Wearing a self-winding or kinetic watch on Shabbos

Hi,

May one wear a self-winding watch on Shabbos?

There is debate regarding starting any mechanical watch on Shabbos. One view compares this with the permissible act of assembling a utensil which is frequently disassembled; others contend that it is prohibited as an act of fixing an implement. Many authorities follow this latter view in practice; some prohibit even winding a watch which is currently operational, other than in cases of great need.

The above paragraph notwithstanding, many permit a Jew to wear a self-winding mechanical watch if it is currently operational. An implement which is so easily 'repaired' is not said to be broken at all, and therefore one may wear it.

Kinetic watches, which generate an electric charge via one's movement, pose a more complicated challenge, and their permissibility is uncertain.

(Panim Meirot 2:123; Mishneh Berurah 338:14; Tzitz Eliezer 9:20; Shemirat Shabbat k'Hilchatah 28:19-22, 28; http://bit.ly/M9cawS)

Have a great day,
Mordechai