Question For Watch Guys

[llowry61]

I have 3 automatic winding watches and have 3 questions.

1. Do you use an automatic winder for them when not in use.

2. What brand did you buy.

3. What recommendations or just general thoughts on the use or non-use brand cycling options etc.

The watches are not high end (Rolex, Etc.) so I dont want to spend too much on the winder.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BAM-BAM]

SEIKO....dive watches since 1989.
1. NO!

 

[rockquarry]

A winder is pure gadgetry but there are lots of gadgeteers.

 

[ditrina]

ROLEX,ROLEX,ROLEX,OMEGA Been using this one since 2018, it has not missed a beat..

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0177ZAZEQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/ame]

 

[arjay]

I have 5 automatics (Rolex is beyond me lol) and keep 4 of them wound by hand so I can grab one and go.The most expensive and cheapest of the bunch lose maybe 3-5 seconds a day. The rest gain 7-20 seconds a day.
(I managed to break the sapphire crystal of the most expensive watch within a few months �&#56866

 

[Jon651]

I have 3 automatic winding watches and have 3 questions.

1. Do you use an automatic winder for them when not in use.

2. What brand did you buy.

3. What recommendations or just general thoughts on the use or non-use brand cycling options etc.

The watches are not high end (Rolex, Etc.) so I dont want to spend too much on the winder.

Thanks in advance.

I have several automatics, and I will not use a watch winder at all. The main reason is that I was informed many years ago that all mechanical watches, whether automatic or conventional hand-wound, require service every 5-10 years even if its only a basic cleaning. If you use a watch winder, the watch is running continuously and will require servicing on the shortest schedule; but if you only wind and set a watch whenever you use it then you can stretch that service interval out to it's max.

If you own a Rolex or other high-dollar watch then you will feel it when you have to get that watch serviced because it's not cheap. Of course there will always be some folks who will say "I've never had my watch serviced and it is running just fine!", which is wonderful for them, but certainly no guarantee for the rest of us.

 

[sceva]

I have an Islander (House brand for Long Island watch) that stays within 4 seconds change per day and averaged 2 seconds per day. 200 meter water resistance, a Miyota 9015 movement and all milled stainless including the bracelet and clasp.

Winder; never bothered with one. If I wear a different watch when I go back to this one I give it a few shakes, set it and go.

 

[GypsmJim]

The main reason is that I was informed many years ago that all mechanical watches, whether automatic or conventional hand-wound, require service every 5-10 years even if its only a basic cleaning. If you use a watch winder, the watch is running continuously and will require servicing on the shortest schedule; but if you only wind and set a watch whenever you use it then you can stretch that service interval out to it's max.

That's funny. I heard just the opposite. If you leave the watch idle and don't use a winder it will need service sooner.

Gotta blame the internet for fake news. I just don't know which is right.

My fancy schmancy watch is a deep diver and i only use it on vacations when I'll be in the pool or hot tub a lot.

It's about 10 years old and has been on my dresser on a winder right from the beginning. After 4 or 5 months of non-use it's off by maybe 5 minutes. I reset it and go on vacation and when I return it's still spot on.

 

[llowry61]

That's funny. I heard just the opposite. If you leave the watch idle and don't use a winder it will need service sooner.

Gotta blame the internet for fake news. I just don't know which is right.

My fancy schmancy watch is a deep diver and i only use it on vacations when I'll be in the pool or hot tub a lot.

It's about 10 years old and has been on my dresser on a winder right from the beginning. After 4 or 5 months of non-use it's off by maybe 5 minutes. I reset it and go on vacation and when I return it's still spot on.

This is why I asked the question here as I know there are many knowledgeable people on the forum. One watch forum stated that the watch sitting idle does not keep the internals lubricated so the life is diminished others say it adds wear so I am not sure which route to go.

I like to rotate the watches I wear, and it is a pain to set both the time and date.

Any other opinions are appreciated.

 

[noonster]

I've a pair of Gruen autos. Both are PX watches that were passed down in the family. Just had the both of them cleaned up etc a year or so ago. Both run well as can be expected from a non-chronometer. One has the date, the other: not. I alternate using them loosely based on the 31 day months. They're a joy to wear, tho' I'm not so sure how water-fast they are.

 

[sceva]

That's funny. I heard just the opposite. If you leave the watch idle and don't use a winder it will need service sooner.

Gotta blame the internet for fake news. I just don't know which is right.

.

I suppose it depends on how long it will sit idle. The synthetic oils used now don't thicken like in the past ( I believe real sperm oil did not thicken either ) but it makes sense that the oil could creep out of the bearings etc if it's the mechanism is not moving. If the watch only sits for short intervals I would not worry about a winder. But a winder is not expensive and will do no harm.

 

[03hemi]

I have 3 automatic winding watches and have 3 questions.

1. Do you use an automatic winder for them when not in use.

2. What brand did you buy.

3. What recommendations or just general thoughts on the use or non-use brand cycling options etc.

The watches are not high end (Rolex, Etc.) so I dont want to spend too much on the winder.

Thanks in advance.

