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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. Breitling Breitling
  4. TAG Heuer TAG Heuer
  5. Cartier Cartier
  6. Panerai Panerai
  7. IWC IWC
  8. Tudor Tudor
  9. Hublot Hublot
  10. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  11. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  12. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  13. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
All Brands
  1. A. Lange and Sohne A. Lange and Sohne
  2. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  3. Ball Ball
  4. Baume et Mercier Baume et Mercier
  5. Bell and Ross Bell and Ross
  6. Blancpain Blancpain
  7. Breguet Breguet
  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. Christian Dior Christian Dior
  16. Christopher Ward Christopher Ward
  17. Chronoswiss Chronoswiss
  18. Corum Corum
  19. Eterna Eterna
  20. Fortis Fortis
  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. Longines Longines
  36. Maurice Lacroix Maurice Lacroix
  37. Montblanc Montblanc
  38. Nomos Glashutte Nomos Glashutte
  39. Norqain Norqain
  40. Omega Omega
  41. Oris Oris
  42. Panerai Panerai
  43. Parmigiani Parmigiani
  44. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  45. Perrelet Perrelet
  46. Piaget Piaget
  47. Porsche Design Porsche Design
  48. Rado Rado
  49. Raymond Weil Raymond Weil
  50. Richard Mille Richard Mille
  51. Roger Dubuis Roger Dubuis
  52. Rolex Rolex
  53. Romain Jerome Romain Jerome
  54. Sinn Sinn
  55. TAG Heuer TAG Heuer
  56. Tudor Tudor
  57. U-Boat U-Boat
  58. Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Nardin
  59. Union Glashutte Union Glashutte
  60. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  61. 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. Other Other
  6. Platinum Platinum
  7. Rose Gold Rose Gold
  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
  19. Zirconium Zirconium
Dial Colour
Black
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Bronze
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Green
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Mother of Pearl
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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
Reset Results (5387)
Results (5,387)
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Rolex Submariner 126610 LV 448420
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Submariner
126610 LV

Box
Papers
Year 2024
€13,980
Rolex Explorer II 226570 447613

Rolex
Explorer II
226570

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€10,005
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 126000 448192
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual
126000

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€9,245
Rolex Submariner 16610 447904

Rolex
Submariner
16610

Box
Papers
Year 2005
€9,830
Rolex Yacht-Master II 116680 447887

Rolex
Yacht-Master II
116680

Box
Papers
Year 2017
€15,500
Bell and Ross BR03-92 BR0392-D-BU-ST/SRB 446665

Bell and Ross
BR03-92
BR0392-D-BU-ST/SRB

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€2,750
Omega Planet Ocean 2907.50.91 437605
Vintage

Omega
Planet Ocean
2907.50.91

Box
Papers
Year 2001
€4,970
Omega Planet Ocean 2201.50.00 418542

Omega
Planet Ocean
2201.50.00

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€4,445
Girard Perregaux 1966 49555-11-131-11A 447202

Girard Perregaux
1966
49555-11-131-11A

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€4,500
Rolex Datejust 41 126334 447912

Rolex
Datejust 41
126334

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€14,625
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15510ST.OO.1320ST.02 437022

Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak
15510ST.OO.1320ST.02

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€44,000
Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 26393ST.OO.A056KB.01 440004
Manufacturer's Warranty

Audemars Piguet
CODE 11.59
26393ST.OO.A056KB.01

Box
Papers
Year 2026
€25,900
Panerai Radiomir Automatic PAM00373 451040
New Price

Panerai
Radiomir Automatic
PAM00373

Box
Papers
Year 2011
€15,500
Panerai Luminor Power Reserve PAM00028 451039
New Price

Panerai
Luminor Power Reserve
PAM00028

Box
Papers
Year 2009
€7,310
Tag Heuer Carrera CV211D.BA0739 451037
New Price

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CV211D.BA0739

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€3,050
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.32.42.20.10.001 447883
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.32.42.20.10.001

