Automatic watch

Backside view of an automatic watch with exhibition case back, showing its movement. The semicircular central rotor which winds the mainspring is plainly visible.
Video of the rotor turning in an automatic wristwatch having a glass back, when the watch is moved by hand

An automatic watch, also known as a self-winding watch or simply an automatic, is a mechanical watch where the natural motion of the wearer provides energy to wind the mainspring, making manual winding unnecessary if worn enough.[1] It is distinguished from a manual watch in that a manual watch must have its mainspring wound by hand at regular intervals.[2]

  1. ^ American Management Association (1958). "AMA Management Report, Issue 13". AMA Management Report. 13: 144.
  2. ^ Markl, Xavier (2024-06-11). "Technical Perspective: A Comprehensive History of the Automatic Watch". Monochrome Watches. Retrieved 2024-06-12.