Key takeaways
- An automatic watch winds itself as you move your wrist.
- If it has stopped, wind it by hand with 20 to 30 turns of the crown.
- Once fully wound, many automatic watches keep running for about a day and a half after you take them off.
- A stopped automatic watch is normal, not broken.
An automatic watch is powered by the movement of your wrist. That is part of its charm, but it also means it can stop when it sits in a drawer for a day or two. Here is how to get it running again.
In this guide
Why did my automatic watch stop?
Inside an automatic watch is a weighted rotor that spins as you move. It winds a spring, called the mainspring, which stores energy and powers the watch. When you take the watch off, it keeps running on that stored energy, the power reserve. When the reserve runs out, the watch stops. Nothing is wrong: it simply needs energy again.
Do you need to wind an automatic watch?
Not if you wear it every day. An automatic watch winds itself: a weighted rotor inside spins as your wrist moves and tightens the mainspring. Worn daily, it keeps running without any help.
You do need to wind it when it has stopped, or when you have not worn it for a day or two. A few turns of the crown gets it going again, and wearing it does the rest. Many automatic movements, including the NH35 and NH36 used in our Prince Oak, Skeleton and N948, can also be wound by hand through the crown.
Should you wind an automatic watch every day?
It is not necessary if you wear the watch daily, but a few turns in the morning do no harm. Think of it as topping up: it makes sure the watch has enough power if you have a quiet, desk-bound day with less wrist movement. Always wind gently, and stop as soon as you feel resistance.
How to wind it by hand
- Take the watch off your wrist, so you do not put sideways pressure on the crown.
- Make sure the crown is pushed in (position 0). If it is a screw-down crown, unscrew it first.
- Turn the crown clockwise, away from you, slowly and smoothly, about 20 to 30 times.
- Check that the seconds hand is moving.
- Set the time and date, then push the crown back in.
On most modern automatic watches you cannot overwind by hand: a slipping mechanism protects the spring. Even so, there is no need to go beyond about 30 turns.
How long does it keep running?
It depends on the movement, but many everyday automatic movements have a power reserve of around 40 hours. That means a watch you take off on Friday evening may have stopped by Sunday. Wearing it for a full day usually keeps it well wound.
Tips to keep it ticking
- Wear it regularly, or give it a few turns of the crown every morning.
- Keep it away from strong magnets, such as speakers or magnetic phone cases, which can affect accuracy.
- Store it in a dry place. See How to store your watches.
- A slightly fast or slow watch is normal for a mechanical movement.
Shop automatic
Automatic watches at DIFFRNT
Our automatic collection includes skeleton watches like the Spine, where you can watch the movement at work through the dial. New to mechanical watches? Read Automatic vs quartz watch.
Frequently asked questions
Can I overwind an automatic watch?
On most modern automatic watches, no. A slipping mechanism stops the spring from being overwound. Simply stop after about 20 to 30 turns.
Do I need a watch winder?
No. A watch winder is handy if you own several automatic watches, but wearing or hand-winding your watch works just as well.
Why is my automatic watch running fast or slow?
A small deviation per day is normal for a mechanical movement. Magnets, shocks and how often you wear it can also play a role.
Should you wind automatic watches?
Only when the watch has stopped or has not been worn for a while. Worn every day, an automatic watch winds itself through the movement of your wrist.
