rdenney
364
Once upon a time, it was the cool new feature when the only alternative was manual winding.
So, many watches of the 50’s and 60’s put it on the dial to tout their feature superiority.
But then quartz happened. Handwound watches nearly vanished, as did automatics. But then mechanical watches became the status alternative as they moved upmarket and became a boutique product. Then, the word touted the boutique mechanical movement rather than the working-class quartz movement. Now, that word is often the only visible difference between the quartz and mechanical versions of the same watch. 
Touting distinguishing features using dial text is, of course, only conspicuous by its absence.
—Rick
Automatic or Automatique wording on dial...
Does any watch aficionado know the history of Automatic or Automatique wording on the dial? I use to dislike such wording on the dial but, lately, I start to like such wording on watches belonging to the 80s or 90s era. To me, it seems to reflect a certai...
Once upon a time, it was the cool new feature when the only alternative was manual winding.
So, many watches of the 50’s and 60’s put it on the dial to tout their feature superiority. But then quartz happened. Handwound watches nearly vanished, as did automatics. But then mechanical watches became the status alternative as they moved upmarket an...
For the rich in watches and weak in memory
It’s nice to know when a watch is automatic or manual wind. Many embarrassing complaints to the service department can be circumvented if you know if it is or isn’t going to wind itself ... 😕 Cazalea
That's a very good view.
It sure makes lots of sense. To me, it feels very 80s,90s too... kinda retro vintage feel when I see the wording.
I kinda like it...
when it is being applied to a watch that's vintage or old fashion looking. For modern looking watches, it feels unnecessary.
One good example...
I personally find the design of JLC reverso suits the wording 'Automatique". It sits nicely with that retro look.
I used to think the same...
Until I find some dials too empty an unbalance. The wordings help to define an era and act as a counter balance... sometimes it works