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.

Read more
Filters
Filters
Brands
No matching results found
Popular Brands
  1. Rolex Rolex
  2. Panerai Panerai
  3. Omega Omega
  4. Breitling Breitling
  5. IWC IWC
  6. Tudor Tudor
  7. Tag Heuer Tag Heuer
  8. Cartier Cartier
  9. Hublot Hublot
  10. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  11. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  12. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  13. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
All Brands
  1. A. Lange and Sohne A. Lange and Sohne
  2. Arnold and Son Arnold and Son
  3. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  4. B.R.M Watches B.R.M Watches
  5. Ball Ball
  6. Baume et Mercier Baume et Mercier
  7. Bell and Ross Bell and Ross
  8. Blancpain Blancpain
  9. Breguet Breguet
  10. Breitling Breitling
  11. Bremont Bremont
  12. Bvlgari Bvlgari
  13. Carl F. Bucherer Carl F. Bucherer
  14. Cartier Cartier
  15. Chanel Chanel
  16. Chopard Chopard
  17. Christian Dior Christian Dior
  18. Corum Corum
  19. Eterna Eterna
  20. F.P. Journe F.P. Journe
  21. Franck Muller Franck Muller
  22. Frederique Constant Frederique Constant
  23. Girard Perregaux Girard Perregaux
  24. Glashutte Original Glashutte Original
  25. Graham Graham
  26. Grand Seiko Grand Seiko
  27. H. Moser and Cie H. Moser and Cie
  28. Hamilton Hamilton
  29. Hermes Hermes
  30. Hublot Hublot
  31. IWC IWC
  32. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  33. Jaquet Droz Jaquet Droz
  34. JeanRichard JeanRichard
  35. Laurent Ferrier Laurent Ferrier
  36. Longines Longines
  37. Louis Erard Louis Erard
  38. Maurice Lacroix Maurice Lacroix
  39. Montblanc Montblanc
  40. Nomos Glashutte Nomos Glashutte
  41. Omega Omega
  42. Oris Oris
  43. Panerai Panerai
  44. Parmigiani Parmigiani
  45. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  46. Perrelet Perrelet
  47. Piaget Piaget
  48. Porsche Design Porsche Design
  49. Rado Rado
  50. Raymond Weil Raymond Weil
  51. Richard Mille Richard Mille
  52. Roger Dubuis Roger Dubuis
  53. Rolex Rolex
  54. Romain Jerome Romain Jerome
  55. Tag Heuer Tag Heuer
  56. Tudor Tudor
  57. Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Nardin
  58. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  59. 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.
Price
Min
$
-
Max
$
Year
More Filters
Stock Type
  1. Stock Stock
Case Material
  1. Aluminium Aluminium
  2. Bronze Bronze
  3. Carbon Carbon
  4. Ceramic Ceramic
  5. Platinum Platinum
  6. Rose Gold Rose Gold
  7. Rose Gold Plated Rose Gold Plated
  8. Silver Silver
  9. Steel Steel
  10. Steel & Rose Gold Steel & Rose Gold
  11. Steel & Rose Gold Plated Steel & Rose Gold Plated
  12. Steel & White Gold Steel & White Gold
  13. Steel & Yellow Gold Steel & Yellow Gold
  14. Steel & Yellow Gold Plated Steel & Yellow Gold Plated
  15. Titanium Titanium
  16. White Gold White Gold
  17. Yellow Gold Yellow Gold
  18. Yellow Gold Plated Yellow Gold Plated
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
Results (2,223)
Hamilton Khaki Aviation H77906940 274190

Hamilton
Khaki Aviation
H77906940

Box
Papers
Year 2023
Product Location
$1,855
incl. import taxes & duties
Nomos Glashutte Tangente 182 276919

Nomos Glashutte
Tangente
182

Box
Papers
Year 2021
$2,885
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288216

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288270

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288197

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Vacheron Constantin Overseas 7900V/110A-B546 273290

Vacheron Constantin
Overseas
7900V/110A-B546

Box
Papers
Year 2019
Product Location
$36,030
incl. import taxes & duties
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288261

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288249

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Bremont Supermarine S502 JET 275101

Bremont
Supermarine
S502 JET

Box
Papers
Year 2023
Product Location
$5,000
incl. import taxes & duties
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288183

