378,682 listings including promoted listings
Popular
Rolex Explorer
Like New Full Set
NZ$10,574
+ NZ$1,837 for shipping
Popular
Rado Original
R12413243
NZ$1,100
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Popular
Rolex Yacht-Master II
“Two-Tone 116681 Rose Gold & Stainless Steel” Yachtmaster II
NZ$36,333
+ NZ$260 for shipping
Omega Seamaster
166.128
NZ$1,192
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M
WAY201T.BA0927
NZ$3,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Promoted
Zenith El Primero New Vintage 1969
03.1969.469/21.C490
NZ$10,718
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Popular
TAG Heuer Carrera
Chronograph Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph 39mm glassbox CBS2210.FC6534
NZ$7,876
+ NZ$323 for shipping
Seiko Presage
Irori Moments Limited Edition 657/1000
NZ$1,590
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Popular
Seiko Presage
Star Bar Presage Limited Cocktail Edition Limited Edition Houjou 4355/5500
NZ$1,090
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 17
CV2111 Rally Strap OEM buckle
NZ$3,600
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
IWC Big Pilot
IW329301
NZ$8,500
Free shipping
Promoted
Piaget Polo
Skeleton
NZ$61,384
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Popular
Rolex GMT-Master II
2007 Z Serial Watch Only
NZ$18,755
+ NZ$3,678 for shipping
Longines Conquest Heritage
L1.611.4.75.4
NZ$1,500
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Popular
Rolex Daytona
Chronograph "John Mayer" | LC100 | 12/2021 | FullSet | 116508
NZ$123,026
+ NZ$552 for shipping
TAG Heuer Kirium
Chronometer Tag Heuer Kirium Black WL5111.BA0700
NZ$1,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Popular
Seiko Presage
Sharp Edged Red
NZ$1,157
+ NZ$588 for shipping
Promoted
Omega Seamaster 300
CK2913-3
NZ$18,041
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Rolex Datejust 31
Like brand new. 70 hour power reseve. Gold n steel bracele
NZ$23,900
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Popular
Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart
40mm Auto Watch Men's
NZ$1,434
+ NZ$460 for shipping
Popular
Rolex Explorer
39mm 214270 Black Dial MK1 + Box
NZ$11,410
+ NZ$327 for shipping
Popular
Rolex Explorer
114270 - FULL SET - NEVER POLISHED - K SERIAL - YEAR 2003
NZ$10,831
+ NZ$127 for shipping
Popular
Tudor Black Bay Chrono
FULL SET Black Bay Chrono 79363N S&G
NZ$6,971
+ NZ$323 for shipping
Promoted
Tudor 1926
91550-0005
NZ$2,269
+ NZ$222 for shipping
Popular
Rolex Datejust 36
126234 Blue Motif Novelty Dial Fluted Bezel Jubilee Stainless Steel
NZ$21,964
+ NZ$216 for shipping
Popular
IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar
IW502103
NZ$32,007
+ NZ$433 for shipping
Popular
Patek Philippe Nautilus
5712/1A
NZ$156,127
+ NZ$736 for shipping
Kurono Tokyo Grand Akane Kurono Tokyo Grand Akane
NZ$7,000
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
TAG Heuer Link Calibre 16
CJF2110
NZ$1,645
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Promoted
Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous
Ref. 3448421 has a brand new strap
NZ$10,943
Excl. shipping
Private Seller

