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Welcome, IWC enthusiasts! Have you ever found yourself marveling at your exquisitely crafted IWC watch, only to realize that you’re unsure about the proper winding technique? Worry not, because today’s blog post is here to guide you through the delicate intricacies of winding an IWC watch with precision and care, ensuring its longevity and enhancing its already mesmerizing allure.

How to Wind a IWC Watch Correctly: A Simplified Guide

Identifying Your Watch Type

IWC offers a diverse range of watches, including hand-wound, self-winding, and quartz varieties. Although hand-wound and self-winding watches are the primary focus of their collection, they also provide battery-powered quartz options for precise timekeeping. The brand is known for its Pilot’s Watches, Portugieser, Portofino, Ingenieur, and Aquatimer ranges, which feature designs made from various materials such as stainless steel, gold, ceramic, bronze, and titanium.

Before attempting to wind your watch, determine its type. IWC manual wind watches need regular winding to maintain power reserve, while self-winding watches can be wound through natural wrist movement or by using a watch winder.

Wearing the Watch Daily

When you wear your IWC watch frequently, your arm’s natural movement winds the watch’s movement, ensuring accurate timekeeping without manual winding.

Manual Winding: Rotating the Crown

You can wind the movement by rotating the crown in a clockwise direction. You should always wind the watch completely until the resistance of the crown is felt. Your watch has a power reserve of 46 hours. You should wind your watch fully every day to achieve maximum accuracy.

Automatic Winding: Using a IWC Watch Winder

For those with multiple luxury timepieces or without daily wear of their IWC watch, using a watch winder is a practical option. Brands like Mozsly and Wolf provide watch winders that replicate natural wrist motion, maintaining accuracy without damage due to manual winding.

Following these guidelines will help you wind your IWC watch properly, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

How Does an Automatic Watch Winder Work?

Are you unfamiliar with the concept of an automatic watch winder? In simple terms, it is a specialized jewelry box equipped with a motor and microprocessor, designed to actively rotate your watch at regular intervals. This simulated wrist movement keeps your timepiece properly wound.

An automatic watch winder offers various rotation settings, including clockwise only, counterclockwise only, or both directions, depending on the specifications of your watch’s movement. Multi-watch winders even support alternating rotations, enabling the simultaneous winding of multiple watches.

When it comes to automatic watches like those produced by Raymond Weil, proper winding is essential for their optimal performance. By using the IWC watch winder, you can ensure that your timepiece remains accurate, eliminates the need for manual winding, and prevents lubricants from drying out.

Most IWC self-winding watches require 650 to 800 revolutions per day, typically wound clockwise. Hence, the majority of watch winders can adequately accommodate the winding needs of IWC watches.

To assist you further, we present the recommended turns per day (TPD) and winding directions for your IWC watch. Familiarizing yourself with these IWC watch winder settings will ensure optimal care for your cherished timepiece.

IWC Winding Parameters

Definitions:

«CW» – Clockwise winding direction;
«CCW» – Counterclockwise winding direction;
«Both» – Combined mode (Clockwise + Counterclockwise);
«–» – Undefined;

