Precision, style, and longevity are three words that describe the best watches in the world. Among those treasured timepieces are automatic watches that keep the time with no fuss and a lot of flair.
Automatic timepieces from renowned watchmakers are the best blend of mechanics and ease. They keep the classic inner workings of mechanical watches with some additions to relieve the wearer’s responsibility of daily maintenance – and they look great in the process.
How Do Automatic Watches Work?
Self-winding or automatic watches are an advanced iteration of mechanical watches, the original wearable timepieces. Automatic and mechanical watch styles function in very similar ways, but the automatic styles have been developed to take some of the manual work out of the equation. The first step to understanding how they work is to know the parts that make up these watches.
Parts of a watch:
- Mainspring
- Crown
- Gear train
- Balance wheel and escapement
- Rotor
All mechanical watches are powered by the mainspring. When the mainspring is tightly wound, it activates all the other pieces to move the hands and keep time. The mainspring of a mechanical watch has to be wound by hand, but automatic watches use the kinetic energy of the wearer’s natural movement to power the mainspring with a rotor.
Because they depend on the wearer’s movements, most people wear self-winding watches daily to keep them running properly. If the wristwatch isn’t worn for a while, the owner must manually wind it to get it back in working order. After that, regular wear will keep the rotor moving and the watch keeping time.
The History of Automatic Watches
The first wearable timepieces came on the scene as fashion accessories as early as 1510, but these early mechanical watches were not very accurate and were a hassle to keep time with. Mechanical watches continued to improve over the centuries, but the history of automatic watches started in the 1770s when Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet invented a way for an automatic clock to be powered by the user’s body movement.
By 1780, self-winding pocket watches were being developed but were soon abandoned due to their inaccuracy. After World War I, a combination of improved manufacturing and the popularity of wristwatches among soldiers boosted the industry. Watchmakers found that the kinetic energy of wearing a watch on one’s wrist is much more reliable than that of a pocket watch, and the popularity of automatic watches soared.
Over the years, watchmakers have improved automatic watches, increasing their accuracy and adding style and function. These timepieces are classic accessories that are a staple of wardrobes around the world.
Why You Need an Automatic Watch
It’s no secret that automatic watches are some of the most sought-after timepieces on the market. The combination of mechanical ingenuity and automated daily maintenance makes them attractive to many consumers. The right watch can be a functional fashion statement that catches the eye and makes any outfit feel put together.
Are Luxury Watches Worth the Hype?
Luxury watches often live up to the hype, and many automatic watches fall into the category. Luxury watches are known to be of heirloom quality, extremely accurate, made of the finest materials, and crafted by skilled watchmakers. The hallmarks of these Swiss-made timepieces include:
- Durability
- Accuracy
- Brand recognizability
- Exclusivity
- Value
Self-winding designer watches often become symbols of style and fashion in addition to being dependable timepieces. Recognizable brands like Omega, Cartier, and TAG Heuer offer automatic watches in a variety of styles, from gold timepieces that look great with a suit to dive and pilot chronographs of the highest calibers.
Some of Our Favorite Automatic Designer Watches
There is an automatic watch for every style. From men’s to women’s, simple to complex, and classic to modern, automatic designer watches are prevalent and popular at fine jewelry stores.
You can’t go wrong with an OMEGA automatic watch like the sophisticated OMEGA De Ville Prestige. This Swiss-made timepiece has a classic look with its dark green dial, leather strap, and yellow gold case. A favorite among fearless figures like astronauts and Olympic athletes, OMEGA has a reputation for pairing innovation, durability, and style.
For a completely different look, the Carrera Chronograph automatic watch from TAG Heuer delivers a lot of information in an attractive package. Sporty yet sophisticated, this TAG Heuer automatic watch delivers time to the 1/4 second and has a 42-hour power reserve, ensuring it is ready for everyday use.
Gifting Automatic Designer Watches
Designer watches are a classic gift for big achievements. In many cultures, the gift of a watch is a sign of prosperity and success. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, promotion, graduation, or other major milestone, an automatic luxury watch that matches the recipient’s style and needs is a stunning and useful present.
For example, a striking Cartier Tank Francaise automatic watch is the perfect gift for a high-class man celebrating a marriage, anniversary, or significant success at work. The Swiss-made Cartier automatic watch, with its steel bracelet and unique square case, provides the eye-catching design that makes it a valuable way to say “I love you” or “congratulations.”
Designer automatic watches are sensible gifts because they are easy to keep wound and useful. They’re low-maintenance and stylish –something the recipient will use and cherish for years to come.
Maintaining Your Automatic Watch
All watches require some kind of maintenance at one point or another, and automatic watches are no exception. Experts recommend getting luxury watches serviced every three to five years. This helps catch any issues before they become destructive to the timepiece, and you can have confidence that your piece is in the best shape possible.
Generally, mechanical and automatic watches require less maintenance than quartz watches because they do not have batteries. However, it is still essential to check the integrity of your timepiece on a regular basis.
It is important to bring your watch to a trusted watchmaker who is experienced in quality jewelry repair. A professional is trained to remove watch links, repair covers, replace the crown or stem, do full overhauls of vintage watches, and more.
Whether you’re shopping for your perfect Cartier style, a cutting-edge OMEGA automatic watch, or self-winding timepieces from other top designers, you can feel confident that it will be a sound investment that, with the proper care, will last a lifetime and beyond. Display your personal style on your sleeve with the perfect automatic luxury watch.
