What is an automatic watch? Introducing its mechanism, history, and masterpiece movements

There are two types of mechanical movements: hand-wound and automatic. Automatic watches are watches in which the mainspring is wound simply by wearing the watch on your wrist. This article explains the features and appeal of automatic watches, including their mechanism, history, and some of the most famous movements in watchmaking history.

An automatic watch that never stops when you wear it

Mechanical watches are powered by the force of the wound mainspring trying to return to its original position. Manually wound watches require the user to wind the mainspring, while automatic watches wind the mainspring automatically as the wearer goes about their daily lives.

Learn about the mechanism of automatic watches, which allow the watch to move automatically just by combining parts, and also learn about the history of automatic movements.

How the mainspring automatically winds

Automatic movements incorporate a semicircular plate called a rotor, a part that is not found in manual movements.

When wearing an automatic watch, every movement of the wrist causes the rotor to rotate, and the energy of this rotation is transmitted via gears to the mainspring, which then winds itself.

There are two types of automatic watches: unidirectional and bidirectional. While bidirectional winding is the most common, unidirectional winding watches are also suitable for people who do not move around much, as they wind well even with small arm movements.

Which is better for automatic watches: unidirectional or bidirectional winding? Explaining the pros and cons

http://www.webchronos.net/features/37085/

The History of the Automatic Movement

The first appearance of an automatic movement in watch history is said to be in the automatic pocket watch developed by watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet in 1776. Around the same time, Abraham-Louis Breguet, known as the genius watchmaker, also created an automatic pocket watch, which he named "Perpétuelle."

In 1924, watchmaker John Harwood introduced the rotor-driven automatic winding mechanism into the first wristwatch, which was later commercialized under the name "Harwood."

The 360-degree rotating automatic "Perpetual" watch, released by Rolex in 31, brought about a revolutionary advancement in automatic winding mechanisms. In 43, the movement manufacturer Felsa developed the bidirectional winding mechanism.

The appeal of automatic watches

In addition to not having to wind the watch, automatic watches have many other attractive features. Let's take a look at the advantages of automatic watches compared to manual watches.

No need to turn the crown every day

The greatest appeal of an automatic watch is that it requires no effort. There is no need to wind the crown every day; the mainspring winds up just by wearing the watch on your wrist.

If the watch has a power reserve indicator, you can check the winding status, so if you feel that it is not wound enough, you can just wind it manually while keeping an eye on it.

However, those who enjoy the tactile sensation of winding the mainspring may find automatic watches lacking, and there are quite a few watch enthusiasts who enjoy the sensation of interacting with their watch by winding the crown.

The accuracy of the clock is stable

Because manual-wound watches are prone to variations in winding strength, the energy supplied from the mainspring tends to become unstable, making it difficult for the watch's accuracy to be stable.

On the other hand, automatic watches, which have a mainspring that is constantly wound, have a stable supply of energy from the mainspring, which results in more stable watch accuracy.

It is said that the accuracy of an automatic watch stabilizes when worn for around 10 hours a day. If you wear it from morning to evening, you will not have to worry about the time being out of sync.

Choose from a wide range of products

Automatic winding watches are the norm for mechanical watches today, and many manufacturers offer automatic winding models in their lineup. They are available in a wide range of prices, making it easy to find one you like.

On the other hand, there are only a limited number of brands and designs available for hand-wound watches. Even if you are attracted to hand-wound watches, there are few options, so you may not be able to find a model that you like.

In recent years, the number of multi-function manual-winding watches has increased, but they still do not come close to the variety of multi-function automatic-winding models. If you want to examine a wide range of models, we recommend starting with automatic watches.

Enjoy the beauty of the watch's interior

The appeal of mechanical watches is that you can see the mechanism of the movement, but in automatic watches, the rotor covers up most of the movement, so for a long time the rotor was considered a nuisance.

However, in recent years, manufacturers have been making various efforts to create models in which the rotor does not hide the movement.

In addition, some models even have decorative or finished rotors, making them an attractive element. When comparing automatic watches, it's a good idea to pay attention to the rotor.

Important points to note about automatic watches

Automatic watches have enough appeal to watch enthusiasts. However, there are also some drawbacks to being an automatic watch. Here are some things you should be aware of before searching for your favorite watch.

Some models are thick and heavy

Automatic watches are equipped with rotors, which tend to add thickness and weight to the movement, making them unsuitable for thin dress watches.

