Automatic watches (battery-free) are increasingly common among mid-range offerings from major watch companies. Instead of using a battery, they generate their own energy to power the watch. This usually happens through kinetic energy produced by the wearer's movements. So, when you fidget, you're actually powering your watch. If that's not cool, we don't know what is. Even better, most of these watches come with an exhibition case back, so you can see your watch at work.
There are downsides too: the less you wear them, the less energy the watch receives, and the less accurate they become. You can wind them yourself, which is fine if you want to leave the watch for a vacation, but these watches are best suited for men who wear them every day. That's the only downside if you don't want a battery-operated watch.
Now that we've clarified that, what else is there to highlight? To save you time, we've weeded out unreliable watches, so all the watches featured in our list are already considered reliable.
We focused on presenting you with the best existing automatic options, and unfortunately, the best means expensive. For comparison, or if your budget doesn't stretch that far, we've also included the Seiko SNK809 model, but we're not going to lie - this list is quite alluring.
Men's Watch Seiko SNK809 Seiko 5 Automatic
If you're looking for a simple watch that doesn't have a lot of features but performs well at what it can do, then the Seiko SNK809 men's watch might suit you.
Seiko watches are known for their reliability, and these watches are no exception: if you wear them daily, you'll lose only a few seconds a month. Besides this, the watch doesn't have many frills. It has a date window (in Spanish or English), the watch is theoretically water-resistant up to 100 meters, although it's not intended for frequent use. Strangely, the watch has a second hand - a feature missing in many cheap automatic watches. There's another oddity: the 12-hour marking is placed inside the 60-second marking, as if they form a second, inner dial. Unusual, but not too stylish or hard to read.
It's worth noting that this watch comes only with a NATO-style nylon strap - an unusual feature for men's watches. It can be replaced with a leather one, but it must be purchased separately, naturally increasing the overall cost of the watch.
If you need an affordable, reliable, automatic watch that doesn't require batteries, this is a worthy purchase at a good price. Although the nylon strap will need replacing if you want to wear it formally, more attention was given to the internal workings than external characteristics and design.
Cost $90-100
Men's Watch Hamilton H32612555 Jazzmaster
On the other hand, if you have the money to invest in a new watch, then the Hamilton H32612555 “Jazzmaster” is an example of how luxurious automatic watches can be.
What distinguishes it from other Jazzmaster models is not so much the internal mechanics (a good, but by no means outstanding quartz 251.272) as its visible features. The strap is made from dark brown calf leather with contrasting stitching that elegantly complements any outfit, and the hour markers are in rose gold with a bronze tint. Three chronographs are unevenly built into the watch face, which not only gives the watch a more stylish look but also significantly eases reading the regular dial.
However, none of these features affect the usability of the watch. It's reported to be water-resistant up to 100 meters, but like the Seiko, these watches are not intended for prolonged water exposure, so they should be seen more as accident protection than a design feature. The only real technical advantage these watches have over competitors is that the dial is protected by sapphire glass, making it virtually scratch-proof.
If you're looking for traditionally stylish watches that won't outdate, then the Hamilton H32612555 Jazzmaster certainly has all the luxurious features you could want from a watch (these watches can also be purchased with a black calf leather or stainless steel strap).
Cost approximately $700
Men's Watch Tissot T-Sport PRS516
Another luxurious option is the Tissot T0444302103100 T-Sport PRS 516 watch.
Technically, the Swiss ETA 2836-2 movement is reliable, and the 2386 movement itself has been regularly used in elite watches for the last 40 years. Although it's not in the high-precision category (averaging +/- 15 seconds a day), it's a reliable movement, and you can expect the watch to work on it for years and years.
On the other hand, the watch design is excellent. The pure white color with red and black details resembles the Swiss flag, and the dial has a clear, modern look that is enhanced by the tiny bezel. Such attention to detail is also reflected in practical details: the dial is protected by an anti-reflective sapphire layer to eliminate glare and scratches, the hands are subtly luminescent for nighttime, and the watch comes with an elegant folding clasp with a button. Like many other watches presented here, they are water-resistant up to 100 meters but not intended for regular underwater use.
If you're looking for expressive, modern classic watches that look and feel perfect, and don't require a battery to operate, then Tissot might suit you.
Cost approximately $700
Citizen Men's Watch NB1031-53L Grand Touring Automatic
The Citizen Signature collection is a relatively new expansion into high-end watches. However, this is not bad: it means Citizen is busy creating its name by developing very good watches and selling them much cheaper than recognized elite brands could dream of. The NB1031-53L Grand Touring Automatic model presented here is one of them, and it deserves attention if the product is more important to you than the name.
The most distinctive element is the movement, which belongs to Citizen's own 9000 series. For those who would like to get something different from the ubiquitous ETA movements monopolized in most watches in this price range, this model is special, and it's nice to encourage the return of proprietary movements.
The watch design resembles the Omega series, and they look clean and elegant, but not overly expressive. As expected in this price range, the watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters, has sapphire glass with double anti-reflective coating, and luminescent hands. The watch has a date window but no chronograph or timer function.
The main feature of this watch is its own production mechanism. This is a pleasant change from the endless sea of ETA movements, many of which have hardly changed in 40 years, and it's nice for promoting technical innovation and diversity.
Cost approximately $700
Men's Watch Bulova 63A103 Accutron Kirkwood
Bulova developed the Accutron watch for various NASA missions, and they have maintained their reputation as well-made, luxurious watches since then. However, don't be deceived by the Accutron name: the mechanism of these automatic watches has nothing in common with the mechanical Accutron mechanisms. Perhaps for this reason, Bulova doesn't advertise the mechanism, but as inferred from the number of jewels, it's actually a fairly standard Swiss quartz movement ETA, which can be found in various mid- to high-range watches. This means the watch is reliable and accurate, like most others listed here (+/-15 seconds a day), but not as exceptional as the Accutron reputation might suggest.
The appeal of this watch lies in its appearance: the dial is designed as an open heart at the 12:00 position, so you can see the quartz that powers your watch. The numeral marking is also somewhat unique: three, six, and nine are indicated by Roman numerals, while the other numbers are marked by a single digit of equivalent size. The dial is black, with subtle sunburst effects, and the strap is a standard stainless steel one (although the links are slightly larger than usual, making finding a perfect fit somewhat more challenging). If you want to see the quartz heart of your watch, this is a reliable option.
Cost approximately $1000
Men's Watch Longines HydroConquest L3.640.4.96.6
Water resistance up to 300 meters and a screw-down crown make these watches truly designed for underwater use, unlike others reviewed here. This focus is reflected in other design features: the bezel rotates so you can time your underwater stay, and the folding clasp is designed to keep the watch securely in place.
As for the appearance, the sapphire-blue-silver color scheme is attractive, if not peculiar, and the silver hands and hour markers have a luminescent coating, making it easier to read underwater or at night. The Longines stainless steel strap is sturdy and quite standard for many mid- and high-level men's watches. The technical specifications are also standard - the watch operates on a standard quartz ETA movement with some proprietary adjustments that justify a different name.
If you're a diving enthusiast or athlete, the Hydroconquest is a good compromise between dress watches and diving watches. It's an excellent choice if you need high-end automatic watches that don't require a battery to operate.
Cost approximately $1000