Watch winders: dangerous or not?
If we pay so much attention to setting up watch winders with number of turns, direction of wind, rest periods etc, isn’t it dangerous to wear an automatic timepiece?! A
We set those specs for specific reasons...
We set those specifications on the watch winder so the watch isn't subjected to any additional wear and tear than necessary. However, wearing the watch is necessary, along with all the movement that comes with wearing the watch.
Yes, you are right.
Hi, Andrew, On a winder, you are not in danger of walking into a wall while admiring the beauty of the watch on your wrist. But seriously, unless you are an athlete who practices 8 hours a day, everyday, the amount of winding movement your wrist gives to ...
wrists very seldom to never make complete circles in the same plane
And certainly not hundreds of times per day. This is a completely different kind of wear and tear than automatic systems experience in the "real world" and can cause significant premature wear focused in precise spots within the bearings of the oscillatin...
reduce wearon winder by...
reducing the number of oscillation and the speed of it? does that help reduce potential wear and tear, even if watch is kept on winder 90% of the time?
"Winders are bad"
Thanks John. Actually, while my post was a little tongue-in cheek, I was reminded of a discussion on winders from a couple of years back. Not black and white, as you said, but interesting pros and cons ... CLICK HERE Andrew
Andrew, that thread just goes to show just how complex the subject is to reduce
to an easy "yes, we should use winders" or "no, winders should not be used." Both Jack Freedman and John Davis have much much more bench experience than 99% of the readers and participants on this site. But like asking fish to describe water, or asking fi...
Another perennial question ...
"... should I have my watches serviced regularly ...?" That's another question worth asking every few years as well. But I agree with your comments. There are risks and benefits, and no single answer fits all people (or Purists). Andrew
Interesting...
This is an interesting topic that has been discussed a few times... To use them... to use them not.... Watch manufacturers will never gives us a straight yes or no... Actually, can they? Not really as every watch, even from the same company would require ...
+1, John.
In fact, +100... Especially this: "You have to wear your watches for them to qualify for wristwatch status".
Agreed. That's why I use a windmill-style winder.
I use a windmill-style winder in order to avoid concentrating wear on the watch's pivots. I have it attached to a lamp timer so that it doesn't give the watches more winding than needed. I am getting much better results than I did when I used single-plane...
No, but it's easy to find one.They
It's made by Bergeon and is offered by the major watch equipment supply houses.
All I know...
...is that winders scare me, and I'll never put my watches on 'em. It's probably just paranoia on my part. I've been reading the comments to this post with interest though. Cheers, Daos
So...
So whats the general answer? Am i better off not using the watch winder (for the health of my new watch)? Now im worried haha
Personally I think you are better off ...
... wearing it, and letting it rest when you are not. This will increase the service interval as well (but you can't go for too long because the lubricants will dry out eventually). But there is no 'one answer fits all'. It depends on how many watches in ...
Watchwinders are evil ...
... they shake and try to break your watch while you are not at home ;-). Heinrich...