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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. TAG Heuer TAG Heuer
  4. Panerai Panerai
  5. Breitling Breitling
  6. Cartier Cartier
  7. IWC IWC
  8. Tudor Tudor
  9. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  10. Hublot Hublot
  11. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  12. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  13. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
All Brands
  1. A. Lange and Sohne A. Lange and Sohne
  2. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  3. Baume et Mercier Baume et Mercier
  4. Bell and Ross Bell and Ross
  5. Blancpain Blancpain
  6. Breguet Breguet
  7. Breitling Breitling
  8. Bvlgari Bvlgari
  9. Carl F. Bucherer Carl F. Bucherer
  10. Cartier Cartier
  11. Chanel Chanel
  12. Chopard Chopard
  13. Corum Corum
  14. Eterna Eterna
  15. Franck Muller Franck Muller
  16. Frederique Constant Frederique Constant
  17. Girard Perregaux Girard Perregaux
  18. Glashutte Original Glashutte Original
  19. Grand Seiko Grand Seiko
  20. Hamilton Hamilton
  21. Hermes Hermes
  22. Hublot Hublot
  23. IWC IWC
  24. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  25. Jaquet Droz Jaquet Droz
  26. Longines Longines
  27. Maurice Lacroix Maurice Lacroix
  28. Montblanc Montblanc
  29. Nomos Glashutte Nomos Glashutte
  30. Omega Omega
  31. Oris Oris
  32. Panerai Panerai
  33. Parmigiani Parmigiani
  34. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  35. Piaget Piaget
  36. Porsche Design Porsche Design
  37. Rado Rado
  38. Roger Dubuis Roger Dubuis
  39. Rolex Rolex
  40. TAG Heuer TAG Heuer
  41. Tudor Tudor
  42. Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Nardin
  43. Union Glashutte Union Glashutte
  44. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  45. 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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  1. Watchfinder Watchfinder
Case Material
  1. Aluminium Aluminium
  2. Bronze Bronze
  3. Carbon Carbon
  4. Ceramic Ceramic
  5. Platinum Platinum
  6. Rose Gold Rose Gold
  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. Steel & Yellow Gold Plated Steel & Yellow Gold Plated
  12. Titanium Titanium
  13. White Gold White Gold
  14. Yellow Gold Yellow Gold
  15. Yellow Gold Plated Yellow Gold Plated
Dial Colour
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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
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Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.30.42.20.03.001 427755
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.30.42.20.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€4,815
Cartier Santos WSSA0039 433699
New Price

Cartier
Santos
WSSA0039

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€7,605
Rolex Datejust 41 126334 425121

Rolex
Datejust 41
126334

Box
Papers
Year 2024
€11,640
Vacheron Constantin Overseas 47040/000A-9008 431613

Vacheron Constantin
Overseas
47040/000A-9008

Box
Papers
Year 2015
€23,340
Chanel J12 H3101 426015

Chanel
J12
H3101

Box
Papers
Year 2002
€4,385
Omega Speedmaster Moonphase 304.30.44.52.01.001 397417

Omega
Speedmaster Moonphase
304.30.44.52.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2017
€8,305
Zenith Defy 03.9300.3620/51.I001 434726
New Price

Zenith
Defy
03.9300.3620/51.I001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€6,000
Rolex Lady Oyster Perpetual 76080 434724
New Price

Rolex
Lady Oyster Perpetual
76080

Box
Papers
Year 2004
€4,135
Rolex Land-Dweller 40 127334 433682
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Land-Dweller 40
127334

Box
Papers
Year 2026
€23,985
Tudor Heritage Black Bay 79230R-0003 432953
New Price

Tudor
Heritage Black Bay
79230R-0003

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€3,365
Rolex Air-King 116900 432946
New Price

Rolex
Air-King
116900

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€6,960
Cartier Ballon Bleu WSBB0002 434712
New Price

Cartier
Ballon Bleu
WSBB0002

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€4,095
Rolex Datejust 16200 423603

Rolex
Datejust
16200

Box
Papers
Year 2004
€5,790
Rolex Explorer II 226570 433018
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Explorer II
226570

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€10,235
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5010-36B40-O52B 433488
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Blancpain
Fifty Fathoms
5010-36B40-O52B

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€25,680
Tudor Black Bay 54 M79000N-0001 434707
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Black Bay 54
M79000N-0001

Box
Papers
Year 2024
€3,490
Tag Heuer Classic Monza CR2110.FC6161 434706
New Price
Vintage

Tag Heuer
Classic Monza
CR2110.FC6161

Box
Papers
Year 2001
€4,155
Tudor Ranger M79950-0001 434704
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Ranger
M79950-0001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€2,690
Breitling Avenger Hurricane XB0180 434702
New Price

Breitling
Avenger Hurricane
XB0180

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€5,735
Tag Heuer Carrera CBN201B.FC6541 434701
New Price

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CBN201B.FC6541

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€6,640
Rolex Datejust 126234 434700
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Datejust
126234

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€12,575
Rolex Explorer II 226570 434699
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Explorer II
226570

Box
Papers
Year 2024
€10,705
Breitling Chronomat B01 42 AB0134 434697
New Price

Breitling
Chronomat B01 42
AB0134

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€6,140
Breitling AVI AB0945 434695
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Breitling
AVI
AB0945

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€7,310
Cartier Santos De Cartier WSSA0061 434694
New Price

Cartier
Santos De Cartier
WSSA0061

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€6,960
Tudor Glamour Date M53000-0003 434693
New Price

Tudor
Glamour Date
M53000-0003

Box
Papers
Year 2016
€2,630
Tag Heuer Autavia WBE5191.FC8276 434692
New Price

Tag Heuer
Autavia
WBE5191.FC8276

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€2,515
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.62.42.20.03.001 434690
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.62.42.20.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€19,830
Tudor Prince Date 75000 434683
New Price

Tudor
Prince Date
75000

Box
Papers
Year 2026
€1,970
Tag Heuer Carrera CAR205A.FT6087 434682
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CAR205A.FT6087

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€6,725
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon 1368430 434672
New Price

Jaeger-LeCoultre
Master Ultra Thin Moon
1368430

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€9,300
Rolex Submariner 16618 434665
New Price

Rolex
Submariner
16618

Box
Papers
Year 2008
€28,020
Tag Heuer Grand Carrera CAV511H.FC6306 434664
New Price

Tag Heuer
Grand Carrera
CAV511H.FC6306

Box
Papers
Year 2014
€3,200
Tag Heuer Monaco CW211A.FC6228 434657
New Price

Tag Heuer
Monaco
CW211A.FC6228

Box
Papers
Year 2002
€5,380
IWC Pilot's Chrono IW370607 434363
New Price
Vintage

IWC
Pilot's Chrono
IW370607

Box
Papers
Year 2001
€3,685
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 126000 434362
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual
126000

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€8,950
Rolex Datejust 16013 434361
New Price
Vintage

Rolex
Datejust
16013

Box
Papers
Year 1966
€6,960
Rolex Datejust Lady 179171 434360
New Price

Rolex
Datejust Lady
179171

Box
Papers
Year 2016
€10,820
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124200 434359
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual
124200

Box
Papers
Year 2024
€6,875
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 114300 434358
New Price

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual
114300

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€8,015

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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