In our fast-paced world, time is of the essence, and a well-maintained timepiece is a must-have for watch aficionados. Are you considering a watch winder but unsure if your watch truly needs one? In this blog post, we will dive into the signs that indicate whether your automatic watch would benefit from a watch winder.

Understanding Your Watch Movements

First of all, it is important to distinguish the type of watch movement. There are different types of watch movements, mainly mechanical and quartz.

Mechanical movements: Mechanical movements in watches can be categorized into manual winding and automatic winding. Manual mechanical watches require the user to manually wind the watch using the crown regularly. Automatic mechanical watches, also known as self-winding watches, utilize a rotor that winds the mainspring as the wearer moves their wrist throughout the day.

Quartz movements: Quartz movements are powered by batteries and use an electronic oscillator regulated by a quartz crystal to keep time. Unlike mechanical watches, quartz watches do not require manual winding or automatic winding.

How Can you Tell If your Mechanical Watch is a Manual?

A mechanical watch can be either a manual winding watch or an automatic winding watch. The primary difference between the two lies in how one winds them.

Manual winding watches require the user to wind them by hand, typically once a day, to keep them running. This is usually done by turning the crown, which is a knob usually found on the side of the watch case.

On the other hand, people know automatic watches as self-winding watches because they wind themselves through the natural movement of the wearer’s wrist. A rotor inside these watches winds the mainspring, which stores the energy required for functioning. As long as someone regularly wears the watch, it will continue to wind itself and keep time.

So how can you tell if your mechanical watch is manual?

To determine if your mechanical watch is manual, you can look for a few key signs:

1. Check for any text imprinted on the watch’s dial or case back that might indicate the type of movement.
2. Observe the movement of the watch. If it needs to be wound by hand to keep running, it’s likely a manual watch.
3. Consider the weight and thickness of the watch. Manual watches tend to be lighter and thinner than automatic watches because they lack the rotor mechanism.

Remember, these are general guidelines and there may be exceptions. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult with a watch expert or the watch’s manufacturer.

Does your Watch Really Need a Winder?

If you own multiple automatic watches, a watch winder can help keep them running smoothly and accurately when you’re not wearing them. This can save you the hassle of resetting the time and date each time you switch between watches.

A watch winder is an essential accessory if you own an automatic mechanical watch with complications or wear it infrequently. Even when not in use, a watch winder will keep your luxury timepiece active, accurate, and protected, ensuring that it remains part of your collection for years to come.

For those who possess an extensive collection of watches, the Mozsly double watch winder stands out as the ideal solution. Designed to accommodate two timepieces simultaneously, this elegant accessory allows you to keep your entire collection running effortlessly while also protecting from scratches and other potential damages.

Ultimately, whether or not to use a watch winder comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of your watch collection.

How to Set and Use a Watch Winder

If you don’t have access to your watch’s user guide, here are some more detailed tips to help you set up your automatic watch winder:

1. Before placing an automatic watch in a winder, ensure that you have manually wound or worn it with the Turns Per Day (TPD) adjusted to the lowest setting and the bi-directional rotation mode selected.
2. Over the next 48 hours or so, periodically check to see if the watch is still keeping accurate time. If the time is still correct after two days, this is the right setting for you and you don’t need to do any more experimenting.
3. If the watch is not keeping accurate time, increase the TPD setting and repeat the process.
4. If the time is correct after two days, you have found the right setting.
5. If the time is still incorrect, set the rotation mode to counterclockwise only and repeat the procedure.

Final Thoughts

Mechanical watches are built with a high level of craftsmanship and if you take care of them properly they can last a lifetime. This means that the watch should be serviced regularly (following the watchmaker’s guidelines), kept clean and stored properly, and can include a watch winder if you choose, or at least be wound or worn regularly.

Ready to purchase a watch winder for your prized timepiece? Browse our hand-picked collection of watch winders to find the one that best suits your needs. Add a watch winder to your timepiece collection today and keep your watch running accurately and smoothly!