- Mechanical watches that are automatic, or self-winding, function just as a manually wound timepiece in terms of telling time. These automatic watches, however, feature a weighted, semi-circular rotor behind the movement. This rotor pivots back and forth with the natural movements of your wrist, which allow it to keep the mainspring wound. Automatic watches usually store energy for up to two days after which the movement will stop and the watch will need to be reset. It is important to remember that these watches are only automatic as long as the rotor is forced to pivot along its axis.
- Most people associate automatic watches with complex mechanical movements and do not think about the term "automatic" when considering quartz, or battery-operated, movements. Quartz watches do not require winding as they run on a battery, but this battery will wear out, meaning that it cannot run perpetually as a mechanical watch can. Seiko pioneered a kinetic quartz movement that uses a weighted rotor to generate power that recharges the battery so that it can run for decades. This technology is referred to as a kinetic quartz movement or an auto-quartz movement.
- There are no advantages to automatic watches in terms of timekeeping precision. The feature is used merely as a convenient luxury, allowing you to wear your watch without worrying about winding it daily.
- Some people may want to store a precious timepiece or have an extensive collection of timepieces that they rotate through. An automatic or self-winding watch only keeps the watch running continuously if there is motion; and when the watch is stored, it will stop. A watch that is not running can suffer from seizing over time and will require expensive work to restore it to its proper running condition. Watch winders are a way of preventing this problem as they store the watch and rotate it at random intervals to emulate the movement of your wrist, ensuring that your timepiece's mechanics keep running.
Mechanical
Quartz
Advantages
Watch Winders
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