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Beary
26
Feb 6, 2018
Unless you have a complicated watch why have a winder? To put constant wear on your watch? Mine sits empty unplugged (got it as a gift)
PMJ1999
382
Feb 7, 2018
BearyI agree it does put some wear on the watch, but I have a vintage Omega without a quick date setting. It takes a long time to set if I don't wear it everyday.
hedd
91
Feb 7, 2018
BearyI responded to similarly to someone else, but I want to hear discussion on this. I want one single winder so that I can have 2 watches in rotation. Maybe one is a dress watch that I wear twice per week and don't want to set every time. Does this make sense? Isn't this what they are for?
Beary
26
Feb 7, 2018
heddDepends on the watch and how complicated it is to set, but for most watches I have t is fairly quickly to set a date and up the time. I rotate about three regularily and the power reserve suffices or I just do a quick adjustment. The other watches just just a shake (or a wind) and reset. I just don’t like the idea of having the watches always running constantly when it is not necessary and having the wear. Of all the watch wonders I do like the wolf brand.
hedd
91
Feb 8, 2018
BearyThanks for the response. I've been trying to wrap my mind around how to have a few automatic watches to choose from. Currently I just wear one every day.
Erik1
255
Feb 8, 2018
hedd
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Two nboxes here just part of my habit. Watch winders are a waste. Buy another watch instead. setting the time is super easy. Easier still if you get one without a date. But either way long term you will appreciate the additional watch more than a winder.
BearySome of the more complicated watches have tedious setting procedures.
I figure it is worth it to keep these on a winder to avoid the chance of damage from the tool (for recessed pushers) or user error. On the Eterna, crown position 2 controls date and moonphase by rotating in different directions. If you are trying to adjust the moonphase and accidentally advance the date forward, you have to cycle forward a full year. I have done this more times than I would care to admit.
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Beary
26
Feb 8, 2018
hubert_cumberdaleCorrect. On a complicated watch, I would go with a winder, but most basic quick set autos does not really necessitate one.
tbechtx
31
Feb 9, 2018
BearyI personally do not like winders because the can shorten the life of the movement. Especially if you have a large collection and do not take it off the winder for a long period. I have an Ernst Benz watch with the same predicament and the exact same functions and it is a pain to set but, I 'd rather do that than prematurely wear out the moment.
placo
54
Feb 9, 2018
tbechtxThis is an annoyingly perpetuated rumor. How do you figure that a watch that gets 900 TPD is getting any more "worn" than one that's on the wrist (and for most people, getting multiples of that)?
The recommended service interval for essentially all modern autos is 3-10 years based on daily wear (3 years for the most complicated, Rolex recently revised their guidance to 10 years, for example). No winder is going to put more strain on a watch than 10 years of being worn on the wrist would.
For a watch that would otherwise sit in a box for 6 months at a time, maybe it's getting slightly more wear (ignoring that keeping lubricants moving will prolong their lifetime, and manually winding puts plenty of strain on stem & winding works), but then fine, if you only change watches every few months, I agree, take the time to set it every time... but if you're like me and you have a couple autos, more than one of which is a pain in the ass to set (for example, my Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time), it's nice to be able to just pick up a watch and put it on the wrist. If all my watches were wound all the time, I'd definitely wear them more frequently...
drinian
23
Feb 9, 2018
placoMost watch repairers will actually recommend against eatch winders. Its basically like wearing a watch every day. Except you are not wearing it. So that puts more wear and tear on it. Also it was mentioned in a video by Fredrick Talks Watch's that the modern lubricants used today do not dry up. They can literally sit for years and still be good. Of course I would think that any machine shouldn't sit unused for years without a problem. That being said the setting of the time is kinda hard on the watch to, like you said. So I guess it might be how long a watch is on the winder that matters. Anyway thats just what I have heard. Have a great day!
drinianMy impression is that manually adjusting the watch is "higher impact" than allowing it to keep running. Therefore it would be more prudent to leave it running than to frequently adjust. Good point on the lubricants. I wonder if that is universally adopted or if some watchmakers have stuck to the old formulation. I've also read that some watchmakers test their watches with 5 years of simulated use before shipping them out... looking for source now. EDIT: Montblanc http://www.crownwatchblog.com/montblanc/montblancs-500-hours-test-is-as-brutal-as-it-sounds I am relatively new to this hobby and only have one data point for a watch that has sat for an extended period of time (2+ years). That movement is gummed up and needs to be serviced.
drinian
23
Feb 10, 2018
hubert_cumberdaleThat's a really interesting article. I didnt know that. I have often wondered the same thing about manual adjustment. It just seems so rough on a watch when I pull it out etc. I would think the worst would be screwdown crowns. Not only do you have the issue of pulling out the stem etc. Also wear and tear on the threading. I have 2 watch winders. They came with a kickstarter watch I bought. I dont currently have them plugged in however. Mostly due to plug space. I put my automatic without handwinding and hacking and a diver in them. I guess it comes down to how much you wear a particular watch. My guess is if you don't wear it for months no winder. However if you wear it once a week definitely a winder. Its an interesting tipuc for sure.
drinianI agree with your comments. I have a Diplomat quad winder (single plug) and waaaaay too many watches, yet I only keep two watches winding. I'll occasionally put a newly acquired watch on a winder for a few days to check accuracy/function.
Erik1
255
Feb 10, 2018
BearyOkI would make an exception for this watch although I would never buy a watch that difficult and it seems to truly be exceptional. Very few watches like this.
Erik1
255
Feb 10, 2018
hubert_cumberdaleI don't agree obviously. I am gentle with my watches when I set them. A watch on a Winder is getting more wear than one sitting in a box. If you aren't going to wear a watch for months or years you should sell it or gift it. Are you going to keep a watch on a Winder from months and years why?
tbechtx
31
Feb 10, 2018
placoWell I don’t c consider it a myth. To me it seems more common sense but, since I only wear a watch once every 20 or 30 days that’s 28 or so days it’s not being worn, running constantly and wound. It’s a matter of personal preference I guess. It seems silly to keep a watch running for that long just so I don’t have to set it. I don’t judge anyone for using one. It’s a matter of personal choice. I just prefer to let my watches rest between wears.