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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. TAG Heuer TAG Heuer
  4. Panerai Panerai
  5. Cartier Cartier
  6. Breitling Breitling
  7. IWC IWC
  8. Tudor Tudor
  9. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  10. Hublot Hublot
  11. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  12. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  13. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
All Brands
  1. A. Lange and Sohne A. Lange and Sohne
  2. Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet
  3. Baume et Mercier Baume et Mercier
  4. Bell and Ross Bell and Ross
  5. Blancpain Blancpain
  6. Breguet Breguet
  7. Breitling Breitling
  8. Bremont Bremont
  9. Bvlgari Bvlgari
  10. Carl F. Bucherer Carl F. Bucherer
  11. Cartier Cartier
  12. Chanel Chanel
  13. Chopard Chopard
  14. Corum Corum
  15. Eterna Eterna
  16. Franck Muller Franck Muller
  17. Frederique Constant Frederique Constant
  18. Girard Perregaux Girard Perregaux
  19. Glashutte Original Glashutte Original
  20. Grand Seiko Grand Seiko
  21. Hamilton Hamilton
  22. Hermes Hermes
  23. Hublot Hublot
  24. IWC IWC
  25. Jaeger-LeCoultre Jaeger-LeCoultre
  26. Jaquet Droz Jaquet Droz
  27. Longines Longines
  28. Maurice Lacroix Maurice Lacroix
  29. Montblanc Montblanc
  30. Nomos Glashutte Nomos Glashutte
  31. Omega Omega
  32. Oris Oris
  33. Panerai Panerai
  34. Parmigiani Parmigiani
  35. Patek Philippe Patek Philippe
  36. Piaget Piaget
  37. Porsche Design Porsche Design
  38. Rado Rado
  39. Roger Dubuis Roger Dubuis
  40. Rolex Rolex
  41. TAG Heuer TAG Heuer
  42. Tudor Tudor
  43. Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Nardin
  44. Union Glashutte Union Glashutte
  45. Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin
  46. 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. Aluminium Aluminium
  2. Bronze Bronze
  3. Carbon Carbon
  4. Ceramic Ceramic
  5. Platinum Platinum
  6. Rose Gold Rose Gold
  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. Steel & Yellow Gold Plated Steel & Yellow Gold Plated
  12. Titanium Titanium
  13. White Gold White Gold
  14. Yellow Gold Yellow Gold
  15. Yellow Gold Plated Yellow Gold Plated
Dial Colour
Black
Blue
Bronze
Brown
Champagne
Diamond
Green
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Ivory
Mother of Pearl
Orange
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Salmon
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Specialised
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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
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Limited Edition
  1. Limited Edition Limited Edition
Reset Results (977)
Results (977)
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Rolex Datejust Lady 179171 435693
New Price

Rolex
Datejust Lady
179171

Box
Papers
Year 2013
€9,710
Rolex GMT Master II 126710 BLRO 435645
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
GMT Master II
126710 BLRO

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€21,530
Rolex Sea-Dweller 126603 435644
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Sea-Dweller
126603

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€15,095
Rolex Mid-Size Datejust 68279 435643
New Price
Vintage

Rolex
Mid-Size Datejust
68279

Box
Papers
Year 1999
€15,500
Rolex GMT Master II 116710 BLNR 435642
New Price

Rolex
GMT Master II
116710 BLNR

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€11,700
Rolex Datejust Lady 179136 435641
New Price

Rolex
Datejust Lady
179136

Box
Papers
Year 2002
€22,170
Cartier Calibre De Cartier W7100060 435640
New Price

Cartier
Calibre De Cartier
W7100060

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€6,610
Cartier Santos WSSA0039 435637
New Price

Cartier
Santos
WSSA0039

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€7,255
Ulysse Nardin Classico 672-05/92 435636
New Price

Ulysse Nardin
Classico
672-05/92

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€19,830
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris 9028180 435635
New Price

Jaeger-LeCoultre
Polaris
9028180

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€9,535
Rolex Daytona 126500 LN 435473
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Daytona
126500 LN

Box
Papers
Year 2026
€33,000
Rolex Land-Dweller 40 127334 435209
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Land-Dweller 40
127334

Box
Papers
Year 2026
€23,985
Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 435005
New Price