MODEL, DESCRIPTION	MOVEMENT / CALIBER	WINDING DIRECTION	TURNS PER DAY (TPD)
	IWC 375	Both	650
	IWC 790	CW	800
	IWC 884/2	Both	800
	IWC 887/2	Both	800
	IWC 889/1	Both	800
	IWC 891/2	Both	800
	IWC 917	Both	800
	IWC 960	Both	800
	IWC 964	Both	800
	IWC 2717	CW	800
	IWC 5000	Both	800
	IWC 5011	Both	800
	IWC 7901	CW	800
	IWC 7922	CW	800
	IWC 30110	Both	650
	IWC 30130	Both	650
	IWC 30710	Both	650
	IWC 32111	Both	800
	IWC 37521	Both	650
	IWC 37524	Both	650
	IWC 37526	Both	650
	IWC 37582	Both	650
	IWC 50612	Both	800
	IWC 50900	Both	800
	IWC 50910	Both	800
	IWC 51010	Both	800
	IWC 51011	Both	800
	IWC 51110	Both	800
	IWC 51111	Both	800
	IWC 51113	Both	800
	IWC 51610	Both	800
	IWC 51613	Both	800
	IWC 51614	Both	800
	IWC 79091	CW	800
	IWC 79230	CW	800
	IWC 79240	CW	800
	IWC 79251	CW	800
	IWC 79261	CW	800
	IWC 79320	CW	800
	IWC 79350	CW	800
	IWC 79470	CW	800
	IWC 80111	Both	500-950
	IWC 89360	–	–
	IWC 89800	–	–
	IWC 96061	Both	800
Aquatimer 140 years 2008		Both	800
Aquatimer 329001		Both	650
Aquatimer 329002		Both	650
Aquatimer 329003		Both	650
Aquatimer 329004		Both	650
Aquatimer Automatic: 3548	IWC 30110	Both	650
Aquatimer Cousteau Limited Edition		Both	650
Aquatimer Automatic: 358002 2000		Both	650
Aquatimer Automatic: 3231	IWC 80111	Both	500-950
Aquatimer Automatic 328801	IWC 32111	Both	800
Aquatimer Automatic 2000: 3538, 3568	IWC 30110	Both	650
Aquatimer Automatic – Jubilee Edition 1868-2008: 3231	IWC 80111	Both	500-950
Aquatimer Chrono-Automatic: 3719	IWC 79320	CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph: 3767	IWC 79320	CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph: 3767 Gallapagos Islands		CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph “Cousteau Divers”: 3782	IWC 79320	CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Boesch: 3782	IWC 79320	CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galapagos: 376705	IWC 79320	CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph 376801		CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph 376802		CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph 376803		CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph 376804		CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph Rose Gold: 3769	IWC 89360	Both	800
Aquatimer Chronograph 379502 Gallapagos Islands		CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph 379503 Charles Darvin		CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph 50years S.f.Galapagos 379504		CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph Cousteau Divers		CW	800
Aquatimer Chronograph Jacques-Yves Cousteau		CW	800
Aquatimer Deep One		Both	650
Aquatimer Deep Two: 3547	IWC 30110	Both	650
Aquatimer Deep Three 355701		Both	650
Aquatimer Edition Boesch		CW	800
Aquatimer Edition Gallapagos		CW	800
Aquatimer Ltd. Ed. “Cousteau Divers”: 3548	IWC 30110	Both	650
Aquatimer Split Minute Chronograph: 3723	IWC 79470	CW	800
Automatikuhren		Both	650
Big Ingenieur: 5005	IWC 51113	Both	800
Big Ingenieur Chronograph: 3784	IWC 89360	–	–
Big Pilot’s Watch: 5002, 5004	IWC 5011 or 51110 or 51111	Both	800
Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry: 5004	IWC 51111	Both	800
Big Pilot’s Watch Le Petit Prince 502802		Both	800
Chronograph Amalfi: 3703	IWC 7901	CW	800
Chrono Top Gun Boutique Edition		Both	800
Chrono Top Gun Keramik		CW	800
Da Vinci 140 years 42mm 2008		Both	800
Da Vinci Auto Chronograph: 3750, 3758, 9252	IWC 79261	CW	800
Da Vinci Automatic: 4523, 5231	IWC 30130	Both	650
Da Vinci Automatic Edition Jubilee 1868-2008: 5461	IWC 80111	Both	500-950
Da Vinci Automatic Precious Stones: 4523	IWC 30130	Both	650
Da Vinci Calendar 89360		Both	800
Da Vinci Chronograph		CW	800
Da Vinci Chronograph: 3750		CW	800
Da Vinci Chronograph: 3758		CW	800
Da Vinci Chronograph: 3764	IWC 89360	Both	800
Da Vinci Chronograph: 9252		CW	800
Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic: 3766	IWC 89360	Both	800
Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic: IW376601		Both	800
Da Vinci Chronograph Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: 376404	IWC 89360	–	–
Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Digital 2009		Both	800
Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month: 3761	IWC 89800	–	–
Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Digital 376107		Both	800
Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus: 376203, 376204, 376205	IWC 79261	CW	800
Da Vinci Rattrapante: 3751, 3754, 9254	IWC 79251	CW	800
Da Vinci SL Auto: 3528, 9268	IWC 37524	Both	650
Grande Complication: 3770, 9270	IWC 79091	CW	800
Flieger Chrono Edition Antoine de Saint Exupery		Both	800
Fliegeruhr Chrono Top Gun 3880		CW	800
Fliegeruhr Chrono Top Gun Miramar 3880		CW	800
Fliegeruhr Doppelchrono 3778		CW	800
Fliegeruhr Doppelchrono Edition Patrouille Suisse		CW	800
Fliegeruhr Doppelchrono Edition Top Gun		CW	800
Fliegeruhr Edition Antoine de Saint Exupery		Both	800
Fliegeruhr World Timer		Both	650
Grande Complication 3770		CW	800
Grande Complication 5042		Both	800
Grande Complication 9270		CW	800
Grosse Fliegeruhr 5009		Both	800
Grosse Fliegeruhr Edition DFB		Both	800
Grosse Fliegeruhr Perpetual Calendar Le Petit Prince 51613		Both	800
Grosse Fliegeruhr Perpetual Calendar Top Gun 5029		Both	800
Grosse Fliegeruhr Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Boutique Edition 51614		Both	800
Grosse Fliegeruhr Top Gun Miramar 5019		Both	800
GST: 3715	Based on Valjoux 7750	CW	800
GST Aquatimer: 3536	IWC 37524	Both	650
GST Automatic Alarm: 3537	IWC 917	Both	800
GST Chronograph Automatic: 3707, 9277	IWC 7922	CW	800
GST Chrono Rattrapante: 3715	IWC 79230	CW	800
GST Deep One: 3527	IWC 8914	Both	800
GST Perpetual Calendar: 3756	IWC 79261	CW	800
Ingenieur (New Model)		Both	800
Ingenieur 140 Years 2008		Both	800
Ingenieur 8-days		Both	800
Ingenieur Automatic: 3227	IWC 80110	Both	650
Ingenieur Automatic: 3234, 3233	IWC 80111	Both	500-950
Ingenieur Automatic AMG: 3227	IWC 80110	Both	650
Ingenieur AMG Black Series Ceramic 3225		Both	800
Ingenieur Automatic Edition “Climate Action”: 3234	IWC 80111	Both	500-950
Ingenieur Automatic Edition Zinédine Zidane: 3234	IWC 80111	Both	500-950
Ingenieur Automatic Edition Jubilee 1868-2008: 3223	IWC 80111	Both	500-950
Ingenieur Automatic Edition “Mission Earth”: 3236	IWC 80110	Both	500-950
Ingenieur Automatic Edition Mission Earth “Adventure Ecology”	IWC 80110	Both	500-950
Ingenieur Big 2010		Both	800
Ingenieur Big 5005		Both	800
Ingenieur Big Chrono DFB 3784		Both	800
Ingenieur Big Platin		Both	800
Ingenieur Carbon Perfomance 3224		Both	800
Ingenieur Carbon Perfomance 3224 Limited Edition		Both	800
Ingenieur Chronograph	IWC 80110	Both	650
Ingenieur Chronograph: 3725	IWC 79350	CW	800
Ingenieur Chronograph AMG: 3725	IWC 79350	CW	800
Ingenieur Chronograph DFB 2009		Both	800
Ingenieur Chronograph Racer		Both	800
Ingenieur Chronometer 3521		Both	800
Ingenieur Climate Action		Both	800
Ingenieur Doppelchronograph Titan 3865		CW	800
Ingenieur Dual Time Titan 3264		Both	650
Ingenieur Midsize: 4515	IWC 30110	Both	650
Ingenieur Mission Earth		Both	800
Ingenieur Mission Earth Plastiki		Both	800
Ingenieur “Officially Certified Chronometer”or Spitfire UTC: 3521, 9239	IWC 887/2	Both	800
Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar Digital Date Month 3792		Both	800
Ingenieur SIHH 2013		Both	650
Ingenieur Silberpfeil 89361		Both	800
IWC Porsche Design Chronograph 02: 3701	IWC 790	CW	800
IWC Porsche Design Compass: 3510, 3511, 3551	IWC 375	Both	650
IWC Porsche Design Ocean 500: 3503, 3523	IWC 375	Both	650
IWC Porsche Design Ocean 2000: 3500, 3504, 3524	IWC 375	Both	650
IWC Porsche Design Titan Automatic: 3520	IWC 375	Both	650
IWC Porsche Design Titanium Chronograph: 3702, 3704	IWC 790	CW	800