The Secure Path to Your Dream Watch

Chrono24 Buyer Protection Has Your Back

More information

Popular
IWC Pilot Chronograph
IW371701
NZ$6,400
+ NZ$483 for shipping
Popular
Rolex Submariner Date
116610LV Hulk Green Dial 2024 Rolex Service Card + Box
NZ$31,134
+ NZ$327 for shipping
Rolex Daytona
Oysterflex Weißgold Grau - 03/2023 - LC100 - wie NEU - Fullset
NZ$68,961
+ NZ$184 for shipping
Popular
Rolex Datejust 36
SILVER DIAL 126200 LIKE NEW 2022 FULL SET
NZ$14,344
+ NZ$460 for shipping
Popular
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
41 Steel Rose Gold new service
NZ$10,666
+ NZ$542 for shipping
Promoted
Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000
116600 2015
NZ$31,027
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Popular
Vacheron Constantin Overseas
Vintage “Blue 42042” Overseas
NZ$21,627
+ NZ$260 for shipping
Popular
Breitling Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph
46 - Very Good Condition - Serviced
NZ$10,464
+ NZ$460 for shipping
Popular
Rolex Lady-Datejust
26 mm.
NZ$11,287
+ NZ$256 for shipping
Popular
Rolex Datejust 41
126334
NZ$26,337
+ NZ$460 for shipping
Popular
IWC Pilot Mark
Le Petit Prince Mark Xviii
NZ$6,713
+ NZ$483 for shipping
Promoted
Breguet Classique
5177BB/29/9V6
NZ$19,954
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Popular
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39
Purple Grape Dial 114300 + Box
NZ$12,967
+ NZ$327 for shipping
Popular
Rolex Datejust 41
Mint Green - 05/2024 - LC100 - Neu / Ungetragen - Fullset
NZ$28,044
+ NZ$184 for shipping
Rolex Daytona
16523
NZ$28,485
+ NZ$736 for shipping
Popular
Tudor Black Bay 54
2023 Fullset Deutsch 79000N Rubber Kautschuk
NZ$5,681
+ NZ$2,758 for shipping
Popular
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 31
BLU Dial 277200 LIKE NEW 10/2021 FULL SET
NZ$10,574
+ NZ$460 for shipping
Promoted
Breitling Chronomat
for Blue Angels Limited Edition from the one of 1st lot #200 379 Presented to an Original Member for "Blue's"
NZ$6,350
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
IWC Portuguese Chronograph
Portugieser 2022 Stainless Full set including warranty box and papers
NZ$10,500
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight
58 BB 58 Bronze 79012
NZ$5,806
+ NZ$323 for shipping
Popular
Breitling Old Navitimer
81610
NZ$5,149
Free shipping
Popular
Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M
Blue Dial - Box & Papiere - Good Condition - Serviced
NZ$6,602
+ NZ$460 for shipping
Popular
Rolex Submariner Date
"Kermit" 16610LV Engraved Rehaut + Box
NZ$20,743
+ NZ$327 for shipping
Promoted
Rolex Explorer II
Original box and papers - bought new in 2011
NZ$13,931
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
Popular
Rolex Submariner Date
03/2022 - LC100 - Neu / Ungetragen
NZ$22,987
+ NZ$184 for shipping
Popular
Patek Philippe Nautilus
5711/1P-010 Nautilus Platinum Rare
NZ$1,297,596
+ NZ$433 for shipping
Popular
Patek Philippe Nautilus
3800
NZ$68,977
+ NZ$1,653 for shipping
Rolex Datejust 36
Black Dial 126234
NZ$18,955
+ NZ$564 for shipping
Rolex Milgauss
Blue Dial Lc 120 Like new
NZ$19,491
+ NZ$3,678 for shipping
Promoted
Seiko Galante
Spring Drive GMT Original Box Papers and all accessories
NZ$3,159
Excl. shipping
Private Seller
  • 30
  • 60
  • 120

Automatic Watches: Self-Winding Mechanical Timepieces

Automatic watches are powered by the natural motion of your wrist while you wear them. This type of watch has a rich history reaching back to the 18th century. Today, countless brands produce their own automatic calibers for their watches.


Highlights

  • Automatically wound by the natural movements of your arm
  • Environmentally-friendly: No batteries to produce or throw away
  • The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is one of the most famous automatic watches
  • John Harwood is considered the inventor of the automatic wristwatch
  • Automatic watches available in almost every price range

Automatic Watches: Self-Winding Timepieces

Automatic watches fall under the larger umbrella term of mechanical watches. They offer a key advantage over manual timepieces: They wind automatically via the movement of the wearer's arm. An oscillating mass inside the caliber is responsible for winding the spring. Today, this is in most cases a winding rotor. It is flexibly mounted so that gravity pulls it towards the center. When you're wearing the watch and move your wrist, the rotor moves and gives the caliber new energy. Automatic watches don't require batteries, making mechanical watches comparably more environmentally friendly than battery-powered quartz watches.

Automatic watches are available from almost every famous watch manufacturer in all price ranges. Less expensive models are often powered by base calibers made by the ébauche manufacturers ETA, Soprod, or Sellita. Various manufacturers use these calibers in a more or less reworked form in their watches. These calibers even power the watches made by famous brands such as Breitling and TAG Heuer. However, both manufacturers have developed their own in-house movements as well.

Rolex and Patek Philippe are some of the most well-known watch manufacturers. Unlike many other brands, these two Geneva-based manufacturers don't outsource base calibers. Instead, they use their own. For example, Rolex's caliber 3130 is considered very robust, reliable, and precise. These qualities and more make the caliber one of the best automatic movements on the market; it powers Rolex watches such as the Submariner. Since Rolex produces their watches almost entirely in-house, production is costlier. This results in higher prices for automatic watches with in-house movements.


Buying Tips

If you're searching for an automatic watch, the hard part is actually choosing one. Should it be large or small, simple or extravagant, affordable or expensive? The selection is ample for every taste and budget. Pre-owned automatic watches from Citizen, Seiko, or Swatch are available for around 50 euros. These watches often only have three hands for the hours, minutes, and seconds. Some also have a date or even day/date display.

In the price range between 100 and 200 euros, you can find diverse new automatic watches from brands like Seiko or Fossil. Pre-owned watches from long-established manufacturers such as Tissot, Hamilton, or Longines cost up to 500 euros. The situation is similar in the 1,000 euros and under price range, though here you can also find new models from the German brand Marcello C.

