The Best Automatic Watches for Men 2022
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Automatic watches might seem like an anachronism in today’s digital world, but there are situations when you can’t always rely on your phone for the time. While your phone needs to be charged regularly, and quartz watches need replacement batteries, a good automatic watch powers itself and most are built to last and perform for decades. Plus, there are places you can take them where you wouldn’t dare take your phone. Here are ten of our recommendations for automatic watches, with plenty of options to find a perfect fit for your everyday timepiece.
Orient 2nd Generation Defender
PurchaseKey Features
Easy-to-read dial
Hacking seconds
Weekly and 24-hour sub-dials
Specifications
Case Diameter
42.4mm
Movement
Orient F6B22
Power Reserve
40+ hours
Water Resistance
100m
The newest iteration of the Orient Defender field watch features all the complications and features that the original was known for, including the date display, 60 second/minute marker ring, weekly-, and 24-hour sub-dials, all arranged in a new, easier-to-read format, packed in a slightly larger 42.4mm case. The new Orient F6B22 movement features hacking, meaning you can stop the second hand as you adjust the time, allowing for better synchronization with your other time-telling devices. A brushed stainless steel case with a screw-down crown and 100 meters of water resistance is paired with a rugged nylon strap to create a look that matches this model’s simple yet reliable performance.
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55K1
PurchaseKey Features
Hacking seconds and hand windable
Unidirectional rotating bezel
Over 20 case, face and strap combinations
Specifications
Case Diameter
42.5mm
Movement
Seiko 4R36
Power Reserve
41 hours
Water Resistance
100m
Part of the new line of revamped Seiko 5 models, this sporty model pays homage to the venerable SKX007, often regarded as the gateway model for automatic watch enthusiasts. While it features a similar case, bezel, and day/date complications, the SRPD55K1 is equipped with the newer 4R36 movement, which allows for hacking seconds and hand-winding capability. This is one of the brand’s biggest launches yet, so if you don’t like the more traditional look, there are over 20 other case, dial and strap combinations you can choose from to match your personal EDC style. The SRPD line provides great variety to the already immense value that Seiko automatic watches are known for.
Seiko Prospex SBDC063
PurchaseKey Features
200m water resistance
50 hours power reserve
Classic dial combined with Lumibrite indexes and distinct bezel design
Specifications
Case Diameter
44mm
Movement
Caliber 6R15
Power Reserve
50 hours
Water Resistance
200m
It’s hard to leave out Seiko’s Prospex line when there’s a discussion about professional dive watches. Prospex means “professional specification” and the new Prospex SBDC063 lives up to the moniker with 200 meters of water resistance, great accuracy, and an impressive 50 hours of power reserve. Nicknamed the “Baby Marine Master,” this new model commands a lot of wrist presence with its distinctive turquoise-colored bezel, creamy Lumibrite indices and 44mm-wide screw-down case. If you are looking for a watch that delivers highly on both style and performance, this Prospex should be on your list.
Hamilton Khaki Field "Murph"
PurchaseKey Features
Collector’s item
Swiss-made movement
80 hours power reserve
Specifications
Case Diameter
42mm
Movement
Calibre H-10
Power Reserve
50 hours
Water Resistance
100m
This model from Hamilton recreates the very same watch that they created for the character “Murph” from the movie “Interstellar,” down to the word "Eureka" printed in Morse code on the seconds hand. This vintage-inspired design combines a simple field watch dial with brown-lumed cathedral-style hour and minute hands, encased in stainless steel body featuring a transparent caseback, long lugs and a combination of brushed and polished surfaces. And while your own adventures might not be as interstellar as the movie this watch was made for, the Swiss-made Hamilton Calibre H-10 inside offers an extended 80 hours of power reserve, ensuring all-day accuracy and reliability wherever you may go.
Victorinox I.N.O.X. Mechanical 241836
PurchaseKey Features
Reliable workhorse movement
Super-LumiNova C1 on the hands and indexes
Unique eco-friendly wooden strap
Specifications
Case Diameter
43mm
Movement
ETA Caliber 2824-2
Power Reserve
~38 hours
Water Resistance
200m
Victorinox watches have a very distinct design language, and the I.N.O.X. Mechanical model 241836 brings some new and unique elements to the table. The triple AR-coated sapphire crystal protects a hobnail-patterned dial reminiscent of the handle of a Swiss officer’s knife. The indexes and hands use Swiss-made non-radioactive Super-LumiNova C1 for low-light readability, and the date display has a rather unique placement, between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions. Inside, it features the easy-to-service ETA Caliber 2824-2, recognized by watch enthusiasts as a workhorse movement with hacking and hand-winding features. Finally, the eco-friendly wooden strap is made from the linden tree, features the same hobnail pattern as the dial and closes via a Victorinox signed deployant clasp.
