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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. Breitling Breitling
  3. Omega Omega
  4. Tag Heuer Tag Heuer
  5. Panerai Panerai
  6. IWC IWC
  7. Tudor Tudor
  8. Cartier Cartier
  9. Hublot Hublot
  10. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  11. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  12. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  13. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
All Brands
  1. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  2. Ball Ball
  3. Baume et Mercier Baume et Mercier
  4. Bell and Ross Bell and Ross
  5. Breitling Breitling
  6. Bremont Bremont
  7. Bvlgari Bvlgari
  8. Carl F. Bucherer Carl F. Bucherer
  9. Cartier Cartier
  10. Chanel Chanel
  11. Chopard Chopard
  12. Eterna Eterna
  13. Franck Muller Franck Muller
  14. Frederique Constant Frederique Constant
  15. Girard Perregaux Girard Perregaux
  16. Graham Graham
  17. Grand Seiko Grand Seiko
  18. H. Moser and Cie H. Moser and Cie
  19. Hamilton Hamilton
  20. Hublot Hublot
  21. IWC IWC
  22. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  23. JeanRichard JeanRichard
  24. Longines Longines
  25. Maurice Lacroix Maurice Lacroix
  26. Montblanc Montblanc
  27. Omega Omega
  28. Oris Oris
  29. Panerai Panerai
  30. Parmigiani Parmigiani
  31. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  32. Perrelet Perrelet
  33. Rado Rado
  34. Raymond Weil Raymond Weil
  35. Richard Mille Richard Mille
  36. Roger Dubuis Roger Dubuis
  37. Rolex Rolex
  38. Tag Heuer Tag Heuer
  39. Tissot Tissot
  40. Tudor Tudor
  41. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  42. 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
Case Material
  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 & Rose Gold Plated Steel & Rose Gold Plated
  10. Steel & White Gold Steel & White Gold
  11. Steel & Yellow Gold Steel & Yellow Gold
  12. Steel & Yellow Gold Plated Steel & Yellow Gold Plated
  13. Titanium Titanium
  14. White Gold White Gold
  15. Yellow Gold Yellow Gold
  16. Yellow Gold Plated Yellow Gold Plated
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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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Limited Edition
  1. Limited Edition Limited Edition
Reset Results (1078)
Results (1,078)
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Tag Heuer Carrera CV2014.FT6014 276053

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CV2014.FT6014

Box
Papers
Year 2009
£1,945
Tag Heuer Carrera WAR201C.BA0723 259954

Tag Heuer
Carrera
WAR201C.BA0723

Box
Papers
Year 2019
£1,510
Tag Heuer Carrera CAR2110.BA0720 259372

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CAR2110.BA0720

Box
Papers
Year 2012
£2,070
Tag Heuer Aquaracer WAK211A.BA0830 270242

Tag Heuer
Aquaracer
WAK211A.BA0830

Box
Papers
Year 2018
£1,635
Tag Heuer Carrera CV2119.FC6310 282012
Limited Edition

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CV2119.FC6310

Box
Papers
Year 2016
£3,090
Tag Heuer Carrera CV2A10.BA0796 276035

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CV2A10.BA0796

Box
Papers
Year 2012
£1,710
Tag Heuer Carrera WAR201A.BA0723 266326

Tag Heuer
Carrera
WAR201A.BA0723

Box
Papers
Year 2017
£1,515
Tag Heuer Carrera CV211A.FC6335 259401
Limited Edition

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CV211A.FC6335

Box
Papers
Year 2016
£2,495
Tag Heuer Carrera CV2011.BA0786 276810

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CV2011.BA0786

Box
Papers
Year 2013
£1,400
Tag Heuer Carrera CV2014.BA0794 260438

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CV2014.BA0794

Box
Papers
Year 2013
£1,395
Tag Heuer Carrera CAR2A1L.BA0688 277773

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CAR2A1L.BA0688

Box
Papers
Year 2020
£3,185
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.30.42.20.04.001 268088

