Can an automatic watch be left unwound?

Automatic watches can be left unwound for short periods of time without causing any major issues. Automatic watches are powered by the movement of your wrist, but they also have a small reserve of power that can be replenished by manually winding the watch. This reserve power is called the "power reserve" and it allows the watch to continue running even when it is not being worn.

Most automatic watches have a power reserve of around 40 hours, which means that the watch will continue to run for about 40 hours after it has been fully wound and taken off the wrist. After this time, the watch will stop running and will need to be wound again.

However, it is generally not recommended to leave an automatic watch unwound for extended periods of time. If the watch is left unwound for an extended period, the lubricants inside the movement can dry out, leading to wear and damage to the watch's internal components. Additionally, the watch may lose accuracy if it is not being worn and wound regularly.

To ensure the longevity and accuracy of your automatic watch, it is generally a good idea to wind it regularly and wear it at least a few times a week.
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