Watch winders, what do I need to know?

[JAM35F]

I have an auto seiko and an auto omega that although in regular rotation wind down far too often and I'd like to be able to just pick them up and go as I please. So I'm considering a watch winder but know nothing about them.

Are there different types?
Do I need a certain type for my autos and possibly a seiko kinetic?
What should I pay and from where?
Can you get double ones?
How do they even work?!

AS you can see I know nothing about them so any advice is welcome. I want to spend as little as possible. Looks are unimportant as it can live in the spare room. Thanks in advance.

[Shaw Tarse]

Hang on I'll find you a link to the one I've got..

[Shaw Tarse]

Here you go http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=109...
And http://web5.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
ETA as I've got nothing better to do on a Friday night

Edited by Shaw Tarse on Friday 27th April 20:46

[JAM35F]

thanks for the link, much appreciated. The tower version on amazon and the related links once you click through to it look good, not too pricey and seem to do all I need. That brand have a few all around £40-50, can't see the differences really but a good start.

Cheers Shaw

[daveenty]

JAM35F said:

I have an auto seiko and an auto omega that although in regular rotation wind down far too often and I'd like to be able to just pick them up and go as I please. So I'm considering a watch winder but know nothing about them.

Are there different types?

Yes, cheap and nasty up to absurd.

JAM35F said:

Do I need a certain type for my autos and possibly a seiko kinetic?

If you buy a decent one which allows you to decide which way it spins, (Clock or Anti) then one will do.

JAM35F said:

What should I pay and from where?

Piece of string syndrome. I bought mine from Amazon for about £75 (Axis Burl Dual Automatic 2 Watch Winder)

JAM35F said:

Can you get double ones?

Oh yes, that's what mine is, though they run the same direction (at least mine does)

JAM35F said:

How do they even work?!

Like a watch box. Put the watch on a "pillow" insert it into the machine, switch on and watch it go round for hours and hours. Basically it mimics the movement of your wrist by turning the watch through 180 degrees, therefore spinning the rotor and winding the watch.

JAM35F said:

AS you can see I know nothing about them so any advice is welcome. I want to spend as little as possible. Looks are unimportant as it can live in the spare room. Thanks in advance.

Mine looks nice and winds two watches, though is a bit on the noisy side for a bedroom. (Possibly because I had a couple of huge things on it in the past, which have probably done it no good)

[JAM35F]

thanks for the reply. You mention the direction of spin options, which way is needed for kinetic and which for an auto?

Also the few I've looked at this evening list different timings, eg, 20mins an hour, or 1hr per 3hrs etc. Is this important? Any particular timer settings I should look for and ultimately use?

[daveenty]

JAM35F said:

thanks for the reply. You mention the direction of spin options, which way is needed for kinetic and which for an auto?

Also the few I've looked at this evening list different timings, eg, 20mins an hour, or 1hr per 3hrs etc. Is this important? Any particular timer settings I should look for and ultimately use?

I set mine to spin in both directions, so it doesn't really matter.
It depends on the watch which direction it should turn, usually in with the documentation. I have a list somewhere of all manufacturers which I got from the web, but no idea where it is sorry.
As for the timing, it depends on the watch again, some need minimum, some need a lot more. Trial and error.
Incidentally, I meant 360 degrees up there ^^^ not 180. (Thought I'd mention this before I get quoted on it)

[JAM35F]

Thanks for the reply, plenty of info from everyone. Think I'll go for one of the 40-50 amazon ones.

[raptor600]

I have this one for my Sub and it is faultless - definitely the best for the money!

[JAM35F]

Thanks for the link, yours is also recommended in the first link Shawtarse gave me at the start of this thread. Good reviews on amazon and nice and cheap. Will order this one, thanks for your opinion, most appreciated.

[Ikemi]

JAM35F said:

Thanks for the reply, plenty of info from everyone. Think I'll go for one of the 40-50 amazon ones.

Good bits of kit ... You can select which way the motors spin too, which is important if you have a 7750 (or similar) powered chronograph watch. The 7750 rotor winds in one direction, but freewheels in the other. If you have it spinning the wrong way, it'll freewheel and not wind the mainspring

[JAM35F]

Ikemi said:

JAM35F said:

Thanks for the reply, plenty of info from everyone. Think I'll go for one of the 40-50 amazon ones.

Good bits of kit ... You can select which way the motors spin too, which is important if you have a 7750 (or similar) powered chronograph watch. The 7750 rotor winds in one direction, but freewheels in the other. If you have it spinning the wrong way, it'll freewheel and not wind the mainspring

I have an Omega seamaster, a seiko BFK kinetic and a seiko frankenmonster. How do I find out which way each will need spinning?

[daveenty]

JAM35F said:

I have an Omega seamaster, a seiko BFK kinetic and a seiko frankenmonster. How do I find out which way each will need spinning?

I mentioned earlier that I used to have a database for this, unfortunately I've lost it.

However, if you go HERE all should be revealed.

[JAM35F]

thanks for that link, lists everything I have. Can the watch winders be set so each watch is rotating independently of the other or do both watches have to go in the same direction at the same speed on those cheap winders?

[Shaw Tarse]

Both spin the same. (I didn't even realise that different watches needed different cycles)

[daveenty]

Not sure about the one you're getting, but mine has the option of spinning one way for a while, then alternating to the other.

This may be favourite if you have a clockwise and an anti requirement.

[liner33]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Axis-Luxury-Automatic-Wind...

I had this one , it lasted just over a year before one of the motors broke , plus my seamaster didnt fit properly and required the lid propping up, total rubbish imo

[Jaged]

Can I ask a question??

Is there such a thing as a clockwork watch winder?

I quite weirdly like the idea of manually winding it, to wind my watch, as it were.

[Ikemi]

Jaged said:

Can I ask a question??

Is there such a thing as a clockwork watch winder?

I quite weirdly like the idea of manually winding it, to wind my watch, as it were.

It had to be done ...

[Alex L]

Useful thread and I'm going to buy one of those linked above from Amazon.

Before I do, I have smallish wrists and was wondering whether someone can tell me the diameter of the cushions. My watches currently sit on soft cushions in a normal watch box but the clasps wont close....is this going to be a problem getting them to secure on the winder?

Here's a photo to try and demonstrate my poor description