Lady’s Mark XII: 4421	IWC 964	Both	800
Mark XVI		Both	650
Mark XVII 41mm 30110		Both	650
Mark XVII Edition Le petit Prince 30110		Both	650
Mystere Squelette		Both	800
Novocento Perpetual Calendar: 3546, 9237	IWC 96061	Both	800
Novocento Automatic: 3226	IWC 960	Both	800
Pilot’s Chronograph	IWC 7922	CW	800
Pilot’s – Split-Seconds Chronograph: 3711, 3713	IWC 79230	CW	800
Pilot’s Watch Chrono-Automatic: 3706, 3717	IWC 79320	CW	800
Pilot’s Watch Chrono-Automatic Edition Antoine de Saint Exupery: 3717	IWC 79320	CW	800
Pilot’s Watch Chrono-Automatic Edition TOP GUN: 3789		Both	800
Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph: 3786, 79420	IWC 79230	CW	800
Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN: 3799	IWC 79230	CW	800
Pilot’s Watch for Father: 5004	IWC 51111	Both	800
Pilot’s Watch for Son: 3255	IWC 30110	Both	650
Pilot’s Watch Mark XII: 3241	IWC 884/2	Both	800
Pilot’s Watch Mark XV: 3253	IWC 37524	Both	650
Pilot’s Watch Mark XVl: 3255	IWC 30110	Both	650
Pilot’s Watch Midsize: 3256	IWC 30110	Both	650
Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Miramar 89365		Both	800
Pilot’s Watch UTC: 3251	IWC 37526	Both	650
Pilot’s Watch UTC Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry: 3261	IWC 30710	CW	800
Portofino Automatic: 3510, 3513	IWC 37521	Both	650
Portofino Automatic: 3533, 356501	IWC 301101	Both	650
Portofino Automatic: 3563	IWC 30110	Both	650
Portofino Chrono 3910		Both	650
Portofino Chrono 75320		CW	800
Portofino Chrono 79320		CW	800
Portofino Chronograph: 3783	IWC 79320	CW	800
Portofino Dualtime		Both	800
Portofino Midsize: 3564	IWC 30110	Both	650
Portofino Perpetual Calendar: 3541	IWC 37582	Both	650
Portugieser Automatic: 3531	IWC 891/2	Both	800
Portugieser Automatic: 5001	IWC 51010 or 51011	Both	800
Portugieser Automatic 2000: 5000	IWC 5000	Both	800
Portugieser Automatic 51011		Both	800
Portugieser Automatic w/date: 3532	IWC 889/2	Both	800
Portugieser Chronograph – Automatic: 3714	IWC 79240 or 79350	CW	800
Portugieser Chrono- Automatic Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: 3714	IWC 79350	CW	800
Portugieser Chrono Classic 89361		Both	800
Portugieser Chrono Classic Yacht Club		Both	800
Portugieser Grande Complication: 3774	IWC 79091	CW	800
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar	IWC 5000 / 5011	Both	800
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar: 5021	IWC 50612 or 51614	Both	800
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar II: 5022	IWC 51610 or 51613	Both	800
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar: 5023, 5032		Both	800
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar: 51613		Both	800
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar: 79091		WC	800
Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Edition Luis Figo: 5021	IWC 51610	Both	800
Portugieser Tourbillon Mystere: 5042	IWC 50900	Both	800
Portugieser Tourbillon Mystere Rétrograde: 5044	–	Both	800
Portugieser Tourbillon Mystere Squelette: 5043	IWC 50910	Both	800
Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph: IWC390206, IWC 390209	IWC 89360	Both	800
Portugieser Yacht Club Chrono: IWC89361 2012		Both	800
Portugieser Yacht Club Chrono: IWC89360 2013, IWC89361 2013 Laureus		Both	800
Romain Demi-Plat Automatic: 3208	IWC 889/1	Both	800
Spitfire Chrono-Automatic Edition Antoine de Saint Exupery: 3717	IWC 79320	CW	800
Spitfire Chronograph	IWC 7922	CW	800
Spitfire Chronograph 89365		Both	800
Spitfire Chronograph Automatic: 3706, 3717	IWC 79320	CW	800
Spitfire Double Chronograph: 3718	IWC 79230	CW	800
Spitfire Mark XV	IWC 37524	Both	650
Spitfire Mark XVl: 3255	IWC 30110	Both	650
Spitfire Midsize	IWC 30110	Both	650
Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month		Both	800
Spitfire UTC: 3251	IWC 30710	Both	650
Skelett: 2701	IWC 2717	CW	800
Vater&Sohn Sohn		Both	650
Vater&Sohn Vater		Both	800

