When was the first automatic watch invented?

Vaer Watches Updated by Vaer Watches

The first self-winding or automatic wristwatch was invented in 1923 by the watchmaker John Harwood.

Harwood was a British watchmaker who developed a rotor system that could wind the watch's mainspring as the wearer moved their wrist.

Harwood's design featured a semicircular weight that rotated on an axis and wound the mainspring through the motion of the watch's case. This system was more efficient than earlier attempts at self-winding watches, which often relied on the movement of the watch wearer's arm to wind the mainspring.

The first Harwood automatic watches were produced in Switzerland, and they were initially met with skepticism by many in the watch industry. However, as the technology improved and other watchmakers began to develop their own automatic movements, self-winding watches became more popular among consumers.

The design of the automatic movement has also been refined over the years, with advances in materials, precision engineering, and watchmaking techniques. Today, automatic watches are a common feature in the watch market and are an important part of the Vaer watch lineup.

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