Watch winders - good or bad?

[AdvocatusD]

My latest watch purchase had got me thinking of investing in a decent watch box or watch winder.

I love my gadgets so leaning towards a winder, but have a couple of concerns:

1. Watch winders don't really fit in safes, so it will have the watches out on display and therefore nicely presented to a burglar.

2. Would the watch winder lead to more wear and tear in the watch given that it will keep them in a constant state of function? Would it be better for the watch to lie dormant and have the occasional manual wind up every week or so?

Some of these winders are lovely things. These are my top 3 choices, haven't quite decided on budget yet as you can see!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Top-Quality-ORBITA-Avanti-3-...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Official-Time-Automatic-Watc...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dulwich-London-Automatic-Bre...

Welcome any particular comments with referenec to the winders above or to winders in general.

[LukeBird]

Those ones you've posted look lovely!

I have no problem with leaving any of my watches on my winder (it's just for two watches, so I leave my Moonphase on there if I'm not wearing it and anything else I fancy wearing) and I don't think there's likely to be anymore wear & tear than wearing them anyway; I wouldn't worry about that bit.

[Stefan DS3R]

I have an Official Time 6 watch winder and it's built well, fairly quiet. I had one motor replaced under warranty and have paid for another out of warranty, the newer motors are a lot better than the previous ones and I believe the newer ones are fitted now to the ones listed on eBay.

I also have a vertical two watch Time Tutelary winder and that's been fine too, cheep but very quiet!

Stef

[CardShark]

I've never bothered with a winder and I don't think I ever will. I've got quite a few autos now and seeing as I don't know what I'm going to be wearing one day to the next I'm not going to keep all of them ready to go, that and I don't mind setting a watch I haven't worn for a while - it's part of the charm of an auto, for me anyway.
I think that the jury's out as to if you should keep them wound or not, personally it doesn't bother me.

[Brisvegas]

Yeah I've been thinking of getting a winder as well, mainly to keep a few watches on pretty much the correct time as well as a nice display for my collection. Main reason I haven't is the burglary issue. It would certainly present an easy pick up and gone forever scenario if house broken into. If you get one it'd be good to hear how it performs etc.

[andy tims]

Waste of money, space & electricity IMHO.

Also you're just saying "help yourself" to any burglar by having expensive watches so prominently on display.

[AdvocatusD]

I'm gathering that the consensus is that they are fine for the mechanism and don't cause undue wear and tear?

My biggest concern remains security. I will look into perhaps having it wired into a safe? Any suggestions?

...and look at this for a watch safe!!! http://www.brownsafe.com/features_Chronos_Safes/Ch...

[CardShark]

I'd think that keeping a watch wound and running would increase the wear on parts (that's my personnal opinion not based on anything I've read or heard and the really high wear parts should be jewelled anyway), but then I've never known anyone to say that there's a disclaimer with their new watch saying that excessive wrist time would result in premature wear either. If you're the kind of chap that gets his watches serviced on the button I wouldn't be so concerned TBH.

Edited by CardShark on Monday 6th June 11:10

[Maxf]

I had a couple of Buben & Zorweg (sp?) winders which were specifically for safes. The batteries used to last for ages.

[viper paul]

Amazon was my first choice and I have been very please with the £39.95 special which is easy to hide or mount in a cupboard.

[Adam B]

Seems to be a massive variation in price, I know some of this is to do with workmanship and what it is made from but is there anything I should be looking out for?

I just want something that holds 2 watches, is compact and quiet, and does the job - they all seem to have a selection of programmes so it can go on/off as you please, between £100-150 ideally

Thinking of this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Watch-Winder-Piano-Wood-...

But not sure why it's so much more than this one, is it just the revolting Mercedes wood finish?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Axis-Automatic-Watch-Winde...

[spercy]

CardShark said:

I'd think that keeping a watch wound and running would increase the wear on parts (that's my personnal opinion not based on anything I've read or heard and the really high wear parts should be jewelled anyway), but then I've never known anyone to say that there's a disclaimer with their new watch saying that excessive wrist time would result in premature wear either. If you're the kind of chap that gets his watches serviced on the button I wouldn't be so concerned TBH.

Edited by CardShark on Monday 6th June 11:10

I was under the impression that top end watches needed to be kept on a winder to prevent the oils thickening in the movement, and causing watch to loose accuracy.