What You Need to Know Before Using an Automatic Watch Winder
Whether you are a collector or a casual watch lover, a watch winder is an invaluable tool. These specialty accessories keep your automatic watches fully wound and ready to wear.
These devices rotate at set intervals and can be battery powered or hooked up to a power source. They are designed to mimic the movements of a watch worn on the wrist.
Functions
Watch winders are a must-have for those who own automatic watches and want to ensure they’re always properly wound. They are also a stylish storage solution for any watch collection, and some even function as beautiful display boxes.
The most common reason for buying a watch winder is the convenience of not having to manually wind up your timepiece each and every day. This is especially true if you’re away on vacation or on work trips, and you don’t have the time to do it manually.
Another reason to invest in a watch winder is that it can help prolong the life of your watch’s mechanism. As with any mechanical movement, over time, the oil inside an automatic watch will dry out and clump together. This can then create a lot of wear and tear on the moving parts of the watch’s internal mechanisms.
A watch winder can prevent this from happening by automatically turning your automatic watch’s rotor in a controlled manner to simulate wear and tear. Some models are capable of varying the number of revolutions per day (TPD), while others have a fixed TPD.
However, the amount of TPD that your automatic watch winder watch needs will vary from brand to brand, so it’s important to check your manual or user guide before deciding on the right setting for your watch. In general, a watch with a power reserve of seven days or less should be kept wound up in the range of 650 to 950 TPD.
Depending on the model, some watch winders can also be programmed to rotate at specific times or in certain directions. Some can even be connected to your smartphone so that you can control them from anywhere in the world.
For those who own mechanical watches that contain complications, like perpetual calendars or moon phase displays, a watch winder can be a must-have. These watches can be tricky to reset once they stop running, and a winder helps make the process quicker and easier.
While some people believe that a watch winder causes more harm than good, it’s clear that storing your watch in the recommended TPD regularly is healthier for its inner movement than leaving it on a shelf or drawer where it may dry out and wear down. It’s worth experimenting to find the right settings for your particular watch, and then sticking to those settings.
Durability
An automatic watch, like any mechanical piece, requires periodic service. This can include resetting the time if it has run out of power, or setting complicated perpetual calendar and moon phase complications, which can take a few minutes to do manually.
This may seem like an inconvenience for watch enthusiasts who don’t wear their automatic watches as often as they should, but it’s not a bad thing to do for the longevity of your timepiece. Just as with a vintage car, an unworn mechanical timepiece should always be in good condition to give it the best chance of surviving years of being used.
There are a few different types of watch winders, and they vary in price and operation. Some are very expensive, while others are affordable and easy to use.
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an automatic watch winder is durability. Most cheap winders are not made of high quality materials, and their rotating motors can quickly wear down or even damage your automatic watch movement.
The rotation of the motor can also cause your watch to become magnetized. This can affect the accuracy of your watch and lead to serious damage if the movement is not adequately protected by the frame of the watch winder.
In addition, many low-quality winders do not protect the internal parts of your watch from magnetic fields, which can also negatively impact its accuracy and longevity. A high-quality watch winder will have a steel frame to shield the internals of the device from strong magnetic fields, ensuring that your watch is safe when placed inside.
Finally, the best winders have a smart feature that allows your watch to rest for periods of time in between winding cycles. This will help to disperse the automatic watch winder oils that are present within the movement, which is essential to preventing wear and tear.
Design
An automatic watch winder is a device that helps keep your automatic watch running when it’s not worn. It works by rotating your watch periodically to simulate wear and tear, which keeps the rotor of your automatic watch in motion and keeps it wound.
The best watch winders use a motor that’s built using ball bearings, which can save energy and last longer than belt-driven motors. They also run quietly, reducing the risk of overheating.
They’re a great way to preserve the lifespan of your watch, but you should make sure that you choose one that completes the proper number of revolutions each day, which depends on the type of watch you have and your activity level. For most watches, 650-900 rotations per day is enough to protect them from damage.
It’s a good idea to store your watch in a watch winder when you’re not wearing it, so that the movement’s lubricant doesn’t dry up or block the mechanism from working correctly. It’s also a good idea to keep your watch serviced regularly, so that its components stay in top condition and work properly.
Another reason to consider buying a watch winder is that it will ensure your automatic watch is always on time and ready to be worn. It’s a convenient way to ensure that your watch is always ready for you to wear, and it can help to make sure that your watch never gets left on standby.
Regardless of your watch’s style, you should be able to find an automatic watch winder that suits your needs and budget. Most of these products will be battery or mains operated, and they’ll come with a variety of features that can make it easier to configure your watch winder.
Some of the better watch winders will have options to customize your settings, including a variety of different modes that can change the direction and amount of rotations each day. This will help you get the most out of your automatic watch winder and keep it functioning at its best.
Many people mistakenly believe that storing their automatic watch in a watch winder will lead to the oils inside the movement clotting and drying up. This is a misconception, as the oils that are used in modern watches and properly serviced vintage watches are not at risk of clotting or coagulating.
Safety
An automatic watch winder is a great way to keep your watch ticking when you’re not wearing it. However, there are a few things you need to know before using one.
A watch winder will rotate your automatic watch’s rotor to gently keep the mainspring wound, which can help to keep its power reserve topped up and ensure it stays accurate when you wear it. It’s important to remember, though, that the rotor will only need to make a certain number of turns per day (TPD) before it needs to rest and stop rotating, so you must be sure to choose the correct TPD setting for your particular watch.
The TPD setting will be specific to your watch, so it is best to check with your watch’s owner’s manual. Most modern automatic watches have a TPD range of 500 to 800 turns daily, but some may need to be wound much higher than this.
Once you have chosen the correct TPD for your watch, it’s time to start the winding process. You can either plug your winder into a power source or use batteries, and the instructions will often specify the length of operation and rotation direction.
Some models also feature a built-in safety mechanism that prevents the watch from over-winding. This will prevent your watch from getting too much power and overheating when in the winder, and it will also help to protect it against damage.
In addition, many automatic watch winders will have a holder for your watch that is designed to secure it without stretching it or deforming it. This can be a cushion pillow or a spring-loaded mechanism, and you’ll need to choose the type of holder that is suitable for your watch.
A watch winder is a convenient and practical acquisition, especially for those with multiple watches that need to be kept ready to wear on a moment’s notice. It is also a wonderful way to display your favourite timepieces, allowing you to proudly showcase them whenever you want. They’re available in a variety of styles, so you’re sure to find a model that fits your preferences and will look good in your home or office.
