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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. Tudor Tudor
  6. Panerai Panerai
  7. IWC IWC
  8. Cartier Cartier
  9. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  10. Hublot Hublot
  11. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  12. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  13. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
All Brands
  1. A. Lange and Sohne A. Lange and Sohne
  2. Arnold and Son Arnold and Son
  3. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  4. Ball Ball
  5. Baume et Mercier Baume et Mercier
  6. Bell and Ross Bell and Ross
  7. Blancpain Blancpain
  8. Breitling Breitling
  9. Bremont Bremont
  10. Bvlgari Bvlgari
  11. Carl F. Bucherer Carl F. Bucherer
  12. Cartier Cartier
  13. Chanel Chanel
  14. Chopard Chopard
  15. Corum Corum
  16. Fortis Fortis
  17. Frederique Constant Frederique Constant
  18. Girard Perregaux Girard Perregaux
  19. Glashutte Original Glashutte Original
  20. Graham Graham
  21. Grand Seiko Grand Seiko
  22. Hamilton Hamilton
  23. Hublot Hublot
  24. IWC IWC
  25. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  26. Longines Longines
  27. Louis Erard Louis Erard
  28. Maurice Lacroix Maurice Lacroix
  29. Montblanc Montblanc
  30. Nomos Glashutte Nomos Glashutte
  31. Omega Omega
  32. Oris Oris
  33. Panerai Panerai
  34. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  35. Porsche Design Porsche Design
  36. Rado Rado
  37. Raymond Weil Raymond Weil
  38. Rolex Rolex
  39. TAG Heuer TAG Heuer
  40. Tudor Tudor
  41. U-Boat U-Boat
  42. Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Nardin
  43. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  44. 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. Watchfinder Watchfinder
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 & White Gold Steel & White Gold
  10. Steel & Yellow Gold Steel & Yellow Gold
  11. Titanium Titanium
  12. White Gold White Gold
  13. Yellow Gold Yellow Gold
  14. Yellow Gold Plated Yellow Gold Plated
Dial Colour
Black
Blue
Bronze
Brown
Champagne
Diamond
Green
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Ivory
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Yellow
Strap
  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 (1882)
Results (1,882)
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Breitling Navitimer Heritage A13324 418419

Breitling
Navitimer Heritage
A13324

Box
Papers
Year 2021
$7,110
Breitling Bentley Motors A25362 414402

Breitling
Bentley Motors
A25362

Box
Papers
Year 2007
$7,695
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.30.42.20.03.001 431624
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.30.42.20.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$8,015
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 134300 430165
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual 41
134300

Box
Papers
Year 2025
$19,965
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 126000 431633

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual
126000

Box
Papers
Year 2023
$21,430
Rolex Submariner 126613 LB 424360

Rolex
Submariner
126613 LB

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$26,785
Rolex GMT Master II 126720 VTNR 432231
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
GMT Master II
126720 VTNR

Box
Papers
Year 2026
$26,300
Rolex Daytona 116500 LN 430345

Rolex
Daytona
116500 LN

Box
Papers
Year 2019
$40,715
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m - James Bond Edition 210.90.42.20.01.001 430538
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m - James Bond Edition
210.90.42.20.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2025
$14,125
Rolex Datejust 16234 430527

Rolex
Datejust
16234

Box
Papers
Year 2005
$12,195
Rolex Air-King 116900 431622

Rolex
Air-King
116900

Box
Papers
Year 2021
$12,175
Rolex Yacht-Master 126622 430163

Rolex
Yacht-Master
126622

Box
Papers
Year 2024
$22,890
Rolex Air-King 126900 432779
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Air-King
126900

Box
Papers
Year 2023
$12,760
Hamilton Khaki Field H70455540 431675

Hamilton
Khaki Field
H70455540

Box
Papers
Year 2025
$1,110
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124300 426580

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual
124300

Box
Papers
Year 2024
$15,095
Tag Heuer Carrera WBN2313.BA0001 405144

Tag Heuer
Carrera
WBN2313.BA0001

Box
Papers
Year 2023
$4,605
Hublot Big Bang 414.NI.1123.RX 419462

Hublot
Big Bang
414.NI.1123.RX

Box
Papers
Year 2017
$21,330
Rolex Datejust 41 126334 431174

Rolex
Datejust 41
126334

Box
Papers
Year 2024
$20,160
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage U17321 431700

Breitling
SuperOcean Heritage
U17321

Box
Papers
Year 2015
$7,695
Omega De Ville Prestige 424.10.40.20.03.001 430534
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
De Ville Prestige
424.10.40.20.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2023
$5,355
Rolex Cellini 50505 430177

Rolex
Cellini
50505

Box
Papers
Year 2017
$21,915
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 14203M 431155

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual
14203M

Box
Papers
Year 2002
$10,225
Rolex Yacht-Master 116621 430916

Rolex
Yacht-Master
116621

Box
Papers
Year 2016
$23,280
Tag Heuer Carrera CAR201Z.FT6046 417413

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CAR201Z.FT6046

Box
Papers
Year 2020
$6,330
Rolex Deepsea 126660 - D-Blue 430592

Rolex
Deepsea
126660 - D-Blue

Box
Papers
Year 2018
$20,005
Rolex Datejust Lady 28 279174 430170

Rolex
Datejust Lady 28
279174

Box
Papers
Year 2021
$16,560
Breitling Avenger II GMT A32390 426545
Manufacturer's Warranty

Breitling
Avenger II GMT
A32390

Box
Papers
Year 2014
$4,965
Rolex Sky-Dweller 326934 430166

Rolex
Sky-Dweller
326934

Box
Papers
Year 2019
$25,810
Cartier Ballon Bleu W4BB0017 431780

Cartier
Ballon Bleu
W4BB0017

Box
Papers
Year 2020
$16,560
Maurice Lacroix Aikon AI6006-SS00F-451-C 432818
Manufacturer's Warranty

Maurice Lacroix
Aikon
AI6006-SS00F-451-C

Box
Papers
Year 2025
$3,800
Tag Heuer Carrera CV211A.FC6335 431698

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CV211A.FC6335

Box
Papers
Year 2018
$6,330
Omega Planet Ocean 215.30.46.21.03.001 432093
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Planet Ocean
215.30.46.21.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2023
$14,125
Rolex Datejust 41 126333 427859

Rolex
Datejust 41
126333

Box
Papers
Year 2023
$22,400
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124300 427954
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual
124300

Box
Papers
Year 2024
$13,830
Tag Heuer Formula 1 WAZ2011.BA0843 429255

Tag Heuer
Formula 1
WAZ2011.BA0843

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$3,215
Rolex Submariner 126610 LV 431486
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Submariner
126610 LV

Box
Papers
Year 2025
$23,765
Rolex Daytona 126500 LN 430038

Rolex
Daytona
126500 LN

Box
Papers
Year 2024
$51,620
Rolex Daytona 116500 LN 427084

Rolex
Daytona
116500 LN

Box
Papers
Year 2016
$35,065
Bremont ALT1 ALT1-ZT/51 431825

Bremont
ALT1
ALT1-ZT/51

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,745
Omega De Ville Prestige 424.10.40.20.01.001 429382

Omega
De Ville Prestige
424.10.40.20.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2018
$4,675
Bell and Ross BR 03-93 BR0393-BL-ST/SCA 427837

Bell and Ross
BR 03-93
BR0393-BL-ST/SCA

Box
Papers
Year 2021
$4,965
Omega Planet Ocean 215.32.44.21.01.002 431333
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Planet Ocean
215.32.44.21.01.002

Box
Papers
Year 2026
$11,055

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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