What to Learn about Automatic Watch Movements (Part 1)

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In case you didn’t know, the watch calibers act as the engine’s power source. The watch mechanism is in charge of moving the hands. Furthermore, chronographs, calendars, and numerous time zones are all features done with the assistance of micro watch movements. Watch movements, also known as calibers, power watches.

Read on to learn automatic watch movements today.

Defining Automatic Watch Movements

Watchmakers use unique mechanisms to create a wide range of watch movements. Watches often employ quartz or mechanical movements.

The movement of the second hand may indicate whether a watch’s movement is quartz or mechanical. Quartz movement watches advance the second hand once per second. A mechanical watch features a second hand that moves smoothly and continuously. Batteries provide power to the electrical circuitry including inside quartz and auto-quartz movements.

Mechanical watch movements come in both manual and automatic varieties. Mechanical calibers are distinguished by the presence of numerous small gears and springs. Mechanical watches require significantly more time and work to manufacture than battery-powered timepieces, which is one of the reasons they are more expensive. Connoisseurs prefer clocks that are either automatically or manually wound over those that are powered by batteries. These magnificent clocks are the result of decades of watchmaking expertise, artistry, and innovation.

Watches that wind themselves are also known as “automatic” watches. These calibers are powered by the movement of your wrist. Automatic clocks are significantly more convenient to wear and maintain because they do not need to be wound on a regular basis. If the watch is worn on a regular basis, it will not need to be wound by hand.

The Function and Purpose of Automatic Watch Movements

Rotor weights provide the power for automatic watch movements. Take note of how readily the rotors oscillate. The rotor turns as the user moves their wrist. The watch mainspring is wound up automatically as a result of this natural turning motion. Power is also stored in mainsprings.

Automatic winding mechanisms in watches and clocks require winding only when they are removed from the wearer’s wrist. The owner is then responsible for winding the watch if it is not worn for a long period of time.

The Composition of Automatic Watch Movements

  • Balance Wheel

Every second, between five and 10 rotations of the balancing wheel occur.

  • Crown

The watch’s crown is shaped like a little wheel. The turning of the crown provides power to the watch.

  • Dial Train

The dial train represents another gear train. The energy created by the balance wheel is transferred to the watch hands via the dial train, allowing them to move.

  • Escapement

The escapement is responsible for the watch’s stopper function. The escapement regularly transfers the energy stored in the mainspring to the gear train.

  • Gear Train

The watch hands and display are moved by a few internal gears, which are powered by the gear train, powered by the mainspring.

  • Jewels

Synthetic rubies are used to keep gears moving and to protect them from heat and friction damage.

  • Mainspring

In the mechanisms of automatic watch movements, mainsprings are used. The crowns of automatic wristwatches generate kinetic energy, which is then transferred to the mainspring coil. The mainspring shortens, allowing more energy to be stored.

  • Rotor

The rotor can be easily rotated using the wrist. The wearer’s movement causes the rotor to revolve, which stores energy in the mainspring. The rotor clutch will become active after the mainspring has been wound to its full capacity. When the clutch is engaged, this prevents the mainspring from being wrapped by the rotor.

Conclusion

It may be quite daunting to learn the inner workings of your watch, but they come in handy, especially when you get the hang of things. As you learn more about watches and automatic watch movements, you will soon learn to appreciate your watch pieces even more.

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