Watch winder advice needed
Discussion
I currently have two automatic watches. One is a Vintage Omega Seamaster and the other a Porsche Design by IWC Ocean 500.
I would like to keep the one that i am not wearing ready to grab from the box, by using a watch winder. I have seen this one at Argos.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9....
At £25 it hardly breaks the bank. But is this a good winder for the watches that i have?
I have been confused by the old argument that continuously winding a watch is very bad for the mechanism. But there is a clutch inside?
I was looking at the Orbita website: http://www.orbita.ch/index_eng.htm. Under the section headed support there is a automatic watch database. In here it suggests that both the PD Ocean 500 and Omega require 650 turns per day.
What is the consensus on this sort of use of watch winder?
I plan to buy the argos winder and measure how many turns per day it completes. Using one of these:
Set it to complete the required 650 turns per day.
Any advice please?
I would like to keep the one that i am not wearing ready to grab from the box, by using a watch winder. I have seen this one at Argos.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9....
At £25 it hardly breaks the bank. But is this a good winder for the watches that i have?
I have been confused by the old argument that continuously winding a watch is very bad for the mechanism. But there is a clutch inside?
I was looking at the Orbita website: http://www.orbita.ch/index_eng.htm. Under the section headed support there is a automatic watch database. In here it suggests that both the PD Ocean 500 and Omega require 650 turns per day.
What is the consensus on this sort of use of watch winder?
I plan to buy the argos winder and measure how many turns per day it completes. Using one of these:
Set it to complete the required 650 turns per day.
Any advice please?
I originally bought one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Tutelary-Automatic-Wa... It doesn't have a quality "feel" to it being made out of cheap plastic but for the money it does a great job. It also has a timer function that rotates for 1 hour then rests for 3 hours before repeating the cycle.
I also bought one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TUTELARY-WOODEN-AUTOMATIC-...
It's from the same company but has a much better finish. It looks to me like it's exactly the same mechanism as the cheaper version above but fitted with a better casing. I bought this one as it is slightly more compact and would fit into the preferred storage location whereas the previous one was a few mm too deep.
I also bought one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TUTELARY-WOODEN-AUTOMATIC-...
It's from the same company but has a much better finish. It looks to me like it's exactly the same mechanism as the cheaper version above but fitted with a better casing. I bought this one as it is slightly more compact and would fit into the preferred storage location whereas the previous one was a few mm too deep.
Ray Singh said:
I have been confused by the old argument that continuously winding a watch is very bad for the mechanism. But there is a clutch inside?
I was looking at the Orbita website: http://www.orbita.ch/index_eng.htm. Under the section headed support there is a automatic watch database. In here it suggests that both the PD Ocean 500 and Omega require 650 turns per day.
Modern watches have a slipping clutch design to prevent the mainspring from being over wound. Otherwise you would run the risk of over winding your watch on a particularly active day! I was looking at the Orbita website: http://www.orbita.ch/index_eng.htm. Under the section headed support there is a automatic watch database. In here it suggests that both the PD Ocean 500 and Omega require 650 turns per day.
My latter point also applies to Orbita's suggestion of 650 turns per day - How do you measure that when the watch is on your wrist? Are you damaging it by wearing it for short/long periods of time? The suggestion seems a bit unnecessary ....
A watch winder is fantastic for maintaining the time on an automatic watch when you are not wearing it for long periods. However I must admit that mine more often acts as a watch box ... I'll pick a watch, manually set the time and manually wind the movement by hand
I can see the appeal of a watch winder if your watches have several complex complications though.I have a vertical Time Tutelary dual watch winder - For £45, it's a nice bit of kit that does exactly what it says on the box!
I have a winder from rapport. Can't remember where I bought it now, it wasn't cheap but it's a nice cherry wood box and the timer function comes on for 30 minutes every 2 hours. They have been really good on the 2 occassions ( in 10 years) that I have needed a new motor and have sent it direct to me.
