Are watch winders finished?

[peterskinner]

Are they? Only you don’t hear about them these days, and they must still be useful for models which have dates, or complications. Does anyone use them? Is it worthwhile? I’m unsure.

[chiscott_29]

I feel only you can answer this. Do you enjoy setting your watches? Are you a person that just sets the time and doesn’t worry about the Date or other small complications? Then, I would argue you have no need for a winder.

If you prefer to have your watches set and ready, or you have a complex complication such as a Perpetual, winders are a great thing to have.

If you dig in deeper on this topic, do yourself a favor and don’t go down the “is it good or bad” rat hole. For every person that says it is good, you’ll find one that says it is bad (and vice versa).

Do what works best for your lifestyle…


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[turkeysub93]

They are a neat object to have on your desk

[Mystro]

I have a custom multi-head set up my watches are always stored in. I dont run every head but just my current rotation. There is a lot of threads on this if you do a search.

[DJ2020]

Yep, got one! I use the one on/one off thing. Wear one most of the time, goes on the winder when I wear something else. Never have to set it.

[HogwldFLTR]

Frankly it keeps the watch ticking when they don't need to be. Winding and setting doesn't take much time. It's another contraption to take up room and indulge the owner in their hobby. I really think their a novelty primarily for the newer owners. They don't let the watch rest when not in use and so add unnecessary wear. I've got a mess of unused winders. My wife like hers due to arthritis and her difficulty in manipulating the crown for setting and winding. For very complicated watches I can certainly understand the use. Not so much for any Rolex made.

[fskywalker]

Yes have a few and use them


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[zengineer]

I have a few but rarely use them. They are in a wall cabinet in my walk in closet where the watches live. If I take a watch off that I will likely wear again in a few days I put it on the winder instead of 6 inches away in the box.

Over the years I've evolved into a collection that is 100% either no date auto, manual wind or the odd quartz Gshock so I wouldn't miss them.

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[Harry-57]

I can't tell you if they are worthwhile for you. I use them and find them worthwhile.

[enjoythemusic]

Falls under toys and tchotchkes. I have four... use none. Two are decades old and gathering dust, and two Wolf winders about a year old yet still new in box I got when buying timepieces from Mayors.

[ks58]

Wasn’t there something about if you put on a winder for a very long time, the watch would constantly use its gears and use up the lubricant, which would require more frequent servicing intervals?

[rootbeer7]

I use one for my Franck Muller with triple date complication. It just means minimum fiddling when I occasionally dress up!!

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by ks58

Wasn’t there something about if you put on a winder for a very long time, the watch would constantly use its gears and use up the lubricant, which would require more frequent servicing intervals?

They use Fomblin type oils which is extremely inert and last pretty much forever. Regardless there is still wear when a watch runs and there's no need to run it when it's not in use.

[WatchEater666]

I think they cause extra wear and tear for no reason as well. Plus I enjoy interacting with a watch if I haven't picked it up in a while.

[904VT]

My AD gave me a free Wolf winder when I purchased my Submariner as a thank you. Boy have times changed

[911991]

been using one for over 20 years now works fine, but nothing to talk about?

[BogdanS]

I used a 4 slots winder for the last three years up until last month when I realised the mechanics involved: to prevent banging when rotating, the watch needs to be real tight on the cushion, meaning useless bracelet wear. Realised it when I took off my wife’s DJ jubilee that as been so long on the winder that the cushion was left with permanent marks that looked like a trench.

No more winders for me.


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[77T]

Originally Posted by peterskinner

Are they? Only you don’t hear about them these days, and they must still be useful for models which have dates, or complications. Does anyone use them? Is it worthwhile? I’m unsure.

Don’t think so around here.

In fact some ADs have set up displays of freestanding winders in their own bespoke safes. If anything they are growing for this who like to have them set-up in a wine cellar, cigar room, man cave, etc.

Everyone with watches having complications can benefit by keeping their watch operating for a quick grab-and-go.


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[77T]

Originally Posted by ks58

Wasn’t there something about if you put on a winder for a very long time, the watch would constantly use its gears and use up the lubricant, which would require more frequent servicing intervals?

Every few months there will be some convo about that. Lube stays where it’s put unless the owner subjects the watch to severe duty. For example, violent g-force or significant impacts. I’d say a year on a winder is no worse than a round of golf wearing the watch.

Now that we’ve stirred up that murder hornet nest - just watch the chili pot boil over (yes, my mixed metaphor)


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[Rock]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Frankly it keeps the watch ticking when they don't need to be.
A. They DO need to be. I alternate two daily wearers and they run down if not on a winder on alternate days.

Winding and setting doesn't take much time.
A. It does if you do it every day, which would be necessary if I didn't have a winder.

It's another contraption to take up room and indulge the owner in their hobby.
A. I have plenty of room and we are all indulgers here.

I really think their a novelty primarily for the newer owners.
A. I'm an 'old' owner and it's no novelty.

They don't let the watch rest when not in use and so add unnecessary wear.
A. So does winding it every second day.

I've got a mess of unused winders.
A. Send them over to me, I'll take them off your hands.

They use Fomblin type oils which is extremely inert and last pretty much forever. Regardless there is still wear when a watch runs and there's no need to run it when it's not in use.
A. Not according to my RSC watchmaker. He tells me they need to be re-lubed every 5 - 7 years.

[crew]

I bought a winder many years ago. I only used it for a short period and then put it away and haven’t used it again. I find that I enjoy setting my watch; winding it, changing the date etc, when I change pieces.
It’s nice to hold a fine mechanical instrument in your hands for a few minutes and getting reacquainted with it.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I can't tell you if they are worthwhile for you. I use them and find them worthwhile.

Same

[brandrea]

They are a want not a need

[airchitect]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

They use Fomblin type oils which is extremely inert and last pretty much forever. Regardless there is still wear when a watch runs and there's no need to run it when it's not in use.

But in the end, it’s no different than just wearing the watch everyday. Sooooo…


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[EEpro]

Clocks are made to run. No big deal to use an inexpensive gentle winder like Orbita sparta. Easier life being rocked like a baby every 12-14 minutes than actually worn for 10 years.

Startup friction wear is different than sliding friction and interacting with the crown frequently is likely a bigger practical risk. Mainspring breaks, jump hour spring breaks, drop watch with crown out and bend it, extra use on the first couple crown screw threads, etc.

I keep 3 wound in rotation, the rest just rest.

With Orbita the watch is lifted 180 degrees and then rocks under force of gravity only for about 30 seconds every 12 min. That is a 4% duty cycle of external forces. In 10 years it's 5 months of gentle motion.

It is also tilted back at an angle so the entire weight of the rotor is not applied to gear train winding the mainspring. It doesn't top-off let alone overwind.

[Blansky]

I think the bigger question is why type of watches you have.

If you have any type of perpetual calendar type they are probably a great tool. If you just have "standard" type of watches they are just a convenience thing and you decided if you want them always running.

But for a perpetual calendar type of watch it's not fun to be setting all those functions every time you want to wear it. So winder would be real handy.

[Mifune]

I use mine to juice my timepieces up before wearing... and maybe over a weekend when I know there maybe a period of time where they might wind down.


other than that, they are of little use to me.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I think the bigger question is why type of watches you have.

If you have any type of perpetual calendar type they are probably a great tool. If you just have "standard" type of watches they are just a convenience thing and you decided if you want them always running.

But for a perpetual calendar type of watch it's not fun to be setting all those functions every time you want to wear it. So winder would be real handy.

This

[Chewbacca]

I’d like Peter’s opinion on this.

[polaris72]

Both me and my wife use Orbitas every day.