Putting watch to "sleep"

[ADINVA]

Many of us have more than 1 watch. What is the "correct" or "good" way to keep them in the most optimum rest state?

Should we pull the crown and hack the movement? Hacking the watch by leaving the crown pulled seems like exposing the watch to moisture in the air. Or should we just let the watch fully unwind itself and only wind it up whenever it is its turn for some wrist-time?

Which is the preferred way to minimise wear?

[REFZ]

I don't think about that and let them unwind them by itself and wind them when needed.

[One Ping Only]

Originally Posted by REFZ

I don't think about that and let them unwind them by itself and wind them when needed.

I agree. Watches in constant rotation go on a winder, but otherwise I let them run down.

[liuk3]

I let them unwind themselves.

[ernie2]

I put the one on rotation in the watch winder at night. The rest are in the safe and in boxes. So they will wind down after a day or 2.

I used to rest my explorer 1 crown down to avoid scratches on the shinny left side. But when I took it in for RSC service last time, they told me the crown was "out of shape" and had to replace it. It was not expensive but I now avoid putting the crown down

[Globule]

I certainly wouldn't hack them as that provides a path for dust and moisture to penetrate.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by ADINVA

Many of us have more than 1 watch. What is the "correct" or "good" way to keep them in the most optimum rest state?

Should we pull the crown and hack the movement? Hacking the watch by leaving the crown pulled seems like exposing the watch to moisture in the air. Or should we just let the watch fully unwind itself and only wind it up whenever it is its turn for some wrist-time?

Which is the preferred way to minimise wear?

No, pulling the crown out does not expose the watch to anything - it is not a giant man hole cover you are removing, nor is it the same as opening a jar of pickles; the seals are inside the watch around the stem.

However, hacking leaves the geartrain in a constant state of torque and so this should not be seen as a "maintenance preservation" technique.

You should simply let the watch run down on it's own. Give it about 20 winds before you put it back on (or a full 40 if you want a full wind to start).

[johneh]

Originally Posted by Globule

I certainly wouldn't hack them as that provides a path for dust and moisture to penetrate.

Ummmm, no. That would not happen.

[opaline460]

I just put it down n done...

[joe100]

Put it down and walk away.

[tkerrmd]

doesn't matter, don't over think it

[JoeyT]

My watches go in my watch box and I don't think about it until I wear it again.

[Globule]

Originally Posted by johneh

Ummmm, no. That would not happen.

I bow to superior authority. I admit I was regurgitating something I had read ealsewhere. If you say no problem then so be it.

[johneh]

Originally Posted by Globule

I bow to superior authority. I admit I was regurgitating something I had read ealsewhere. If you say no problem then so be it.

The seals that do the heavy lifting on the watch are on the inside, so you've got nothing to worry about when it's hacked.

[Vincent65]

no, just leave it and worry about other things!

[cop414]

Let it wind down, no worries.

[Old Expat Beast]

Being, like you, in Hong Kong, I let mine wind down and keep them in a fireproof safe with a dehmidufier bag in summer, and without the bag in winter. The bag needs replacing once a week. Long-term safe-dwellers also get an overnight spin on a winder once a month or so.

[ADINVA]

Adam made a good suggestion. I should also include a dehumidifier bag to ensure no moisture in the air. Thanks for the tip.

I used to put my watches on a winder but now ... I prefer to wind them manually and enjoy the feel of them while doing so.