Watch winder

[Canadave]

I have an automatic (self winding) watch. Until this weekend, I didn't know there was such a thing as a watch winder. I searched eBay and got over 700 hits! Is there anything I should know before purchasing one on eBay or in a store?

Thanks,

David

 

[Baron Kurtz]

What is a watch winder? Are you buying someone's amputated fingers?

bk

 

[melankomas]

What is a watch winder? Are you buying someone's amputated fingers?

bk

entire arm, actually. they are for watches that wind themselves during natural arm motions, and work by simulating that motion. i believe.

 

[Tomasso]

Is there anything I should know before purchasing one

IMO, they're really only usefull for seldom worn complications, to keep the calendar, moonphase, etc......current. The down side is that cheap or malfunctioning winders can over-wind a watch, not a good thing.

How often do you wear the watch and how many complications does it have?

 

[Canadave]

IMO, they're really only usefull for seldom worn complications, to keep the calendar, moonphase, etc......current. The down side is that cheap or malfunctioning winders can over-wind a watch, not a good thing.

How often do you wear the watch and how many complications does it have?

I tend to wear it M-F...by the following Monday (or after vacations), I need to re-set it. The only "complications" are time and date...does that count?

David

 

[Tomasso]

You don't need one. And, the time isn't considered a complication.[huh]

 

[moustache]

They are a delight

Watch winders are wonderful for those of us with more than four or five automatics.Saves effort,time and wear on parts each time one wants to use an un-winded watch.One cannot really "overwind"current/modern watches as they have mechanisms in place to keep that from happening.This is why modern automatics are really better than older models say from the 50's and on.The manual winding watches are notorious for having been overwound.
I have 4 automatics and wear each one a different day or two.Most watches have between 24 and 44 hour power reserve.
I didn't pay very much for my winder.It is a four watch winder and can be set up in many different ways depending on orbits needed.It cost me $75 and was a steal as it retails for over $500 online.Ebay can be a great place.
And no problems with the winder so far!!

Those with quartz watches need not worry!!! lol lol

JD

 

[Tomasso]

One cannot really "overwind"current/modern watches as they have mechanisms in place to keep that from happening.

IMO, a modern watch can be over-wound in the sense that, by being kept on a winder for a protracted period of time, it's never allowed to sleep and fully unwind as it would in normal use. Winders are usefull for some types of watches, I use them on my perpetual calenders, but most people can do without them. And, most of the winders on the market are crap and expensive to boot.

 

[moustache]

IMO, a modern watch can be over-wound in the sense that, by being kept on a winder for a protracted period of time, it's never allowed to sleep and fully unwind as it would in normal use. Winders are usefull for some types of watches, I use them on my perpetual calenders, but most people can do without them. And, most of the winders on the market are crap and expensive to boot.

Well made watches have main spring compensation limit that will keep it from over winding.A good winder(keyword here being GOOD) will rotate the watch in both directions at various intervals for a proscribed period of time,simulating a persons wrist.
There are "sleep" periods on a winder as well.Mine can "sleep" for up to 8 hours.If a watch cannot be "overwound" on the wrist from daily wear,so it cannot be on a good winder.Research on the winder needs to be done.

And just like watches themselves,yes:some winders are garbage and some are not.

And whether a watch has complications or not makes no difference between a wrist or a well made winder.Same with perpetual calendar watches.I have two and on the winder they do just as well as on the wrist.
I'm not an expert but have collected and studied for awhile.Maybe one of the expert watch builders or repairmen can tell us more facts.Thats would be good.I would like to learn more.
Just my .02

JD

 

[Canadave]

Tomasso and moustache, I appreciate both of your input. How do I distinguish a good winder from "garbage"? Also, has anyone used one with a rechargeable battery, rather than a power cord?

David

 

[moustache]

I have always had mine plugged in.More dependable that way.And one doesn't have to pay a fortune for a winder to get a decent one.The winders at Sharper Image are good as well as some of the ebay items.Most things are made in China anyway,so why spend $500 for an Orbita winder from Switzerland when your watch costs $100??
Yes,i gambled and won.A good winder.Winders can also be found used on the watch sites like Poor Mans Watch Forum or Time Zone.
Try this link:

http://stores.ebay.com/The-Best-Deals-Anywhere
They have buy it now options and not just auctions.This might give you an idea of what is out there thats affordable.


JD

 

[Canadave]

bump

Revisiting this issue. I'm still not sure how to distinguish a good winder from a crappy one. TONS on eBay to chose from, but most seem to be the same brand. Any input?

David

 

[Mark from Plano]

Can't really advise you on "good" versus "crappy", but here are a few considerations:

1. You need to understand how your particular watch winds: uni- or bi-directional, which direction as well as what speed and duration of winding works best. There are charts out there to help you with this that cover most major watch brands. Check TimeZone.com.
2. Next you need to make sure the the winder you're looking at will accommodate your watch. Many, even inexpensive ones, come with a three setting switch that will rotate clockwise, counterclockwise or both in alternation and will come with at least two speed/duration settings. But not all do. I'd avoid any that simply perpetually wind the watch without some "sleep" mode.
3. Battery vs. plug depends on where you're going to keep the winder. Generally a plug will prevent the winder from stopping because of a dead battery. On the other hand if you intend to keep the winder in a closet or a safe or a safety deposit box at the bank (for very high-end watches ) you'll need one with a battery.

Finally, from personally experience I have three watch winders that I never use anymore. I just found that with simple automatics it was nearly as much hassle to keep the winders going, load and unload the watch onto the winder at the end of every day than it was to simply reset a watch that I wore infrequently when I wanted to wear it.

YMMV.

 

[Canadave]

...You need to understand how your particular watch winds: uni- or bi-directional, which direction as well as what speed and duration of winding works best. There are charts out there to help you with this that cover most major watch brands. Check TimeZone.com.

Checked out www.timezone.com. Nice FAQs. I couldn't, however, find the section you note above. Can you direct me?

Thanks,

David