Our Favorite 7 Automatic Watches for Men in 2022
Being mechanical watch lovers here at Best Watch Advice, we though it was high time we put together a list of our favorite automatic watches for men.
The Automatic Watch is a mechanism beloved by the watch community for its classic design, high power reserve and that smooth moving second hand. And don’t start me on the years of watchmaking these watches represent.
These gorgeously aesthetic-looking devices have been around since 1923 when John Hardwood to the self-winding mechanism to another level. That other level is of course the automatic watch we all know and love so well almost one hundred years later in 2022.
Even after facing such stiff competition from the quartz watch movement, the automatic watch continues to be a popular choice among watch enthusiasts today.
So let us take a little deep dive into some of these sweeping beauties in our favourite 7 automatic watches for men in 2022.
Features to consider when buying an Automatic Watch for men
Before we part with our hard earned cash and give our wrist the love it deserves with a classy-looking automatic watch, there are a few important points to consider.
Much like any product on the market the prices and quality of automatic watches can vary greatly. This can be down to several factors. What is essential, is you get your hands on a watch that is made with quality materials and tells the time accurately.
Here are some points to consider before you buy an automatic watch for men.
Check the Crystal
Firstly and the most obvious feature to check on any watch is the watch face casing that will be staring back at you. All watches have a clear watch face so we can tell the time, however, the material used can differ from time to time.
Most modern watches will use sapphire glass as the material for the watch face. This sapphire is the gold standard in watching making and is used by many of the world’s most famous brands.
This is due to the extremely durable nature of this material as well as the fact sapphire is almost scratch-proof. This is in stark contrast to other mineral crystal casings which if scratched will leave permanent damage.
If the watch you are buying an automatic watch with a sapphire crystal casing you know you’ve got a watch built to last anything from a dinner party to a zombie apocalypse.
Automatic Watch Accuracy
So the main function of a watch after all is to tell the time. Any high-quality watches are designed to have an accuracy of +6 / -4 seconds per day.
This is something we cannot check there and then in the shop, unfortunately. However, one sure-fire way to know if an automatic watch tells the time accurately is if the timepiece comes with a COSC Certificate.
Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres certificate means the watch has passed many tests and you can be certain that the watch in question keeps time extremely accurately.
While mainly Swiss watch brands come with this certificate, some watches outside the country also now come with COSC Certificates.
Check the Movement
This is a feature that is unique to automatic watches but essential to check while buying. Many automatic watches will use high-quality parts to complete the watch’s inner workings.
The million-dollar question is are these parts made from in-house movements or third-party movements? As to which is better is an issue that has been a hot topic of the watch community for many years now.
But some believe in-house movements perform better and add to the watch’s authenticity. Others debate that there is no difference in performance and third-party movements even keep the cost down on luxury watches.
When it comes to servicing in-house movements tend to be a little more pricey in the long run as they must be sourced from the watch manufacturer anytime a replacement is needed.
The List of 7 Automatic Watches for Men
So now you know what to look for in a good automatic watch for men. Let us take a deeper look at some of the best automatic watches on the market today. Here are 7 automatic watches for men, we love them and have no doubt you will love them too…
1. Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic
The first automatic watch for men on our list, the Hamilton Khaki Field is a great looking military style automatic watch made using quality materials.
The casing is made with sapphire crystal and the strap is made from beautiful brown calfskin leather.
The more simple-looking stainless steel gives this watch a finish that makes it perfect for everyday use, both around the office and at home.
Pros:
Great entry-level Swiss automatic watch
Reliable military style everyday watch
A big 80 hour power reserve
An open display caseback showing off the H-10 movement (based on the ETA 2824-2).
Cons:
The lume is not the brightest
Specifications
Reference: H70455533
Movement: Automatic H-10
Case size: 38mm
Case Thickness: 10.5mm
Lug width: 22mm
Lug-to-Lug: 47mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Dial color: Black
Hacking: Yes
Hand winding: Yes
Power reserve: 80 hours
Water Resistance: 10 bar (100m)
Open Case Back: Yes
2. Seiko 5
The Seiko 5 watches are an automatic watch collection created by one of watchmaking’s most established brands.
The collection was released in 2019 and is broken down into 5 different styles: dress, sports, street, specialist and sense. Meaning there is a style to suit everyone regardless of lifestyle. The Seiko below is reference number SRPD55.
Pros:
Many different styles and colour variations
Great entry level automatic watches
Quality at an affordable price range
An open display caseback
Cons:
Might not be for Seiko SKX lovers
Specifications
Reference: SRPD55
Movement: Automatic 4R36
Case size: 42.5mm
Case Thickness: 13.4mm
Lug width: 22mm
Lug-to-Lug: 46mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Hardlex mineral
Dial color: Black
Hacking: Yes
Hand winding: Yes
Power reserve: 41hours
Water Resistance: 10 bar (100m)
Open Case Back: Yes
3. Orient Bambino Small Seconds Automatic Watch
Another great automatic watch for men, the Orient Bambino Small Seconds is possibly the most timeless piece on this list. The Bambino SS comes in 5 different variations, a black dial, champagne dial, and a White dial with a stainless steel case, rose gold case and a yellow gold case (below).
It features a small seconds sub dial at the 6 o’clock, applied Arabic numeral hour markers and an open case back to look at the F6222 movement. The Orient Bambino Small Seconds is an automatic watch lover’s dream and could be considered the best affordable vintage looking dress watch on the market.
