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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
Promotion
Limited Edition
  1. Limited Edition Limited Edition
Reset Results (1078)
Results (1,078)
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Omega Planet Ocean 2201.50.00 270553

Omega
Planet Ocean
2201.50.00

Box
Papers
Year 2010
£2,840
Omega Planet Ocean 232.30.44.22.01.002 267717

Omega
Planet Ocean
232.30.44.22.01.002

Box
Papers
Year 2016
£4,005
Omega Planet Ocean 215.30.44.21.01.001 259366

Omega
Planet Ocean
215.30.44.21.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2017
£3,820
Omega Planet Ocean 215.30.46.51.01.001 259020

Omega
Planet Ocean
215.30.46.51.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2017
£4,175
Omega Planet Ocean 2900.50.91 275064

Omega
Planet Ocean
2900.50.91

Box
Papers
Year 2008
£3,245
Omega Planet Ocean 215.30.44.21.03.001 263693

Omega
Planet Ocean
215.30.44.21.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2018
£4,675
Omega Planet Ocean 232.30.46.21.01.003 273687

Omega
Planet Ocean
232.30.46.21.01.003

Box
Papers
Year 2011
£3,025
Omega Speedmaster Racing 3519.50.00 272768
Limited Edition

Omega
Speedmaster Racing
3519.50.00

Box
Papers
Year 2009
£2,515
Omega Planet Ocean 215.92.46.51.01.001 270743

Omega
Planet Ocean
215.92.46.51.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2019
£9,215
Omega Speedmaster Racing 326.32.40.50.02.001 268200

Omega
Speedmaster Racing
326.32.40.50.02.001

Box
Papers
Year 2019
£2,955
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 212.30.44.50.03.001 271632

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
212.30.44.50.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2014
£3,770
Omega Planet Ocean 2201.50.00 274817

Omega
Planet Ocean
2201.50.00

Box
Papers
Year 2012
£2,970
Omega Seamaster Chrono Diver 2297.80.00 274557

Omega
Seamaster Chrono Diver
2297.80.00

Box
Papers
Year 2000
£3,285
Omega Speedmaster Racing 3517.30.00 271060
Limited Edition

Omega
Speedmaster Racing
3517.30.00

Box
Papers
Year 2001
£3,495
Omega Planet Ocean 215.32.46.21.03.001 264253
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Planet Ocean
215.32.46.21.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
£10,020
Omega Speedmaster DayDate 3220.50.00 271959

Omega
Speedmaster DayDate
3220.50.00

Box
Papers
Year 2012
£2,555
Omega Planet Ocean 232.30.46.51.01.003 253717

Omega
Planet Ocean
232.30.46.51.01.003

Box
Papers
Year 2016
£3,670
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 311.93.44.51.03.001 257511

Omega
Speedmaster Moonwatch
311.93.44.51.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2017
£5,925
Omega Aqua Terra 150m Gents 220.52.41.21.03.001 280518

Omega
Aqua Terra 150m Gents
220.52.41.21.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2020
£12,350
Omega Aqua Terra 150m Gents 220.10.41.21.10.001 270634
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Aqua Terra 150m Gents
220.10.41.21.10.001

Box
Papers
Year 2023
£3,815
IWC Pilot's Le Petit Prince IW377706 262202

IWC
Pilot's Le Petit Prince
IW377706

Box
Papers
Year 2014
£3,330
Omega Aqua Terra 150m Gents 231.10.43.52.06.001 276792

Omega
Aqua Terra 150m Gents
231.10.43.52.06.001

Box
Papers
Year 2014
£3,715
Omega De Ville Prestige 434.20.40.20.52.001 278675
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
De Ville Prestige
434.20.40.20.52.001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
£6,350
Omega Seamaster 300m Mid-Size 2252.50.00 265499

Omega
Seamaster 300m Mid-Size
2252.50.00

Box
Papers
Year 2008
£2,670
Omega Speedmaster DayDate 3520.50.00 258823

Omega
Speedmaster DayDate
3520.50.00

Box
Papers
Year 2010
£2,965
Omega Speedmaster Moonphase 304.30.44.52.01.001 260122

Omega
Speedmaster Moonphase
304.30.44.52.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2019
£6,925
Omega Aqua Terra 150m Mid-Size 2304.30.00 275394

Omega
Aqua Terra 150m Mid-Size
2304.30.00

Box
Papers
Year 2010
£3,035
Omega Aqua Terra 150m Gents 220.10.41.21.03.005 282170
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Aqua Terra 150m Gents
220.10.41.21.03.005

Box
Papers
Year 2023
£5,650
Omega Seamaster 300m Mid-Size 2252.50.00 251159

Omega
Seamaster 300m Mid-Size
2252.50.00

Box
Papers
Year 2007
£2,030
Omega De Ville Co-Axial 431.13.42.51.01.001 260095

Omega
De Ville Co-Axial
431.13.42.51.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2017
£2,870
IWC Big Pilot's IW502702 255413

IWC
Big Pilot's
IW502702

Box
Papers
Year 2018
£11,470
Omega Seamaster 300m 2531.80.00.12345 276337

Omega
Seamaster 300m
2531.80.00.12345

Box
Papers
Year 2014
£2,690
IWC Big Pilot's IW500401 259410

IWC
Big Pilot's
IW500401

Box
Papers
Year 2014
£5,845
Omega Seamaster 300m 212.30.41.20.01.001 275949
Limited Edition

Omega
Seamaster 300m
212.30.41.20.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2014
£3,625
Omega Aqua Terra 150m Gents 231.10.42.21.01.002 274587

Omega
Aqua Terra 150m Gents
231.10.42.21.01.002

Box
Papers
Year 2018
£3,505
Omega Seamaster Chrono Diver 2594.52.00 269672

Omega
Seamaster Chrono Diver
2594.52.00

Box
Papers
Year 2007
£3,000
IWC Big Pilot's IW329301 267100

IWC
Big Pilot's
IW329301

Box
Papers
Year 2021
£5,665
IWC Big Pilot's IW501005 263084
Limited Edition

IWC
Big Pilot's
IW501005

Box
Papers
Year 2019
£7,165
Omega Seamaster 300m 212.30.41.20.01.003 261919

Omega
Seamaster 300m
212.30.41.20.01.003

Box
Papers
Year 2016
£2,995
IWC Big Pilot's IW329303 269756

IWC
Big Pilot's
IW329303

Box
Papers
Year 2022
£5,455
Omega Seamaster 300m 212.32.41.20.04.001 274936
Limited Edition

Omega
Seamaster 300m
212.32.41.20.04.001

Box
Papers
Year 2017
£4,760
Omega Aqua Terra 150m Gents 220.20.41.21.02.001 269726
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Aqua Terra 150m Gents
220.20.41.21.02.001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
£7,005

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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