A quartz watch runs on a battery, while an automatic watch uses a mechanical movement powered by the natural motion of your wrist. No battery or electrical charging is needed. It carries on a watchmaking tradition in which every second comes to life through a precision mechanism.

Rustic-Tac automatic watches feature a Miyota mechanical movement, renowned in the watchmaking world for its reliability.

Here is how it works:
• The oscillating weight (or rotor): A semicircular metal weight that moves inside the case as your wrist moves naturally.
• The mainspring: The rotor drives gears that gradually wind the mainspring inside a component called the barrel. This stores the energy needed to run the watch.
• The gear train: As the mainspring gradually unwinds, it transfers energy through a series of gears that drive the hands.
• The escapement: This mechanism, including an escape wheel and pallet fork, releases energy in small, regular impulses.
• The balance wheel and hairspring: The heart of the movement, oscillating at a precise frequency to regulate the movement of the hands.

This self-powered, battery-free precision mechanism is part of what makes an automatic watch so special.

This is called the power reserve. Once the mainspring has been sufficiently wound, an automatic watch continues running even when it is not being worn. For many movements, the power reserve is generally 24 to 48 hours, depending on the caliber and how much energy has been stored. Once the reserve is depleted, the movement naturally stops until it is wound again.

There are two common reasons why your watch may stop:

• Depleted power reserve: If you do not wear your watch for a few days, the mainspring gradually unwinds until its stored energy runs out. The movement then stops naturally; this does not mean it is defective.

• Not enough movement: Even while wearing your watch, limited activity, such as sitting at a desk for long periods, can prevent the rotor from storing enough energy.

In either case, you can restart your watch by gently turning the crown, the small knob on the side of the case, to wind the movement manually. Then adjust the time if necessary.

Absolutely! In fact, wearing your automatic watch as regularly as possible is recommended.

Your wrist's natural movements activate the oscillating weight (rotor), winding the mainspring and helping to maintain the power reserve.

Regular wear also has another benefit: it helps maintain the movement. Keeping the gears moving helps watchmaking lubricants circulate between the mechanical parts, reducing friction and avoiding prolonged inactivity.

Under normal conditions, wearing your watch every day does not cause premature wear. On the contrary, it is an excellent way to support its proper operation and keep lubricants circulating.

If you wear your watch only occasionally, you can also use an automatic watch winder, a device that mimics wrist movements to keep the movement running.

An automatic watch may show small variations of a few seconds per day, depending on its caliber, position and use.

Unlike quartz, its accuracy depends on mechanical components, including the balance wheel and hairspring and the escapement. This is also part of the charm of traditional watchmaking.

At Rustic-Tac, our wooden watches are considered splash-resistant and can be worn in light rain. You do not need to remove your watch when washing your hands, as long as you avoid placing it directly under running water.

However, we strongly advise against wearing your watch in the shower or while swimming.

Your watch must not be submerged in water because wood is a natural material that tends to expand when exposed to significant amounts of water.

What about perspiration?
Your skin naturally produces sebum, an oil that may transfer to the wood while you wear your watch. This natural oil can help:

• Nourish the wood's surface and reduce dryness.
• Form a light, natural protective layer.
• Enhance the wood's color and natural variations.

Excessive perspiration or prolonged exposure to moisture should still be avoided.

An automatic watch is made up of numerous small mechanical parts and miniature gears that require some care.

Shocks and vibrations
Strong impacts and drops may disrupt or damage parts of the movement, especially the balance wheel and hairspring, which help regulate its accuracy.

We recommend removing your watch during activities involving significant shocks or vibrations, including tennis, golf, cycling on rough terrain or working with vibrating tools.

Magnetic fields
Strong magnetic fields may affect certain metal components in the movement and interfere with its accuracy.

Avoid leaving your watch immediately next to magnets, powerful speakers or electronic devices containing magnetic components.