Automatic Watches - Are you active enough?

[inadeje]

There’s been a seismic change, especially in high GDP countries, in which society on a whole is less physically active than say a decade or two ago. This reality applies to both professional activities and leisure time. Rolex isn’t ever going to move away from its autowind automatic movements, which by default requires the wearer to realize a minimum daily activity in order to sustain the movement operational via kinetic energy. Logically, if we move around less and repetitive tasks are taken over by machinery and/or robots, how can the automatic watch survive this changing landscape?

Secondly, Rolex’s move upmarket naturally makes the acquisition cost prohibitive for lower paid workers. Isn’t it logical to presume that lower paid workers tend to carry out more repetitive manual tasks which conversely would make these people better suited to an automatic watch? Likewise, higher paid workers, within the sectors whose salaries could permit such a luxury as Rolex, tend to (generally) participate in a more sedate working environment meaning less movement overall?

The motive for my thread is to establish if TRF members find that their daily worn Rolex stops due to lack of activity? For those with a collection of watches rotated frequently, you’re probably hand winding your watches and rotate out the watch before the 45-70 hour reserve is depleted? For those who never have their Rolex stop due to lack of sufficient activity, what type of work/leisure do you do to sustain a Rolex operational full time? Does anyone have a sedate life and job yet their activities suffice so as not to ever require manual winding?

Finally, if society shifts as it is to an increasingly sedate professional and personal life, isn’t there a serious risk that automatic watches are simply no longer viable and could become unserviceable or extinct? I mean on a purely practical basis and for use as intended

[gerry100]

Have had my 16570 since last March.

Old retired guy, semi active.

Only stopped once after I was bed/recliner bound for 3 days.

Not since

[csaltphoto]

I top mine off once a week but when I first got it I went around 6 months without winding it to see how the self-winding thing worked. It never stopped. I am probably more active than most westerners but not a triathlete or anything.

[kieselguhr]

I rotate watches weekly. I manually wind the watch I will be wearing for the week 40 full rotations of the crown.

My work entails quite a bit of walking on days that I am rounding in hospitals. Then mostly stationary when I’m in clinic. The watch also gets worn through most activities including gym, golf, galavanting, etc.

Never had a watch lose power on me mid week yet. Hope this info helps.

[KathleenL]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

I rotate watches weekly. I manually wind the watch I will be wearing for the week 40 full rotations of the crown.

My work entails quite a bit of walking on days that I am rounding in hospitals. Then mostly stationary when I’m in clinic. The watch also gets worn through most activities including gym, golf, galavanting, etc.

Never had a watch lose power on me mid week yet. Hope this info helps.

How often do you galavant?

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by KathleenL

How often do you galavant?

Not enough.

[SaintMickey]

NEVER had one stop.

[Rafeeq]

I don't feel I'm very active in the weekday. I'm a bit more so on the weekends, especially in warm weather rather than winter. In any event, I've had my Datejust jus a couple days short of 4 months, and it shows no sign of running down yet. This indeed was a thing I sorta wondered about, though...

[ArtNouveau]

I am now retired but never had an automatic watch stop when I was working in an office. I’m probably more active now.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Does anyone have a sedate life and job yet their activities suffice so as not to ever require manual winding?

No. Maybe I am more active than I think I am. Or I'm not a high enough paid worker. Or both.

[Old Expat Beast]

I've worked from home for 20 years or so (on the computer mostly). Been wearing a Seiko SKX009 (autowind only, doesn't handwind) for the last two years either daily or with the occasional day off, and it's never stopped on me. Supposed to have a 40hr PR. The famous Seiko Magic Lever helps, obviously. Keeps almost perfect time, too.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=11766891

[Daveh777]

Mechanical watches are also becoming a lot more efficient with design enhancements across the entire drivetrain as well as lubricant improvements. Friction losses and power transmission inefficiency from rotor onwards are massive decreasing, along with greater power reserves in springs.
It’s just like motor vehicles. This will mitigate the risk OP has identified in my opinion.

[Krash]

If I wear one of my automatic watches every day, I never have to wind it. So I’m apparently active enough.

Problem is I’m always rotating between watches. I might go several days or even a week without wearing a specific watch.

So my automatic watches aren’t any different than my manual wound Speedmaster. When I pick it up, I have to wind and set it.

[Gab27]

No issues with stopping and the watch has impressive consistency whether I am almost sedentary versus extremely active (less than a 1 second variance). It's flat out impressive, IMHO.

[Frits1980]

Unless you are sitting in chair 24/7 watching tv and eating cheetos with your none-watch hand its almost impossible it will run out.

[OrangeSport]

Never had a problem but I also think you've looked at it wrong..

Intend to find wealthier people have more spare time and do more with it - could be because they have more cash, could be because they are smarter (hence wealthier) and understand the need to be active bit whatever the reason I think this is a non issue..

