Watch Winder Buying Guide

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 which is designed to maintain the movement of an automatic watch while it is being stored. They come in many sizes and styles and it can be a little difficult to know what to look for when you go to buy one. Increasingly, there are many cheap versions being sold so knowing what to look for can actually save you money and frustration by learning what to avoid.

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 for your watch.

What Do I Need to Know 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 winds per day be programmed, or is it set? Does the winder stop after a period of time, or do you have to manually stop it?
• If you have a heavy watch or a watch with a large watchband, be sure your winder will support the weight, the band, and rotate properly.
• How is the winder powered? AC or batteries, or is there the option for both?
• If you are considering a dual, triple, quad or larger winder, be sure the each motor can be programmed separately.

Winder Buying Tips

As a connoisseur of fine watches if you think your watch collection might expand, make sure to purchase a large watch box which can accommodate many watches, or is expandable. It will look great as well as fulfill a functional purpose.

1. For travelers, a slim yet sturdy watch winder made from leather which can hold two to four special watches will fit into cabin luggage and protect them from damage.
2. Make sure to purchase a winder with a quality motor. These will generally start at $100 and should not damage your watches.
3. 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.
4. It’s also good to purchase a watch winder which comes with a built in programmable timer which will avoid the stress of overwinding on your watch. You want to make sure it remains correctly wound but without stressing the internal mechanism.

Best Watch Winders

Watch Box Tips

1. 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.
2. Check for the coating on the wood to see if it has been hand polished, particularly with many separate layers of polyurethane coating. This will ensure the winder effectively has the capability to resist temperature changes, is heat resistant as well as scratch resistant. It should be a maintenance free purchase.
3. 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 it is being stored. The watch winder and the watch box which houses the winder should be considered as a necessary investment in the ongoing maintenance of your automatic watches, particularly if the watches are expensive. You will want to ensure they remain operational by being wound and ready for you to wear, any time, any place.

Here are just a few that will help you narrow down and decide on the best watch winders. Check out some of the more popular winders listed below and you should be able to find one that will meet your needs.