Rethink watchwinder decision ?

[Sherwooddavid]

I know this topic has been discussed here before so I hope it doesn't upset anyone.
Last year after much thought and research I decided not to purchase a watch winder. There were conflicting views on their effectiveness and I decided to save my self some money and not buy one. I am retired and have lots of time and enjoy taking each watch out of the case when its turn comes up and setting and winding it, so why waste the money.(I'll use it on another watch as some suggested)
A couple weeks ago I had a problem with one of my watches and the tech told me that it had a stripped crown and it was probably caused by over tightening. I take great care not to over tighten my watches so I told the tech that I didn't think I did over tighten it but the bottom line was it was't covered under warranty and because of it and I got charged almost $400 for repairs.
Someone suggested that maybe I should be using a watchwinder to avoid putting undue wear and tear on my watches and prevent this from happening again in the future.
I usually go through my rotation once every 2-3 weeks so each watch is set and wound approx. 20-25 times a year.
I am now rethinking this and considering a watchwinder as I am worried I am putting this undue wear and tear on my watches and would like to avoid costly repairs in the future.
I realize there are two schools of thought on this but am just wondering what's my best plan of attack ?? Will a watchwinder in the long run be the best way to go to keep my valuable watches in good working order and avoid costly repairs ?
Maybe a watchwinder will pay for itself over the years ??

Thanks in advance,Dave

[HL65]

Personally--I own all vintage pieces for the most part and would never subject them to unecessarry wear and tear so no chance on a winder. As I keep mine all in a rotation-I visit the bank once a month and give them all a good wind. The fact is if you use a winder your watch is working all the time and you are putting more wear and tear on it regardles of what anyone says. Personal choice and everyone has to do what they want...
PS: Not sure how you came up with using a winder avoids costly repair either? Simply not true. Also--As I know many worldwide vintage collectors--don't know of one that uses a winder nor wold ever consider one. The only time I used winder was on perpetual calendars on my Pateks and others.

[swatty]

Firstly, sorry to hear about your stripped thread problem. I'm still of the opinion that if its not moving its not wearing out. & if you keep your watches on a winder they will still run fast or slow and you will still be undoing the crown to adjust the time .

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Sherwooddavid

I know this topic has been discussed here before so I hope it doesn't upset anyone.
Last year after much thought and research I decided not to purchase a watch winder. There were conflicting views on their effectiveness and I decided to save my self some money and not buy one. I am retired and have lots of time and enjoy taking each watch out of the case when its turn comes up and setting and winding it, so why waste the money.(I'll use it on another watch as some suggested)
A couple weeks ago I had a problem with one of my watches and the tech told me that it had a stripped crown and it was probably caused by over tightening. I take great care not to over tighten my watches so I told the tech that I didn't think I did over tighten it but the bottom line was it was't covered under warranty and because of it and I got charged almost $400 for repairs.
Someone suggested that maybe I should be using a watchwinder to avoid putting undue wear and tear on my watches and prevent this from happening again in the future.
I usually go through my rotation once every 2-3 weeks so each watch is set and wound approx. 20-25 times a year.
I am now rethinking this and considering a watchwinder as I am worried I am putting this undue wear and tear on my watches and would like to avoid costly repairs in the future.
I realize there are two schools of thought on this but am just wondering what's my best plan of attack ?? Will a watchwinder in the long run be the best way to go to keep my valuable watches in good working order and avoid costly repairs ?
Maybe a watchwinder will pay for itself over the years ??

Thanks in advance,Dave

Myself at one time had 30 plus watches in my collection never used a watch winder not needed with any Rolex Oyster.Even a two OP manual wind back from the late 1960s early 1970s they were my daily wear for many many years never had any crown or tube problem.My sons wear them now yes they have been serviced and both have had there tubes replaced as part of normal service.But they were all well used and in my sons wearing often abused but both watch still running fine today.Myself would recommend just a small wind say once a month or so just to exercise the movement thats all thats needed with any watch collection.

[dddrees]

Initially I got a couple of winders with the first few watches. However since then the number of watches I have has increased. I have read threads like this one, and decided they are not necessary. So I sold the winders. I have gotten used to setting them and winding them as needed. It takes only a minute or two in the morning but it is part of my routine now and I actually enjoy it.

[Sherwooddavid]

Thanks guys...I've decided, no watch winder for me !

[Kanger]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Personally--I own all vintage pieces for the most part and would never subject them to unecessarry wear and tear so no chance on a winder. As I keep mine all in a rotation-I visit the bank once a month and give them all a good wind. The fact is if you use a winder your watch is working all the time and you are putting more wear and tear on it regardles of what anyone says. Personal choice and everyone has to do what they want...
PS: Not sure how you came up with using a winder avoids costly repair either? Simply not true. Also--As I know many worldwide vintage collectors--don't know of one that uses a winder nor wold ever consider one. The only time I used winder was on perpetual calendars on my Pateks and others.

When you said "I own all vintage pieces" I first thought Ken meant he owns all the vintage Rolex watches of this world; I thought "hmm, that wouldn't be far fetched considering your collection."

Then I realized you meant most of your collection is made of vintages...

[Ray T]

not necessary to have them, but i do keep a few of my watches in winders.

[Time2time]

I do have a winder as I rotate them and can put them straight on my wrist withought having to reset them.

Also, I don't subscribe to the "If it ain't moving it ain't wearing out" school of thought.
If you bought a car and didn't run the engine, or only ran it now and again it would more likely to need a service sooner. My opinion that's all folks.

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by Sherwooddavid

Thanks guys...I've decided, no watch winder for me !

Good to hear.....As my answer would have been, "Don't waste your time or money on a winder"!
I won't go into my train of thought on this as it's already been outlined above.

[wot_fan]

Originally Posted by Time2time

I do have a winder as I rotate them and can put them straight on my wrist withought having to reset them.

Also, I don't subscribe to the "If it ain't moving it ain't wearing out" school of thought.
If you bought a car and didn't run the engine, or only ran it now and again it would more likely to need a service sooner. My opinion that's all folks.

Interesting comparison. Let me pose a response question. Which car do you think would need service sooner, one that is used a little every month or one that is run non-stop?

[Time2time]

Originally Posted by wot_fan

Interesting comparison. Let me pose a response question. Which car do you think would need service sooner, one that is used a little every month or one that is run non-stop?

The one that is used very little. Siezed parts for one. A looked after car which is used regularly purrs. One that's left idol? Not so smooth.
Just my experience in the motor trade that's all.