Self-winding automatic watches are making a big comeback.

What makes them special is that, unlike their battery-powered counterparts, they rely on gears and springs to tell the time.

But how exactly do they work, and are they the right choice for those who don’t wear a watch every day?

Join us as we explore all there is to know about self-winding automatic watches in this article.

How Does A Self-Winding Automatic Watch Work?

Unlike manual watches where you need to wind the crown yourself (the little knob on the side), an automatic watch does the winding for you.

There’s a piece inside the watch called a rotor. When you move your wrist, the rotor spins around. This winds the mainspring, which is the part that powers the watch. The mainspring then slowly releases its energy, turning the gears that move the hands of your watch.

The rotors in these watches are often made from heavy materials like platinum, gold, or tungsten. This helps them wind the mainspring more efficiently with the energy from your movements.

Many automatic watches have a clear case back, so you can actually see all these parts moving inside.

It’s not just cool to look at but also a reminder of the clever engineering that goes into creating these intricate timepieces.

Do You Need to Wind an Automatic Watch?

Ever heard the myth that automatic watches never need winding? It’s a common misconception. You might think “It’s automatic, so it winds itself, right?” Well, yes and no.

Even though they’re called automatic, you might still need to give them a little hand. Winding an automatic watch now and then keeps it running smoothly and ensures it lasts for years to come.

Think of it this way, the watch powers itself from the natural motion of the wrist, so as long as you’re wearing it, you don’t have to worry about winding it.

But let’s say you have other cool watches in your collection and leave your automatic watch off for a couple of days.

In this case, it will eventually run out of power and when that happens, you’ll need to wind it again to keep it ticking along perfectly.

How to Wind an Automatic Self-Winding Watch?

Now that we know that even self-winding automatic watches need some extra help, it’s time to get winding.

Here are three ways to wind your automatic watch to keep it running smoothly and accurately:

1. Wear the Watch

Automatic watches use the motion of your arm to wind themselves. This rotor inside these watches spins with your movements, transferring energy to wind the mainspring.

This process means that for most people, simply wearing the watch during daily activities is enough to keep it wound.

Tip for Regular Wearers: Keep your watch on during daily activities to maintain its wind. Be careful while engaging in extreme sports as continuous arm movements may damage the winding mechanism.

For the Less Active: If you’re not moving much or not wearing the watch frequently, consider manually winding your watch or using a watch winder to ensure it keeps time.

2. Wind it Manually

If you haven’t worn your watch for some time or you find it malfunctioning, manual winding is a straightforward solution.

Just follow these three simple steps:

Step 1: Remove the watch from your wrist to avoid straining the crown.

Step 2: Locate the crown on the side of the watch. You don’t need to pull it out; simply turning it while it’s in its normal position will wind the watch.

Step 3: Turn the crown clockwise around 30-40 times or until you feel resistance, indicating the mainspring is fully wound. Modern watches are designed to prevent over-winding, but it’s still wise to be gentle.

3. Use a Watch Winder

A watch winder keeps automatic watches running when you’re not wearing them. It works by mimicking the motion of your wrist, which winds the watch’s mechanism.

This is great for people who own more than one automatic watch or don’t wear theirs every day, because it keeps the watches ready to go without manual winding.

Watch winders can be simple or fancy, with some able to wind multiple watches at once and others designed to look good.

You can consider factors such as noise, looks, direction settings, etc. to choose the best one for your needs. We’ll discuss more about choosing the right watch winder in the next section.

How to Choose the Right Watch Winder

With so many watch winders in the market, it can be difficult to narrow down exactly what works for your watch.

Here are some criteria to help you choose the right watch winder in a sea of possibilities:

• No. of Watches: Do you have one watch or multiple watches? You can pick a single or dual watch winder accordingly.
• Build Quality: Look for durable materials like wood, leather, and metal for long-lasting use. Ensure the motor is reliable for quiet operation.
• Programmability: Choose a winder with adjustable settings for turns per day (TPD) and rotation direction to match your watch’s needs.
• Appearance and Style: What fits best in your space? Pick a watch winder that will turn your timepiece into decor.
• Power Supply: Decide if you want one that runs on batteries or plugs into the wall, depending on what’s easier for you.

Mozsly’s Top Picks: Automatic Watch Winders

Mozsly has a large collection of automatic watch winders to meet all your needs. Here are our top recommendations:

For one watch: Mozsly’s single watch winder comes in 14 different materials and includes a Japanese silent motor and a variety of accessories. This is a great choice for those with a single watch collection looking for a quiet and efficient winder.

For multiple watches: If you have a larger collection, consider Mozsly’s Dual Watch Winder. Featuring 5 stylish material choices, this winder can handle two watches simultaneously and contains two Japanese silent motors for quiet operation.

Final Thoughts

Self-winding automatic watches may be called “automatic” but they still need to be winded to stay in top shape.

So if you’re worried about the life and accuracy of your watch, you can start winding it today by wearing your watch regularly or using an automatic watch winder.

When choosing a watch winder, consider how many watches you have, its quality, programmability, looks, and power source.

Explore Mozsly’s collection to find the perfect match for your watches, keeping them ticking smoothly for years to come.

FAQs

Are automatic watches better than hand-wound watches?

It’s all about what you like. Automatic watches wind up by themselves when you move, so you don’t have to wind them every day. Hand-wound watches need you to wind them up by turning a little knob on the side.

Do automatic self-winding watches need batteries?

No, automatic watches do not need batteries. They rely on a mechanical movement powered by the motion of your wrist to keep running.

How long do automatic watches last?

With the right care, automatic watches can last a lifetime. However, besides regular servicing every 5 years, it’s important to protect them from extreme temperatures, shocks, and magnets.

Wearing your automatic watch regularly also keeps its mechanism active and helps ensure that it runs smoothly.

How to charge an automatic watch?

To charge an automatic watch, simply wear it regularly to keep it powered through the natural motion of your wrist. Also consider using a watch winder when not wearing it to maintain its charge, and manually wind it if it stops or runs low on power.

Why are automatic watch winders so expensive?

Watch winders are expensive because the motor inside them has to be strong and reliable to smoothly wind watches of different sizes and shapes.

Some winders also offer different settings for customized speeds and directions and come with fancy finishes or extra features, which also bump up the price.