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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. Rolex Rolex
  2. Omega Omega
  3. Panerai Panerai
  4. IWC IWC
  5. Breitling Breitling
  6. Cartier Cartier
  7. Tag Heuer Tag Heuer
  8. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  9. Tudor Tudor
  10. Hublot Hublot
  11. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  12. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  13. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
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. Baume et Mercier Baume et Mercier
  5. Bell and Ross Bell and Ross
  6. Blancpain Blancpain
  7. Breguet Breguet
  8. Breitling Breitling
  9. Bvlgari Bvlgari
  10. Cartier Cartier
  11. Chopard Chopard
  12. Corum Corum
  13. Eterna Eterna
  14. Frederique Constant Frederique Constant
  15. Girard Perregaux Girard Perregaux
  16. Glashutte Original Glashutte Original
  17. Grand Seiko Grand Seiko
  18. Hamilton Hamilton
  19. Hermes Hermes
  20. Hublot Hublot
  21. IWC IWC
  22. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  23. Longines Longines
  24. Maurice Lacroix Maurice Lacroix
  25. Montblanc Montblanc
  26. Omega Omega
  27. Oris Oris
  28. Panerai Panerai
  29. Parmigiani Parmigiani
  30. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  31. Piaget Piaget
  32. Porsche Design Porsche Design
  33. Rado Rado
  34. Raymond Weil Raymond Weil
  35. Rolex Rolex
  36. Tag Heuer Tag Heuer
  37. Tissot Tissot
  38. Tudor Tudor
  39. Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Nardin
  40. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  41. 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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Stock Type
  1. Stock Stock
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  1. Bronze Bronze
  2. Carbon Carbon
  3. Ceramic Ceramic
  4. Platinum Platinum
  5. Rose Gold Rose Gold
  6. Silver Silver
  7. Steel Steel
  8. Steel & Rose Gold Steel & Rose Gold
  9. Steel & White Gold Steel & White Gold
  10. Steel & Yellow Gold Steel & Yellow Gold
  11. Titanium Titanium
  12. White Gold White Gold
  13. 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
Reset Results (398)
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Breguet Marine Chronograph 5527TI/G2/TW0 266865

Breguet
Marine Chronograph
5527TI/G2/TW0

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€14,375
Tudor Black Bay 58 M79012M-0001 244991

Tudor
Black Bay 58
M79012M-0001

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€3,755
Frederique Constant Slim Line FC-775G4S6 244236

Frederique Constant
Slim Line
FC-775G4S6

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€4,200
Frederique Constant Heart Beat FC-310MB5TB6 280143

Frederique Constant
Heart Beat
FC-310MB5TB6

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€885
Frederique Constant Perpetual Calendar FC-775S4S6 282847

Frederique Constant
Perpetual Calendar
FC-775S4S6

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€5,385
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 90535-52-131-BK6A 244565
Limited Edition

Girard Perregaux
1966
90535-52-131-BK6A

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€14,065
Breguet Marine 5817BR/Z2/5V8 279616

Breguet
Marine
5817BR/Z2/5V8

Box
Papers
Year 2007
€10,475
Tudor Pelagos M25610TNL-0001 266934
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Pelagos
M25610TNL-0001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€3,865
Chopard Alpine Eagle 298601-3001 276663

Chopard
Alpine Eagle
298601-3001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€5,220
Hermes H08 W049433WW00 273953

Hermes
H08
W049433WW00

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€5,710
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5200-0130-B52A 267375

Blancpain
Fifty Fathoms
5200-0130-B52A

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€10,895
Tudor Heritage Black Bay 79220R 282695

Tudor
Heritage Black Bay
79220R

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€3,290
Girard Perregaux 1966 49555-11-431-BB60 244681

Girard Perregaux
1966
49555-11-431-BB60

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€4,770
Ulysse Nardin Diver collection 1183-170LE-3/90-GW 272105
Limited Edition

Ulysse Nardin
Diver collection
1183-170LE-3/90-GW

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€6,060
Tudor Black Bay 58 M79018V-0001 280255
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Black Bay 58
M79018V-0001

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€9,395
Tudor Black Bay 58 M79010SG-0002 245160

Tudor
Black Bay 58
M79010SG-0002

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€3,355
Girard Perregaux 1966 49545-11-131-BB60 266140

Girard Perregaux
1966
49545-11-131-BB60

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€5,185
Tudor 1926 M91350-0002 278609

Tudor
1926
M91350-0002

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€1,320
Girard Perregaux Laureato 81000-11-131-11A 245257
Limited Edition

Girard Perregaux
Laureato
81000-11-131-11A

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€9,385
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 25721ST.OO.1000ST.09.A 283386

Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Offshore
25721ST.OO.1000ST.09.A

Box
Papers
Year 2010
€24,195
Ulysse Nardin Diver collection 8163-175-7M/93 279796

Ulysse Nardin
Diver collection
8163-175-7M/93

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€3,190
Piaget Altiplano G0A29120 244223

Piaget
Altiplano
G0A29120

Box
Papers
Year 2006
€8,920
Chopard Mille Miglia 168571-3009 280844
Limited Edition

Chopard
Mille Miglia
168571-3009

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€4,100
Panerai Submersible PAM01305 277593

Panerai
Submersible
PAM01305

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€6,160
Panerai Luminor Due PAM00729 247403

Panerai
Luminor Due
PAM00729

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€4,815
Girard Perregaux 1966 49538-52-131-BK6A 271832

Girard Perregaux
1966
49538-52-131-BK6A

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€7,195
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 15710ST.OO.A027CA.01 269088

Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Offshore
15710ST.OO.A027CA.01

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€27,020
Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa PAM01036 283210

Panerai
Luminor Luna Rossa
PAM01036

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€6,525
Girard Perregaux 1966 49535-11-1A2-BB60 244425

Girard Perregaux
1966
49535-11-1A2-BB60

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€9,140
Panerai Mare Nostrum PAM00300 270689
Limited Edition

Panerai
Mare Nostrum
PAM00300

Box
Papers
Year 2011
€20,940
Panerai Ferrari FER00015 273703
Limited Edition

Panerai
Ferrari
FER00015

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€9,545
Ulysse Nardin Dual Time 3343-126-7/91 279205

Ulysse Nardin
Dual Time
3343-126-7/91

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€5,225
Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro PAM01391 257376
Limited Edition

Panerai
Submersible QuarantaQuattro
PAM01391

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€7,545
Panerai Radiomir 1940 PAM00627 243978

Panerai
Radiomir 1940
PAM00627

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€6,440
Panerai Luminor Regatta PAM00526 244772
Limited Edition

Panerai
Luminor Regatta
PAM00526

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€12,590
Panerai Luminor Due PAM00927 257695
Limited Edition

Panerai
Luminor Due
PAM00927

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€6,610
Panerai Submersible PAM01683 276731

Panerai
Submersible
PAM01683

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€8,795
Panerai Submersible PAM02692 276392

Panerai
Submersible
PAM02692

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€13,280
Panerai Submersible PAM00799 276838

Panerai
Submersible
PAM00799

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€9,420

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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