Hand wound watches

[anonymous-user]

Hey guys, I have just acquired my first hand wound movement having only had either quartz or automatic previously. How much do they usually need winding? I've turned it perhaps five or six rotations, just enough to start feeling some resistance as the spring tightens slightly. This has set the watch going and as it has a display back I can see the movement ticking away.

My question really, is five or six turns generally enough? How long is that likely to last? I didn't want to wind it too far for fear of breaking something in my usual ham fisted way!

Cheers all

Iain

[Jovial Joe]

Hi

My Zenith needs winding around 40 times if it has stopped, if not it requires circa 25 turns if left for 24 hours.
Regards

[anonymous-user]

Thanks - is it possible to overwind a modern watch?

[ShadownINja]

You should feel solid resistance if you keep winding. 6 winds won't last very long... maybe a couple of hours max and it may run a bit slowly. One thing I've noticed with a couple of modern, cheap hand-winds is that if you wind to the resistance point, the second hand speeds up (obviously meaning the watch gains time). Regular use will allow you to figure out how many winds is best for your watch, I think.

[anonymous-user]

OK thanks I've given it about 20-30 more winds now and it seems to be ok. I guess I'll just have to learn when it runs out and wind accordingly

Thanks
Iain