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If you own an automatic watch, then there are times that you feel like adjusting the watch’s time is a chore. This can be tedious especially when, for instance, your watch is a vintage Rolex Day Date and doesn’t have a quick-set date. One solution to that problem is by using a watch winder. If this seems interesting to you, then read on to know more about buying one.
Simply put, a watch winder is a device that will rotate your watch a few turns each day. This allows automatic watches to keep running despite not being worn. The manner of rotation depends entirely on the brand or model of the winder. Furthermore, they come in various designs, sizes, and features.
Owning one is very useful for people who have two or more automatic watches and want to keep them running. This prevents them from having to adjust the watches every now and then.
Watch winders come in different sizes, and one of the first things you should look at before buying one is the size of your collection. How many watches do you have and how many of those have an automatic movement? It is important to note that the more watches a winder can wind, the more expensive it is. So, if you’re tight on budget, you don’t have to buy a winder for each watch that you have. In fact, you can buy a winder only for those watches you rarely wear.
Do you travel a lot? If yes, then you might want to buy a more compact watch winder. The measurements of the box are usually included in the product’s description. Apart from the size, you should also consider the power source. Being able to run on AA batteries is more convenient as you don’t have to carry cables.
Your watch might need a specific number of turns per day (TPD). The Omega Seamaster, for example, needs a 650 TPD, while a Patek Philippe Aquanaut needs 800.
To find out which one you need, you can search it from the manual or user’s guide. Another way is to search for information on your watch’s model online. Almost all watch winders in the market advertise their TPDs so finding the right one will be a breeze.
Why Is It Good?
The AOKELILY Automatic Single Watch Winder is perfect for your one-watch collection. As its name suggests, it can only wind one watch at a time. But despite its limited capacity, it uses high-grade PU leather that gives it a premium look and feels. This makes it a great way to show off your luxury watch.
Inside, this winder is powered by an ultra-quiet polycyclic anti-magnetic motor. This means it won’t disturb your sleep if you keep your watches in your bedroom. Furthermore, it is set to turn clockwise for two minutes, which is followed by a six-minute rest. This cycle repeats until you turn it off or it loses battery.
Speaking of batteries, this can run on either an AC adapter or a couple of AA batteries. Using the former is more ideal for home use. On the other hand, the latter is perfect for travelling.
Overall, this item is elegant yet pretty affordable. It will serve as a good starting point for those who want to get into winders as well as a gift for fellow watch enthusiasts.
Why Is It Good?
Another great one-watch winder is the CHIYODA Single Automatic Watch Winder. This time, it is made of 100% handmade wood for an elegant design. On the outside, it has a high-gloss lacquered finish and an acrylic glass window so you can view your watch. Furthermore, its pillow has an 80mm diameter and can hold most, if not all, watches.
The winder is powered by a Japan Mabuchi motor, which is durable and silent. Moreover, it offers 12 rotation modes. These modes let you choose your preferred Turns Per Day (680, 1050, 1400, 2100) and direction (clockwise, counterclockwise, or both).
Like the previous item, this one is compatible with either batteries or an AC Power source. Using the AA batteries allows it to become portable. To add, it has a compact size with measurements of 5.9”x5.12”x5.12”.
To conclude, the CHIYODA winder is perfect for various watches. But its high-gloss wood finish makes it look best paired with elegant dress watches.
Why Is It Good?
If you have more than one watch, then the JQUEEN Double Watch Winder will fit two of your treasured timekeepers. It is made with a premium ebony wood finish for that aesthetic look and despite its compact size, it can fit two oversized watches with no problems.
It is very simple to use — all you have to do is rotate the knob inside the box. The knob has five positions for the different settings. Each mode rotates the watch in different periods and directions. Which mode is best depends on the type of watch you have.
Lastly, it uses an upgraded Mabuchi motor. This engine goes below 5 db when it comes to noise so you won’t find it bothersome. Furthermore, it is convenient to use with either two AA batteries or an AC power source.
Why Is It Good?
For a monochrome look, the Versa Automatic Double Watch Winder is a good choice. What makes this different from the previous models is that it boasts a minimalistic look instead of an elegant one. It can also store two watches instead of one. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about fitting your oversized watches as its pillows contain additional attachments to hold large watches.
