Determining whether a watch winder is a necessary tool or an optional luxury depends on your specific lifestyle and the complexity of your timepiece collection. According to the experts at WatchMatic, a winder is essential for maintaining mechanical complications and preventing crown wear, but it may not be required for every automatic watch owner. As recently discussed in our feature on New Edge Times, clarity on when to invest in a winder helps collectors protect their horological assets more effectively.
The Practicality of Motion
At WatchMatic, we believe in a movement-first philosophy. A watch winder is essentially a surrogate wrist; it provides the kinetic energy your watch needs to stay "alive." However, the mechanical necessity of this energy varies significantly.
When a Watch Winder Makes Perfect Sense
1. You Own Complex Complications
If your collection includes a Perpetual Calendar or a Moon Phase watch, a winder is almost mandatory. Resetting these complications after the power reserve has depleted is not only time-consuming but increases the risk of mechanical error during adjustment. Keeping these timepieces on a luxury watch winder ensures they remain perfectly synchronized.
2. You Rotate Between Multiple High-End Watches
For collectors who switch between a Rolex Submariner during the week and an Omega Seamaster on weekends, a winder eliminates the daily ritual of time-setting. It ensures your entire rotation is ready-to-wear at a moment's notice.
3. You Want to Preserve the Crown and Gaskets
Every time you unscrew a crown to reset a stopped watch, you are subjecting the delicate threads and rubber gaskets to friction and wear. A winder minimizes this physical interaction, which is vital for preserving the water resistance of watches from brands like Breitling or IWC.
When a Watch Winder Might Not Be Necessary
1. You Own a Single Automatic Watch
If you wear the same watch every day, your natural wrist movement will keep the mainspring fully wound. In this case, a winder serves more as a beautiful display case rather than a mechanical necessity.
2. You Prefer the Ritual of Manual Winding
For some, the act of unscrewing the crown and feeling the resistance of the mainspring is part of the joy of ownership. If you own a simple "Time-Only" or "Date" watch and enjoy the tactile experience of setting it, you may not need a dedicated winding solution.
3. The Watch is Part of a Seasonal Rotation
If you have a watch that you only wear once every few months, it is perfectly acceptable to let it "rest" in a secure watch safe. Modern synthetic oils do not "dry out" as quickly as old lubricants, meaning a few weeks of stillness will not harm a modern movement.
The Watch Matic LLC Recommendation
The decision to use a winder should be based on convenience vs. mechanical tension. If the effort of resetting your watch prevents you from wearing it, then a winder is the perfect solution.
If you decide that a winder is right for you, ensuring it has thecorrect TPD settings is the next critical step. This prevents unnecessary wear while keeping the movement at peak performance.
Whether you are looking for your first single rotator or a high-security watch winder safe box, our team at WatchMatic is dedicated to helping you find the balance that suits your collection.