[Koolpep]

I am working from home for the last two years and the only activity I have with my watch on (I use a fitness tracker for the gym or other exercise) is walking the dog twice a day and running around in my apartment.

No watch ever stopped on me. I also have a few watches with power reserve indicator (Seiko, Grand Seiko, Montblanc with ETA2897 movement) and while the winding at the Seikos seems to fill up a bit quicker, also the ETA 2897 with 42 hours power reserve never stopped - even from nearly empty it usually ends up fuller in the evening than wehn I put it on in the morning, meaning I added power during the day. Usually my watches end up fully wound at night before I go to bed.

OP: I think your premise is wrong. People might not have as physical daunting work anymore but wristwatches (also the automatic ones) were used by the aristocracy back in the days - not a group of people known for their active lifestyles per se. And while sitting on a computer all day is not necessarily very active, watches are very efficient at winding themselves. Health and wellbeing is so much more in the minds of people nowadays....so I doubt it's an issue or will become an issue.

[HogwldFLTR]

I've never had a worn autowind watch stop. Frankly I'm not that active.

[Marcjvr]

Do this a lot. It helps

[jlovda]

I'm in my 70's. I do some walking but am in my car a lot. About once a week I will wake up in the morning and find my EXP II (216570) stopped usually between 03:00 and 06:00. It just can't quite make it to the next day. I now subconsciously treat my watch as a manual and randomly wind it once a day. The watch is 3 1/2 years old and still under warranty but I am not in the mood now to spend $200+ for postage and insurance to send it to an RSC. I will give it a year and maybe send it in then.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I've worked from home for 20 years or so (on the computer mostly). Been wearing a Seiko SKX009 (autowind only, doesn't handwind) for the last two years either daily or with the occasional day off, and it's never stopped on me. Supposed to have a 40hr PR. The famous Seiko Magic Lever helps, obviously. Keeps almost perfect time, too.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=11766891

[Chiboy]

I am one of those who enjoys seeing how accurate my watch is and don't wind it manually unless it runs down. I think that has only happened once with my Daytona. I am currently 5+ months since it was last wound and set, and it is dead on accurate down to the second. I think that's amazing, but I know the "buy the hype to wear the hype/today it's all about $$$€€€£££/186,400 seconds in a day" crowd will let me know I shouldn't care.

Anyway, I'm pretty active but don't wear the Daytona when working out, running, or playing tennis. But other than that, it's usually on all day.

[1William]

I am active but I change watches multiple times a day so mine wind down not from lack of activity but from lack of wrist time.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 1William

I am active but I change watches multiple times a day so mine wind down not from lack of activity but from lack of wrist time.

Same here William.

The only exception for me is when I’m on vacation. I only wear one watch so it’s on my wrist for 2-3 weeks at a time.

I still don’t notice it it’s off by a minute or two

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I’ve worn a Rolex off and on for twenty-three years, daily for eighteen of those. I’ve never had one stop from lack of use unless I was wearing another watch for an extended period of time or was perhaps very sick. I never hand-wind unless I am starting one from stopped. These days I keep one or two on winders as I rotate other watches into the mix; I change watches every 1-3 days it seems. I’m in sales and drive a lot, I try to walk the dog every day but can’t always and I hike every weekend in fair weather. While not technically sedentary I am no athlete. In my observation there is no risk that automatic watches could become unserviceable or extinct based on my own limited movement. On the contrary, the awareness of the challenge to keep them moving is part of the fun of owning and wearing automatic watches.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by jlovda

I'm in my 70's. I do some walking but am in my car a lot. About once a week I will wake up in the morning and find my EXP II (216570) stopped usually between 03:00 and 06:00. It just can't quite make it to the next day. I now subconsciously treat my watch as a manual and randomly wind it once a day. The watch is 3 1/2 years old and still under warranty but I am not in the mood now to spend $200+ for postage and insurance to send it to an RSC. I will give it a year and maybe send it in then.

I see you have a 5513 on your profile. I too have one. Do you not find that the 5513 seems to autowind easier and never stops in the situations you’ve explained concerning your Exp II?

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

On the contrary, the awareness of the challenge to keep them moving is part of the fun of owning and wearing automatic watches.

That is a very interesting point. Conscious of the need to remain active the wearer is subconsciously inspired to keep the timepiece operational. Almost like an external motivation, which can only be positive.

Thats a brilliant observation that I overlooked.

[azs.77]

I haven’t had one stop on me yet. I’m fairly active and rarely take off the watch I’m wearing.


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[JayHantz]

I have never had a watch stop on me while wearing it, but I have always had an active lifestyle and will take a break in the office to walk around or do something every hour or so.

[Koolpep]

Originally Posted by inadeje

That is a very interesting point. Conscious of the need to remain active the wearer is subconsciously inspired to keep the timepiece operational. Almost like an external motivation, which can only be positive.

Thats a brilliant observation that I overlooked.

I don't think that is any normal behavior - usually we wear the watches and don't let the watch wear us....