Maratac Titanium Field Automatic Watch
PurchaseKey Features
Compact titanium case
Easy-to-read watch face
Grade X1 C3 Super-LumiNova on hands and numerals
Specifications
Case Diameter
39mm
Movement
Seiko NH35
Power Reserve
41 hours
Water Resistance
100m
This Maratac Field Watch houses a Seiko NH35 automatic movement in a 39mm-wide case made from titanium, machined directly from a solid block. This translates into a compact, lightweight and durable watch that is sized a bit smaller than most watches in this class, allowing it to fit a wider variety of wrists. It features a domed sapphire crystal, a screw-down crown to improve water resistance, and a tough nylon Maratac Mil Series band. The plain, logo-less, matte black face with no complications allows the user to just focus on the time with no other distractions. The minute and second hands as well as the numerals on the dial are triple-coated with high-grade Super-LumiNova, providing great lume for low-light situations. Very few watches fit the role of the light, tough, simple, easy-to-read EDC watch like the Maratac Titanium Field Automatic Watch.
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Timex Waterbury Classic Automatic
PurchaseKey Features
Japanese Miyota movement
Classic, simple designs
Affordable
Specifications
Case Diameter
40mm
Movement
Japanese Miyota
Power Reserve
40 hours
Water Resistance
50m
Recently, Timex has been reviving their more classic designs, as well as releasing more automatics for the enthusiast market. Their new Waterbury Classic collection represents their foray into the affordable automatic watch segment. The brushed stainless steel case holds a well-known Japanese Miyota movement inside, a reliable—if a little thick and chunky—engine to power this economical daily wearer. Very clean, wall clock styled faces include a simple date complication, and this gives them a timeless appeal. This particular variant features a steel mesh bracelet, and the collection also features different case and strap combinations, including a slightly larger 42mm design.
Oris Artix GT Day Date
PurchaseKey Features
Highly legible sporty design
Scratch resistant crystal with AR coating
Swiss-made movement
Specifications
Case Diameter
42mm
Movement
Oris 735
Power Reserve
38 hours
Water Resistance
100m
If you are looking for a more contemporary and motorsport-inspired design for an automatic watch, the Oris Artix GT Day Date, with its sporty, yet elegant lines may just fit the bill. The stainless steel body and bracelet contrast with the black dial and bi-rotating bezel, and the domed scratch-resistant crystal is AR-coated to give you a clear view of the highly legible watch face with silver baton markers, Super-LumiNova coated hands, and a novel day/date complication. A see-through caseback lets you see the bi-directionally rotating red rotor that winds the heart of this watch, an 26-jewel Oris 735 movement with stop-second hacking that is their version of the venerable Sellita SW220-1.
Citizen Promaster Limited Edition"Fugu"
PurchaseKey Features
Limited edition collector’s item
Grippy and functional bezel
Hand-winding
Specifications
Case Diameter
42mm
Movement
Cal. 8203
Power Reserve
40 hours
Water Resistance
200m
This edition of the Promaster is limited to 1,989 pieces—a reference to the year that the Promaster model line was introduced. Inspired by the Japanese puffer fish (“fugu”) this design is very much dive-worthy and features a distinctive bezel reminiscent of said fish, with serrated edges to help with grip underwater, even with gloved hands. Inside, the in-house Caliber 8203 beats in the traditional 21,600 beats per hour, while allowing for hand-winding to start and charge the watch. A tough stainless steel case and 200 meters of watch resistance make this a great diver’s and tool watch that fits any collection, while being robust enough for daily use.
Luminox Scott Cassell Deep Dive Automatic 1521
PurchaseKey Features
500 meters of water resistance, complies with ISO 6425
Corrosion-resistant steel case
Highly legible
Specifications
Case Diameter
44mm
Movement
Selita SW220-1
Power Reserve
40 hours
Water Resistance
500m
Designed with input from combat dive instructor Scott Cassell, the Luminox Deep Dive 1521 is a full-fledged automatic dive watch that you can take to the depths and back. The corrosion-resistant 316L steel case features 500 meters of water resistance, and the watch complies with strict ISO 6425 standards. A 3mm-thick sapphire crystal—double that of 200m water resistant designs--and screw-in crown keep it watertight for the depths, while a patented bezel locking device doubles as a crown protector. The dial is highly legible, featuring both tritium-based Luminox Light Techonology and Super Lumi-Nova coating on the indices, ensuring you can tell the time wherever or however deep you go.
What's your favorite automatic watch? Did we find something new that's right on time for your next pickup? Let us know in the comments below!
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.
Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.
In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.
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