No I don't.
That's like leaving your car running because you wanna keep it warm? Unless it's a high end perpetual watch, what's the use.
Winders only excellerate maintenance on your watches, which is around $1000 bucks for a good mechanical watch.
Why not just set em when you wear em?
Omegas and Cartier manual watches here fwiw.

 

[Jeff423]

I used to use one for my Rolex's because they are old enough that setting the date is a PITA. I stopped because I didn't see any need in them running continuously.

 

[Jon651]

That's funny. I heard just the opposite. If you leave the watch idle and don't use a winder it will need service sooner.

Gotta blame the internet for fake news. I just don't know which is right.

My fancy schmancy watch is a deep diver and i only use it on vacations when I'll be in the pool or hot tub a lot.

It's about 10 years old and has been on my dresser on a winder right from the beginning. After 4 or 5 months of non-use it's off by maybe 5 minutes. I reset it and go on vacation and when I return it's still spot on.

I will be happy to share the source of my information, as it was an elderly gentleman who was a retired jeweler and watch smith who serviced all of my antique pocket watches until he passed. It really all comes down to the lubricants used, as modern synthetic ones don't evaporate or dry out like the older mineral-based ones did. Therefore, it was less critical for watches with synthetic lubricants to be kept running in order to keep the lubricants flowing and liquid. On the flip side, classic and antique watches were seldom (if ever) air- or water-tight, and dust intrusion made servicing a more frequent requirement.

For a modern watch it should make no real difference if you use a winder or not. If accuracy were truly that critical then we wouldn't be wearing mechanical watches.

 

[kozmic]

I have a 4 place Heiden winder. It operates fine. That said, I don't always use it! You are more apt to see a mechanical watches or two on my nightstand than in my safe in the winder.

 

[chief38]

I own only 3 watches. 2 are automatics and one is a manual wind - I do not care for quartz watches. I have never owned an automatic winder and have never had any issues with any watches failing. I have had one serviced about 15 years after initially buying it, but not because it was malfunctioning. It is an all gold watch, originally came with a champagne colored dial, gold hands and indices and it became harder to actually see what time it was. I sent it in and had the face changed to black (same style configuration). They charged me handsomely however now I can actually see what time it is. While it was there they fixed a few nicks, scratches and did a cleaning and oiling. Since then I have not sent it in, it's still accurate to +/- 2 seconds a day and is still waterproof. I won't send it in for another service for a while as it is working great.

 

[Bullet Bob]

If you google watch winders, you'll get lots of information, mostly negative. I do wear/wind my few every six months or so to keep them lubricated. Most often though I'll wear quartz because I'm seriously lazy, and the older I get the better I like those large numbers. My favorites though are older style mechanicals you wind each day, but with no complications (date, etc.) because in heart (and mind) I'm a simple guy.

I know many, many people don't see the reason to have a watch when they have a cell phone, but I don't keep mine glued to my hand. They're happy, I'm happy, everybody wins.

 

[johngalt]

Yes, I use a winder. In general, manually winding is harder on the mechanism than the winder mechanism. I have a couple that can't be wound manually at all.

Pretty much anything with an ETA movement is excellent. I don't have a Rolex, but their reputation is excellent. I have a Christopher Ward, which uses an in-house movement that is good, but after 3 years it has lost some accuracy and needs service.

My experience with less expensive watches (Seiko, Swatch) are not so great. They are not accurate and the time needs to be reset frequently.

I switched to wearing mine on the dominant hand - it stays wound better.

 

[03hemi]

Yes, I use a winder. In general, manually winding is harder on the mechanism than the winder mechanism. I have a couple that can't be wound manually at all.

Pretty much anything with an ETA movement is excellent. I don't have a Rolex, but their reputation is excellent. I have a Christopher Ward, which uses an in-house movement that is good, but after 3 years it has lost some accuracy and needs service.

My experience with less expensive watches (Seiko, Swatch) are not so great. They are not accurate and the time needs to be reset frequently.

I switched to wearing mine on the dominant hand - it stays wound better.

Seiko, really, wow? I don't have any manual or Kenetic Seikos, but my quartz are my most accurate by far.
I love this Sportura from the 90's I bought NOS.
It's said to be accurate down to 1/100 sec, that's that sub-dial at 12 o-clock. It's really cool to watch because that little hand spins so fast it's just a blur til it stops.

 

[rockquarry]

If you google watch winders, you'll get lots of information, mostly negative. I do wear/wind my few every six months or so to keep them lubricated. Most often though I'll wear quartz because I'm seriously lazy, and the older I get the better I like those large numbers. My favorites though are older style mechanicals you wind each day, but with no complications (date, etc.) because in heart (and mind) I'm a simple guy.

I know many, many people don't see the reason to have a watch when they have a cell phone, but I don't keep mine glued to my hand. They're happy, I'm happy, everybody wins.

I don't carry a cellphone much of the time but even those times when I did have one it becomes tiresome to take it out of your pocket to look at the time when you can simply look at your wrist if you're wearing a watch. I went back to wearing a wrist watch.

Of course for the hardcore cell phone users that keep there phone in hand at all times, I suppose that's as convenient as a wrist watch.

I'd never use a winder but that's a Ford/Chevrolet-type argument: no winners. Do what you choose.