Mechanical Watches - Beauty and Function

There are two kinds of mechanical watches-- automatic watches and manual wind watches. While manual watches need to be hand-wound, automatic watches can run perpetually as long as they are worn regularly. Automatic watches operate with a little fan-shaped rotor singing on a pivot. Wrist movement keeps the mainspring wound. If you really want to appreciate your automatic watch, buy one with a clear back on it. You will quickly come to appreciate the beautiful, complex craftsmanship involved in the manufacturing and the assembling of these fine example of watch-making. Automatic watches are hand-assembled.

Mechanical spring-powered wristwatches are not just collectors\' luxury items. They are practical, beautiful watches for everyday wear. All the main consumer name brands have mechanical watches. You can find fine quality automatic designer watches by Swiss and Japanese watchmakers for about $200 USD. Some of the more popular brands include Seiko, Citizen, Hamilton, and Invicta.

So why wear a mechanical watch? If you are a frequent traveller, you will find mechanical watches are easier to change the time compared to a digital watch, which can be fussy and frustrating. Also, you never have to worry about dead batteries at inconvenient times. Your mechanical watch will just keep going and going. Automatic mechanical watches (these are self-winding) are even more convenient. You only have to make a time adjustment every week and a date adjustment every two months. These watches are the ultimate in convenience. If the watch isn\'t worn for a few days it will stop. But you can hand-wind and reset it using the crown on the side.

You can even find automatic watches that will keep going for up to a week. That\'s a lot of energy stored in the mainspring. Keep your watch well maintained, having it serviced every 3-5 years and the movements will remain functional for years and years to come.

Many people today love to collect automatic mechanical watches especially vintage watches. Before 1982, most collectors focused on pocket watches. Popular chooses where vintage watches such as gold dress pocket watches and American railroad pocket watch. After WW II, my grandfather worked for the Canadian National railway (CN) and upon his retirement was awarded a beautiful gold pocket watch. It became his pride and joy.

As European watch collectors started buying up Rolex and Patek Philippe vintage watches, prices worldwide skyrocketed. Today, the Internet is a very popular source for collectors. Collectors and dealers are able to find one another easily and efficiently. You can even find vintage automatic watches on the pages of popular fashion magazines. But buyer beware. The Internet has also spawned a host of counterfeiters.

When collecting, make sure the watch is functioning properly. In mechanical watches, you want to make sure that its very soul, the mainspring is functional. The mainspring is a tiny spiral spring that is tightened every time the watch is wound (manual mechanical watches) or worn (automatic mechanical watches) and this is where the energy is stored. An automatic watch can be left off your wrist for about a week. You can also find watch-winders that are electronically powered. Mechanical automatic watches can be a source of pride and admiration for many years. If you are a collector, be smart.