First of all, the paternity of the invention of the automatic movement is still controversial. Some say it wasAbraham-Louis Perrelet (1777) while others attribute this fact to Hubert Sarton (1778). In any case, automatic winding is several centuries old.
Incorporated into a watch by an 18th century French inventor, Pierre Joseph de Rivaz, and perfected by John Harwood in the early 20th century. Harwood, a watch repairer from Bolton near Manchester in England, developed the very first self-winding wristwatch. You can also read the article on Skeleton Watches which are often mechanical marvels.
Key points
- 🔧 Invention : The invention of automatic watches is attributed to Abraham-Louis Perrelet (1777) or Hubert Sarton (1778).
- ⌚ Perfection : John Harwood perfected automatic watches in the early 20th century.
- 🕰️ Mechanism : An oscillating rotor transforms wrist movements into energy to wind the mainspring.
- 🔄 Direction : Some mechanisms wind the spring in one direction only, others in both directions.
- ⏱️ Autonomy : A fully wound watch can work for about 1 day without movement.
- 🔄 Manual winding : Automatic watches can be wound manually via the crown.
- ⚙️ Clutch Device : A friction clutch prevents the spring from being over-wound.
- 🔧 Initiation Process : An initial manual winding is required to initiate automatic operation.
- ⌚ Regular wear : For optimal operation, the watch should be worn at least 8 hours per day.
- 🔧 Key components : The rotor, crown, barrel spring, and escapement are essential to the mechanism.
Automatic and mechanical watches
Before the advent of quartz watches in the 1960s, all watches were mechanical . Steampunk and skeleton watches, which are very popular, are also mechanical watches , often with mechanisms visible through a transparent dial . A mechanical watch , whether hand-wound or automatic , is powered by a mainspring . This mainspring slowly unwinds to release energy, which is then transmitted to the gears and hands .
The automatic winding mechanism
Automatic watches , or automatics , are distinguished by a self-winding mechanism that eliminates the need to manually wind the watch every day. They have a rotor or oscillating weight that rotates with the movements of the wrist . This oscillating motion is transmitted through a series of gears , winding the barrel spring . Modern automatic watches can wind the spring by oscillating in one or both directions thanks to sophisticated caliber systems.
Autonomy and maintenance
A typical men's automatic watch , with a stainless steel case and leather strap , can run for about 1 day when fully wound. To maximize the power reserve , it is recommended to wear the watch at least eight hours per day. Additionally, automatic watches can be manually wound by turning the winding crown , especially if they are not worn for an extended period of time.
How the winding mechanism works
The mainspring of automatic watches is designed to prevent overloading by means of a friction clutch device. When the spring is fully wound, it slides to prevent excessive tension. This mechanism ensures the longevity of the watch by preventing premature wear .
Initiation and power reserve
It is crucial to prime the barrel spring of an automatic watch before its first use. To do this, turn the crown clockwise approximately 40 times. This ensures that there is enough power reserve for the automatic movement to take over. An automatic watch must be worn regularly to maintain its power reserve .
Glossary of automatic watches
To better understand the components of your automatic watch , here are some key terms:
- Rotor : Oscillating mass which winds the spring with wrist movements .
- Winding crown : Used to manually wind the watch and set the time.
- Barrel spring : Stores energy and releases it gradually.
- Transmission system : Transmits energy from the barrel spring to the escapement wheel .
- Exhaust : Regulates the release of energy to ensure accuracy.
- Balance wheel : Heart of the mechanical movement , creating the characteristic ticking sound.
- Rubies : Reduce friction and wear on gears .
Automatic watches , whether for men or women , are sophisticated timepieces that combine tradition and innovation. Understanding how they work and how to maintain them will allow you to fully enjoy your automatic watch , whether it is made of stainless steel , leather , or other.
Sharing this article may help other watch enthusiasts to better understand their watches . See you soon for new articles on the wonders of mechanical watchmaking .