Automatic watches are marvels of engineering, artistry, and craftsmanship. In the last newsletter we told their abridged story; now we want to explain how they work.
The Key to Automatic Watches: The Rotor
At the heart of an automatic watch is the rotor. This is a semicircular weight, typically made of metal, which is attached to the movement. Because it can spin freely, every time you move your wrist, the movement is harnessed to wind the watch. But how?
How the Rotor Winds the Watch: Energy Transfer
The rotor is connected to a gear system inside the watch. As the rotor turns, it engages with these gears, which in turn wind the watch's mainspring. The mainspring is a coiled strip of metal located inside a barrel. Think of the mainspring as the watch’s energy source — when it’s wound tight, it stores energy, and as it slowly unwinds, it releases that energy to power the movement of the watch.
This energy from the mainspring drives all the components of the watch, from the ticking of the seconds hand to the turning of the hour and minute hands.
No battery, no problem!
Unlike quartz watches, which rely on batteries, automatic watches are purely mechanical, meaning they are powered by physical movement and engineering precision. This makes them not only environmentally friendly but also very convenient, because for as long as you wear it regularly, it keeps winding itself. Yes, if you stop wearing it for an extended period, it will stop. But don’t worry — once you put the watch back on and start moving, the rotor will spring back into action, and the watch will start to wind itself again.
Whether you’re a seasoned watch enthusiast or new to the world of horology, automatic watches offer a perfect blend of convenience and craftsmanship.
