Single watch wonder brands?

[dchang81]

Getting a single watch winder as a gift. Haven't handled many brands in person but want to keep it under 1k. Does anyone have any experience with Underwood, kubik, rapport, orbita? Orbita I remember being decent but the other brands I have not handled in person. Wolf looks ok in photos but feels a bit cheap to me.

[dchang81]

Title should say winder.

[037]

Swiss Kubik is who Rolex contracts for their winders. It's a Masterbox model. If you spend enough with your AD, they'll order you a Rolex branded one from their gift catalog.

I'm not a fan of winders but this is what I'd want if you bought it for me as a gift.

[zengineer]

I'll leave it to the rest of the members to argue about whether anyone needs or should use a winder. I sometimes turn them on, sometimes off but these Orbita battery powered Sparta Bold cost $250 (further single) and have been running more often than not for several years on the batteries that came with them. I think they sell an AC adapter.

The ones I have are in a wall cabinet in my closet, other picis a stock photo.

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[AshAP]

The AP winders are Kubik made to AP spec. They’re good, Underwood are also very good. No experience of the others you quoted. If you want to look at something crazy, cool, expensive then the Döttling Gyrowinder is worth looking at on YouTube.


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[Dr.Stu]

I have an Orbita Siena triple winder that I absolutely love. Quiet, & I love being able to see the watches through the glass window. Can run on batteries or AC power. Get a programmable one, so the TPD & direction can be precisely set (there's a database on the Orbita website). The Orbitas come with a standard size mounting cushion, so if your friend's wrist is small, they can send you a smaller cushion, or if large, an XL one. (Don't remember if they swapped mine for me or I had to pay for the other size.)

[EEpro]

I second the Orbita Sparta. They are $250 each and because of the tilted angle they prevent the whole weight of the rotor from being able to wind the watch all the way. So they won't overwind your watch nor will they top it off. You can leave your watch on there for a month, remove it and still hand wind it further. I just tried this on a DJ41 and got ~13 hand turns before I felt any resistance.

[wach16]

I have used wolf winders in the past and felt they were well made. Can't speak to the other brands

[glamorama]

My wife is asking me to get her a winder when I complain her time is all wrong. Maybe better get her Quartz watch

Seriously though, most winders seem expensive for what they are but at the same time you can't just take anything since the winding program needs to be right. Will also look into the ones mentioned here.

[noshake]

Originally Posted by EEpro

I second the Orbita Sparta. They are $250 each and because of the tilted angle they prevent the whole weight of the rotor from being able to wind the watch all the way. So they won't overwind your watch nor will they top it off. You can leave your watch on there for a month, remove it and still hand wind it further. I just tried this on a DJ41 and got ~13 hand turns before I felt any resistance.

Great shot! I like both of those pieces.

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[Boaters]

One word ''Orbita''

[dchang81]

Thanks for the input

[Calatrava r]

I understand its a gift, but I would not put a Rolex on a winder except for the Skydweller. No need to as they are easy to set and do not need the exercise of a winder for exercise sake. They are fine to relax when not being worn.

[dchang81]

Yeah I feel the same way but it's what they want. Anyone use alkaline batteries in the orbita? Buying $50 lithium batteries from orbita seems like a hassle.
Anyone have the kubik startbox? Does the plastic seem cheap or is it good quality?

[mountainjogger]

Another Orbita vote.

[DYJ150]

Originally Posted by dchang81

Getting a single watch winder as a gift. Haven't handled many brands in person but want to keep it under 1k. Does anyone have any experience with Underwood, kubik, rapport, orbita? Orbita I remember being decent but the other brands I have not handled in person. Wolf looks ok in photos but feels a bit cheap to me.

Without question, The planet by Bernard Favre are the best single watch winders on the market today. Absolutely amazing movement, and the quality is just outstanding. You can see them in harrods if you want to see before you buy.

[Maiden]

Coming up to year 5 with my Wolf 3 slot winder. It's been flawless.

[Neo_Anderson302]

My wolf has faux leather that coming off. $400 unit

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by dchang81

Yeah I feel the same way but it's what they want. Anyone use alkaline batteries in the orbita? Buying $50 lithium batteries from orbita seems like a hassle.
Anyone have the kubik startbox? Does the plastic seem cheap or is it good quality?

You can use any battery chemistry you want. They will last about half as long as lithium. I will not pay $50 for those batteries either.

[joli160]

For a single watch Bernard Favre.

For a real quality watch winder look at Buben & Zorweg or Scatola del Tempo.