automatic watch winders and Rolex wearing out

[cheapbrass]

I have two Rolex watches, a 60's era Datejust and a Daytona purchased last year.

now that I have two watches, inevitably one of the watches will stop due to lack of wearing. I wonder what the consensus is on using watch winders?

Do watches suffer wear and tear from always ticking? or is it better to let one watch stop and just store it for a week or two at a time w/o ticking? or is it better to put both watches in a watch winder always be ticking/winding.

Any recommended watch winders? or is there anything i should be wary of?

[MonBK]

Surely since Oct. 2010 you must have seen the hundreds + of threads on this subject?

[Chiboy]

This has been bandied about a million times. To summarize:

Some folks: Your wrist is the best winder. Set it and wear it!
Other folks: I like the convenience of a watch that is ready to go without setting!
Other folks: Winding and setting a Rolex is one of the small pleasures of life!
Other folks: Winders will wear out a watch quicker than letting it sit!
Other folks: That's crazy!

Most folks like Orbita winders if they are going that route.

OK, we can close the thread now.

[BiH115]

Most people I know have a winder, but the few that don't just keep their watch in a case or safety deposit box (then wind them when they're going to wear). Both are OK.

[Hucksimp]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Surely since Oct. 2010 you must have seen the hundreds + of threads on this subject?

Wouldn't it have just been easier to answer his question..?

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Hucksimp

Wouldn't it have just been easier to answer his question..?

You mean like you did?

[Gecko10]

Originally Posted by Hucksimp

Wouldn't it have just been easier to answer his question..?

I think perhaps what everyone is saying, nicely, is to do a search first.

[magnetic]

I have a wolf single watch winder.
When i picked up my watch from my AD i was advised not to use it / any winder and let it rest.

Not everyone listens to the sales rep in an AD.

[Hucksimp]

Originally Posted by MonBK

You mean like you did?

His question had already been answered when I posted. But hey, thanks!

[Hucksimp]

Originally Posted by Gecko10

I think perhaps what everyone is saying, nicely, is to do a search first.

However, sometimes newcomers to the forum would prefer to be welcomed, not subjected to sarcasm.

[brandrea]

Welcome to TRF.

I personally don't use a winder. I find that setting the time and winding is one of the simple joys of owning a mechanical timepiece

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Hucksimp

However, sometimes newcomers to the forum would prefer to be welcomed, not subjected to sarcasm.

I absolutely agree but when you've been a member since 2010 you're hardly a newcomer.

Like they say in your profession: I rest my case.

[KarlS]

its important that your watch doesn't run 24/7/365 or it will wear out!!! Most manufacturers recommend that you let it run completely flat and leave it In A sock drawer for 3 days a week. You might not know the time but it doubles longevity!! If I had a penny for each post I would've wearing a Greubel Forsey...

[GSDLover]

I am glad he asked the question and appreciate Chiboy's summary.
Some of you should look up something called decaf.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by GSDLover

I am glad he asked the question and appreciate Chiboy's summary.

I guess I just graduated from "New Kid on the Block!"

[Tony64]

Might as well relegate the winder topic to the taboo list along with religion and politics. Consensus will never occur, and prepare for snarky responses. There's no convincing on either side of the debate. The intellectual honest will generally agree it's more a matter of preference than science.

If you do decide to use one, I think we all can agree it's important to get a good one. Wolf makes a nice winder and at a reasonable price.

Oh, and also "welcome to the forum". You've been a member for a while but good to see new participation! I sometimes wonder how many lurkers choose not to post because sometimes we can seem less than hospitable?

[Valenciawatchrepair]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Welcome to TRF.

I personally don't use a winder. I find that setting the time and winding is one of the simple joys of owning a mechanical timepiece

I agree 100%!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by cheapbrass

. . .
Do watches suffer wear and tear from always ticking? or is it better to let one watch stop and just store it for a week or two at a time w/o ticking? or is it better to put both watches in a watch winder always be ticking/winding.

A watch that is running 24/7 is incurring maximum wear. A stopped watch is incurring zero wear.. This is not an opinion, it is physics..

As to "winder consensus", there is none. Use one if you like, or not..

[Peter99]

I can quite understand that those with a nice collection of multifunctional watches and likes to wear watches to match style of dress and the attending function and where time can be short, a watchwinder could be essential.
Also, this busy man about town who is doing quite nicely, thank you, would not nessesarily be too worried about the odd watch wearing out from time to time.
It would be no sweat and a good excuse for a new one!
I just I wish!

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

This has been bandied about a million times. To summarize:

Some folks: Your wrist is the best winder. Set it and wear it!
Other folks: I like the convenience of a watch that is ready to go without setting!
Other folks: Winding and setting a Rolex is one of the small pleasures of life!
Other folks: Winders will wear out a watch quicker than letting it sit!
Other folks: That's crazy!

