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If you’re a proud owner of an automatic watch, chances are you’ve come across the concept of watch winders. These handy devices’ primary purpose is to keep your timepieces running smoothly and accurately when they’re not being worn. But do watch winders make sense from a watch maintenance perspective? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of using one.

The Significance of Watch Maintenance

Watch maintenance is a must, not only to ensure that your watch keeps time accurately but also to prolong the life of your prized companion.

A properly cared-for watch can be passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom or investment piece. Investing in proper maintenance will keep the internals of your mechanical watch in perfect condition, reduce the frequency of necessary repairs, and help you avoid costly repairs.

It also helps to maintain the beauty of your watch, ensuring that your watch stays sharp and eye-catching for years to come.

Do Watch Winders Make Sense from Maintenance Perspective?

Watch winders have become an increasingly popular accessory among automatic watch enthusiasts, primarily due to the convenience they offer. By keeping timepieces wound and ready for use, there is no need to constantly readjust the date or other intricate complications, such as moon phases or perpetual calendars.

However, the question arises whether using a watch winder is advantageous from a maintenance perspective. The common belief is that keeping a watch’s mainspring regularly wound or at an ideal tension, may be more beneficial than leaving it entirely unwound.

In contrast, a non-used watch experiences no material wear but might face drying out of lubrication over time. Once worn after a long duration with dried-out lubrication, the risk of faster material abrasion becomes more prominent.

Undoubtedly, activating the watch mechanism helps in redistributing lubrication and preventing it from becoming stagnant.

However, this also leads to increased abrasion and wear compared to an inactive state, creating somewhat of a conundrum for watch owners.

How often need to wear it to Ensure Proper Lubrication?

The optimal frequency of wearing a particular timepiece, such as a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona.

For someone who only wears their Rolex Daytona every 2-3 months for just a few days at a time and uses an MOZSLY double winder with 900 rotations per day, running in the clockwise winding direction may be the best solution. Balancing convenience and maintenance considerations.

So, where do the experts currently stand on this issue?

While there doesn’t seem to be a clear consensus among experts on the ideal way to care for an automatic watch or the use of a winder, factors such as convenience and personal preference tend to influence people’s decisions.

Pros and Cons of Using a Watch Winder

Pros:

1. Convenience: Watch winders offer the convenience of keeping your automatic watches ready to wear without the need for manual winding and setting.
2. Maintenance and Accuracy: By keeping the watch consistently wound, a watch winder helps maintain the accuracy of the timepiece and extends its lifespan by preventing the lubricants from drying out.
3. Display and Storage: Watch winders often come with attractive designs that can serve as stylish display cases for your watches. They also protect against dust, moisture, and potential damage.

Cons:

1. Cost: Watch winders can vary in price, from affordable options to high-end models that can be quite expensive. The cost may not be justifiable for all watch owners.
2. Over-winding Concerns: Some argue that continuous winding through a watch winder may lead to over-winding and potential damage to the watch. However, modern winders typically have safety features to prevent over-winding.
3. Noise: While many watch winders operate quietly, some may produce a slight noise during operation, which can be bothersome for individuals sensitive to noise.

Is a watch winder worth investing in?

Ultimately, deciding if a watch winder makes sense from a maintenance perspective depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you own multiple automatic watches, enjoy keeping them accurate and ready for use at any time, and value their long-term performance, investing in a watch winder may be a wise choice.

However, if cost, potential over winding concerns, or noise sensitivity are significant factors for you, then it might not be the right fit for your needs. As with any investment in luxury items and maintenance tools, research various watch winder options and consult reputable sources to determine the best solution for your unique collection.

Some Watch Winders to Shop