What is "self-winding"

Automatic \Au`to*mat"ic\, Automatical \Au`to*mat"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. automatique. See Automaton.]

1. Having an inherent power of action or motion.

   Nothing can be said to be automatic.
   --Sir H. Davy.

2. Pertaining to, or produced by, an automaton; of the nature of an automaton; self-acting or self-regulating under fixed conditions; operating with minimal human intervention; -- esp. applied to machinery or devices in which certain things formerly or usually done by hand are done by the machine or device itself; as, the automatic feed of a lathe; automatic gas lighting; an automatic engine or switch; an automatic mouse; an automatic transmission. The opposite of manual.

   Note: Narrower terms are: autoloading(prenominal), semiautomatic ; {automated, machine-controlled, machine-driven ; {self-acting, self-activating, self-moving, self-regulating ; {self-locking ; {self-winding . Also See: mechanical.

3. (Physiol.) Not voluntary; not depending on the will; mechanical; controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control; as, automatic movements or functions. The opposite of {voluntary.

   Syn: reflex(prenominal), reflexive,involuntary

   Unconscious or automatic reasoning.
   --H. Spenser.

4. like the unthinking functioning of a machine. an automatic `thank you'

   Syn: automaton-like, automatonlike, machinelike, machine-like, robotlike.

   Automatic arts, such economic arts or manufacture as are carried on by self-acting machinery.
   --Ure.

a. Generally applied to a wristwatch that does not need to be wound but rather gathers energy from being moved while worn.

adj. designed so that manual winding is unnecessary; "a self-winding watch"