Most folks like Orbita winders if they are going that route.

OK, we can close the thread now.

I like your condensation of the hundreds of posts on thi topic, but I would add one more:

Other folks: If you have a watch with multiple complications, such as a perpetual calendar, it's good to use a winder to keep it current.


BTW, we'll keep the thread open so members can weigh in on this long debated and unresolved subject.

[returntorolex]

No winders for me.

[KDS777]

Originally Posted by cheapbrass

I wonder what the consensus is on using watch winders?

If they were "necessary" every Rolex on display in every AD would be using one. Next time your AD sales rep tries to sell you one for $400-800 ask them this question.

Ergo....they are not.....so, it's just a convenience tool, especially for the day/date guys.

I think they wear your watch out early to be honest. I don't keep my car running 24/7 just so it is warmed up and ready to go.

[rdigate]

I asked this question and got my cup of sarcasm as well. My opinion aafter reading many threads and having a winder myself is that a winder is a convenience and will not hurt any watch. Modern winders are programable so you can program a "delay" to allow allow the spring to release tension and prevent it from being continually fully torqued. Winders are most convenient when your watch has a sophisticated complication like a moon phase. This can be a real PITA to set and I keep my moon phase watches on a winder to keep my sanity. Since Rolex watches don't often have sophisticated complications, they are easy to set and there is no real reason to put them on a winder unless you want them ready to go.


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[The Libertine]

I do not own a winder; I do not see the need.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by KarlS

its important that your watch doesn't run 24/7/365 or it will wear out!!! Most manufacturers recommend that you let it run completely flat and leave it In A sock drawer for 3 days a week. You might not know the time but it doubles longevity!! If I had a penny for each post I would've wearing a Greubel Forsey...

THREE DAYS A WEEK!? It is really hard for me to regulate my Rolex to a sock (I don't have a sock drawer, can I put it with my underwear? ) drawer 40(ish) percent of the time I own it. I agree more time running equals more wear (and dings, and scratches etc.) but isn't that why you get it serviced every five years? I purchased my Rolex so I can enjoy it, and I enjoy it on my wrist; not in a sock drawer.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by rdigate

I asked this question and got my cup of sarcasm as well. My opinion aafter reading many threads and having a winder myself is that a winder is a convenience and will not hurt any watch. Modern winders are programable so you can program a "delay" to allow allow the spring to release tension and prevent it from being continually fully torqued. Winders are most convenient when your watch has a sophisticated complication like a moon phase. This can be a real PITA to set and I keep my moon phase watches on a winder to keep my sanity. Since Rolex watches don't often have sophisticated complications, they are easy to set and there is no real reason to put them on a winder unless you want them ready to go.


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They are indeed for convenience and will not 'hurt' the watch.
However like Larry stated, say you're wearing the watch three days of the week and the other four it's in a drawer VS the four days on a winder. You will eventually wear the movement out quicker if you have it on the winder compared to having it in the drawer simply because the mechanisms are moving and thus causes more wear.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

THREE DAYS A WEEK!? It is really hard for me to regulate my Rolex to a sock (I don't have a sock drawer, can I put it with my underwear? ) drawer 40(ish) percent of the time I own it. I agree more time running equals more wear (and dings, and scratches etc.) but isn't that why you get it serviced every five years? I purchased my Rolex so I can enjoy it, and I enjoy it on my wrist; not in a sock drawer.

Hey pal, you don't need service every 5 years, just bring it in when it's starting to lose accuracy. That could be 4 years or 12. Hopefully the latter.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

THREE DAYS A WEEK!? It is really hard for me to regulate my Rolex to a sock (I don't have a sock drawer, can I put it with my underwear? ) drawer 40(ish) percent of the time I own it. I agree more time running equals more wear (and dings, and scratches etc.) but isn't that why you get it serviced every five years? I purchased my Rolex so I can enjoy it, and I enjoy it on my wrist; not in a sock drawer.

Paul, I purchased my newest Rolex over 13 years ago and have yet to have any of them serviced (I have 4). I also keep them on winders when I'm not wearing them. Put that in your sock or underwear drawer and think on it.

[blufinz52]

I wind my Speedmaster every morning, whether I wear it or not for a few days. I keep my Rolex and a couple of other automatics on a winder for convenience.

@KDS777, to compare running a vehicle 24/7 to keeping a mechanical watch running 24/7 is a false equivalency.

[locutus49]

Concise, reality-based answer.

Originally Posted by Tools

A watch that is running 24/7 is incurring maximum wear. A stopped watch is incurring zero wear.. This is not an opinion, it is physics..

As to "winder consensus", there is none. Use one if you like, or not..