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.30.42.20.04.001

Box
Papers
Year 2021
£3,865
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m - James Bond Edition 210.92.42.20.01.001 280181
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m - James Bond Edition
210.92.42.20.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2021
£5,770
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.30.42.20.04.001 277766

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.30.42.20.04.001

Box
Papers
Year 2020
£3,865
Tag Heuer Kirium WL5210 269933

Tag Heuer
Kirium
WL5210

Box
Papers
Year 2004
£485
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.30.42.20.04.001 274573

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.30.42.20.04.001

Box
Papers
Year 2021
£3,865
Tag Heuer Monaco CW2111.FC6171 275815

Tag Heuer
Monaco
CW2111.FC6171

Box
Papers
Year 2005
£2,215
Tag Heuer Carrera WV211M.BA0787 266419

Tag Heuer
Carrera
WV211M.BA0787

Box
Papers
Year 2014
£1,240
Omega Planet Ocean 215.30.44.21.01.001 269103

Omega
Planet Ocean
215.30.44.21.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2017
£3,935
Omega Seamaster 300 233.20.41.21.01.001 243343

Omega
Seamaster 300
233.20.41.21.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2016
£5,790
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.62.44.20.01.001 259384
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.62.44.20.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2021
£7,600
Tag Heuer Link CJF2111.BA0594 269144

Tag Heuer
Link
CJF2111.BA0594

Box
Papers
Year 2011
£1,065
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.30.42.20.03.002 281404
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.30.42.20.03.002

Box
Papers
Year 2023
£9,460
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m - James Bond Edition 210.90.42.20.01.001 282087
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m - James Bond Edition
210.90.42.20.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
£6,020
Omega Seamaster 300 234.32.41.21.01.001 272242
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster 300
234.32.41.21.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
£4,205
Tag Heuer Link CAT2010.BA0952 273116

Tag Heuer
Link
CAT2010.BA0952

Box
Papers
Year 2012
£1,490
Omega Seamaster 300 233.30.41.21.01.001 266257

Omega
Seamaster 300
233.30.41.21.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2021
£4,220
Tag Heuer Carrera CAR2110.BA0720 261409

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CAR2110.BA0720

Box
Papers
Year 2016
£1,835
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.22.42.20.01.001 282630
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.22.42.20.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2023
£5,675
Omega Speedmaster Triple Date 3523.51.00 250350

Omega
Speedmaster Triple Date
3523.51.00

Box
Papers
Year 2006
£3,195
Omega Speedmaster Racing 329.30.44.51.04.001 266397

Omega
Speedmaster Racing
329.30.44.51.04.001

Box
Papers
Year 2020
£5,430
Tag Heuer Link WAT2010.BA0951 278147

Tag Heuer
Link
WAT2010.BA0951

Box
Papers
Year 2011
£1,100
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.22.42.20.03.001 255390

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.22.42.20.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2018
£4,375
Omega Planet Ocean 2201.50.00 266147

Omega
Planet Ocean
2201.50.00

Box
Papers
Year 2008
£2,970
Tag Heuer Monaco CAW2114.FT6021 253859

Tag Heuer
Monaco
CAW2114.FT6021

Box
Papers
Year 2019
£3,095
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 212.30.42.50.03.001 271496

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
212.30.42.50.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2014
£3,065
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.22.42.20.01.001 280455

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.22.42.20.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2021
£5,440
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.22.42.20.03.002 273036
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.22.42.20.03.002

Box
Papers
Year 2022
£5,505
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.22.42.20.01.002 260238

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.22.42.20.01.002

Box
Papers
Year 2019
£5,250
Omega Seamaster 300 233.20.41.21.01.001 269440

Omega
Seamaster 300
233.20.41.21.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2016
£6,740
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.22.44.51.01.001 266096
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.22.44.51.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2021
£6,845
Tag Heuer Monaco CBL2184.FT6236 280953

Tag Heuer
Monaco
CBL2184.FT6236

Box
Papers
Year 2023
£8,740

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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