Dare I say how many of us in the current age use our mobile phones for a quick glance at the time? There is, however, no replacement for the feel and look of a wristwatch or wearing one of the best automatic watches that you can find.
Available in so many different styles, a watch is a classic, statement piece of jewelry. The added bonus is that it has a function – to tell the time.
Watches come in all prices, from top-of-the-line luxury models to the more basic, practical ones. Some people will choose a watch that represents their personality. A scuba diver might wear a functional dive watch, a lawyer could wear an understated timepiece. A fashion-conscious teenager may prefer a brightly-colored, noticeable strap.
Whatever your choice of style may be, there is also the mechanism to consider. Watches can be wind up, battery operated, automatic or more. In this list though, we will focus specifically on the automatic, self-winding watch.
Best Automatic Watches : Comparison Table
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Best Automatic Watches for Men
Hamilton Men Khaki Navy Scuba Auto Watch
The Hamilton watch has a stainless steel casing and bracelet. The rotating bezel and the dial are in the back, which contrasts well.
The day of the week is displayed at 12 o’clock while the date is at 6 o’clock. It has a durable sapphire crystal window and an analog display. The case is 42 mm in diameter and 12 mm in depth.
The stainless steel, silver wristband is 20 mm wide and secures with a deployment buckle. The rear of the watch casing is transparent, providing a view of the internal mechanism. The watch is water resistant to a depth of 100 meters (330 feet). One of our higher priced choices, it’s likely to be a good investment.
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Seiko Men’s SNK809 Seiko 5 Automatic Stainless Steel Watch with Black Canvas Strap
This affordable watch from the well-known Seiko brand has a stainless steel case and a black canvas bracelet. It has a stationary stainless steel bezel.
The black watch face has white Arabic numeral hour markers on the inner rim and Arabic numeral minute markers at five minute intervals on the outer rim. It also has minute markers in white on the outer rim.
The watch hands are luminescent and the date and day of the week are displayed at the 3 o’clock marker. The rear of the watch is transparent, allowing full view of the mechanism.
The watch face is made from Hardlex crystal. The unit has a 40-hour power reserve on the automatic movement. Also, this watch is water resistant to 100 feet, which is suitable for swimming and light watersports, but not for scuba diving.
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Seiko Men’s ‘Classic Dress’ Japanese Automatic Stainless Steel and Leather Casual Watch
This stylish, understated watch from Seiko has a stainless steel case with a transparent back. The clear windows are made from scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal. The watch has an adjustable, black leather strap, fitting 6 inches to 8.5 inches, which secures with a buckle.
Time can easily be read from the black dial, with silver colored hands and roman numerals. The date calendar is set at 3 o’clock. The automatic movement produces 21,600 vibrations per minute and gives a 41-hour power reserve.
Water resistant to 100 feet, it is suitable for swimming or snorkelling but not for scuba diving. More expensive than the previous model, it still represents great value.
This watch is the perfect complement for your tux or for any black-tie event. It is also versatile enough that it can be worn during the day and not just reserved for special occasions. It is definitely a classic watch to go on with your classic elegant cologne.
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Tag Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 5 Black Titanium Automatic Watch 41mm WAZ2115.FT8023
This sporty men’s watch from Tag Heuer is both classy and sturdy. It features a black steel case, coated with titanium carbide. The one directional bezel also has a black titanium carbide coating.
The black dial has luminous hands and the hour markers are indexed. Arabic numerals represent the 6 and 12 o’clock positions. It also has minute and second markers on the outer rim. All markers are luminescent, making them easy to read in low light.
There is a date display at the 3 o’clock position. The perforated, black rubber strap secures with a buckle and tang clasp.
The window is made from scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The case is round in shape, measuring 41 mm diameter.
This luxury sports style watch is water-resistant up to 660 feet, suitable for serious surface water sports and professional marine activities. However, it is not suitable for scuba diving.
Powered by a Swiss automatic movement, it has a 38-hour power reserve. The most expensive of our choices, it will more than likely last a lifetime and beyond.
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Tissot Men’s T0874075506700 T-Classic Analog Display Swiss Automatic Silver Watch
Tissot brings us this attractivemen’s watch manufactured from titanium with rose gold PVD (plated) accents.
The 40-mm diameter case is titaniumwith a rose gold PVD fixed bezel and sapphire crystal scratch-resistant window.The minute makers surround the rim of the black dial. The hands and index hourmarkers are rose gold, as are the roman numerals at the 12 and 6 o’clockpositions. The date is seen at the 3 o’clock position.
The Swiss automatic movement can beviewed through the transparent rear window. The titanium and rose gold PVDwristband measures seven inches and secures with a fold over deployment clasp.
Water resistant to 165 feet, this classic watchis suitable for everyday wear and is in the middle price range.
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Women’s Best Automatic Watches
Carnival Women’s Automatic Mechanical Female Watch Personality Sparkling Stars in the Blue Sky Skeleton Dial
This unique womens watch comes to us from Carnival. It is available in a choice of stainless steel or stainless steel with rose gold plated accents.
The watch face is a lovely midnight blue and detailed with what can only be described as many tiny stars. The fixed bezel is inlaid with rhinestones and there is a small open window – giving a view of the automatic mechanism.
