What Does an Automatic Mechanical Watch Mean?

An automatic mechanical watch keeps time with a spring-driven movement rather than a battery-powered quartz movement. As you wear it, a weighted rotor moves with your wrist and winds the mainspring, storing energy that the watch releases gradually to move its hands.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating what “automatic mechanical” means.

A quartz watch typically uses a battery and an electronic oscillator to keep time, while an automatic mechanical watch relies on interacting mechanical parts. That difference makes an automatic watch appealing if you enjoy the way a traditional movement works, but it also means you should expect to set the time occasionally rather than assume it will stay as precise as quartz.

“Automatic” does not mean the watch runs forever on its own: if you leave it unworn long enough, its stored energy will run down and the watch will stop. When you put it on again, follow the watch’s instructions for starting and setting it; if it has a date display, set the date using the recommended procedure to avoid forcing the mechanism.

Think about how often you will wear the watch, whether you want a date display, and whether its case and strap feel comfortable throughout a normal day. Our Automatic Mechanical Watch for Men with Date Display and 100M Water Resistance brings those features together; for water exposure, keep the crown properly secured and remember that water resistance is not a permanent condition.

Protect an automatic mechanical watch from hard impacts and strong magnetic fields, and clean its exterior with a soft cloth after wear. If it begins running unusually fast or slow, or if you notice moisture beneath the crystal, stop using it in water and ask a qualified watch professional to assess it.