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288201

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Bremont Boeing BB1-SS/WH 251427

Bremont
Boeing
BB1-SS/WH

Box
Papers
Year 2015
$2,100
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288214

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288205

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288202

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Glashutte Original Senator Excellence Panorama Date 1-36-03-01-02-30 243141

Glashutte Original
Senator Excellence Panorama Date
1-36-03-01-02-30

Box
Papers
Year 2020
$6,650
Vacheron Constantin Overseas 47040/B01A-9093 278750

Vacheron Constantin
Overseas
47040/B01A-9093

Box
Papers
Year 2006
$16,205
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288224

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Bremont Supermarine SUPERMARINE CHRONO JET 276355

Bremont
Supermarine
SUPERMARINE CHRONO JET

Box
Papers
Year 2023
Product Location
$4,745
incl. import taxes & duties
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288192

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Vacheron Constantin Overseas 4500V/110A-B483 234733

Vacheron Constantin
Overseas
4500V/110A-B483

Box
Papers
Year 2021
Product Location
$33,530
incl. import taxes & duties
Eterna Legacy 7682.41.40.1700 270042

Eterna
Legacy
7682.41.40.1700

Box
Papers
Year 2019
Product Location
$1,925
incl. import taxes & duties
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288243

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Vacheron Constantin Overseas 49140/423A-8790 265141

Vacheron Constantin
Overseas
49140/423A-8790

Box
Papers
Year 2010
Product Location
$17,985
incl. import taxes & duties
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288187

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Roger Dubuis Excalibur RDDBEX0744 240589
Limited Edition

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
RDDBEX0744

Box
Papers
Year 2019
Product Location
$46,855
incl. import taxes & duties
Bremont ALT1 ALT1-C/SI/07 242150

Bremont
ALT1
ALT1-C/SI/07

Box
Papers
Year 2008
Product Location
$3,385
incl. import taxes & duties
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288198

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Bremont ALT1 ALT1-C/BL 273793

Bremont
ALT1
ALT1-C/BL

Box
Papers
Year 2019
Product Location
$3,760
incl. import taxes & duties
Bremont ALT1 ALT1-Z/BK 193776

Bremont
ALT1
ALT1-Z/BK

Box
Papers
Year 2016
Product Location
$3,340
incl. import taxes & duties
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288268

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Vacheron Constantin Overseas 49150/B01A-9095 274380

Vacheron Constantin
Overseas
49150/B01A-9095

Box
Papers
Year 2017
$21,695
Glashutte Original Senator Perpetual Calendar 1-36-02-03-04-30 241302
Limited Edition

Glashutte Original
Senator Perpetual Calendar
1-36-02-03-04-30

Box
Papers
Year 2020
$28,295
Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix 4600E/110A-B487 275265

Vacheron Constantin
Fiftysix
4600E/110A-B487

Box
Papers
Year 2023
Product Location
$14,530
incl. import taxes & duties
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288188

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000
Parmigiani Kalpagraph PFC128-0243200-X01401 276001
Limited Edition

Parmigiani
Kalpagraph
PFC128-0243200-X01401

Box
Papers
Year 2017
Product Location
$13,700
incl. import taxes & duties
Bremont ALT1 ALT1-C/BK 238943

Bremont
ALT1
ALT1-C/BK

Box
Papers
Year 2016
Product Location
$3,810
incl. import taxes & duties
Glashutte Original Senator Excellence Panorama Date 1-36-04-01-02-61 256834

Glashutte Original
Senator Excellence Panorama Date
1-36-04-01-02-61

Box
Papers
Year 2023
$6,130
Hamilton American Classic H38416541 274764

Hamilton
American Classic
H38416541

Box
Papers
Year 2022
Product Location
$1,640
incl. import taxes & duties
Bremont Supermarine S500/BL/2018 265705

Bremont
Supermarine
S500/BL/2018

Box
Papers
Year 2022
Product Location
$3,470
incl. import taxes & duties
Glashutte Original PanoMaticLunar 1-90-02-43-32-05 284795

Glashutte Original
PanoMaticLunar
1-90-02-43-32-05

Box
Papers
Year 2021
$8,280
Roger Dubuis Excalibur DBEX0384 288237

Roger Dubuis
Excalibur
DBEX0384

Box
Papers
Year 2022
$5,000

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.