Can someone explain the manual wind for me ?

[MrGMT]

So got a speedmaster pro coming tomorrow and did a google search but it's all manual wind vs auto that's coming up. Could somone explain how the manual wind works ? So you wind it up in the morning how many turns and then what happens will it eventually just stop even if you have it on ?

[sensui]

Yes, a manual wind watch doesn't have a weight that sloshes around while the watch moves to get power....it only stores initial energy/power from the winding that takes place from the crown. So on a full wind you get around 48 hours of power in this case with a speedmaster and when it runs out....the watch stops....even if you have it on. So it has to be habitually wounded.

[T. Ferguson]

Yep, a manual wind is basically a daily ritual more or less, just as was done for decades prior to the invention of the auto-wind mechanism. The reserve and how many winds is dependent on the individual watch. Some can go multiple days without a wind. Typically, there is no slip mechanism because since it is not being constantly wound on the wrist there is no need for one. You will normally start to feel resistance in the crown as it gets to full wind.

[MrGMT]

Ok thanks, so do I wind it up until it won't wind any more and then do I just top up the wind everyday ?

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by MrGMT

Ok thanks, so do I wind it up until it won't wind any more and then do I just top up the wind everyday ?

Yes.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by MrGMT

Ok thanks, so do I wind it up until it won't wind any more and then do I just top up the wind everyday ?

Yeah, you definitely don't want to force it. When it starts to get tight to turn, you're done. I have one manual wind but it's old, from the 50's but yes, I'd wind it every morning. Depends on the model though. Panerai has an 8 day power reserve available in a manual wind.

[MrGMT]

Ok thanks everyone for the replies

[FTX I]

Basically the same thing. One is manual, and the automatic is called self-winding mechanism because a 'weigh' (rotor) does the job for you when you move your wrist.

[Bushido]

Just to add to the above and answer the question of "how many winds?" It usually takes around 80 winds to get to full when there is no remaining power for this particular movement. General consensus/common practice is to find a particular time once a day, around the same time, to wind it back to full again.

I was a little concerned this would be annoying when I bought my first manual. However, I have come to find this ritual to be quite enjoyable once a day. About forty turns (+/- a couple) once daily and you have the watch completely wound. Rinse, repeat, and enjoy.

Make sure to post pics once it arrives!