History of the automatic movement

The Revolutionary Automatic Movement

The automatic movement, also known as the self-winding movement, is a type of watch movement that was first introduced in the early 20th century. It was a revolutionary development in the world of horology, as it allowed watches to operate without the need for manual winding.

The Invention of Automatic Movement

Before the invention of the automatic movement, watches were powered by manual winding. The wearer had to turn a small knob, called the crown, on the side of the watch to wind the mainspring, which provided power to the movement. This was a daily ritual for watch owners, and forgetting to wind the watch could cause it to stop working.

The idea of an automatic movement was first proposed in the late 18th century by Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet. He designed a pocket watch with a rotor that moved with the wearer’s movements, winding the mainspring as it turned. However, his invention did not catch on at the time, and it would be several more decades before the automatic movement was perfected.

The First Successful Automatic Movement

The first successful automatic movement was invented by John Harwood, a British watchmaker, in 1923. Harwood’s design featured a rotor that rotated in response to the movements of the wearer’s wrist, winding the mainspring as it turned. This eliminated the need for manual winding, making the watch more convenient to use.

Harwood’s automatic movement was a significant improvement over manual winding, but it was not without its flaws. The rotor was not very efficient at winding the mainspring, and the watch could still run down if it was not worn for an extended period.

The Rolex Perpetual

In 1931, Rolex introduced the first automatic movement with a rotor that could rotate a full 360 degrees. This was a significant improvement over Harwood’s design, as it allowed the rotor to wind the mainspring more efficiently. Rolex called their automatic movement the “Perpetual,” and it quickly became one of the most popular watch movements in the world.

Advancements in Automatic Movement Technology

Over the next few decades, other watchmakers introduced their own automatic movements, each with their own unique features and improvements. In 1948, the Swiss watchmaker Blancpain introduced the first automatic movement with a date display, called the “Rolls.” In 1955, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the “Memovox,” the first automatic movement with an alarm function.

One of the most significant advances in automatic movement technology came in 1969, when Seiko introduced the “Seiko 5” movement. The Seiko 5 featured several innovations, including a single rotor that wound the mainspring in both directions, a day/date display, and a shock-resistant design.

The Timeless Appeal of Automatic Movements

Today, automatic movements are widely used in mechanical watches, and they continue to be a popular choice for watch enthusiasts. They offer several advantages over manual winding, including convenience, accuracy, and durability.