Nicholas Hacko Watchmaker: Is an automatic watch the right watch for you?

(Or would you be better off with a battery operated one?)

Battery operated watches have a number of benefits over a mechanical self-winding (automatic) watch.
Without exception, quartz watches keep much better time, they are more robust, and easier to repair.
Actually, from a practical perspective, and from the view of a watch owner who needs a watch just to tell time, nothing beats an inexpensive quartz watch.

So why would anyone invest in an expensive mechanical watch which is a rather average time keeper, complex to service and sensitive to shock and magnetic field?

Unfortunately I have no answer to this question. Some questions are simply impossible to answer in a logical, meaningful way.

The real question is this: how do you know if an automatic watch would be a good choice for you? You don't, unless you actually try.

Yes, it is tempting to go online and Google for a 'cheap automatic watch’. Unfortunately, very soon, you will find out that cheap automatic watches are just that - either cheap and nasty, or worn out, or in need of repair. Waste of time and waste of money.

I suggest you save your time and do the right thing: invest in a brand new automatic watch. There are plenty of choices, and as said before, nothing beats a brand new watch.

However, if you are busy, and your time is precious, and you have no desire to search thousands of watches online from thousands of sellers, I propose that you put your trust in me. I have been handling watches for decades, have sold tens of thousands, and I am more than confident to recommend an affordable, well made, automatic watch. Put it this way: if a watch of my choice does not meet your requirement and expectations, then you are simply a person better suited with a battery operated timepiece.

Why am I so confident?

1. Money is important. You won't get a Swiss Made automatic watch of a decent quality for less than $999.

2. Design is important. You want a watch of timeless design that can be worn and enjoyed, but also passed on to the next generation.

3. Servicing is important: a watch has to be robust, reliable and above all, repairable.

4. Choice of straps: again, very important. There is nothing more annoying than to find out in two years time that a strap for your watch is no longer available, or that it costs more than the watch itself. A watch strap of an ergonomic design and standard lugs width is what you want. Any leather, any colour, any thickness - endless choices.

5. Guarantee on performance is crucial. Not 3 months or 12 months, not even 3 years. You trust my choice, and I'll be happy to offer a 5 years guarantee on performance!

So here it is: a Swiss Mondaine Railway Watch, 41mm case size, automatic, robust, reliable, repairable, water resistant with 20mm lugs width!
List price $1,099. Yours for just $999.

Buy it, wear it for a few months, and if you are not happy with the performance of an automatic watch, then there is really no reason to look for an Omega or a Rolex. It's simple as that, risk free exercise.

There is one more thing I must stress out: the price of $999 for this watch is simply amazing. I only have a few watches in stock, and the next order is not coming in any time soon. When the new batch arrives, the price won't be the same. Be quick, take advantage of this generous offer.