The luminous hands and time markers make the time easy to read. Water resistant to 30 meters, this watch should not be worn for swimming, bathing or showering, although it is splash proof.
A value for money product, this watch would make a great, practical addition to your jewelry collection.
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Bulova Women’s Automatic Stainless Steel Casual Watch, Color Two Tone (Model: 98P170)
The US brand, Bulova, has been producing quality watches since 1875. This classic, stylish watch comes from their diamond range.
The case is 35 mm in diameter and is stainless steel with a rose gold tone. The white, mother of pearl dial has rose gold tone Roman numerals. There are also five diamonds set into the dial at the hour markers. There is a small, open aperture in the watch face and a transparent rear on the case.
The domed window is made from scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire. The automatic movement has a 40-hour power reserve.
Water resistant to 100 feet, this watch should not be worn when swimming or bathing. It will withstand brief immersion or splashes of water.
The two-tone stainless steel and rose tone bracelet has a double press deployant clasp. Again, stunning-looking watch that is not too expensive and would look amazing on anyone’s wrist.
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Stuhrling Original Women’s 832L.01 Castorra Automatic Self Wind Stainless Steel Watch
Stuhrling bring us this slim stainless steel watch. It has a skeleton dial with an outer white rim and metallic blue hands. The automatic, self-wind movement of this timepiece is visible through the front Hardlex crystal window, and the transparent rear.
The stainless steel mesh bracelet is delicate and attractive to look at. It’s also secure with a push and slide clasp closure.
While water resistant to 165 feet, this watch can be worn for swimming recreationally for short periods of time. It should not be worn for snorkelling or scuba diving. Great value for a very attractive watch.
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Fossil Original Boyfriend Automatic Leather Watch
This very elegant watch from fossil features a brushed rose, gold colored outer dial on the casing and a skeleton inner dial. The working mechanism can be seen in totality from both the front and back of the watch.
It secures with a stylish, brown calfskin leather band that has top stitching in contrasting grey. It has an adjustable buckle fastening.
The modern style has an automatic self-wind movement and is constructed from stainless steel with gunmetal grey accents. The window is made from scratch-resistant mineral crystal.
Water resistant to a depth of 165 feet, the watch is suitable to wear for short periods of swimming recreationally. It should not be worn for scuba diving or snorkelling. Another great priced product that will look just as good with an evening gown as a business suit.
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Orient Women’s FNR1Q004W0 Charlene Analog Display Japanese Automatic Silver Watch
Orient has been producing quality time pieces for over 100 years. This attractive watch is suitable for all occasions and will adorn any wrist.
The stainless steel case has a mother of pearl dial and silver hands. Sparkling crystals mark the hours and the date is seen through a window at the 3 o’clock position. The case measures 31 mm in diameter and is 12 mm thick. The rear is case is solid and screwed in.
The folded stainless steel bracelet has a deployant clasp. The window is scratch resistant mineral crystal.
The watch is water-resistant to 165 feet and is reasonably priced.
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Benefits of an Automatic Watch
An automatic watch simply needs to be worn to operate the internal mechanism. As you move, gravity works on a weight inside the watch. This then winds the spring and provides the power to move the hands and keep time.
There is a built-in safety which will not allow the watch to be overwound. Many are also capable of storing about 30 hours of power when not being worn. If they should stop, just reset the time, wear the watch, and they run again. Just like clockwork (excuse the pun).
Features of an Automatic Watch
We have discussed about our best picks, now we will explain some of the features found in automatic watches.
An automatic watch is described as mechanical. It has no batteries or electricity and is the result of years of research and testing. All it needs to wind it is the movement of our wrist. This movement describes the mechanism inside the watch that allows it to work.
The case of the watch is the part which encloses the mechanism. It also houses the dial (or face) and the hands. There are many cases on the market now which have a transparent back, allowing a full view of the internal workings. Materials used to make the case can vary, from stainless steel to solid gold or silver.
The window is the transparent part on the front of the watch which covers the dial. These are generally made from either sapphire, mineral or acrylic crystal. They are all scratch-resistant. However, the most resistant is sapphire, while the least resistant is acrylic.
Straps or wristbands can made from many materials and can even be changed. They will have one of a variety of clasps and buckles that secure the watch on the wrist. These can also vary in length, and in the case of bracelet watches, be adjusted by adding or removing links.
We don’t all have the disposable income to buy the statement watches worn by many celebs. Let’s be honest, some of them cost more than a car or a small condo. Luckily for us, there are many affordable automatic watches available.
Best Automatic Watches: Final Thoughts
Watches are undoubtedly a very personal item of jewelry. Though practical and functional, they can also be a statement about who you are and what you like. There are many on the market, both from established watchmakers and newcomers.
We have detailed some automatic watches, which in our opinion, are the best picks for men and women. That being said, many models are also unisex, or some men’s watches may be small enough for women to wear as well. It may even be that men might prefer a smaller watch and choose a model designed for women.
Whatever you choose, an automatic watch won’t need to be wound or go to the jeweler for a battery change. It will give you many years – or possibly a lifetime – of maintenance-free time keeping.
With the choice of styles, you could have a watch for any occasion. We hope you find something you like from our choice of best automatic watches.