In this article, we will guide you through the world of automatic watches and help you find the best automatic watch for your needs and preferences that will suit every occasion.
Automatic watches, or self-winding watches, are mechanical watches that use the natural motion of the wearer’s wrist to wind the mainspring. These watches have a complex and intricate mechanism that consists of hundreds of tiny parts working together to keep accurate time.
Automatic watches have many advantages over other types of watches. They can continue to function even if they are not worn for a period of time. Moreover, automatic watches often feature intricate designs, making them highly sought-after accessories for those who appreciate both functionality and aesthetics.
Additional resources: Unlock the Secrets of Automatic Watches: A Beginner’s Guide to Movement
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Automatic Watch
Choosing an automatic watch can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the technical aspects and terminology of watchmaking. There are many factors that affect the quality, performance, and price of an automatic watch, and you need to consider them carefully before making a purchase.
Also read: Mechanical vs. Automatic Watches: Which One is Better?
Movement Type
The movement is the central mechanism in an automatic watch, powering the watch and keeping time. Common movement types include Swiss, Japanese, and Chinese.
Swiss movements are considered accurate, reliable, and prestigious, while Japanese movements are affordable and offer good quality. Chinese movements are cheaper but may have lower quality and durability.
Movement Features
The movement also determines what features an automatic watch can have, such as power reserve, complications, etc.
Power reserve is the amount of time that an automatic watch can run without being worn or wound. Complications are additional functions that an automatic watch can perform, such as date, day, month, moon phase, chronograph, etc.
The more features an automatic watch has, the more complex and expensive it is.
Case Size and Shape
The case is the outer part of an automatic watch that houses the movement and the dial. The case size and shape affect how an automatic watch looks and feels on your wrist.
The case size is measured by the diameter of the case in millimeters, and it ranges from 34 mm to 50 mm or more. The case shape can be round, square, rectangular, etc., depending on the design of the watch.
Case Material
The case material, such as stainless steel, titanium, or gold, affects the weight, durability, and appearance of an automatic watch.
Stainless steel is strong, corrosion-resistant, and easy to polish. Titanium is lighter, stronger, but more expensive and harder to work with. Meanwhile, gold adds a luxurious look but is expensive and prone to scratches.
Dial Design and Color
The dial is the face of an automatic watch that displays the time and other information. The dial design and color affect the readability, functionality, and aesthetics of an automatic watch.
Strap Type and Material
The strap is the part of an automatic watch that attaches it to the wrist. Its type and material impact its comfort, durability, and versatility.
Leather straps are soft, comfortable, but sensitive to moisture and wear. Metal straps are sturdy and durable but heavy and rigid, while rubber straps are light and flexible but prone to fading and cracking.
Water Resistance
Water resistance is the ability of an automatic watch to withstand water pressure without being damaged. Water resistance is measured by atmospheric pressure rating (ATM), which indicates how deep an automatic watch can be submerged in water without leaking.
Brand Reputation and Warranty
Brand reputation is consumers’ perception of a brand’s quality and credibility, influencing their satisfaction and confidence in purchasing an automatic watch from a specific manufacturer or seller.
Warranty, on the other hand, is a guarantee provided by the manufacturer to cover defects or damages within a specific timeframe, protecting against unexpected costs or inconveniences.
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Our Picks for Best Automatic Watches
Automatic watches come in a wide variety of styles, features, and prices. Here are 15 best automatic watches that we have selected based on design, quality, performance, and features.
Seiko 5 Sports
The Seiko 5 Sports is a versatile and sporty automatic watch that features a stainless steel case, a rotating bezel, a day-date window, a luminous dial and hands, and a water resistance rating of 100 meters.
The Seiko 5 Sports has a variety of dial colors and strap options to suit your preferences. The movement is a Japanese-made Seiko 4R36 caliber that has a power reserve of 41 hours.
Priced at around $200, the Seiko 5 Sports is a great everyday watch that can handle any occasion. It is often considered to be among the best automatic watches in entry-level. Seiko 5 Sports watches can be found at various retailers, both online and in physical stores.
Tissot Powermatic 80
The Tissot Powermatic 80 is a sleek and elegant automatic watch that features a stainless steel case, a sapphire crystal, a date window, and a water resistance rating of 50 meters. The dial has a simple and classic design with Roman numerals and baton markers. The movement is a Swiss-made ETA C07.111 caliber that has an impressive power reserve of 80 hours.