Users can choose among four Turns Per Day settings — 650, 850, 1050, and 1250 — as well as 3 direction settings — clockwise, counter-clockwise, and bidirectional. All in all, this product offers 12 different setting combinations.
Another thing to note about this winder is that it uses one motor per watch. A lot of winders use only one motor for two watches to save costs. However, this sometimes causes the watches to bump into each other. The Versa Automatic Double Watch Winder prevents that from happening.
Why Is It Good?
If you own too many watches, then the Jins & Vico Watch Winder can fit eight of your watches. To add, it even doubles as an attractive display case with its high gloss carbon fibre exterior. And if you still want to impress your friends, you can turn on the LED light illumination to show off your watches in all their glory.
This winder also gives you the option to set different settings for each winder. The settings contain three rotation modes — clockwise, counter-clockwise, and both. It also has five different turns per day — 650, 750, 850, 1000, and 1950. All of these can be modified through the LCD touch screen display at the front.
Lastly, it protects your watches by having a sturdy lock, which you can open with an included stainless steel key. All in all, this watch winder can give you the most features and control over the settings. The only drawback is its price of almost $600, which is as expensive as some automatic watches. But if you want to give your watches the best treatment, this is definitely worth it.
Why Is It Good?
Need a watch winder as well as an organiser for your large watch collection? The Leader Watch Winder can wind three of your watches as well as store 12 other watches. Do note that the 12 slots are not connected to the winder rotors.
The motor includes four preset winding programs that meet various models’ requirements. In addition, you can turn off unused rotors to save energy. And despite storing a total of 15 watches, this winder stays compact. In particular, it measures only 14” in length, 7.5” in width and 8.5” in height.
To conclude, the Leader Watch Winder is a great gift for watch collectors who own a handful of timepieces. Its stylish leather finish lets them display three watches while keeping the other 12 safe from dust and scratches.
Why Is It Good?
Last but not least is the Triple Tree Watch Winder. This box shows off your timepieces as if it’s in a showroom. It’s made with a wooden shell with piano paint. It also has an acrylic glass to show off six of your watches. Furthermore, it comes with flexible pillows as well as six extra oversized pillows to fit various watch sizes.
This box can run on two power supplies — an AC adapter or a USB cable for portable power. Of course, both are included in the package. Moreover, it has four different rotating modes to choose from. Setting it is easy as you only have to turn the knob to the desired setting.
When it comes to presentation, it comes with a LED light that you can turn on or off. It has a very soft blue colour so you can view your watches even in the dark. Truly, the Triple Tree Watch Winder will serve as a gorgeous gift for loved ones who are into watches.
Watch winders are a convenient way to keep your watches running. Buying the right one that fits your needs can make watch collecting a more pleasurable experience.
Want to show off your brand new watch winder? Check out these watch photography tips to get those perfect snaps!
Without a doubt, improving our lives through convenience. But what do watch winders do to the lives of our beloved watches?
You might recall a scene from Marvel‘s 2016 movie, Doctor Strange, where the titular character pulls open a drawer full of exquisite watches on watch winders. Someone who isn’t knowledgeable in watches would not even know the value of Stephen Strange‘s collection which include a Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual and Rolex Daytona amongst many others. So why does the scene still prompt an impressed expression from the average movie goer?
A movie still from the aforementioned scene from Marvel’s Doctor Strange, 2016.I personally think it’s because his watches are all in watch winders. The synchronised movement of the watches and neat arrangement enchanted the viewers, informing them that this collection of watches is probably worth an exorbitant amount.
As a watch enthusiast myself, I take very good care of my watches, making sure I store them well when they aren’t on my wrist. For this reason, I got a watch cabinet specially built for my collection. But it never occurred to me that that is probably not what the average person would do. So many a times have I seen people throwing their Casio watches into their desk drawer when they take them off. But that’s the thing, isn’t it? Casio watches are cheap and therefore, storage of the watch should not be such a hassle.
But what happens when you buy your first Lange 1 from A. Lange & Sohne? You would probably think twice before you even set it down on your side table, considering the watch costs you about S$60,000. So then comes in the debate, watch winder or no watch winder?
