This is another article in the series in which we answer the questions that frequently come up in search engines or watch forums.
This time, it’s a widespread one. People say automatic watch when they mean a mechanical watch. So, what’s the difference between an automatic and a mechanical watch?
Let’s start at the beginning.
What is a mechanical watch?
A mechanical watch is powered by a non-electric source of energy. So, these are all watches powered by a mainspring.
People often consider “mechanical” synonymous with “manually wound.” This is wrong.
Manufacturers’ vocabulary doesn’t help clear that out, either. I wonder how much it contributes to the confusion. For example, Hamilton calls the manually wound Khaki Field the “Khaki Field Mechanical,” but they don’t call the automatic models the same.
The truth is that this is purely a matter of marketing. “Hand-winding” or “manually wound” doesn’t look good on a dial. And it sounds anything but catchy.
Hand/manual-winding
These movements have their mainspring wound by hand, as the name suggests. This is either done by attaching a winding key to the winding arbor on the mainspring barrel (key wound and set pocket watches), or by a stem, connected to the ratchet wheel turning the mainspring barrel via the crown wheel or transmission wheel.
Automatic watches
Automatic, or self-winding watches, are mechanical. The fact that they can or can’t be wound manually doesn’t matter.
The winding system consists of an oscillating mass (rotor or hammer) moving around with the movements of the wearer’s hand. That movement is transferred by the winding gear to the mainspring barrel, turning it, and thus winding the mainspring inside it. No electricity? Check. Mechanical? Check.
Electric/electronic
An electric or electronic watch draws its power from an electric battery. The battery can be rechargeable or not.
Either it’s necessary to replace it now and then, or the watch has some means of recharging it. Solar cells in the dial, an oscillating mass (rotor) acting as a dynamo, etc. To put it shortly, it uses electricity instead of an assembly using kinetic energy.
Electric/mechanical hybrids
Of course, there are various “hybrids” of these concepts. For example, the Seiko Spring Drive. Although it’s powered by a mainspring, instead of a balance it has an oscillator powered by electricity. No battery, just one component holding a small charge that keeps the oscillator running. This charge is replenished by the conversion of energy from the mainspring into electricity.
Is it an electric watch, though? Yes and no. Is it mechanical? Yes and no. In theory, the power source relies on kinetic energy from the mainspring, part of which energy is converted into electric energy. Some things are difficult to explain, let alone categorize.
“Hybrid” is the simplest way to call it.
Summary
There are two basic “splits” of watch types regarding how a watch is powered.
- Mechanical vs. electric/electronic.
- Mechanical watches are divided into hand-winding vs. automatic.
It might help to think of it this way: not all mechanical movements are automatic, but all automatic movements are mechanical.
Are there any other common confusions you’d like to see explained? Let me know in the comments below.
