When we first launched Blessington in 2020–2021, all our timepieces were powered by quartz movements. They were reliable, affordable, and incredibly accurate—exactly what we needed to bring our first collections to life.
But as our community grew, so did the feedback. We started receiving messages from customers—particularly from those working in environments sensitive to electromagnetic interference, such as mining—asking if we offered automatic watches. Since battery-powered quartz watches can pose issues in certain workplaces, the demand for mechanical alternatives became hard to ignore.
Beyond practicality, we also heard from watch enthusiasts who wanted a deeper connection to the mechanics of timekeeping. Automatics are appreciated not only for their craftsmanship, but also for the timeless nature of never needing a battery. So, we listened.
Today, all our timepieces feature the Miyota 8215 automatic movement—a robust, self-winding Japanese movement known for its reliability. The most notable shift was with our Wildlife Collection, which was originally quartz-based. Given its popularity and the volume of requests we received, it made perfect sense to phase it into an automatic.
As we've made this transition, we’ve noticed a few questions from customers unfamiliar with how automatic watches work—particularly around timekeeping. Unlike quartz, automatic watches rely on wrist movement to stay wound. If left unworn for a day or two, they may stop or lose time. That’s completely normal and part of what makes them beautifully mechanical.
For anyone new to automatic watches, we’re here to help you understand and get the most out of your timepiece.
Why Automatic Watches Are Special:
One of the best parts of owning an automatic is the engineering and craftsmanship behind it. You’re wearing a mechanical marvel on your wrist—hundreds of tiny parts working together without any batteries. Collectors around the world love automatics for their reliability over time, their smooth sweeping second hands, and their connection to traditional watchmaking.
They’re built to last a lifetime with proper care!
Here’s how to keep it running smoothly:
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Manual Winding: Unscrew the crown (the little knob on the side) and gently turn it clockwise around 15–20 times to give it a full charge. This will provide around 42 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
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Daily Wear: If worn regularly, the natural motion of your wrist will keep the watch powered.
- If not worn daily: We recommend winding it manually every couple of days, or considering a watch winder if you rotate between different watches, an automatic watch is powered by movement rather than a battery. If you haven’t worn it for a day or two or it’s been sitting still overnight, it’s completely normal for the watch to stop until it’s recharged with movement or a manual wind.