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Elliot55 initiates a rare discussion on watch winders, exploring their necessity, types, and the ongoing debate among collectors. This post provides a comprehensive overview of the winder market, from basic models to high-end safes, and invites the community to share their experiences and philosophies on keeping automatic watches running.
Here’s something we don’t talk about very often: Watch Winders.
For those of us who have more than one mechanical watch, and automatic winders in particular, having the right watch winder makes all the difference in the world. For starters, keeping a mechanical watch running is vital in the overall, long-term health of a timepiece. For enders, those of us that like to change watches daily are always happiest when the montre du jour does not require setting.
There are essentially two types of watch winders; the first kind is a cheap, simple and unsophisticated ‘spinner’ with a motor that turns nonstop in a single direction (usually clockwise), and is often found inside of a box made of some shiny faux wood product. The second kind is a more advanced (and more expensive) fully automatic device, generally controlled by computer logic. Recommended watch winders “turn and rest”, and many have the ability to be programmed with various winding cycle parameters as specified by the timepiece manufacturer. These parameters include the number of turns per day, rest times and turning intervals, as well as whether the winder should turn clockwise, counter-clockwise - or both - during the winding cycle.
The winder market is fairly competitive and there are many companies manufacturing high-end watch winders. Buben & Zorweg, Eilux, Orbita, Rotolution and Wolf Designs (probably the oldest of the watch winder makers), are but a few. Prices range from $200 for a basic, single watch winder from Wolf (on Amazon), to well over four thousand dollars for Orbita’s “Wall Winder”, all the way on up to $40,000 (and higher) for the Heisse & Sohne custom-built, completely impenetrable watch safe.
No matter who you are or whatever your budget, one way or the other it is essential to keep your mechanical watches running. For instance, take Patek Philippe’s uber complicated, manual-winding Sky Moon Tourbillon, reference 5002. This piece tracks so many aspects of time allowing it to stop would prove disastrous. Then again, at well over a-million-and-a-half dollars budget is hardly a consideration, and keeping this masterpiece wound is probably the least of its owner’s concerns.
Certainly, quality and
reliability play an important role when deciding on a winder. After all, these things are not
inexpensive. And because they are
basically running 24 hours a day, failure is not part of their job description. Personally, I have three winders from Wolf
Designs and one from Rotolution. The
Wolf winders basically “turn and rest” a fixed number of times per day (850),
and employ a single toggle switch that can “program” the winder to turn
clockwise (‘A’
, counter-clockwise (‘B’, or both (‘C’. The newer Wolf Design winders employ a
more secure ‘click and lock’ watch pillow system. The older Wolfs had a less secure watch pillow that could
slip out of the winder. Needless
to say, Wolf’s new mounting system is a much welcome improvement over the older
type.
The Rotolution winder has a beautiful black lacquer finish and the model I have can wind two watches (they also have a four watch model), with drawer space for three more watches or other jewelry. Each of the winders can be programmed separately using the accompanying (Windows only) software and included USB cable, and the watch pillow mounting design is best of breed! The digital display conveys the number of turns programmed for a 24-hour period (for example, 850), the current number of revolutions that have elapsed in a 24-hour period, as well as the total elapsed time. If you start the Rotolution winder straight up at midnight, it also makes a great 24-hour clock! Not to mention that the Rotolution folks are awesome people who offer topnotch customer service. Highly recommended.
Which watch winders are you watching while your watches whirl? Are there some winder brands that have been proven to be more reliable while functioning consistently for long periods of time? I have noticed that some winders can be more fragile than others, and if not properly handled are easily subject to damage. As my collection grows I am always eager to know more about watch winder manufacturers that remain ‘under-the-radar’ because they do not have the marketing budget of say, an Orbita, or the history of a Wolf Designs. Would love to know what everyone’s using to keep the heartbeat of our most prized possessions… well… beating.
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... but I sure appreciate your review. ;-) The reason is that I don't have any perpetual calendar watches. :-( A clear gap in the collection! So my most complicated automatics only have a date to re-set. I do worry about wearing out automatic winding mechanisms prematurely. My personal experience is that this is the part that requires service before the escapement and gear train needs lubrication! So for me if they are not on my wrist then they are not running. I do, however, wind all my watches
I have a few winders, but i have not really kept them running all the time. occasionally when i fell like it. used principally as display case! the trend for winders is driven partly by the explosive growth in the watch collecting, and "prey" upon a owners disposition to spend on accessories for their prized possesions(as with most hobby driven industries). alot of the winders in the marketplace are absolutely rubbish, mass manufactured in China(dont they all!!) but of seriously sub standard qua
I too belong in the winders not necessary camp. Thank you for mentioning your observations on the B&Z winder. Will take a closer look before I buy mine. I currently use Scatola Del Tempo winders (which remain inactively used). So far, pleased with the construction, but as you say, there's a lot of glue, which is to be expected joining leather to plastic (almost no other way to do so without glue).
I don't use winders (don't like them -- except as objects of art at the higher end of the spectrum). I remove watches from the bank periodically and wind/wear them. If they aren't on my wrist, they aren't ticking away. I should try to be better about resting them in varying positions, however. Very thoughtful post. Thanks! Cheers, Daos
May I ask what kind of portable case you have and are you happy with it? I am looking for one. Many thanks and kind regards.
... subject here, about a theme I have been always wondering about. Do I need a WW or not? I well understand the practical side of them, if you own a perpetual calendar watch or a watch with Grand complications, where setting them each time you wish to wear it, could be a real work, or just bad for the watch movement. By the other hand, I always doubted about having a movement continuously working while I don´t wear a watch. Do this lend to a premature wearing of the mechanism? Last, but not lea
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