To wind or not to wind

[CPCC]

Having 3 automatics makes it hard to keep them all running. I was hoping to get everyones input about putting my Rollies on a winder.
1)Do you use a watch winder?
2)which watch winder would you recommend?
Thanks

[scottschoe]

Orbita

[pilapandet]

Do you keep your car running when you leave it in the parking lot? Do you keep your car running in your garage while you are using another car? Mechanical part will cause wear and tear because of friction when it running. But, it would not damage if it not running. Have you seen any AD keep all their watch on winder? The answer should be NO. NO. NO.

[f16570]

Originally Posted by pilapandet

Do you keep your car running when you leave it in the parking lot? Do you keep your car running in your garage while you are using another car? Mechanical part will cause wear and tear because of friction when it running. But, it would not damage if it not running. Have you seen any AD keep all their watch on winder? The answer should be NO. NO. NO.

This is a valid point, however it depends on how long the watch is left static. The lubricants and oils will over time dry out and become useless, so if the watch were to be restarted after a long period of inactivity then damage will occur to the moving parts as they have no lubrication.
Rolex recommend serviceing every 7 years and we can only assume that this is for a watch worn daily (average 35,770hrs), so putting on a winder I think will have little or no ill effect.

f

[padi56]

Look the modern synthetic oils that are used today just don't dry out like the older mineral type oils.But even with the older type oils just a simple small wind just once a month will be fine for all mechanical watches.I have been doing this for well over 30 plus years,and manual winding a automatic watch will not harm it any way.The fact is a manual wind now and then does good keeps very small amount of oil around the winding stem and winding gears,Watch-winders are IMHO not necessary with watches with just a simple date complication.Watches with several complicated complications then yes.

[mike]

Originally Posted by padi56

Look the modern synthetic oils that are used today just don't dry out like the older mineral type oils.But even with the older type oils just a simple small wind just once a month will be fine for all mechanical watches.I have been doing this for well over 30 plus years,and manual winding a automatic watch will not harm it any way.The fact is a manual wind now and then does good keeps very small amount of oil around the winding stem and winding gears,Watch-winders are IMHO not necessary with watches with just a simple date complication.Watches with several complicated complications then yes.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

IMHO watch winders are more of a convenience than a necessity.

If you would have a very complicated watch like a Patek Philippe or IWC perpetual calendar, a watch winder comes in handy so that you do not have to adjust the whole calendar if the watch has stopped.

But for a Rolex where you would only have to adjust the date, I do not believe you need a watch winder. So I would just let it stop and give it a full 40 windings before wearing it again.

A long term "rest" of the watch would definately NOT harm the watch! Modern watch lubrication oils are synthetic and would not dry out like the oils used in older watches.

When you are wearing your watch, the parts are actually being exposed to WEAR AND TEAR. And if you are keeping the watch constantly moving on a watch winder, this means even MORE wear and tear.

Therefore a watch winder has no positive effect on the watch whatsoever, but is a mere practical device to keep it going.

[Mike734]

I like being able to store my watches in a safe place and grab one and go. If I had to wind and set each watch every time I wanted to wear it I would probably wear only one. With a winder I switch watches often. I like that.

[LAdan]

Originally Posted by pilapandet

Do you keep your car running when you leave it in the parking lot? Do you keep your car running in your garage while you are using another car? Mechanical part will cause wear and tear because of friction when it running. But, it would not damage if it not running. Have you seen any AD keep all their watch on winder? The answer should be NO. NO. NO.

This logic makes no sense to me. Using this rationale, you're saying that I shouldn't wear my watch every day as it's putting excessive wear on it. I don't get it.

Mechanical watches are obviously designed to be kept wound by daily movements of the wearer, so I cant' see how using a winder on the days I'm not wearing the watch would cause any problems. Especially on a Rolex which is built so well that, if maintained properly, will last virtually forever!

[Tools]

Bill,

If you change watches often, then you might be a candidate for a winder to make life less complicated for you..

If you have one watch that only gets worn every few months, then perhaps that one does not need to be on a winder. This puts your needs on a one watch winder.

I would not shop price off e-bay... Try a reputable vendor like The Watch Prince, or Alan Flurman who carries both Orbita and Wolf.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

IMHO watch winders are more of a convenience than a necessity.

