Relying on this feedback becomes a problem when we are no longer looking at a manual watch. Creating an automatic movement means that we must be able to cope with constant winding and movement. In an automatic movement, such as the one found in a Rolex Submariner , the spring can be wound either through twisting the crown or the movement of the wrist.
However, given the uncontrollable nature of wrist movement, a solution had to be found to address the potential that the spring would be overwound. To solve this problem, a mechanism was created to allow an overwound spring to dispose of some tension without breaking the part. This led to the creation of a bridle, or small piece of metal pointing in the direction of the spring tension. The model below shows where the spring bridle would press into the notch in the barrel wall under normal tension.
Once the tension is too much, it will simply slip out of the notch and settle into another notch inside of the barrel wall. If the watch is serviced correctly, overwinding will never be a problem. In a typical mechanical watch, both ends of the mainspring is attached to something in the mainspring barrel.
The inner part of the mainspring is connected to an axel in watchmaking jargon called an arbor , whereas the outer end is connected to the wall or cover of the mainspring barrel. In an automatic watch, the inner end is attached to the arbor, while the outer end is able to spin or slip freely in the barrel. In the picture above, the right side is the inner end of the mainspring, which is attached to the arbor, whereas the y-shaped end is the outer end.
The outer end forming the y-shape is called a bridle. The mainspring is put into the movement to provide a force, or scientifically, torque. Therefore, a freely slipping end is not sufficient as the torque would deplete at the same rate it was wound. Having the bridle on the mainspring enables tension to be built before it starts slipping. The bridle is not enough to build the tension required for the mainspring to function correctly. Therefore, watchmakers lubricate the wall of the barrel wall with grease that creates friction.
While this sounds controversial as the rest of the watch is lubricated to reduce friction, it is true. The grease will help to control the amount of slippage. Modern watches have small indentations to the barrel wall, where additional tension is put on the sides of the outer end of the mainspring.
The indentation helps the mainspring from slipping too far. If the maintenance of the watch is neglected, the wear on the wall can cause additional slippage of the mainspring. Further slippage means the watch will deplete faster, and the power reserve will be must shorter than expected.
Winding watches is essential for making it keep time. However, there are differences in when and how to wind, depending on the type of watch. Therefore, understanding the main difference between mechanical and automatic watches are essential to avoid damages.
Both mechanical and automatic watches are mechanical. The name automatic comes from the automatic winding when worn on the wrist. Both automatic and mechanical are made of metal components and is powered solely from the power stored on the mainspring.
None of the watches are powered by a battery. They are driven only by their mechanical complications, known as movements. The main difference between a mechanical and automatic watch is the rotor winding mechanism added to the automatic watch.
The automatic watch has a rotor which charges the mainspring when worn on the wrist. It charges through the movement on the wrist, due to the weight balance from the rotor. The rotor is rotating when worn on the wrist due to gravity. The rotor complication is what should solely charge an automatic watch when worn daily. Mechanical and automatic watches are both powered by a mainspring.
Therefore, the mainspring needs power. To power the mainspring, the watch has to be wound:. Watches powered by batteries are known as quartz watches and should not be wound. There are kinetic quartz watches that look like automatic watches because they feature a rotor as well. The rotor is what makes the kinetic energy and stores the power in a battery. These watches are not mechanical, they are mostly electronic and must not be wound.
Quartz watches are easily identified by their one tick per second on the second hand. In contrast, mechanical and automatic watches have a sweeping hand, beating between 3 to 6 times per second, typically. The mainspring is what charges the movement or watch to actually function. Mechanical and automatic watches are build to deplete energy from the mainspring regardless of complications chronograph, moon phase, GMT, etc.
The power reserve is what people refer to when talking about the duration of a fully wound watch. For example, if you see an ad for a watch with a power reserve of 30 hours, the mainspring can power the watch for 30 hours without winding. The power reserve the period the watch can keep ticking without being wound. Most self-winding watches , when fully wound,including Orient, will run continously for over 40 hourswhich is anywhere from 3 to 10 hours longer than most wind-up only watches.
Can an automatic be wound too much causingdamage? Automatics today disengage from winding when the watch is at full power reserve. Naheed Cinca Professional. How many times should I wind my Automatic watch? Stop winding when you first feel resistance. Tryto wind your watch once a day. A watch typically keeps best time when the mainspring is above halftension.
The typical watch has about a two-day power reserveso winding it up before you strap it on each morning is agood habit to form. Carry Weil Explainer. How often does an automatic watch need to be serviced? When it's worn frequently, a complete serviceis recommended every three to five years.
If worn infrequently,we recommend a service take place no later than five years— sooner than with a simpler watch. Garoafa Alberch Explainer. How often should you wear an automatic watch? Automatic watches , if worn at least 8 to 10 hourseach day, will keep running indefinitely, if the movement isefficient, well lubricated. If your arm's movement is notsufficient, maybe because of your lifestyle, you may have tomanually wind it once a week should be enough to wind themainspring fully.
Hennadiy Mabuse Explainer. How do you reset an automatic watch? Hold the watch in your hand with the dial facing up. Gently move your arm back and forth. After a few minutes, the watch will have enough energy storedto run for about 2 hours. Put the watch on. Reset the watch's time — instructions vary from watch towatch. Jocabed Werndl Pundit. Are automatic watches accurate? There is no such thing as a perfectly accuratewatch.
Of course, automatic watch accuracy isn'tperfect, but accuracy varies greatly between differentmodels and brands. Even the most precise watches still loseor gain seconds every day, and an automatic watch is nodifferent. Encinar Seller Pundit. Is it OK to wind a watch backwards? Despite that, many modern watches can be reversedwith no problem. But it is best to check with the manufacturer tobe sure. The one general rule is that if your mechanical watch's second hand does not stop when you put the watch in time setting mode, then you should definitely notturn the hands backwards.
Eufrosina Tindell Pundit.
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