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€4,620
Tag Heuer Aquaracer WBP5A8A.BF0619 445288
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tag Heuer
Aquaracer
WBP5A8A.BF0619

Box
Papers
Year 2026
€4,095
Tag Heuer Aquaracer WAY208D.FC8221 430454

Tag Heuer
Aquaracer
WAY208D.FC8221

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€2,225
Tag Heuer Aquaracer WAY201F.BA0927 447909

Tag Heuer
Aquaracer
WAY201F.BA0927

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€2,515
Tag Heuer Carrera CBG2A10.FT6168 448424

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CBG2A10.FT6168

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€3,510
Tag Heuer Monaco CW2111.FC6171 445628

Tag Heuer
Monaco
CW2111.FC6171

Box
Papers
Year 2006
€3,450
Omega Seamaster 300m 2225.80.00 434163

Omega
Seamaster 300m
2225.80.00

Box
Papers
Year 2002
€3,275
Panerai Luminor 1950 PAM00253 450973
New Price

Panerai
Luminor 1950
PAM00253

Box
Papers
Year 2006
€8,500
A. Lange and Sohne Grand Langematik 308.025 450972
New Price
Vintage

A. Lange and Sohne
Grand Langematik
308.025

Box
Papers
Year 1998
€29,000
Tudor Black Bay M7941A1A0RU-0003 450970
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Black Bay
M7941A1A0RU-0003

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€3,510
Omega Aqua Terra 150m Mid-Size 2504.75.00 450965
New Price

Omega
Aqua Terra 150m Mid-Size
2504.75.00

Box
Papers
Year 2016
€3,970
Rolex Yacht-Master 16622 450966
New Price

Rolex
Yacht-Master
16622

Box
Papers
Year 2002
€8,250
Omega Speedmaster Racing 329.32.44.51.01.001 450964
New Price

Omega
Speedmaster Racing
329.32.44.51.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€6,025
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m - James Bond Edition 210.92.42.20.01.001 450963
New Price

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m - James Bond Edition
210.92.42.20.01.001

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€7,020
Rolex Submariner 126613 LN 450231
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Submariner
126613 LN

Box
Papers
Year 2026
€16,790
Rolex GMT Master II 16710 444159
Vintage

Rolex
GMT Master II
16710

Box
Papers
Year 2001
€12,460
Bell and Ross BR 05 BR05A-GN-SKST/SST 446471

Bell and Ross
BR 05
BR05A-GN-SKST/SST

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€5,615
Tudor Black Bay GMT M79830RB-0001 438466

Tudor
Black Bay GMT
M79830RB-0001

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€3,160
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage U23370 450192
New Price

Breitling
SuperOcean Heritage
U23370

Box
Papers
Year 2016
€4,505
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 1501 442759
New Price
Vintage

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual Date
1501

Box
Papers
Year 1971
€5,265
Tag Heuer Monaco CAW218B.FC6496 450807
New Price

Tag Heuer
Monaco
CAW218B.FC6496

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€7,310
Rolex Air-King 5500 450806
New Price
Vintage

Rolex
Air-King
5500

Box
Papers
Year 1971
€3,575
Omega Seamaster 300m 212.32.41.20.04.001 450805
New Price

Omega
Seamaster 300m
212.32.41.20.04.001

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€6,025
Tag Heuer Monaco CBL2114 450804
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tag Heuer
Monaco
CBL2114

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€6,140
Parmigiani Tonda PFC288-0000201-XA1442 450802
New Price

Parmigiani
Tonda
PFC288-0000201-XA1442

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€9,300
Longines Legend Diver L3.764.4.50.7 450799
New Price

Longines
Legend Diver
L3.764.4.50.7

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€3,215
Chopard Mille Miglia 16/1251 450762
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Chopard
Mille Miglia
16/1251

Box
Papers
Year 2001
€8,070

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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