Winder or not?

[ktmd]

Hi guys and gals. I have been "lurking" for a little bit but this is my first post on TRF. What a great group of people you all are. Finally, an informative and civilized internet forum!

I am new to mechanical watches, and I wondered what your thoughts are on storage. Is it better to keep a collection of watches on a winder, or is it ok to have them sit still? Does it matter either way? I realize the ideal would be to wear the watches frequently, but depending on the size of the collection that is not always an option. I know somebody has asked this question before, but I do not recall any answers being given.

Thanks alot, and HAGD.

[sleddog]

IMO, and you will get different answers, you're better off leaving them to rest!
Why have them running when not being used is my philosophy. It's only (overtime) creating unnecessary movement wear that's not needed.
You should however, If storing them unwound, wind them about once a month to keep the oils from pooling and in the necessary places.

Save your money, and wind them by hand, that's half the fun of owning a mechanical watch!
Welcome to the boards!

[padi56]

IMHO no Rolex Oyster needs a watch-winder, only the one it was designed for your own wrist.Just let them stop and rest when used just wind and reset takes just 30 seconds to do.

[wisguy]

I keep all my automatic watches (and my wife's) that have a date or any other complication on a winder.

I never know what I want to wear and for me it's a hassle to adjust the time/date every time.

The ones with no date I keep on a safe.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by wisguy

I keep all my automatic watches (and my wife's) that have a date or any other complication on a winder.

I never know what I want to wear and for me it's a hassle to adjust the time/date every time.

The ones with no date I keep on a safe.

Even on a winder you still got to adjust the date 5 times a year but even a stopped watch takes seconds to reset and wind.

[HL65]

No winder- save the wear and tear and let it run down and rest when not wearing it!
Use you wrist and fingers- they work best!

[therolexguy]

I prefer a winder on my older ones with no quick set date. Much easier for me and I'm not worried about excessive wear. You still should get them serviced every 5-7 years.

[Wolfgang427]

Originally Posted by therolexguy

I prefer a winder on my older ones with no quick set date. Much easier for me and I'm not worried about excessive wear. You still should get them serviced every 5-7 years.

Agree... try winding or setting a watch that has no quick date change, it's not fun. No matter how many times its asked, you will always get the same people who love their winders and the same people who don't. In the end only you can decide if its right for you.

[karmatp]

I would rather have my watches resting and not causing unjust wear a tear. IMHO, winders are the biggest waste of money, unless you have a watch that has multiple complications that is a bear to set.

[Norton]

Originally Posted by sleddog

IMO, and you will get different answers, you're better off leaving them to rest!
Why have them running when not being used is my philosophy. It's only (overtime) creating unnecessary movement wear that's not needed.
You should however, If storing them unwound, wind them about once a month to keep the oils from pooling and in the necessary places.

Save your money, and wind them by hand, that's half the fun of owning a mechanical watch!
Welcome to the boards!

This is the best answer I've read about this often discussed topic. Thanks!

[jrssv]

I have three Rolexes and a Breitling. I wear one and keep the other three on winders. I switch watches often and I find it saves a lot of hastle. If I wore the same watch every day for a month it wouldn't matter.

[Fiery]

My "rule" is that automatic watches with screw-down crown should be kept on the winder. I've already ruined a screw-down crown tube because of frequent manual winding or setting the watch, and I wouldn't wanna do that again.

Watches with no screw-down are easier to set, easier to manually wind. Too bad all automatic watches that I fancy have screw-down crown

And when it comes to a watch that you wear no more than once a month, it's normal to keep it in the safe. No winder is necessary for such special occasion pieces.

[Sherwooddavid]

Originally Posted by sleddog

IMO, and you will get different answers, you're better off leaving them to rest!
Why have them running when not being used is my philosophy. It's only (overtime) creating unnecessary movement wear that's not needed.
You should however, If storing them unwound, wind them about once a month to keep the oils from pooling and in the necessary places.

Save your money, and wind them by hand, that's half the fun of owning a mechanical watch!
Welcome to the boards!

X2

[AJMarcus]

You will find this is often a matter of personal preference. I believe you can do no harm with a good quality winder. If you have more than one watch, and they have dates, you can just pick it up and wear it without setting and winding it. If you decide on a winder be prepared to get a quality one that has three movements; clockwise, counterclockwise and bidirectional. Depending on the make and sometimes even model each watch requires a particular directional movement. For instance, most Rolexes are bidirectional. I have a wolf two watch winder for three watches and could not be happier. But before that I had a couple other winders and they were awful. And I agree this is a fantastic forum!

[Speed]

My winder is sitting idle.

My bracelets have been adjusted to fit my 6.5" wrist. The cushions on the winder stretch out the bracelets...

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by Speed

My winder is sitting idle.

My bracelets have been adjusted to fit my 6.5" wrist. The cushions on the winder stretch out the bracelets...

Are you kidding about the cushions? How can a cushion "stretch" steel

Winder for me, I always have 3-4 the winder but I like to change watches frequently sometimes several times per day

[Speed]

Originally Posted by MortgageGuy

Are you kidding about the cushions? How can a cushion "stretch" steel

Winder for me, I always have 3-4 the winder but I like to change watches frequently sometimes several times per day

Well... my Sub was so tight on the cushion that it bent the bracelet so that it would not close. Had to visit the RSC and have them re-establish the capability to clip shut.

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by Speed

Well... my Sub was so tight on the cushion that it bent the bracelet so that it would not close. Had to visit the RSC and have them re-establish the capability to clip shut.

WOW, I also have smaller wrists about 6.5 and have never had any issues...

[Rockrolex]

As has been said, you'll get as many different opinions as there are members.

Personally, I prefer to keep the watches I don't wear regularly (meaning daily) on a winder. All my watches have one or more complications and they can be a pain in the butt to reset each time you want to wear one. Several of my watches have multiple complications (day, date, GMT) and my Breitling Navitimer Olympus has numerous complications - day, date, month, moon phase, and time. It takes me 10 - 15 minutes to reset that watch when it stops. So I try never to let that one stop. I don't think keeping a watch on a winder will wear it out in your lifetime. After that, let your heirs worry about it.

[bkandj2000]

Rolex automatic watches are designed to stay running- worst thing for them is to stop running. Use appropriate winder if not being worn. (According to conversation I had personally with RUSA rep).