5TB6 280143

Frederique Constant
Heart Beat
FC-310MB5TB6

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€885
Blancpain Villeret 4040-1542-55 247963

Blancpain
Villeret
4040-1542-55

Box
Papers
Year 2003
€9,325
Frederique Constant Perpetual Calendar FC-775S4S6 282847

Frederique Constant
Perpetual Calendar
FC-775S4S6

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€5,385
Blancpain Villeret 6653Q-1529-55B 244490
Limited Edition

Blancpain
Villeret
6653Q-1529-55B

Box
Papers
Year 2013
€7,145
Ulysse Nardin Marine 1187-320/63 244725
Limited Edition

Ulysse Nardin
Marine
1187-320/63

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€2,675
Tudor Black Bay GMT M79830RB-0001 283061
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Black Bay GMT
M79830RB-0001

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€3,495
Bvlgari Octo BGO41S 266925

Bvlgari
Octo
BGO41S

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€3,830
Tudor Glamour Date M56000-0008 282567
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Glamour Date
M56000-0008

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€2,010
Girard Perregaux 1966 49544-11-132-BB60 245381

Girard Perregaux
1966
49544-11-132-BB60

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€2,935
Girard Perregaux 1966 90535-52-131-BK6A 244565
Limited Edition

Girard Perregaux
1966
90535-52-131-BK6A

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€14,065
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5100-1110-NAMA 243829
Limited Edition

Blancpain
Fifty Fathoms
5100-1110-NAMA

Box
Papers
Year 2016
€6,990
Girard Perregaux Laureato 81010-11-431-BB6A 243839

Girard Perregaux
Laureato
81010-11-431-BB6A

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€6,945
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26030PO.OO.D021IN.01 244142
Limited Edition

Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Offshore
26030PO.OO.D021IN.01

Box
Papers
Year 2005
€48,945
Girard Perregaux Laureato 81065-21-491-FH6A 244396

Girard Perregaux
Laureato
81065-21-491-FH6A

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€7,565
Breguet Marine 5817BR/Z2/5V8 279616

Breguet
Marine
5817BR/Z2/5V8

Box
Papers
Year 2007
€10,475
Girard Perregaux 1966 49539-52-151-BK6A 243913

Girard Perregaux
1966
49539-52-151-BK6A

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€7,405
Breguet Classique 5707BB/12/9V6 266046

Breguet
Classique
5707BB/12/9V6

Box
Papers
Year 2012
€13,830
Tudor Pelagos M25610TNL-0001 266934
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Pelagos
M25610TNL-0001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€3,865
Piaget Emperador G0A33069 244515

Piaget
Emperador
G0A33069

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€5,820
Ulysse Nardin Marine 1187-320/63 244214
Limited Edition

Ulysse Nardin
Marine
1187-320/63

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€2,155
Blancpain Evolution R85F-1103-53B 266544

Blancpain
Evolution
R85F-1103-53B

Box
Papers
Year 2015
€4,425

Automatic Watches

The person largely credited with inventing the first self-winding movement powered by an oscillating weight—or rotor—is the pioneering Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet in the 1770s.

Hubert Sarton and the great Abraham-Louis Breguet were two of several watchmakers who further developed the technology over the following century before a Parisian watchmaker called Leon Leroy came up with the idea of a self-winding wristwatch in 1922, making a small batch for a private client.

A year later, an English watch repairer by the name of John Harwood developed his own version of an automatic wristwatch that could be mass-produced. His design used a centrally mounted oscillating weight—or rotor—much like the automatic watches of today.

Rolex, together with its movement maker Aegler, took Harwood’s invention and improved it, unveiling the self-winding ‘perpetual’ movement in 1931. The resulting Oyster Perpetual—the world’s first water-resistant automatic watch—is now considered the foundation for Rolex’s success. The Eterna company was also key to progressing this technology. In 1948 it introduced the Eterna-matic movement which featured a ball-bearing-mounted rotor that reduced wear and tear.

Within a decade or so, most brands were manufacturing some kind of self-winding watch alongside manual-wind ones. These days, automatic watches are far more commonly available.

How they work

In this section, we'll delve into the mechanics of automatic watches and discuss how they differ from manual watches.

An automatic watch, or self-winding watch, is a sophisticated timepiece that doesn't require manual winding or a battery. The watch harnesses the natural movement of the wearer's arm to power its functions. As the arm moves, it spins a rotor within the watch which winds the mainspring, storing energy to power the timepiece.

The movement, or calibre, is the heart of an automatic watch. It comprises several key components like the mainspring, rotor, escapement mechanism, balance wheel, and gears. The rotor winds the mainspring, the mainspring stores energy, and the escapement mechanism regulates the release of energy from the mainspring for precise timekeeping.

The power reserve is another important feature of automatic watches. It indicates how long the watch can run without additional winding, sometimes displayed on the dial or the case back. A longer power reserve allows the watch to run for several days without wearing it, ensuring it remains accurate and ready to wear. The power reserve on most watches tends to be between 38 and 70 hours, although one Vacheron Constantin watch has an incredible 65-day power reserve.

Most modern automatic watches are equipped with a mechanism to prevent overwinding. Once the mainspring is fully wound, the mechanism disengages to prevent excessive tension on the spring.

The main difference between automatic and manual watches lies in convenience. Automatic watches, with their self-winding mechanism, only need to be wound if the watch hasn’t been worn for some time and has stopped. If you keep wearing the watch, it will keep ticking.

A manual-wind watch, however, must be hand-wound every day or so to keep ticking, regardless of whether it is on your wrist or not. Should you forget to wind it, the watch will eventually stop.

Maintenance and lifespan

Automatic watches require proper maintenance and care to ensure their longevity. Here are some tips for winding, preventing overwinding, and caring for your automatic watch.

Wearing your automatic watch daily generates enough kinetic energy to wind the mainspring and power the watch. However, if the watch has stopped running, you can manually wind it by turning the crown clockwise a few times—around twenty revolutions should suffice.

The lifespan of an automatic watch can vary based on the quality of the watch movement, regular maintenance, the wearer's activity level, and environmental factors. High-quality movements can keep accurate time for decades, while lower-quality ones may require more frequent servicing and have a shorter lifespan.

Brands that make automatic watches

All major luxury watch brands now have automatic models in their collection. Some brands, such as Rolex, use self-winding movements exclusively, having discontinued their manual-wind models. Manual-wind watches tend to be far less common in modern watchmaking, although there are still plenty of options available.

Automatic movements power all kinds of watches, from chronographs to dress watches, and the movements are often visible through an exhibition case back. It’s common for the components of the movement to be finely engraved, with the oscillating rotor often fashioned from gold and decorated or skeletonised for aesthetic appeal.

Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe make some of the most beautifully decorated automatic movements.

At Watchfinder, we provide a range of pre-owned automatic watches from a wealth of prestigious brands. Our collection includes both vintage and modern timepieces, from chronographs to dive models, ensuring every taste is covered.

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