If you would have a very complicated watch like a Patek Philippe or IWC perpetual calendar, a watch winder comes in handy so that you do not have to adjust the whole calendar if the watch has stopped.

But for a Rolex where you would only have to adjust the date, I do not believe you need a watch winder. So I would just let it stop and give it a full 40 windings before wearing it again.

A long term "rest" of the watch would definately NOT harm the watch! Modern watch lubrication oils are synthetic and would not dry out like the oils used in older watches.

When you are wearing your watch, the parts are actually being exposed to WEAR AND TEAR. And if you are keeping the watch constantly moving on a watch winder, this means even MORE wear and tear.

Therefore a watch winder has no positive effect on the watch whatsoever, but is a mere practical device to keep it going.

Originally Posted by padi56

Look the modern synthetic oils that are used today just don't dry out like the older mineral type oils.But even with the older type oils just a simple small wind just once a month will be fine for all mechanical watches.I have been doing this for well over 30 plus years,and manual winding a automatic watch will not harm it any way.The fact is a manual wind now and then does good keeps very small amount of oil around the winding stem and winding gears,Watch-winders are IMHO not necessary with watches with just a simple date complication.Watches with several complicated complications then yes.

I just said all that in my above post Bo.

[GoldenBear]

I only have two Rolexes. I swap them every couple of months. I do have to re-set them but it keeps them fresh. After 17 years, I used one watch daily for 10 years and ignored it except for 3-5 times a year for the next 7 years. I brought it in for a tune-up and there was no "gumming" or any other issues. As long as you rotate through your stash, you should be fine.

[pilapandet]

Originally Posted by LAdan

This logic makes no sense to me. Using this rationale, you're saying that I shouldn't wear my watch every day as it's putting excessive wear on it. I don't get it.

Mechanical watches are obviously designed to be kept wound by daily movements of the wearer, so I cant' see how using a winder on the days I'm not wearing the watch would cause any problems. Especially on a Rolex which is built so well that, if maintained properly, will last virtually forever!

No, I did not say that if you have only one watch to wear then you should not wear your watch everyday. If you have one watch and you wear it everyday then you don't need winder. The question was to keep other watch running ceremoniously while not in used. ROLEX is an excellent watch. But, it is still made of metal. When metal moving against each other their still have very small amount of friction there even with lubrication. Just the matter of time the part will wear out or some other part failure due to fatigue. That is why ROLEX only give one or two year warranty. If ROLEX think their watch is so good that can run forever. Why don't they give you life time warranty and claim that on advertiser so they can even make their famous watch even more famous? Just like most care will give you limit warranty on their engine to number of year and under certain number of miles their ran.
Even the best German craftsmanships like MB and BMW wouldn't dare to guaranty that their engine will run forever even with regularly maintenance.

[fmalloy]

Originally Posted by LAdan

Especially on a Rolex which is built so well that, if maintained properly, will last virtually forever!

Not to single out the poster, but this term always puzzles me - Rolex (and any other fine watch manufacturer) will replace whatever parts are necessary to keep the watch in great running condition. And, you are charged a premium for this maintenance.

It's not the quality of the watch that makes it "last forever", it's the knowledge that it can be repaired. Even Rolex refuses to service watches older than a certain year, I've heard. So, that kind of debunks the "lasts forever" statement.

Most items like computers, cell phones, TVs, etc. won't "last forever" because the manufacturers would rather you buy a new one than to repair it, usually at a cost that's more than it is worth. That, in addition to obsolescence. With watches, time isn't really obsolete, and there is no software that needs to run on it.

I can make anything last forever if I'm able to replace any parts on it at any time. It's all about supportability.

[TDH]

Eilux winder and it's pretty quiet going clockwise and counter clock!

[LAdan]

Originally Posted by fmalloy

. . . It's not the quality of the watch that makes it "last forever", it's the knowledge that it can be repaired. Even Rolex refuses to service watches older than a certain year, I've heard. So, that kind of debunks the "lasts forever" statement. . . .

Or a combination of the two? The quality of the watch definitely plays a role here!

[watchnut]

If you did'nt wear your watch at all, it would last forever! Kind of defeats the whole purpose, doesn't it?

[rusi]

Hi,
Our senior member & moderator Padi has first hand knowledge about watches. His opinion is my bible for watches, he has on several occassions guided us in the best manner possible.
Just follow his advise.