Kinetic watches are timepieces that use the movement of the wearer's body to create the power that keeps the watch running. There are no batteries needed, and the wearer should not have to wind the watch to keep it going. A kinetic watch has oscillating weights that are turned by the movements of the wrist on which the watch is worn. These movements create a magnetic charge in the watch, which is turned into the electricity that is needed to power the watch. This type of watch might also be called a self-winding watch or an automatic watch.
Harnessing Energy
The term "kinetic" comes from the Greek word kinesis, which means "motion." Kinetic energy is power that the body produces through movement. The energy that the body produces through normal movement will stay constant until a negative energy is applied, such as the body stopping the movement. Kinetic energy can be created from other types of energy. For example, the body uses chemical energy, such as that gained from food, to make the energy needed to manufacture kinetic energy.
Advantages
Some advantages of kinetic watches are their energy-saving ability and their accuracy. When they are operating properly, these watches never need winding or a battery change. Many newer models are capable of storing energy for several months. Most kinetic watches have power reserve indicators that show how much power is stored within the watch.
Other Features
These watches also have built-in sensors that tell the wearer if the watch has been inactive for at least 24 hours. If the watch senses this, it will automatically put itself in sleep mode. To awaken the watch, the wearer simply gives it a shake of the wrist, and it will automatically reset the time and the date. Some kinetic watches have the ability to reset themselves even if they have been suspended for more than a year. Their ability to do this gives them greater energy-saving capabilities.
Models
Kinetic watches are manufactured by a variety of watchmakers. They come in all shapes and sizes. Their mechanisms are heavier than other types of watch mechanisms, so some types of kinetic watches are made only in men's styles.
Maintenance
Although these watches are environmentally friendly because they do not require batteries, they might need a tune-up every few years. Like many watches, they sometimes might be off by a minute or two need to be reset. Also, a kinetic watch's main capacitor, which stores its energy, eventually wears out and needs to be replaced.