However, automatic watches are now becoming thinner, and ultra-thin models that are just as good as manual-winding watches have been around for some time, such as Patek Philippe's Nautilus and Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak.

The micro-rotor has made a major contribution to making automatic winding watches thinner. A micro-rotor is a small rotor placed on the same level as the bridge, which has the advantage of reducing the height of the movement.

Maintenance costs can be expensive

Automatic movements have more parts than manual movements, so maintenance costs are higher if a malfunction occurs. Also, because parts are more susceptible to wear, they are more likely to break down.

As a result, manufacturers are developing more robust models that are more durable and shock-resistant, and many models have stronger cases to protect the movement.

However, it is important to remember that mechanical movements are delicate mechanisms and require careful handling, regardless of whether they are automatic or manual.

A masterpiece of automatic movement

Automatic movements have continued to evolve over the years, and in the process, many masterpieces have been created. Here we will introduce some of the most representative thin automatic movements that have left their mark on the history of watches.

Audemars Piguet "Cal.2120 series"

The Caliber 2120 was jointly developed by Audemars Piguet, LeCoultre & Cie (now Jaeger-LeCoultre), and Vacheron Constantin. For several decades after its creation, it reigned as the world's thinnest automatic movement with a central rotor.

Normally, if the second wheel that moves the minute hand is located in the center of the movement, the thickness of the movement would increase, but the Cal. 2120 has succeeded in making the movement thinner while still placing the second wheel in the center of the movement.

The rotor stem has been miniaturized, and the structure that supports the rotor with the stem and outer periphery is also unique. Another feature is that it is thin yet compatible with complex mechanisms.

Breguet "Cal.502 series"

Breguet's "Cal. 502 series" is a movement based on the Cal. 70/71 series, which was born more than half a century ago.

The main feature of the Cal. 70/71 series is that the rotor axis is shifted from the center of the movement to make it thinner. When it was created, it was praised as a groundbreaking mechanism, and the idea of ​​shifting the rotor axis is still useful today.

The Caliber 70/71 series was renamed Caliber 502 in the 1980s and has been continuously updated to the present day. The excellent hand-finished movement is also characteristic of Breguet.

Longines "Cal. L990"

The "Cal. L990" that Longines released in 1977 is a masterpiece of an automatic movement with excellent mass production capabilities. It is known as a late-blooming masterpiece.

At the time of its creation, quartz movements were at their height, so Longines sold the Caliber L990 to Nouvelle Lemania (now Breguet), but it was later adopted in Breguet models and finally demonstrated its true potential after it left Longines' hands.

The Caliber L990 is characterized by its high-speed rotating barrel and its design of two barrels placed in parallel. The idea of ​​increasing the barrel speed is now adopted by many manufacturers, but the Longines Caliber L990 was the pioneer of this design concept.

A masterpiece of a thin automatic movement: the Longines Caliber L990, a late bloomer

http://www.webchronos.net/features/81865/

Tips for storing your automatic watch

If you buy an automatic watch, you can experience the history of the automatic mechanism that many watch brands have painstakingly developed. If you choose a brand and model that you like, it will likely be a watch that you can cherish for a long time. However, it is important to remember that there are some points to keep in mind when storing an automatic watch.

Consider the influence of magnetism

The balance spring inside an automatic movement is susceptible to magnetism, which can disrupt its regular movement and affect the accuracy of the watch.

A magnetized watch needs to be demagnetized. To prevent the watch from being affected by magnetism, it is important to avoid placing it near electrical appliances that emit magnetism.

However, in recent years, many anti-magnetic watches have been sold that are less susceptible to magnetic influence. If you choose an anti-magnetic watch, you won't have to worry about where to store it, so you can store it safely.

Use a winding machine

If you leave an automatic watch unused for several days, it will stop, requiring you to wind the mainspring. If you are not going to use it for several days, it is recommended that you use a winding machine.

A winding machine is a device that automatically winds a watch by rotating it when the watch is not in use. There are various types available, including those that can hold multiple watches and those with storage space.

If you use a winding machine with anti-magnetic features, you won't have to worry about magnetism during storage. Choose a winding machine that suits the number of books you own and your purpose.

Understanding the history and masterpieces will help you discuss automatic watches in depth

If you choose an automatic watch, you won't have to wind the crown every day. Another appeal of automatic watches is that they tend to maintain stable accuracy and there is a wide range of models to choose from.

If you understand not only how automatic movements work, but also their history and the masterpieces that shine in the history of watches, you will be able to discuss automatic movements in depth.