Rolex isn’t just any ordinary luxury watch brand – it’s among the finest in the world, renowned for its exceptional precision and reliability. If you desire your Rolex to keep ticking flawlessly, it’s essential to comprehend the right way to wind it.

This article provides a detailed overview of Rolex’s winding requirements for different models and movements, along with the correct winding direction and the recommended number of turns per day (TPD). By delving into this read, you’ll master the art of proper winding, ensuring that you can use your watch winder effectively and keep your precious timepiece in impeccable condition.

How to Wind a Rolex Watch Correctly: A Simplified Guide

Identifying Your Watch Type

Rolex has a remarkable range of watches, from hand-wound and self-winding models to quartz options. While most of their collection focuses on hand-wound and self-winding watches, they also offer quartz models for those who prioritize accuracy with minimal maintenance. 

The Submariner collection, in particular, offers a variety of styles and designs, so there’s truly a Rolex for everyone.

Before winding your watch, it’s essential to know its type. Rolex manual-wind watches need regular winding to maintain their power, while self-winding models stay wound through natural wrist movement or by using a watch winder.

1. Wearing the Watch Daily

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

2. Manual Winding – Rotating the Crown

To manually wind your watch, set the crown to position 0, and wind it clockwise 20 to 30 times. This initial winding will activate the movement, which can then continue to self-wind as you move throughout the day.

Note: Some models have a screw-down crown. Be sure to unscrew it fully before winding, and once you’re finished, screw it back in to maintain the watch’s water resistance.

3. Automatic Winding – Using a Rolex Watch Winder

If you own multiple luxury watches or don’t wear your Rolex daily, a watch winder can be a practical solution. Reputable brands like Mozsly and Wolf make winders that mimic wrist motion, keeping your watch wound without the need for manual winding.

How Does an Automatic Watch Winder Work?

Not familiar with a watch winder? Think of it as a jewelry box with a motor that gently rotates your watch at intervals, simulating the wrist’s natural motion. This keeps your watch fully wound, accurate, and ready to wear.

Watch winders offer multiple rotation settings—clockwise, counterclockwise, or both—depending on your watch’s specific needs. If you own more than one watch, a multi-watch winder with alternating rotations is a convenient way to keep them all wound.

For Rolex watches, which usually require 650 to 950 turns per day (typically in a clockwise direction), most high-quality winders have the settings needed to keep your timepiece in perfect condition.

Rolex Winding Parameters

Here are the key terms to know when using your winder:

• CW – Clockwise
• CCW – Counterclockwise
• Both – Combined mode (Clockwise + Counterclockwise)
• – – Undefined