Priced between $600 and $1,000, the Tissot Powermatic 80 is a great dress watch that combines accuracy, durability, and style. These watches can be found at Tissot official website, authorized Tissot dealers, and online retailers.
Orient RA-AK00
The Orient RA-AK00 is an automatic watch that has a minimalist and refined design, with a stainless steel case and leather strap, a white dial with blue hands and Roman numerals, and a date window at 3 o’clock. It also has an exhibition case back that lets you admire the movement inside.
The Orient RA-AK00 is powered by the Orient caliber F6B24, which has a 40-hour power reserve and a 22-jewel count. It is water-resistant up to 50 meters, which means it can withstand splashes and rain, but not swimming or diving.
The price range of the Orient RA-AK00 is between $280 and $350. Orient RA-AK00 watches can be purchased from various online retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart. Its entry level price makes the piece one of the best automatic watches for new watch enthusiasts.
Timex Marlin
The Timex Marlin is an automatic watch that has a retro and charming design, with a stainless steel case and leather strap and a silver-tone dial with gold-tone hands and markers. It also has an acrylic crystal that gives it an authentic look. Its looks make it one of the best automatic watches you should consider.
The Timex Marlin is powered by the Miyota caliber 8215, which has a 40-hour power reserve and a 21-jewel count. It is water-resistant up to 30 meters, which means it can withstand splashes and rain, but not swimming or diving.
Timex Marlin automatic watches are priced at around $259. These watches can be purchased from various retailers, including Amazon and the Timex website.
Swatch Sistem51
The Swatch Sistem51 is an automatic watch that has a colorful and playful design, with a plastic case and silicone strap, a blue dial with white hands and markers, and a date window at 3 o’clock. It also has a transparent case back that lets you see the movement in action.
The Swatch Sistem51 is powered by the Swatch caliber Sistem51, which has a remarkable 90-hour power reserve and a 19-jewel count. It is water-resistant up to 30 meters, which means it can withstand splashes and rain, but not swimming or diving.
The price range for the Swatch Sistem51 is around $150 to $351, depending on the model. Swatch Sistem51 can be purchased from various retailers, such as Swatch website, Amazon, eBay, and local watch retailers.
Vaer D5 Meridian Navy
The Vaer D5 Meridian Navy is a rugged and versatile automatic watch that features a stainless steel case and bracelet, a navy blue dial with white hands and markers, and a date window at 6 o’clock. It also has a sapphire crystal that protects the dial from scratches and glare.
The Vaer D5 Meridian Navy is powered by Miyota 9039 automatic movement that provides a 40-hour power reserve. It is water-resistant up to 200 meters, which means it can withstand swimming and diving.
The Vaer D5 Meridian Navy diver watch can be purchased from the Vaer Watches website for $659.
Shinola The Lake Ontario Monster Automatic 43mm
The Shinola Lake Ontario Monster Automatic 43mm is an automatic watch that has a bold and adventurous design, with a stainless steel case and bracelet, a black dial with orange hands and markers, and a date window at 4 o’clock. It also has an anti-reflective sapphire crystal that protects the dial from scratches and glare.
The Shinola Lake Ontario Monster Automatic 43mm is powered by the Shinola caliber Argonite SW200-1, which has a 38-hour power reserve and a 26-jewel count. It is water-resistant up to 300 meters, which means it can withstand swimming and diving.
The price range for Shinola The Lake Ontario Monster Automatic 43mm is between $1,550 and $1,995. This watch can be purchased from Shinola’s official website, Watches.com and Neiman Marcus.
Oris Aquis
The Oris Aquis is an automatic watch that has a sleek and sophisticated design, with a stainless steel case and bracelet, a green dial with silver-tone hands and markers, and a date window at 6 o’clock. It also has an anti-reflective sapphire crystal that protects the dial from scratches and glare.
The Oris Aquis is powered by the Oris caliber 733, which has a 38-hour power reserve and a 26-jewel count. It is water-resistant up to 300 meters, which means it can withstand swimming and diving. With these features, it is considered to be one of the best automatic wathes available.
The price range of Oris Aquis watches is between $1,300 and $5,000. These watches can be purchased from various authorized retailers and online platforms.
Hamilton Khaki Field
The Hamilton Khaki Field automatic watch has a rugged and functional design, with a stainless steel case and leather strap, a black dial with luminous hands and markers, and a date window at 3 o’clock. It also has a sapphire crystal that protects the dial from scratches and glare.
