Best Watch Winders – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews
Welcome to our website where we review the best watch winders. Automatic watches require regular winding to keep them running properly, and a watch winder can help keep your watch wound up and ready to wear. We have compiled a list of the top watch winders based on accuracy, durability, and overall performance. We aim to help you find the perfect watch winder for your needs.
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Welcome to our website where we review the best watch winders. Automatic watches require regular winding to keep them running properly, and a watch winder can help keep your watch wound up and ready to wear. We have compiled a list of the top watch winders based on accuracy, durability, and overall performance. We aim to help you find the perfect watch winder for your needs.
Choosing an Automatic Watch Winder
What is the Best Watch Winder?
The simple answer is of course very easy however there is an exacting science behind a device to which you entrust the care of a beautiful and often expensive watch. A winder for an automatic watch is sometimes known as a watch winder box and is in fact itself a watch that is designed to maintain the movement of an automatic watch while it is being stored.
Automatic watch winders come in various sizes and styles, and it can be challenging to know what to look for when you’re in the market to buy one. Many inexpensive versions are available for purchase, so doing your research can help you save money and avoid frustration by learning what to avoid.
Who Needs a Watch Winder?
In short, anyone with an automatic watch that isn’t worn daily should have one. When you wear your watch each day, your arm and wrist movements will keep your watch wound. If you don’t wear the watch, it will gradually lose power as it unwinds until one day, when you go to wear it, it no longer displays the accurate time or date. This is more likely to happen if you have several automatic watches because you will only wear one watch at a time, allowing the performance of the others to decrease. Some watches will let you know when rewinding is necessary, and moving them about will generally get them going again, however, the watch will require resetting each time this occurs. A winder will solve this problem for you by keeping your watch in
How Does a Winder Work?
Basically, a winder rotates the watch on a turntable inside the winder. It will rotate the watch at various turns each minute that you can set based on the requirements for your watch, although more complex winders can be pre-set and some will run until you switch it off. Some turntables gently swing while others rotate in a circular motion, some will move in a clockwise direction and others will turn the opposite way. Many will even have the capability to be set at a particular number of turns each day. Yet others will have a daily repeat setting which you can select as part of a pre-set schedule and some might have more than one turntable. Knowing and understanding these features can help you to choose the best watch winder.
What Questions Should I Ask About a Winder?
- Are the number of turns programmable, or are there multiple set turn options? Ex. 650, 850, 950 TPD.
- What are the rotation options? Clockwise, counterclockwise, bi-directional, or a custom rotation.
- Can the number of daily winds be programmed, or is it set? Does the winder stop after some time, or do you have to manually stop it?
- If you have a heavy watch or a watch with a large watch band, be sure your winder will support the weight of the band and rotate properly.
- How is the winder powered? AC or batteries, or is there an option for both?
- If you are considering a dual, triple, quad, or larger winder, be sure each motor can be programmed separately.
- Is this the best winder for my money? Read online and watch Winder reviews to understand what other people think.
Winder Buying Tips
As a connoisseur of fine watches, if you think your watch collection might expand, purchase a large watch box on Amazon that can accommodate many watches or is expandable. It will look great as well as fulfill a functional purpose.
- For travelers, slim, sturdy watch winders made from leather, which can hold two to four special watches, will fit into cabin luggage and protect them from damage.
- Make sure to purchase a winder with a quality motor. These will generally start at $100 and should not damage your watches.
- You need a winder with more than one motion setting so as to minimize stressing one part of the watch mechanism more than others. It should move in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions so that wear is evenly spread. You should be able to set the direction yourself or have the capability for it to automatically change direction.
- It’s also good to purchase a watch winder that comes with a built-in programmable timer, which will avoid the stress of overwinding your watch. You want to make sure it remains correctly wound but without stressing the internal mechanism.
Best Watch Winders
| Description | Image | Dimensions | Winding | Our Rating | Price | Review Link | |
| Editors Choice | WOLF Viceroy Single Watch Winder |  | 8×5.2×6.5in | Bi-directional, clockwise, counter-clockwise | ★★★★☆ | Check Price | Read Review |
| Best Value | CHIYODA Single Watch Winder |  | 5.1 x 5 x 5.9 in | Auto Bi-directional, clockwise, counter-clockwise | ★★★★☆ | Check Price | Read Review |
Brookstone Single Watch Winder |  | 9.9 x 8.2 x 6.2 in | Bi-directional, clockwise, counter-clockwise | Check Price | Read Review | ||
Wolf Heritage Single Watch Winder |  | 8.9 x 5.4 x 6.8 in | Bi-directional, clockwise, counter-clockwise | Check Price | Read Review | ||
| Heiden Quad Watch Winder |  | 2.8×16.4×11.3 in | Bi-directional, clockwise, counter-clockwise | Check Price | |||
| Highest Rated | Wolf Savoy Single Watch Winder |  | 8 x 8 x 10.25 in | Bi-directional, clockwise, counter-clockwise | Check Price |
Watch Winder Tips
- Make sure to check the quality of the wood of the winder before purchasing. It should be aged to ensure that moisture inside the wood is non-existent via the process of kiln drying. This prevents warping and cracking of the box, as well as ensuring that the lid and hinges are perfectly aligned. Cheap winders are often made from untreated casing and particle board, which will buckle and warp or result in air bubbles in the casing.
- Inspect the wood for signs of hand polishing, particularly if it has multiple layers of polyurethane coating. This will ensure the winder can effectively resist temperature changes, being both heat-resistant and scratch-resistant. It should be a maintenance-free purchase.
- A suitable watch box should always prevent your watches from becoming scratched and dented, so it should always be completely lined with a very soft fabric. It should also have a padded bottom to avoid scratching or damaging the top of your dresser or nightstand.
The functionality of a quality automatic winder should never compromise the functionality of your watch or watches but rather ensure that it is protected and suitably wound while in storage. The watch winder and the box that houses the winder should be considered a necessary investment in the ongoing maintenance of your automatic watches, particularly if the watches are expensive. You will want to ensure your investments remain operational by being wound and ready for you to wear at any time, anywhere.
Watch Winder Guide
Discover precision-engineered solutions for your automatic timepieces
Browse by Capacity
Find the perfect winder for your collection size
Editor’s Choice
Our top-rated watch winders across all categories
WOLF Viceroy Single
- Bi-directional winding
- Japanese Mabuchi motor
- AC/Battery operation
- Premium materials
Wolf Roadster Double
- Makassar wood finish
- Independent controls
- Additional storage
- Whisper quiet
Heiden Prestige Quad
- 4 independent motors
- Programmable TPD
- Large watch compatible
- Multiple finishes
Quick Comparison
Compare key specifications at a glance
Latest Articles
Expert insights and guides for watch enthusiasts
How to Choose the Right TPD Setting
Understanding turns per day and why it matters for your automatic watch’s longevity and accuracy.
Watch Winder Maintenance Tips
Essential care instructions to keep your watch winder running smoothly for years to come.
AC vs Battery Power: Pros and Cons
Comparing power options for watch winders and which might be best for your situation.
Luxury Watch Winder Materials Guide
Exploring different materials used in premium watch winders and their benefits.
Setting Up Your Watch Winder at Home
Best practices for positioning and using your watch winder for optimal performance.