Before we begin to talk about the effects they have on our watches, let’s first talk about what watch winders are and how they work. As I’ve mentioned before in one of my previous articles, the way an automatic watch movement works is by utilising a rotor to convert kinetic movement, usually created by our arms whilst wearing the watch, into potential energy which would be stored in the watch mainspring. As such, if an automatic watch is not worn for some time, it will stop.
This is where watch winders come in. The hassle of winding watches date back to the conception of the watch itself. After all, without manual input, the watch would simply not run. The watch winder is the answer to this age-old predicament. A watch winder is a device that winds automatic watches, ensuring they are ready for use. This is achieved by slowly turning the watches, a task which will be continuously performed by the mechanism of the watch winder. These movements move the rotor in the watch, thus continuously powering the watch.
So why the debate? Isn’t this device simply a convenience to all automatic watch users? Well, let’s dive deeper into that.
Upon learning of the existence of a watch winder, one might assume it is a blessing. Winding a watch before using it every time can be quite disruptive and time consuming after all. So why not just keep the watch in constant motion, keeping it constantly in time? There’s one very simple reason. A watch can be over-wound. What this means basically is that a watch, like any other manual machine comprised of many different parts, is vulnerable to wear and tear. If the gears, pivots and springs are constantly winding, they will eventually wear out.
All parts of the delicate movement of a watch are subjected to wear and tear through extensive use.In the case of watch winders, those of lower quality would not rotate the watches at precisely timed intervals. In fact, some would just continuously spin. This can lead to the over-winding which I mentioned above, ultimately shortening the lifespan of your automatic timepiece.
You don’t have to be a world renown neurosurgeon like Stephen Strange to afford a watch winder, but it definitely would help. Watch winders, especially those of good quality can cost thousands of dollars. Many would argue that compared to the price of the watch itself, a fraction amount of that cost should be invested into a good storage device. Although a valid point, many watch enthusiasts struggle to even afford their dream watch, let alone a storage box which takes a huge chunk out of their salary.
A bigger concern when using watch winders deal with the magnetism from the motor. Keep in mind that a motor uses a magnetic field to rotate. Rotating a watch in a magnetic field from a poorly shielded motor may cause issues especially to the sensitive hair spring in the movement of the watch. Do take this into consideration if you decide to use a watch winder, opting for quality over everything else.
Now that we’ve gone through the more negative aspects and effects of using a watch winder, let’s look at the brighter side. There has to be a reason people still use them, isn’t there? Well, the largest aspect which drives people to spend hard earned cash on these devices is because of the amount of convenience it offers the user.
If you have a collection of multiple watches, it’s a given that you would want to wear them all. However, you couldn’t possibly do that simultaneously. The watch winder therefore keeps all your watches you aren’t wearing ready for the wrist when you do decide to change. Particularly in the case of watches with complications like a perpetual calendar, resetting them can be tiresomely time consuming.
Watch winders are primarily a storage device. A key feature of a good winder would be it’s ability to protect the watches inside from moisture. Moisture is ultimately the arch nemesis of watches. With it’s many small moving and mostly metallic components, water acts as the destroyer of watches by the means of corrosion.
Despite some backlash watch winders might receive, no one can deny that they look cool as hell. Watch winders, especially those of more luxurious quality just screams beauty. From exteriors of high glossed polished wood to the LED lights within the interior, shining a spotlight on our beloved timepieces, winders bring an aesthetic sense to displaying our horological friends. It’s this sense of ornamental elegance which stayed in the minds of moviegoers who remembered the Doctor Strange scene (which I have probably mentioned one time too many).
I hope this article was able to shed some light for you on the topic of watch winders. Whether owning one or not is ultimately up to you and the lifestyle you live. If you do decide to get one, I urge you to do thorough research on its maker to ensure the quality of the device is good enough to keep your watches healthy. With that said, do remember to regularly maintain your watches as they definitely deserve the attention.
We are also hosting a giveaway of 2 Watch Winders!
Here are the steps to participate in the giveaway
We will then be announcing the winners on 29th May and we will contact you via Instagram Direct Message so be sure to stay active!
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