Q about Longines automatic winding..

[phil1979]

.... does the rotor 'charge' the spring when rotating in both directions, or just one way only?

Thanks

[Spice_Weasel]

Longines mostly use ETA movements which I think 'charge' in both directions. It may depend on the model and the particular movement used.

[phil1979]

Thanks. I'll have a gander on the Longines website.

To explain the question - I haven't worn my watch for a few days, and it had stopped this morning. I am interested to know which is the best way to spin it to get some life in to it!

Cheers

[phil1979]

Found it! My watch uses ETA 2894/2 - so I guess that means it winds both ways?

[Spice_Weasel]

You could always unscrew the crown (assuming it is a locking crown), then wind the mainspring using the crown. The second hand should start to move after a few turns of the crown.

[phil1979]

Spice_Weasel said:

You could always unscrew the crown (assuming it is a locking crown), then wind the mainspring using the crown. The second hand should start to move after a few turns of the crown.

I'm nervous to do that. It's on a 3-click crown - first click for manual winding, 2nd for date, 3rd for time adjust. But with my clumsy fingers, it's really hard to judge, and I usually end up with time travel.

[ShadownINja]

phil1979 said:

To explain the question - I haven't worn my watch for a few days, and it had stopped this morning. I am interested to know which is the best way to spin it to get some life in to it!

Swing it left to right, holding the straps/bracelet, bearing in mind the rotor lies flat in the watch (ie if you hold it horizontal and swing it up and down, it won't do much).

[HereBeMonsters]

Better to manual wind than fling it all over the place. Just give it a few twists to get it going before putting it back on your wrist.

[ShadownINja]

HereBeMonsters said:

Better to manual wind than fling it all over the place. Just give it a few twists to get it going before putting it back on your wrist.

You could "fling it all over the place" or just shake it gently in a 3-4 inch arc. Besides, some automatics don't allow manual winding.

[AlexC1981]

Try putting it to your ear when you rotate it. You may be able to hear if it's winding. I just did this with my Longines and I could hear it clicking very quietly both ways.