You’ve just acquired a beautiful automatic watch, a masterpiece of mechanical engineering that powers itself with the simple motion of your wrist. But then a question arises: what happens when you’re not wearing it? On days spent at a desk or when you rotate between different timepieces, your watch will eventually stop. This is where a curious device called a watch winder enters the picture. It’s a box that keeps your automatic watch ticking even when it’s off your wrist, but it also sparks a debate among enthusiasts.
So, the central question we find ourselves asking is: How do watch winders work and are they necessary? For some, they are an essential accessory for a collection, while for others, they are an unnecessary luxury. To form your own opinion, it helps to first grasp the mechanics behind these intriguing devices and the watches they serve.
The Heart of the Matter: How an Automatic Watch Works
To understand a watch winder, you must first understand the watch it’s designed to serve. An automatic, or self-winding, watch has no battery. Instead, its power comes from a tightly wound spring. As you move your wrist throughout the day, a semicircular weight called a rotor spins freely, translating that kinetic energy into winding the mainspring. This stored energy is then released in a steady, regulated trickle to power the watch, typically for 24 to 48 hours once fully wound. When the watch is stationary for longer than this “power reserve,” the spring unwinds completely, and the watch stops.
So, How Does a Watch Winder Step In?
A watch winder is a simple yet clever solution to this stoppage. It’s a device, often battery-operated or plug-in, that contains a motorized rotating mechanism. You secure your watch onto a cushioned holder called a pillow, and the winder gently and slowly rotates the watch in a circular motion. This movement mimics the natural motion of a human wrist, causing the rotor inside the watch to swing, which in turn winds the mainspring. This keeps the watch fully powered and running, ensuring the time, date, and any other complications like moon phases or annual calendars remain accurate and set.
Modern watch winders are quite sophisticated. They aren’t just simple spinning boxes. You can usually program them with specific settings, such as the number of turns per day (TPD) and the direction of rotation (clockwise, counterclockwise, or bidirectional). These settings are crucial because different watch calibres from different brands have different winding requirements. Using the correct setting ensures your watch is wound efficiently without being overwound.
The Great Debate: Are Watch Winders Actually Necessary?
This is where opinions diverge. The answer isn’t a simple yes or no; it truly depends on your watch collection and your habits. Let’s look at the arguments for and against.
The Benefits of Using a Watch Winder
For many, the convenience is the biggest selling point. If you own a watch with complex complications—like a perpetual calendar or a moon phase—resetting it after it stops can be a fiddly and time-consuming process. A watch winder keeps these intricate mechanisms synced and ready to wear at a moment’s notice. It also saves you from having to manually wind and set the time on your watch every time you want to wear it, which can be a genuine hassle if you have multiple automatics in your rotation.
There’s also an aesthetic and preservation aspect. A high-quality watch winder, often made of fine wood or leather, acts as a beautiful display case and a safe storage unit, protecting your valuable timepieces from dust, moisture, and accidental bumps.
The Potential Downsides to Consider
On the other side of the debate, the main concern is unnecessary wear and tear. A watch is a mechanical device with moving parts, and keeping it in constant motion does mean those parts are experiencing friction and wear. While a well-maintained watch is built to run for decades, some purists argue that letting a watch rest when not in use is better for its long-term health, as it conserves the lubrication within the movement.
Furthermore, if you only own one or two automatic watches that you wear regularly, a winder is almost certainly superfluous. Your daily activity will keep it perfectly wound. The cost is another factor; a good, reliable watch winder from a reputable brand can be a significant investment.
Making the Right Choice for Your Collection
So, how do you decide? Think about your personal situation. If you own multiple automatic watches, especially those with complex functions, and you switch between them frequently, a watch winder can be a fantastic convenience that enhances your enjoyment of the hobby. It keeps your collection ready to go and beautifully displayed.
However, if you have a small collection or a single daily-wear watch, the need is much less pronounced. Manually winding and setting your watch is a simple, mindful ritual for many, and it doesn’t pose any risk to the mechanism. For long-term storage of a watch you won’t wear for months, it’s actually better to let it wind down naturally and store it in a cool, dry place.
In the end, the question of how do watch winders work and are they necessary comes down to your own lifestyle and the complexity of your timepieces. They are a tool of convenience and presentation, not a mandatory requirement for owning an automatic watch. By weighing the benefits of constant readiness against the potential for added wear, you can make an informed decision that best suits you and your cherished collection.