best cheap mechanical winders?
Discussion
Hi all,
Since getting my first automatic recently I've had the joy of having to wear it often enough to stop it running out (its a Werenbach with only a 48 hour reserve).
I'm told I should avoid hand winding it too much because it doesnt do the mechanism much good (can anyone elaborate on this please?) so now I'm looking at getting a winding machine.
Having looked at a fair few on jewellers websites, they all seem to be alarmingly expensive at over £250. I'm looking more in the up to £50 bracket [dons flamesuit] and theres quite a lot on site like Amazon for that price - question is, are they any good? (I dont have the greatest experience of buying cheap electrical items from them).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?keywords=Watch+Winders&...
I was therefore wondering please if anyone has tried any of these or had a similarly priced alternative they could recommend? I dont care quite so much if its a little noisy as it wont be in the bedroom with me - and I also dont care if it isnt made of burr walnut and upholstered in tiger scrotum.....
Thanks in advance,
Matt
Since getting my first automatic recently I've had the joy of having to wear it often enough to stop it running out (its a Werenbach with only a 48 hour reserve).
I'm told I should avoid hand winding it too much because it doesnt do the mechanism much good (can anyone elaborate on this please?) so now I'm looking at getting a winding machine.
Having looked at a fair few on jewellers websites, they all seem to be alarmingly expensive at over £250. I'm looking more in the up to £50 bracket [dons flamesuit] and theres quite a lot on site like Amazon for that price - question is, are they any good? (I dont have the greatest experience of buying cheap electrical items from them).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?keywords=Watch+Winders&...
I was therefore wondering please if anyone has tried any of these or had a similarly priced alternative they could recommend? I dont care quite so much if its a little noisy as it wont be in the bedroom with me - and I also dont care if it isnt made of burr walnut and upholstered in tiger scrotum.....
Thanks in advance,
Matt
Edited by ChemicalChaos on Saturday 21st November 22:56
Surely in an automatic watch, if it can be hand wound how can it cause damage/wear as it certainly shouldn’t be over wound or unless the keyless works are made of toffee. Seems a bit odd.
Also opinion seems to be split on watch winders some say it will cause the watch to blow up, others no problem.
Personally I haven’t bothered, just wind mine up before I put it on.
This doesn’t help does it...
Also opinion seems to be split on watch winders some say it will cause the watch to blow up, others no problem.
Personally I haven’t bothered, just wind mine up before I put it on.
This doesn’t help does it...
Save your money. Watch winders are overrated, usually by people who've 'invested' in one or sell them.
There is an argument that they simply wear out the mechanism more than not using them MIGHT 'wear' parts due to lack of lubrication. If you have just one watch and generally wear it most days it might be a useful backup if you don't wear it for the odd day but that's only if you can't be bothered to wind it. Manual winding shouldn't cause any issues.
I have in excess of 20 watches and never use a winder, simply winding up whichever one I select to wear; a couple are 1960's dive watches, one is an ex WW11 aviation one and they still work. I can't see how them running for 60 years non-stop would have improved them.
Similarly, nobody seriously suggests classic cars should be left with their engines running when not in use, do they. Of course, others will have different views.
eta- typo
There is an argument that they simply wear out the mechanism more than not using them MIGHT 'wear' parts due to lack of lubrication. If you have just one watch and generally wear it most days it might be a useful backup if you don't wear it for the odd day but that's only if you can't be bothered to wind it. Manual winding shouldn't cause any issues.
I have in excess of 20 watches and never use a winder, simply winding up whichever one I select to wear; a couple are 1960's dive watches, one is an ex WW11 aviation one and they still work. I can't see how them running for 60 years non-stop would have improved them.
Similarly, nobody seriously suggests classic cars should be left with their engines running when not in use, do they. Of course, others will have different views.
eta- typo
Edited by TarquinMX5 on Sunday 22 November 17:15
Were as I am on the other side of the fense. I have always used winders and have never had a problem with them, I have 4 watches and two winders. There on 24 hours a day.
Some times I go for weeks without wearing any of them, so when I am ready I just pop one on.
Besides one of my watches is a Longines master moonphase, this watch has so many complications that it takes ages to set them all from a stopped unit. With a winder all the complications are set and fully on point when I want to wear it.
This is just my view and after 30 years of watches and winders I am now set in my ways
Some times I go for weeks without wearing any of them, so when I am ready I just pop one on.
Besides one of my watches is a Longines master moonphase, this watch has so many complications that it takes ages to set them all from a stopped unit. With a winder all the complications are set and fully on point when I want to wear it.
This is just my view and after 30 years of watches and winders I am now set in my ways
TarquinMX5 said:
Similarly, nobody seriously suggests classic cars should be left with their engines running when not in use, do they. Of course, others will have different views.
Classic cars need driving regularly - sat unused, they expensively deteriorate.Given both Patek and Rolex used to sell branded watch winders, I guess you could argue there's some benefit. They are definitely useful if you have a GMT, annual or perpetual complication - I use them for my watches as I'm in the camp that likes to keep parts moving.
There are many articles that suggest the frequent manual winding of an automatic watch is not good for the movement - the screw down crown (for example) is for occasional use rather than daily use and that manual winding puts too much torque into vulnerable parts. I have no idea.
There are watch winders on Amazon from about £25, so they don't have to be that expensive.
PistonGuy66 said:
And if you get broken into they are on display to be taken??
That's a point, because low lifes criminals dont go through draws and cupboards. Might change me mind on winders lol. On the point of keeping classic cars running. All my cars and motorcycles are left on battery tenders to stop the batteries draining, and to keep the electrical systems on others running. Including the clocks
No battery chargers over winter, no using the machines when I need them.
Edited by FezSpider on Tuesday 24th November 22:37
FezSpider said:
PistonGuy66 said:
And if you get broken into they are on display to be taken??
That's a point, because low lifes criminals dont fo through draws and cupboards. Might change me mind on winders lol. FezSpider said:
PistonGuy66 said:
You are right they do, but picking up a watch winder has got to be a hell of a lot faster than getting into a safe???
Yea, what ever. I know nothing about security.
k getting into your gaff! Lol
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