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Watch Works
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As the millennium turns, one of the hottest technologies sought by watch aficionados and collectors is one that was invented in 1770. That's when Abraham-Louis Perrelet created the automatic or self-winding mechanical movement.
After centuries of innovations and painstaking hard work, the modern version of the automatic mechanical has evolved into a highly efficient and reliable movement that also happens to be very beautiful, as the latest generation of skeleton-back watches amply demonstrates.
Although the battery powered quartz movement launched in the 1970s overshadowed the advances in the mechanical watch, the automatic mechanical has had a resurgence in the last decade due primarily to the increased interest in the exceptional craftsmanship of fine watches from Switzerland, where nearly all automatic mechanical movements are manufactured.
Basically, an automatic mechanical watch operates similarly to a mechanical watch except that winding occurs every time the wearer moves his or her arm. This is achieved by means of a rotor that turns in response to motion, thereby winding the watch's mainspring.
When removed from the wrist, a watch with an automatic mechanical movement will still run by itself and usually has a power reserve of anywhere from 36 to 48 hours. After that, the watch must be replaced on the wrist and worn to resume timekeeping. There's never a need to replace a battery, although automatic mechanicals may need to have a "tune up" every two to three years to keep them well lubricated and in top working order. Today's fine automatic mechanicals are designed to be shock and water resistant for years of trouble-free wear.
The most recent advance in the technology offered by leading watchmakers is new, more compact automatic mechanical movements for women's watches. These beautiful watches are the perfect combination of form and function.
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