As a watch collector, you want to do everything possible to keep your collection in the best order possible. For many collectors, this means using tools such as watch winders. When evaluating what watch winders are, it can be easy to get confused. Let us look at watch winders so you can better understand their benefit to your watch collection in the coming years.

What Is A Watch Winder?

Watch winders are usually small box-like devices that help ensure your automatic watches stay properly wound up. As you no doubt know, automatic watches can begin to unwind when not being used. As the power levels shrink, so does the accuracy of the watch’s timekeeping.

Well, with a watch winder, you can avoid that from happening. Winders ensure that the time is kept properly and that the date functions set on the watch stay accurate. If you own a series of automatic watches, using watch winders can be a great way to help keep them on time.

You do not need to use watch winders with a manual wound watch, as it will not work. At the same time, winders are not needed for a quartz watch thanks to the battery ensuring the energy levels required for accurate timekeeping and date-keeping are provided.

Does A Watch Winder Damage Your Watch?

A good quality watch winder, thanks to the settings, should not cause damage to a complicated watch. If a watch is not in daily wear, it is suggested to wind it periodically to keep the oils from settling. More use, including on a watch winder, can eventually lead to more wear and tear. Watchmakers in service have only seen problems with watches that have only been on a watch winder for multiple years and no longer have any power reserve. A watch winder should not be in use infinitely.

One argument against using watch winders says that watch manufacturers have continued to expand on technologies used in the movements. Therefore, on newer model watches, modern lubricants are less likely to migrate or dry up as quickly as past variations.

Do you Need a Watch Winder?

A topic always up for debate among the watch world and collectors is the necessity of a watch winder. A winder is recommended for watches with complex calendar displays.

If you only own one watch, or you only own simple time-only or simple date models, a winder is not needed as setting these manually is much easier. It is also beneficial to let a watch come to a complete stop. From a watchmaking perspective, keeping the watch at full power is not good for the movement either. A winding system in the movement has been designed to run 8-10 hours during the day and then sit overnight.

Brands such as A. Lange & Sohne, have recommended the use of a watch winder, citing a positive effect on lubrication and removing the need to set the calendar.

Many collectors like to have a ritual of winding their collection weekly while watching their favorite show. This allows the watches to deplete their power reserve and rest but then still be set and wound within a reasonable time frame for date functions. Some watches with longer power reserves can be wound even less frequently. As with all automatic watches, it is best to wind the watch at least 20 rotations before putting on the wrist, or a winder, to get the mechanism moving.

The Types Of Watch Winder Available Today

There are several different types of watch winders available to buy. The most common types include:

• Single Winders. As the name implies, a single winder winds one watch at a time. It is perfect for those with smaller collections or who prefer to wind one watch at a time.
• Multi Winders. The next option would be a multiple watch winder. This allows you to wind more than one watch at once. Larger in size but ideal for efficiency and showing off collections.
• Travel Winders. Often very small and compact, these are great for bringing with you when you want to have a certain timepiece as part of your collection. Great for holidays and business trips.
• Modular Winders. Modular winders are more flexible and versatile, allowing one or more watches to be wound up at once. They are great for those who expect their collection to expand.
• Vertical/Horizontal Winders. These act the same as a typical watch winder, but they hold your watches vertically or horizontally. They are great for those who have a preference either way.

The Top Watch Winder Brands Available Today

While watch winders come in all shapes and sizes, some brands are more reputable. We recommend that you look to buy watch winders that come from brands like:

• Mozsly. An increasingly popular brand, Mozsly offers several sophisticated choices and is known for producing opulent, high-quality models that combine style and substance.
• WOLF. Wolf might be the best-known brand of watch winders, with the likes of the WOLF Cub and WOLF Heritage, some of the most popular watch winders you can buy today.
• Rapport. A famous brand with a long history in the industry, Rapport watch winders are worth considering, including the Rapport London Optima and Rapport London Perpetua III.

Tips & Tricks For Watch Winders

If you want to make the most of any watch winders that you buy, we recommend that you keep the following tips in mind:

• Ensure that your watch is always carefully planted within the watch winder. Looseness or a lack of proper placement could make the winding process less effective.
• Leave your watch winders running at all times. You do not need to turn them off, as there is no way to overwind your automated watch.
• As long as you program your watch winder to the settings needed for your specific watch, you can feel confident that the time and date displayed are as accurate as possible.
• However, do not assume that your watch winders are 100% accurate; check them every 48 hours to ensure that the winding is correct and in keeping with real-time and dates.
• Remember that watch winders have batteries, which might need replacing, especially if they do not use an AC/DC adapter for power. Also, keep an eye on performance.

Stick to the above details, and you should have a much easier time reaping maximum benefits from your watch winders!