14/06/2026
Each of our watches has its own story. An idea that inspired us to create it. A tradition that we wanted to revive. Or an almost impossible challenge that was successfully overcome. With , we want to shed light on one of these hidden aspects once a month - today: automatic watches.
The automatic watch makes traditional mechanical watchmaking suitable for everyday use. Not only can it be wound via the crown like a classic hand-wound watch, but it also features a rotor that supplies the watch with energy with every movement of the arm.
An ingenious principle that requires complex mechanics. This is because the moment of inertia of the oscillating weight must be converted into a directed rotational movement, which is then transmitted via several wheels to the mainspring in the barrel.
At Glashütte Original, the mainsprings of all automatic watches are also fitted with a slip pawl at the end, which prevents the spring from being over-wound.
Due to their construction, automatic movements are not only more complex but often also slightly higher than manual-winding calibres, though they are in no way inferior to them in terms of timekeeping accuracy.
In everyday use, the automatic watch offers the convenience of virtually inexhaustible energy. Should it ever come to a standstill, please wind it briefly by hand first (do not shake it!) before putting it on your wrist – this gives the mechanism the optimal ‘jump-start’ for lasting precision.
If you also adhere to the regular servicing intervals for a mechanical watch – we recommend every 3 to 5 years – then nothing stands in the way of a lifelong partnership.