In the 1,000 euro price range, you can find pre-owned Omega or Breitling watches. New automatic three-hand watches are available from Oris, Raymond Weil, or Rado.

However, if you're looking for an automatic chronograph, you need to adjust your budget accordingly. A pre-owned automatic chronograph costs at least 500 euros; this applies to watches from brands such as Tissot or Hamilton. New chronographs cost a few hundred euros more, around 800 euros. These watches are often powered by ETA's Valjoux 7750, which is considered one of the most successful automatic chronograph calibers in the world.

If you're searching for a new automatic Rolex, you need to plan on spending at least 3,000 euros. You can purchase the introductory model, Oyster Perpetual, for this price. You can occasionally find pre-owned vintage watches from this Genevan manufacturer for less than 1,000 euros. The Submariner, one of the first and most famous diving watches in the world, is available pre-owned for around 4,100 euros. New, it costs around 5,600 euros. Rolex's chronograph, the Daytona, is available for around 7,500 euros.

The most expensive automatic watches are from brands such as Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe. These watches are often made of platinum or 18-karat gold and feature countless diamonds on their dial and/or case. At times, these watches are also incredibly expensive as they're rare vintage watches coveted by collectors. Prices over 1 million euros are not too rare when it comes to these watches.


The Technology Behind Automatic Watches

The mainspring of an automatic watch is, as the name suggests, automatically wound by the movement itself. The mainspring is wound, becomes tense, and stores energy. This happens through the natural movements of the wearer's arm when the watch is on his or her wrist. This mechanism eliminates the need to manually wind the mainspring. Instead, an oscillating mass - often the rotor - winds the mainspring. Gravity causes the flexibly mounted rotor to move towards the center and a gear-train transfers the energy from the rotor's movement to the barrel. Viewed from a physics standpoint, the mechanism converts kinetic energy into potential energy.

There are automatic movements that wind in one or both directions. Bi-directional winding movements have so-called reverser gears. These ensure that the rotor winds the barrel in both directions. Uni-directional winding movements actually wind bidirectionally, but the mainspring is only wound in one direction. Both variants have a reduction gear which converts the fast movements of the rotor into slower movements with more torque. The end of the mainspring is not directly connected to the barrel so that it doesn't snap off when it's fully wound. The outer end of the spring is outfitted with a bridle, which keeps the pressure on the mainspring's outermost coil. When not fully wound, that pressure allows the outer end of the mainspring to be caught in a notch in the barrel wall. Once the spring is fully wound, it moves along to the next notch.

Automatic watches have many advantages: They're comfortable, environmentally-friendly, and usually more precise. This improved precision is due to the mainspring, which is always tense and has a more constant torque than mainsprings in hand-wound calibers. This has a positive effect on the amplitude. The amplitude is the balance wheel's degree of rotation and refers to the wheel's maximum rotation angle between equilibrium and a reversal point.

Technical Details of Automatic Watches

  • The winding rotor winds the mainspring in the barrel
  • Advantages: no manual winding required, environmentally-friendly, more precise
  • Uni-directional and bi-directional winding movements

The Origins of Automatic Watches

Automatic winding is one of the most important and long-lasting innovations in the history of watchmaking and the mechanism is one of the most widespread complications in use today.

Today's automatic watches can trace their origin back to the year 1729. Abraham-Louis Perrelet improved the winding mechanism of pocket watches in the 18th century. A small key was required to wind a movement before this improvement. Since the key was never there when you needed it, winding mechanisms that didn't require a key were in high demand. Perrelet wanted to invent a self-winding pocket watch. In 1770, he introduced his pedometer watch after countless attempts. The watch had an oscillating weight which teetered back and forth as the wearer walked. The motion caused the oscillating weight to tense the mainspring. Perrelet also developed a caliber with a winding rotor which swiveled above the movement. With these innovations, the groundwork for today's automatic watches was laid.

Refined men carried their pocket watches tucked away safely in their jacket, vest, or pants. The timepieces barely moved while in their pockets, which meant that the oscillating mass didn't have enough energy to wind the mainspring. The crown-wind method solved the key-wind problem in the mid-19th century, making the automatic pocket watch superfluous.


The First Automatic Wristwatches

The French watchmaker Léon Leroy was also a pioneer in the development of automatic watches. He presented his first automatic wristwatch in 1922. Some of these watches even had a date display. However, Leroy was far away from being able to mass produce a series.

The British watchmaker John Harwood lead automatic wristwatches to series production. He began working on automatic movements in 1922. Two years later, he patented his work, paving the way for the first series-produced automatic wristwatches.

Rolex's Oyster Perpetual was one of the first automatic wristwatches. Rolex introduced the watch to the market in 1931. It's one of the few early models that has lasted over the years and is still produced today. The principle behind Oyster Perpetual's winding rotor is at the heart of every modern automatic wristwatch.