Pros:
Elegant vintage styled dress watch
Can’t beat the quality for the price
Small second-hand sub dial
An open display caseback
Cons:
The 40.5mm case size is slightly bigger than the typical 36-38mm for a dress watch
Cheaper strap that some people will want to upgrade
Specifications
Reference: RA-AP0004S
Movement: Automatic F6222
Case size: 40.5mm
Case Thickness: 12mm
Lug width: 21mm
Lug-to-Lug: 46mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Domed Mineral
Dial color: White
Hacking: Yes
Hand winding: Yes
Power reserve: 40 hours
Water Resistance: 3 bar (30m)
Open Case Back: Yes
4. Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
This gorgeous dress watch comes from the Swiss watchmaking powerhouse, Tissot. This design is a staple of the brand’s watch range first designed back in the 1970s. The PRX Powermatic comes in a few different color options including a blue dial, a black dial and a silver dial with gold accents.
The attention to detail of the PRX is very impressive with a mixture of brushed and polished surfaces making this watch definitely one to consider.
Pros:
A retro look and feel and textured dial
Beautiful Integrated bracelet
On open case back showing off the Powermatic 80 movement
A big 80 hour power reserve
Cons:
Lume not very bright
Specifications
Reference: T1374071104100
Movement: Automatic Powermatic 80 (ETA C07.111)
Case size: 40mm
Case Thickness: 11mm
Lug width: 12mm
Lug-to-Lug: 44.5mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Dial color: Blue
Hacking: Yes
Hand winding: Yes
Power reserve: 80 hours
Water Resistance: 10 bar (100m)
Open Case Back: Yes
5. Nomos Orion Neomatik 41 Date
Nomos Orion Neomatik 41 Date is a standout among watch enthusiasts, particularly the white colourway with its bright blue hands. While this watch has features commonly associated with everyday watches, it looks so good many love the Nomos Orion Neomatik 41 Date. Put this bad boy in a grey suit and even James Bond will be asking you for fashion advice.
Pros:
Elegant minimalist design
Small second-hand textured sub dial
A bi-directional quick set date function
An open case back showing off the in-house Automatic DUW 6101
Cons:
Lug-to-lug distance is quite long so it will wear relatively bigger than a typical dress watch
Design may not be for some people
Specifications
Reference: 360
Movement: Automatic DUW 6101
Case size: 40.5mm
Case Thickness: 9.4mm
Lug width: 20mm
Lug-to-Lug: 50.5mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Domed Sapphire
Dial color: White
Hacking: Yes
Hand winding: Yes
Power reserve: 42 hours
Water Resistance: 5 bar (50m)
Open Case Back: Yes
6. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
This sports watch looks not only sporty but adventurous. You will be able to take on almost anything the world has to throw at you in record time with this on your wrist. And when I say precision I mean it. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is COSC certified, 150m water resistant and highly anti-magnetic.
Also like some of the other watches on this list, the Aqua Terra collection comes in a variety of different colors and different strap options suitable for anyone’s taste.
With sapphire glass on the front and back casing and a beautiful textured dial inspired by wooden decks on luxury sailboats this beauty is tough as they come.
Pros:
Great for a first luxury watch
A beautiful textured dial and applied hour markers
Certified Master Chronometer by the industry’s highest standard, the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS)
Isolated hour hand function great for travelling
Open case back to view the Omega 8900 movement
Solid 60 hour power reserve
Cons:
Seems to be more expensive buying directly from Omega rather than buying from a third-party watch company, so look at few places to find the right price for you.
Specifications
Reference: 220.12.41.21.03.001
Movement: Automatic Omega 8900
Case size: 41mm
Case Thickness: 13.2mm
Lug width: 20mm
Lug-to-Lug: 47.5mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Domed Sapphire
Dial color: Blue
Hacking: Yes
Hand winding: Yes
Power reserve: 60 hours
Water Resistance: 15 bar (150m)
Open Case Back: Yes
7. Longines Spirit Zulu Time GMT
The last watch on our list of favorite automatic watches for men is the Longines Spirit Zulu Time GMT.
When you think of pilot watches, no doubt the Longines Spirit Zulu Time GMT is one that certainly comes to mind. The design on this is classic yet very modern and also comes in a variety of colors and options.
This is the crème de la crème of watchmaking made from only the best materials and is COSC. With that comes a big price point but with this Swiss-made watch, you are paying for one of the best in the business.
Pros:
Modern day classic design
Chronometer certified by the COSC
GMT function great for travelling
Bi-directional rotating bezel
A big 72 hour power reserve
Cons:
Lume no that bright
Specifications
Reference: L3.812.4.93.2
Movement: Automatic L844.4 (ETA 31.L411)
Case size: 42mm
Case Thickness: 13.9mm
Lug width: 22mm
Lug-to-Lug: 49.3mm
Case material: Stainless steel and ceramic bezel
Crystal: Sapphire
Dial color: Blue
Hacking: Yes
Hand winding: Yes
Power reserve: 72 hours
Water Resistance: 10 bar (100m)
Open Case Back: No
Summing Up our 7 Favorite Automatic Watches for Men
Automatic watches really are a thing of beauty. These watches are almost like a double facing window into the history of watchmaking.
It is no wonder why so many of us love our automatic watches. However, there you have our favourite 7 automatic watches for men in 2022. But these are just a few that are out there right now.
What are some of your favourites out right now? And more importantly which watch will you be buying next?
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