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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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  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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Bell and Ross BR03-92 BR0392-BL3-CE/SCA 282131

Bell and Ross
BR03-92
BR0392-BL3-CE/SCA

Box
Papers
Year 2016
€1,950
Hublot Classic Fusion 511.NX.2611.LR 275669

Hublot
Classic Fusion
511.NX.2611.LR

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€5,030
Hublot Big Bang 402.NX.0123.WR 244574
Limited Edition

Hublot
Big Bang
402.NX.0123.WR

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€3,900
Zenith Chronomaster 03.3200.3600/21.C903 275873

Zenith
Chronomaster
03.3200.3600/21.C903

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€4,625
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 128257 282602
Limited Edition

Montblanc
1858 Geosphere
128257

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€5,590
Montblanc Heritage 112532 244693

Montblanc
Heritage
112532

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€580
Hublot Big Bang 301.PB.131.RX 244153

Hublot
Big Bang
301.PB.131.RX

Box
Papers
Year 2014
€13,240
Montblanc Star 106462 274680
Limited Edition

Montblanc
Star
106462

Box
Papers
Year 2016
€3,115
Hublot Big Bang 665.EN.891L.LR.1204 244308

Hublot
Big Bang
665.EN.891L.LR.1204

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€9,790
Hublot Classic Fusion 542.NX.7070.LR 277488

Hublot
Classic Fusion
542.NX.7070.LR

Box
Papers
Year 2013
€4,615
Patek Philippe Grand Complications 5140G-001 267238

Patek Philippe
Grand Complications
5140G-001

Box
Papers
Year 2010
€34,980
Montblanc Star 4810 114855 244301

Montblanc
Star 4810
114855

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€1,275
Hublot Big Bang 301.SM.1770.RX 275883

Hublot
Big Bang
301.SM.1770.RX

Box
Papers
Year 2014
€6,660
Patek Philippe Calatrava 3802/200R 260024
Vintage

Patek Philippe
Calatrava
3802/200R

Box
Papers
Year 1998
€15,810
Bell and Ross Vintage WW1 MONO-IVO/SCR 274687

Bell and Ross
Vintage WW1
MONO-IVO/SCR

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€3,665
Montblanc Star 4810 114855 266318

Montblanc
Star 4810
114855

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€2,955
Montblanc Heritage 116534 270291
Limited Edition

Montblanc
Heritage
116534

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€4,080
Maurice Lacroix Les Classiques LC1078 245361

Maurice Lacroix
Les Classiques
LC1078

Box
Papers
Year 2009
€765
Hublot Big Bang 301.CI.1770.RX 268708

Hublot
Big Bang
301.CI.1770.RX

Box
Papers
Year 2010
€6,560
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero 03.A384.400/385.C855 261181

Zenith
Chronomaster El Primero
03.A384.400/385.C855

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€7,115
Zenith Pilot 29.2240.405/18.C801 280833

Zenith
Pilot
29.2240.405/18.C801

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€6,260
Zenith El Primero 03.2160.4047/02.C713 266141

Zenith
El Primero
03.2160.4047/02.C713

Box
Papers
Year 2017
€5,600
Corum Admirals Cup 395.101.20/0F02 AA12 244188

Corum
Admirals Cup
395.101.20/0F02 AA12

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€1,060
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Gents PT6158-SS002-13E 244073

Maurice Lacroix
Pontos Gents
PT6158-SS002-13E

Box
Papers
Year 2017
€285
Zenith Pilot 03.2430.693/21.C723 270692

Zenith
Pilot
03.2430.693/21.C723

Box
Papers
Year 2014
€3,470
Hublot King Power 715.CI.1123.RX 271187
Limited Edition

Hublot
King Power
715.CI.1123.RX

Box
Papers
Year 2008
€6,175
Montblanc Star 4810 102341 272931

Montblanc
Star 4810
102341

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€1,365
Hublot Classic Fusion 511.CM.1190.GR.USA11 261145
Limited Edition

Hublot
Classic Fusion
511.CM.1190.GR.USA11

Box
Papers
Year 2015
€9,775
Rado Captain Cook R32504407 279583

Rado
Captain Cook
R32504407

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€2,125
Maurice Lacroix Les Classiques LC6017-SS001-130 268361
Limited Edition

Maurice Lacroix
Les Classiques
LC6017-SS001-130

Box
Papers
Year 2016
€605
Zenith Pilot 29.2240.405/18.C801 268347

Zenith
Pilot
29.2240.405/18.C801

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€5,470
Oris Classic 01 401 7764 3185-SET 272120
Limited Edition

Oris
Classic
01 401 7764 3185-SET

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€2,780
Zenith Pilot 96.2431.693/21.C740 245339
Limited Edition

Zenith
Pilot
96.2431.693/21.C740

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€4,110
Zenith Chronomaster 03.3100.3600/21.C822 277587

Zenith
Chronomaster
03.3100.3600/21.C822

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€9,530
Tag Heuer Aquaracer WBP2110.BA0627 280134

Tag Heuer
Aquaracer
WBP2110.BA0627

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€1,960
Zenith Chronomaster 03.3201.3600 281264
Limited Edition

Zenith
Chronomaster
03.3201.3600

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€9,485
Hublot Classic Fusion 501.CM.1110.RX 275864
Limited Edition

Hublot
Classic Fusion
501.CM.1110.RX

Box
Papers
Year 2012
€4,010
Zenith Elite 03.2272.4069/51.C700 266048

Zenith
Elite
03.2272.4069/51.C700

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€4,505
Zenith Rainbow 02.0360.400 268469

Zenith
Rainbow
02.0360.400

Box
Papers
Year 2001
€2,770
Zenith Chronomaster 97/P384.400/22.C857 244091
Limited Edition

Zenith
Chronomaster
97/P384.400/22.C857

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€5,930
Hublot Classic Fusion 521.NX.1171.RX 277492

Hublot
Classic Fusion
521.NX.1171.RX

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€6,805
Hublot Big Bang 601.NX.0173.LR 267402

Hublot
Big Bang
601.NX.0173.LR

Box
Papers
Year 2017
€13,740

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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