Why use a watch winder ?
Are watch winders bad for your watch ?
There is a lot of discussion about watch winders and the safety of their use.
Do watch winders damage the watch ? Or is there nothing to worry about ?
If you search the web, you will probably find different answers. Some say that watch winders damage the watch, while others say that it is not a problem.
The correct answer to this question is that it depends. With high quality watch winders, you don't have to worry.
They are made to simulate wrist movement and store energy so that the movement does not stop. The problem is that poor quality winders can over-wind, damage or magnetize your watch. That said, you don't have to compromise when it comes to watch winders.
A watch winder is useful ?
An automatic watch is powered by a rotor inside the movement that spins when you wear it and gravity and motion make it turn. If you are not wearing an automatic watch, the rotor will not wind the movement. This means that the energy stored in the watch will eventually run out, causing the watch to stop.
A watch winder is a device in which you place your watch, which then spins, to turn the rotor and provide power to the movement.
A watch winder therefore allows automatic watches to run when not in use, so you don't have to set the watch every time you don't use it because it runs out of power.
Are watch winders dangerous ?
Those who claim that watch winders are dangerous or bad for the watch usually refer to a few theories.
The movement
The most common argument is that watch winders wear out the movement due to constant overuse. Of course, when the watch is in motion and running constantly, the parts wear out faster due to friction, right ?
According to the same theory, it may be a good idea to let the watch rest in order to reduce friction and increase its life span.
But the fact is, watches are meant to be worn. All the time.
And if a watch is damaged just from being worn, there are probably bigger problems with the watch.
Another problem with leaving your watch off for any length of time is that over time, the oils inside the movements can dry out and clog, which can have a negative effect on the accuracy of the movement. Therefore, the question is whether leaving your watch off is actually worse for your watch than the potential negative effects of leaving it on all the time.
That being said, watch winders, in general, are not harmful to your watch. They simply mimic the movement of a wrist. And watches are of course meant to be worn on the wrist.
Keep in mind, however, that not all watch winders are created equal. There are many different winders that work in different modes and have different qualities, and some winders can actually be negative for your watch.
The quality of the watch winder
The difference between inferior watch winders well-made, and high-quality watch winders is often that the higher quality watch winders have more refined, well-made modes. These modes ensure that the winder does not wind the watch more than necessary to provide power. After all, there is no point in winding a watch that is already fully wound. That said, you can't wind automatic watches because they have a slipping clutch that prevents the mainspring from being wound. However, even if the mainspring doesn't snap, it's never a good idea to keep winding it when it's full, because that means the slipping clutch will be constantly activated.
In other words, if the watch is not wound properly in a winder, it can cause excessive wear and tear and ultimately damage the slipping clutch.
This is one reason why it is important to buy a quality watch winder that is designed to have winding modes that are gentle on the movement. Most quality watch winders allow you to set the winding modes in the settings to decide how many revolutions and for how long the winder should run. These winders also have "rest modes", which allow the watch to rest when it is fully wound and no longer needs to be wound.
With these winders, you don't have to worry about damaging your watch by winding it too much. Just note that different watches have different needs, so it's important that you choose a winder mode that suits your watch (and choose a winder that does).
The Magnetization
Magnetization is a potential problem that is often discussed when it comes to watchwinders. Some poor quality watchwinders can have magnetic fields from the electric motor. It's no secret that magnetism and mechanical watches don't go well together, as magnetism can cause the mainspring to stick, resulting in a loss of accuracy.
Now, any quality watch winder will control this, but with some cheaper watch winders, they have been reported to cause the watch to become magnetized. Again, a problem you won't have to worry about if you buy a watch winder from a reputable, quality manufacturer.
Are watch winders safe or not ?
Yes, watch winders are completely safe to use.
If you buy a quality watch winder, you won't have to worry about magnetism or over-winding. These watch winders have many different modes that allow you to tailor the winding to your watch. And if you're not sure, you can always use the lowest rotations and duration of the winder.
This will keep it running, but without activating the winder too often.
As long as you set the winder to an appropriate mode and buy a quality wtach winder, then yes, watch winders are safe and you won't have to worry about damaging your watch.