Thread: Double or Triple Watch Winder

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The first question is why do you want a winder? Unless you have a perpetual or some real high end complication is it a really big deal to wind and set a watch?

Keep in mind when you have 3 watches to rotate (I have 30) the recommended service interval of 5 years becomes stretched out by quite a bit. However if they run continuously you will be paying every 5 years to have them serviced and a good watch costs serious money to service properly. Also you need a winder you can adjust the wind cycle so the watch is not overwound. Many of the winders on the market are just cheap chinese jobs with a fancy wood or leather box around it.

A cheap winder is just that. The number one brand is Orbiter and they have units at all price ranges. Personally I would look no further. With them you deal with the maker and their customer support is outstanding. I have a few myself.

I just honestly don't want the hassle of setting the date and time on a watch, I have been to Orbita's website and all my watches are listed and have the recommended settings for Rolex and Tudor as well as Certina and all the TPD are in the 650-850 range, i also have a Citizens Eco drive which needs no winding as well as the Seiko Kinetic, alot of times i go days wearing the same watch and I know some have a power reserve of 20-30 hours.

I have been just popping the crown before taking off and swapping and giving it about 10-15 CW turns and then putting away but i figure if a watch id 100% wound putting it in a quality winder it should maintain in the 70-80% power range as long as i do my part, i know a winder is a luxury item that most don't care to own but then i own over 20 straights and brushes and honestly only need one of each.

Most mechanical watches if they are ETA or Sellita based Mvmts should have a reserve of at least 40 hours. I believe Rolex is the same and some go 50 hours or more. Keep in mind watches are designed to be worn on the wrist with typical wrist motions. Winders do not mimic that action. For a time an outfit called Primadyne made a winder called "The Softwind" where you could adjust the TPMs and also the angle the watch sits at so in theory you could limit how much it winds. I don't think they are still in business.

Also, many watch do not run accurately on a winder. Some lose minutes a week.

I usually wear a watch for a week and then rotate. I used to use winders but decided the convenience was not worth a $1000 service every few years or so. I retired all my winders.