Rolex
Sea-Dweller
16600

Box
Papers
Year 2008
€9,945
Vacheron Constantin Overseas 47040/000A-9008 435004

Vacheron Constantin
Overseas
47040/000A-9008

Box
Papers
Year 2015
€23,340
Cartier Santos WSSA0039 435002
New Price

Cartier
Santos
WSSA0039

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€7,605
Rolex Datejust 16234 434999
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Datejust
16234

Box
Papers
Year 2005
€7,665
Rolex Datejust 16234 434998
New Price

Rolex
Datejust
16234

Box
Papers
Year 2001
€7,605
Rolex Datejust Lady 28 279160 434997
New Price

Rolex
Datejust Lady 28
279160

Box
Papers
Year 2020
€7,720
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5010-36B40-O52B 434996
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Blancpain
Fifty Fathoms
5010-36B40-O52B

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€25,680
Rolex Submariner 116613 LB 434995
New Price

Rolex
Submariner
116613 LB

Box
Papers
Year 2016
€14,275
Rolex Datejust 116233 434993
New Price

Rolex
Datejust
116233

Box
Papers
Year 2014
€10,150
Rolex Yacht-Master 226659 434778
New Price

Rolex
Yacht-Master
226659

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€25,700
Zenith Defy 03.9300.3620/51.I001 434726
New Price

Zenith
Defy
03.9300.3620/51.I001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€6,000
Rolex Lady Oyster Perpetual 76080 434724
New Price

Rolex
Lady Oyster Perpetual
76080

Box
Papers
Year 2004
€4,135
Cartier Ballon Bleu WSBB0002 434712
New Price

Cartier
Ballon Bleu
WSBB0002

Box
Papers
Year 2019
€4,095
Tag Heuer Classic Monza CR2110.FC6161 434706
New Price
Vintage

Tag Heuer
Classic Monza
CR2110.FC6161

Box
Papers
Year 2001
€4,155
Tudor Ranger M79950-0001 434704
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tudor
Ranger
M79950-0001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€2,690
Breitling Avenger Hurricane XB0180 434702
New Price

Breitling
Avenger Hurricane
XB0180

Box
Papers
Year 2018
€5,735
Tag Heuer Carrera CBN201B.FC6541 434701
New Price

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CBN201B.FC6541

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€6,640
Rolex Datejust 126234 434700
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Rolex
Datejust
126234

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€12,575
Breitling Chronomat B01 42 AB0134 434697
New Price

Breitling
Chronomat B01 42
AB0134

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€6,140
Breitling AVI AB0945 434695
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Breitling
AVI
AB0945

Box
Papers
Year 2025
€7,310
Tudor Glamour Date M53000-0003 434693
New Price

Tudor
Glamour Date
M53000-0003

Box
Papers
Year 2016
€2,630
Tag Heuer Autavia WBE5191.FC8276 434692
New Price

Tag Heuer
Autavia
WBE5191.FC8276

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€2,515
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 210.62.42.20.03.001 434690
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Omega
Seamaster Diver 300m
210.62.42.20.03.001

Box
Papers
Year 2022
€19,830
Tudor Prince Date 75000 434683
New Price

Tudor
Prince Date
75000

Box
Papers
Year 2026
€1,970
Tag Heuer Carrera CAR205A.FT6087 434682
New Price
Manufacturer's Warranty

Tag Heuer
Carrera
CAR205A.FT6087

Box
Papers
Year 2021
€6,725
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon 1368430 434672
New Price

Jaeger-LeCoultre
Master Ultra Thin Moon
1368430

Box
Papers
Year 2023
€9,300
Rolex Submariner 16618 434665
New Price

Rolex
Submariner
16618

Box
Papers
Year 2008
€28,020
Tag Heuer Grand Carrera CAV511H.FC6306 434664
New Price

Tag Heuer
Grand Carrera
CAV511H.FC6306

Box
Papers
Year 2014
€3,200
Tag Heuer Monaco CW211A.FC6228 434657
New Price

Tag Heuer
Monaco
CW211A.FC6228

Box
Papers
Year 2002
€5,380
IWC Pilot's Chrono IW370607 434363
New Price
Vintage

IWC
Pilot's Chrono
IW370607

Box
Papers
Year 2001
€3,685

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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