NeMiSiS said:
You can not over wind an automatic movement, so I would happily use your set up with the power coming on 5 hrs on 10 hrs off. [loop]
I believe it is healthier for an auto/mech movement to be running than it is to be left idle for long periods of time, but saying that I personally don't use a watch winder as I can not get power/or space in the safe.
Yeah, but how many watch winders would you need for your collection? I believe it is healthier for an auto/mech movement to be running than it is to be left idle for long periods of time, but saying that I personally don't use a watch winder as I can not get power/or space in the safe.
Ikemi said:
NeMiSiS said:
You can not over wind an automatic movement, so I would happily use your set up with the power coming on 5 hrs on 10 hrs off. [loop]
I believe it is healthier for an auto/mech movement to be running than it is to be left idle for long periods of time, but saying that I personally don't use a watch winder as I can not get power/or space in the safe.
Yeah, but how many watch winders would you need for your collection? I believe it is healthier for an auto/mech movement to be running than it is to be left idle for long periods of time, but saying that I personally don't use a watch winder as I can not get power/or space in the safe.
I am just about to buy my first automatic watch and don't plan on wearing it at the weekend while washing the car, out on the bike etc. It will therefore not move from Fiday night to Monday morning, so I was thinking of a watch winder.
What do you think of this for aout £50? http://www.watch-winder.co.uk/Black-Wood-Single-Wa... (in black piano)
What do you think of this for aout £50? http://www.watch-winder.co.uk/Black-Wood-Single-Wa... (in black piano)
NeMiSiS said:
'silent',
It says " Also note that no watch winder (even the most expensive brands) is completely silent, as they have a turntable and motor. They will often start of silent and get slightly noisier. Our winders are actually quieter than some of the top / more expensive brands."
I would probably have it in the bedroom and run it during the day when I not around. Could probably buy a cheap timer so its off overnight.
1. Use a watch winder that can be battery powered: www.watch-winder.co.uk/Black-Wood-Single-Watch-Win...
2. Then track down lithium batteries, because they should last longest in the watch winder.
3. Put the watch in the winder into the safe.
4. Enjoy a well earned cuppa tea after all this effort
2. Then track down lithium batteries, because they should last longest in the watch winder.
3. Put the watch in the winder into the safe.
4. Enjoy a well earned cuppa tea after all this effort
Ikemi said:
I'll pick a watch, manually set the time and manually wind the movement by hand I can see the appeal of a watch winder if your watches have several complex complications though.
Yep, 100% agree - I would only bother if I had a perpetual calendar or the like otherwise picking uop up, winding it and setting the time and date really is no big deal at all. I can see the appeal of a watch winder if your watches have several complex complications though.In fact, I find it quite enjoyable to interact with the watch... I have two El Primero movements and you pull the crown out fully to change the date, then push it in one click to set the time. Only watches I have with that, everything else is the exact opposite
Just wind it up manually when you need it - the only caveat to that is it's wear and tear on the crown seals if it's a diver that actually sees water.
I bought one of these in the end:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Tutelary-Automatic-Wa... as suggested on here.
I used it for bearly two months and will sell it if any one is after one.I have decided to just leave my collection in the safe and manually set the dates/days when i use them.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Tutelary-Automatic-Wa... as suggested on here.
I used it for bearly two months and will sell it if any one is after one.I have decided to just leave my collection in the safe and manually set the dates/days when i use them.
NeMiSiS said:
Cotty said:
What do you think of this for aout £50? (in black piano)
I like it, good price, looks good, 'silent', and good cycle." Program settings: This watch winder starts gently turning right cycle for five minutes then rests for 15 minutes. It gently turns left cycle for five minutes then rests for 15 minutes. The cycle is then repeated."
Incognegro said:
I just ordered this in Piano Black, very excited to receive as I only have one auto watch the others are battery so now I can leave the auto off my wrist at times! Thanks for the link
I have been using mine for nearly two years, still going strong. I don't keep it in the bedroom as it is not completely silent. Works for me. I can't be bothered setting the time, date, second time zone every Monday morning. Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff