The 5 best automatic watches of 2022

The first watches with automatic winding have existed since the late 18th century. However, these were still pocket watches. While Abraham-Louis Perrelet is credited with the invention of the very first automatic watch in 1775, Rolex presented the Oyster Perpetual in 1931, the first functioning automatic watch with a single-sided winding rotor.

Today, the variety is greater than ever: there are no limits to your budget when it comes to the style, functions, and prices of watches. Due to this wide range of luxury watches, finding the ideal automatic watch can be a difficult task. To help you out, today we present five automatic watch insider tips that promise you not only cutting-edge watchmaking but also style and wearing pleasure.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is not only the quintessential automatic watch but also an ideal luxury watch for every day: its appearance is restrained and unpretentious. At the same time, the Oyster Perpetual combines all the characteristics that are typical of Rolex. These include the simple but unique appearance of the Geneva luxury manufacturer and a high level of functionality and reliability.

The model name already suggests that the model is reduced to the quintessence of Rolex. While "Oyster" stands for the waterproof case that protects the movement (like a shell protects its pearl), "Perpetual" stands for the automatic winding mechanism. The Oyster Perpetual is available in diameters between 28 and 41 millimetres, making this automatic watch equally suitable for men and women. No other Rolex model offers you so many characteristic brand features for so little money as the Oyster Perpetual.

The Zenith El Primero is a must-have when it comes to automatic watches. Both the El Primero model and the chronograph calibre of the same name enjoy the greatest respect in the world of mechanical watches. The legendary movement was presented in 1969 as one of the first self-winding chronograph calibres. Even then, with its 36,000 vibrations per hour, it could measure time periods with an accuracy of up to a tenth of a second. In the late 1980s, Zenith even supplied Rolex with automatic movements for the first automatic Daytona (Ref. 16520).

Over the last two years, Zenith has extensively revised the El Primero collection. With the Chronomaster collection, Zenith offers you a distinctive design language and an advanced version of one of the most famous automatic movements. While the Zenith Chronomaster Sport has a ceramic bezel, the Chronomaster and Chronomaster Original have a more traditional design. The Chronomaster Revival, on the other hand, takes up the distinctive tonneau case design of the 1960s. All models offer you excellent value for money thanks to their impeccable workmanship, El Primero calibres and unrivalled history.

Although the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M is the best-known model in the Seamaster collection, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is also impressive in all respects. The most elegant version of all Seamaster models is water-resistant up to 150 metres and features a modern, sporty and sleek design as well as an innovative high-tech calibre with automatic winding.

All Aqua Terra references with a diameter of at least 38 millimetres are equipped with the latest Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibres, which have passed the demanding METAS certification of the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology. Hardly any other Swiss watch manufacturer offers you such advanced movements - and certainly not for such a fair price.

The Breitling Chronomat has been produced since 1941 and has had many guises in its more than 80 years of production. With the model's relaunch in 2020, Breitling has taken up the Chronomat's particularly distinctive 80s style and presented watch enthusiasts worldwide with an iconic automatic chronograph.

The Chronomat impresses with its bezel with the four classic horse riders, the onion crown and the distinctive rouleaux strap. Only the 3-6-9 arrangement of the totalisers deviates from the earlier 6-9-12 arrangement, which is nothing less than a reference to the Breitling calibre B01. Introduced in 2009, this manufacture movement offers you a column-wheel chronograph and automatic winding as well as a 70-hour power reserve. The combination of Breitling prestige, modern manufacture calibre and timeless heritage style make the Chronomat an ideal price-performance tip for automatic watches.

The IWC Portugieser has always stood for the highest precision. As early as the presentation of this model in 1930, IWC pursued offering the Portugieser as a particularly accurate marine chronometer for the wrist.

Today, with the Portugieser, the Schaffhausen-based manufacturer offers you a perfect combination of stylish elegance and unobtrusive sportiness in addition to impressive precision. Both the traditional chronographs and the simple three-hand models feature aesthetic designs and automatic winding. Both features make the Portugieser a perfect automatic watch tip - either as a sporty dress watch or as an elegant sports watch.

Discover these and many more immediately available automatic watches in our online shop. Always checked for authenticity and quality by certified CHRONEXT watchmakers. 24 months CHRONEXT warranty included.