Automatic watches

Automatic watches: mechanical watchmaking in all its splendor

Why choose a pre-owned automatic watch?

Acquiring a pre-owned automatic watch represents much more than a simple horological purchase. It's an opportunity to access models that have sometimes been discontinued, to discover special finishes or limited editions that have become impossible to find in traditional stores.

Automatic watches retain their value over time, unlike electronic models which are subject to technological obsolescence. A Seiko from the 1970s still works perfectly today, its hands moving across the dial with the same precision as the day it was bought, its original strap attesting to the quality of the materials used at the time.

The modern man who chooses pre-owned also gains access to more affordable price ranges for prestigious brands. A pre-owned Orient automatic offers the same mechanical pleasure as a new piece, with the added bonus of the patina of time that gives each watch and its strap a unique character.

At Castafiore, we select each automatic watch according to strict criteria of authenticity and functionality, ensuring that the hands, movement, case and bracelet meet our quality requirements.

Seiko: Japanese innovation at the service of automatic watches

Seiko has been revolutionizing automatic watchmaking since the 1960s with remarkable technical innovations. The brand develops its own movements, from the robust and reliable caliber 7S26 to the more sophisticated mechanisms of the Presage line.

Seiko's new Presage line deserves special attention for its dials inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The hands of these Presage models dance across enameled, guilloché, or textured surfaces that evoke the Japanese seasons. This Presage line offers complications such as power reserve and moon phases, transforming each watch into a true work of art, often accompanied by an exceptionally high-quality leather strap.

The Seiko Sports collections appeal to the active man with their robustness and legibility. Their luminous hands and contrasting dials ensure easy readability in all conditions. These automatic Seiko models are shock and water resistant, accompanying their wearer in his daily activities, whether with a sporty steel bracelet or a technical silicone strap.

The hidden treasures of Seiko production

Seiko also produces limited editions and regional models that are never released outside the Japanese market. These Seiko releases, often available only on the pre-owned market, feature exceptional finishes and rare complications. Collectors will find these pieces fascinating alternatives to traditional Swiss creations, as each new release comes with its original, authentic bracelet.

Citizen: the "Better Starts Now" philosophy applied to automation

Citizen approaches automatic watchmaking with a unique philosophy: continuous improvement. Unlike its renowned solar watches, the brand offers purely mechanical models that celebrate traditional watchmaking. This new approach gives pride of place to the past.

Citizen automatic watches are distinguished by their reliable movements and meticulous finishing. Citizen hands, often blued or rhodium-plated, add a touch of elegance to dials with varied textures. The brand favors steel cases treated to resist corrosion and scratches, paired with durable and comfortable straps.

The Tsuyosa collection perfectly illustrates Citizen's approach to automatic watches. These men's timepieces combine contemporary design with traditional mechanics, featuring modern hands that sweep across boldly colored dials. Each model in this collection is offered with various strap options to suit individual preferences.

Orient: Creative independence at the service of watchmaking

Orient occupies a unique position in Japanese watchmaking as a completely independent manufacturer. This creative freedom translates into automatic watches with strong personalities, often adorned with sophisticated horological complications.

Orient automatic watches are distinguished by their open dials that reveal the beauty of the mechanical movement. The skeletonized hands allow you to admire the gears in action, transforming every time you check the time into a fascinating spectacle. These watches are generally offered with a traditional leather strap that underscores their authentic character.

The Orient brand develops its own automatic calibers, from the basic F6 movement to the more elaborate mechanisms equipping its high-end series. This technical expertise allows Orient to offer new automatic watches at particularly attractive prices for the man who appreciates mechanical watchmaking.

Orient offers its automatic watches in several distinct collections: Bambino for classic elegance, Kamasu for sport, and Mako for diving. Each collection develops its own aesthetic language, from the characteristically shaped hands to the dials with their specific finishes, not forgetting the straps adapted to each use.

European and American alternatives

French watchmaking: Herbelin, Pierre Lannier, Lip

French watchmaking offers attractive alternatives to Japanese creations. Herbelin perpetuates the French watchmaking tradition with elegant automatic watches, often equipped with Swiss movements in hexagonal-designed cases, accompanied by high-quality French leather straps.

Pierre Lannier develops accessible automatic watch collections without sacrificing quality. Its new releases explore diverse aesthetic territories, from classic models to more contemporary creations. The French man finds in these watches an expression of French elegance, with each collection available with several strap options.

Lip, the historic Besançon watch manufacturer, revisits its iconic models in automatic versions. The automatic Himalaya and the mechanical Dauphine showcase the richness of French watchmaking heritage, with hands in characteristic shapes and dials with harmonious proportions, often paired with an authentic vintage strap.

Fossil: the American approach to automation

Fossil brings an American vision to automatic watchmaking, blending vintage heritage with contemporary design. Its men's automatic watches explore bold aesthetics, often featuring skeletonized movements that reveal the mechanics. Each Fossil collection offers a variety of straps to personalize your watch to your taste.

Fossil's latest automatic watches surprise with their creativity, featuring uniquely shaped hands on dials with unexpected textures. This approach appeals to the man who seeks originality without sacrificing watchmaking tradition. Fossil regularly updates its collections with new models that explore new aesthetic territories, each new release accompanied by innovative straps.

Understanding and maintaining your automatic watch

An automatic watch operates using the kinetic energy generated by wrist movements. The rotor, a freely oscillating metal mass, winds the mainspring with each movement. This stored energy powers the movement and makes the hands rotate with remarkable regularity.

The power reserve varies depending on the caliber, generally between 38 and 72 hours. This autonomy allows the watch to continue running even when not worn for one to three days. The hands continue their silent movement, attesting to the vitality of the mechanism.

An automatic watch requires little daily maintenance. Simply wear it regularly to keep the movement running, or wind it manually if it has stopped. The hands should move freely, without any snagging or skipping. The strap also requires specific care depending on its material: regular cleaning for a leather strap, occasional polishing for a steel bracelet.

Castafiore's expertise: your guarantee of quality

Our collection of pre-owned automatic watches reflects our passion for mechanical watchmaking and our commitment to quality. Every watch, whether it's a Seiko, Citizen, Orient, Fossil, or any other manufacturer, undergoes rigorous testing before being added to our catalog.

We check the movement's functionality, the condition of the hands, the precision of the mechanism, and the authenticity of each component, not forgetting the condition of the original strap. This expertise allows us to offer pre-owned automatic watches in perfect working order, ready to accompany their new owner.

The watch enthusiast will find rare pieces, recent releases, and timeless classics at Castafiore. Our approach prioritizes transparency: every potential defect is noted, every restoration documented, and every warranty clearly defined. We also offer genuine replacement straps to complement your purchase.

Our pre-owned automatic watches offer a unique opportunity to access horological excellence at competitive prices. Whether you're looking for a Seiko Presage with delicately crafted hands, a robust Citizen, an Orient with refined complications, or a creative Fossil, our collection will meet the expectations of the discerning watch enthusiast, complete with original strap.