MODEL, DESCRIPTION	MOVEMENT / CALIBER	WINDING DIRECTION	TURNS PER DAY (TPD)
Most Rolex Automatics	Most Rolex Movements	Both	650
	Calibre 3255	Both	650
Cellini Date 50515		Both	650
Cellini Dual Time 50525		Both	650
Cellini Time 50509		Both	650
Cellini Time 50609		Both	650
Daytona	Cosmograph 4130	CW	800-950
Daytona		Both	650-800
Oyster Perpetual 114300		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual 11600		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual 11634		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual 177200		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual 177210		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual 177234		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Air King 114200		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Air King 114210		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Air King 114234		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116505		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116506		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116509		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116515LN		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116518		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116519		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116520		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116523		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116528		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116576TBR		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116589		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116598		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116598 RBOW		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116599		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 116599 RBOW		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Chosmograph Daytona 16520		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Date 115200		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Date 115210		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Date 115234		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116135		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116138		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116139		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116185		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116185 BBR		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116188		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116189		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116189 BBR		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116199 SANR		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116200		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116201		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116203		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116208		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116231		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116233		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116234		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116238		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116243		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116244		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116285 BBR		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178158		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178159		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178239		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178241		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178243		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178245		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178246		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178248		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178271		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178273		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178274		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178275		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178278		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178279		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178286		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178288		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178296		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 178313		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81158		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81159		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81208		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81209		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81298		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81299		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81308		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81318		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81319		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81338		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81339		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81348 SARO		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust 81348 SABLV		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust II 116300		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust II 116333		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust II 116334		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust Special Edition 81315		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust Turnograph 116261		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust Turnograph 116263		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Datejust Turnograph 116264		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118138		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118205		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118206		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118206 2012		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118208		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118209		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118235		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118235 2012		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118238		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118238 2012		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118239		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118296		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118338		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118346		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118348		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118366		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118395BR		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118398		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 118399		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 18946		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 18948		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 18956		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 18958		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 228206		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218206		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218235		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218235 2012		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218238		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218239		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218348		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218349		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218349 2012		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218398		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218398 BR		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II 218399		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Explorer 114270		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Explorer 214270		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Explorer II 16570		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Explorer II 219570		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116710 BLNR		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116710 LN		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116713 LN		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116718 LN		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116719 BLRO		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116758 SA		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116758 SANR		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116758 SARU		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116759 SA		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116759 SANR		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 116759 SARU		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady 176200		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady 176210		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady 176234		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 178159		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 178278		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 178279		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 178288		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 178341		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 178342		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 178343		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 178383		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179136		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179138		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179158		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179159		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179159 2012		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179160		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179161		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179163		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179165		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179166		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179168		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179171		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179173		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179174		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179175		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179178		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179178 2012		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179179		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179239		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179313		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179368		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179384		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179458		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 179459		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 28 279135		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 80285		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 80298		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 80299		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 80309		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 80315		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 80318		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 80319		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust 80359		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust II 116300		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Milgauss 116400		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Milgauss 116400GV		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Sea Dweller 16600		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Sea Dweller 16600 2014		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Sea Dweller Deepsea 116660		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Sky Dweller 326135		Both	800
Oyster Perpetual Sky Dweller 326935		Both	800
Oyster Perpetual Sky Dweller 326938		Both	800
Oyster Perpetual Sky Dweller 326939		Both	800
Oyster Perpetual Submariner 114060		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Submariner 14060M		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 116610 LN		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 16610		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 16610LV		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 16610LV97200		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 16613LB		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 16613LN		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 16618LB		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 16618LN		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date 16619LB		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master 116622		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master 116655		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master 166228		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master 166622		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master 116623		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master 168622		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master 169622		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master 169623		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master II 116680		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master II 116681		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master II 116688		Both	650
Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master II 116689		Both	650
Submariner		Both	650

How to Properly Use and Set the Rolex 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 Rolex watch with your automatic watch winder:

Step 1: Manual Wind First

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 Rolex.

Step 2: Secure the Watch in the Winder

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.

Step 3: Turn it on & Adjust Settings

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. Here’s what to do depending on your situation:

• If Time is Accurate After 2 Days: You’ve found the right setting! Your watch is good to go, and there’s no need to adjust further.
• If Time is Incorrect: Increase the Turns Per Day (TPD) setting to the next level, reset the winder, and let it run for another 48 hours.
• Still Wrong? Try Clockwise Only: If the watch is still losing or gaining time, set the winder to rotate clockwise only. After another two days, check again.
• Last resort – Counterclockwise Only: If the time is still off, switch the setting to counterclockwise only and monitor again for two days.

Does Rolex Recommend using a Watch Winder?

Rolex 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 Rolex 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 Rolex ?

If you are considering a watch winder, it is vital that you choose a high quality that meets the specific requirements of your Rolex watch. 

Here are two recommended options:

MOZSLY® Single Watch Winder – Black Leather

Material: Wooden Box, PU Leather, Acrylic Board

Dimensions: 4.4 x 6 x 4.4 inches

Features: 4 modes with TPD settings from 650 to 1500, multiple winding directions, upgraded Japanese Mabuchi Motor, anti-magnetization design, dual power type, 3-year warranty, 100% handmade

MOZSLY® Double Watch Winder -Orange Leather

Material: Wooden Box, PU Leather, Acrylic Board

Size: 8.8 x 5.9 x 4.7 inches

Features: Supports two watches simultaneously, quiet motor, adjustable settings, upgraded Mabuchi motor, and 3-year warranty

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 Rolex will not be magnetized and affect the running time.

Mozsly watch winders come with a 36-month warranty and friendly customer support, making it easy to buy with confidence!

In Conclusion

Choosing a Mozsly watch winder is a smart choice for Rolex owners who want to preserve the accuracy and longevity of their timepieces.

Just make sure to select the right TPD and rotation settings, following Rolex’s guidelines for best results. With a Mozsly winder, you’ll enjoy the elegance of your Rolex, always ticking perfectly, year after year.