The Hamilton Khaki Field is powered by the Hamilton caliber H-10, which has an impressive 80-hour power reserve and a 25-jewel count. It is water-resistant up to 100 meters, which means it can withstand swimming and diving. Thus, making it one of the best automatic watches available.
The price range for Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic watches is typically between $500 and $1,000. Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic watches can be purchased from Hamilton official website, authorized dealers, and online retailers such as Amazon, Jomashop, and Watchshopping.com.
Longines Conquest
The Longines Conquest has a modern and dynamic design that can match your active lifestyle. It has a stainless steel case and bracelet, a sapphire crystal, a tachymeter bezel, and a black dial with silver hands and markers. It also has a water resistance rating of 300m, which means you can wear it while diving or snorkeling.
The Longines Conquest is powered by the Longines L888 movement, which has a power reserve of 64 hours and can be hand-wound or hacked.
Longines Conquest automatic watches cover a wide range of prices, from $1,000 to $5,000 USD. These watches can be purchased from Longines official website, authorized retailers, and online retailers such as Jomashop and Watches of Switzerland.
Omega Seamaster
The Omega Seamaster has a sophisticated and versatile design that can suit any occasion. It has a stainless steel case and bracelet, a sapphire crystal, and a blue dial with silver hands and markers. It also has a water resistance rating of 600m, which means you can wear it while deep diving or scuba diving.
The Omega Seamaster is powered by the Omega Master Chronometer 8800 movement, which has a power reserve of 55 hours and can resist magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss.
The price of Omega Seamaster automatic watches starts from $5,000 to several tens of thousands. The Omega Seamaster can be purchased from Omega’s official website, authorized dealers, and online retailers.
Rolex Submariner
The Rolex Submariner has a simple and timeless design that can symbolize status and success. It has a stainless steel case and bracelet, a sapphire crystal, a ceramic bezel, and a black dial with white hands and markers. It also has a water resistance rating of 300m, which means you can wear it while diving or snorkeling.
The Rolex Submariner is powered by the Rolex Caliber 3235 movement, which has a power reserve of 70 hours and can be hand-wound or hacked.
The price for Rolex Submariner watches is ranging from $9,000 to $42,000. Rolex Submariner watches can be purchased from Rolex authorized dealers and Rolex’s official website
IWC Portugieser
The IWC Portugieser has a refined and vintage design that can exude class and charm. It has a stainless steel case and leather strap, a sapphire crystal, and a silver dial with blue hands and markers. It also has two subdials for the power reserve indicator and the date display.
The IWC Portugieser is powered by the IWC Caliber 52010 movement, which has a power reserve of 168 hours and can be seen through the transparent case back.
The price for IWC Portugieser watches is ranging from $5,000 to $30,000. These watches can be purchased from IWC Boutiques, authorized dealers, and online dealers.
Breitling Navitimer
The Breitling Navitimer has a distinctive and functional design that can appeal to pilots and enthusiasts. It has a stainless steel case and bracelet, a sapphire crystal, a bidirectional bezel, and a black dial with silver hands and markers. It also has three subdials for the chronograph function and a slide rule for various calculations.
The Breitling Navitimer is powered by the Breitling Caliber 01 movement, which has a power reserve of 70 hours and can be seen through the transparent case back.
The price range of Breitling Navitimer watches is from $3,800 to $35,000. Breitling Navitimer watches are available for purchase on the Breitling website and at authorized retailers around the world.
Cartier Tank
The Cartier Tank has a classic and timeless design that can symbolize elegance and sophistication. It has a rectangular stainless steel case and leather strap, a sapphire crystal, and a silver dial with blue hands and Roman numerals. It also has a date window at the 6 o’clock position.
The Cartier Tank is powered by the Cartier Caliber 1904-PS MC movement, which has a power reserve of 48 hours and can be seen through the transparent case back.
The price range for Cartier Tank automatic watches is between $3,000 and $20,000. The Cartier Tank collection is available on Cartier’s official website and at authorized retailers.
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Final Thoughts
As you navigate this sea of choices, remember that the best automatic watch for you isn’t just about the brand or the price; it’s an embodiment of your style and preferences. Consider your lifestyle, outfit choices, and the occasions you’ll wear it to.
An automatic watch is not just a device that tells time; it is also a piece of art, a statement of style, and a reflection of your personality. Therefore, you should also take good care of it and maintain your automatic watch properly.