Education
How Automatic Watches Work
Automatic watches harness your wrist movement to power themselves.
The Key Components
- Rotor — Weighted disc that spins with wrist movement
- Mainspring — Stores energy from the rotor
- Gear Train — Transfers power to the hands
- Escapement — Regulates energy release
- Balance Wheel — Oscillates to keep time
Tip
Wear your automatic watch daily to keep it running. Most have 40-70 hour power reserves when fully wound.
Interactive Tools