How to Properly Use and Set the IWC Watch Winder?

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

1. Since your winder will not wind a watch that is completely stopped, start by turning the crown 20 to 30 times to manually wind the IWC.
2. Carefully place the watch into the winder, making sure it is fully seated in the holder. Then adjust the TPD to the lowest setting and select bidirectional rotation mode.
3. Turn on the winder. During the next 48 hours or so, periodically check that the watch is still keeping accurate time. Generally speaking, an automatic watch has about 40 hours of reserve time since it is wound. If the time is still correct after two days, then this is the setup for you and you don’t need to experiment anymore.
4. However, if the time is wrong, increment to the next TPD setting and repeat the above process.
5. If the time is correct after two days, you’ve found the correct setting.
6. If the time is wrong, set the winder to turn clockwise only, and repeat the process.
7. If the time is still correct after two days, this is the correct setting for you.
8. If the time is incorrect, set it to rotate counterclockwise only and repeat the process.

Does IWC Recommend using a Watch Winder?

IWC has not explicitly stated whether it recommends the use of watch winders.

Although not endorsed, many professional watchmakers agree that the use of a reliable watch winder from a reputable watch winder brand (e.g. Wolf, Mozsly, Barrington) can effectively wind a IWC automatically. The correct TPD setting is essential to avoid over-winding the movement.

So, to summarize – regular wear is the best option, but a quality watch winder can provide a convenient solution for in-between wearing.

What is the Best Watch Winder for IWC?

If you are considering a watch winder, it is vital that you choose a high quality that meets the specific requirements of your IWC watch. To help you find the best watch winder for IWC, I would like to recommend the following two excellent products:

MOZSLY® Single Watch Winder – Black Leather

Material: Wooden Box/PU Leather/Acrylic Board
Color: Black/Orange/Purple/Green/Blue/Brown/White/Red/Carbon Fiber/Light Blue Leather
Dimensions: 4.4 x 6 x 4.4 inches

✅4 modes with TPD settings ranging from 650 to 1500
✅All three winding directions are supported
✅Use Japanese upgraded Mabuchi Motor
✅Anti-magnetization Design
✅Dual Power Type
✅3 Years Warranty
✅100% handmade

MOZSLY® Double Watch Winder -Orange Leather

Material: Wooden Box/PU Leather/Acrylic Board
Color: Black/Orange Leather
Size: 8.85.94.7 inches

✅4 modes with TPD settings ranging from 650 to 1500
✅All three winding directions are supported
✅Use Japanese upgraded Mabuchi Motor
✅Anti-magnetization Design
✅Dual Power Type
✅3 Years Warranty
✅100% handmade

This beautiful dual watch winder simultaneously powers two watches. A quiet motor drives selectable winding modes while adjustable settings suit various calibers.

MOZSLY watch winders use high-quality upgraded Japanese Mabuchi motors, a well-known brand that manufactures precision motors. These motors keep the noise below 10 db so it will give you a very quiet experience even if you put it in your bedroom. The internal motor is closed and can be separated from the watch so that the IWC will not be magnetized and affect the running time.

With a 36-month warranty and friendly customer service, we welcome you to purchase Mozsly watch winders!

In Conclusion

For IWC watch owners, purchasing a Mozsly watch winder is a wise decision. By properly maintaining your watch with a Mozsly watch winder you can ensure its accuracy, longevity, and overall performance.

Remember to choose the Turns Per Day (TPD) and winding direction that meets the specific requirements of your IWC watch and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper use and maintenance. With the Mozsly watch winder, you can adorn your IWC and keep the perfect time for years to come.