Automatic Watch Winders

A Brief Look at Automatic Watch Winders

By Jose Sanborn

Clueless about watch winders but want to know more? This article presents a brief look at these devices that will help bring you up to speed.

Watch winders are mechanical devices that serve two primary functions:

1. Keep them wound up when they are not being worn.

2. Store or display automatic (self-winding) watches.

The automatic function works by capturing the movement of mechanical rotors within the watch, which winds a mainspring that in turn provides power to the watch. Energy from the mainspring is what keeps the watch functioning. Essentially, if the watch is not worn regularly the watch will "unwind" and slowly come to a stop.

Keep it Wound Up

It is important to keep a mechanical watch wound up and running to prevent the lubricants from congealing, which diminishes accuracy and reduces the life of the internal components. Additionally these winding devices keep the watch wound up so it is always running when the wearer needs it, and all perpetual movements such as calendar and moon phases are kept up to date.

Keep it Safely Stored

In addition to the primary function of keeping the watch wound and running, automatic watch winders double as watch cases for storing watches that have a sentimental or financial value. Keeping the watch in a case keeps it protected from dust and other particulate floating around in the air, which are obviously not good for the components in your watch.

A majority of these winders are in the form of a case with a window made of glass or plastic that lets you watch (no pun intended) the rotations of the watch while also providing protection from harmful elements.

Perfect Balance Between Form and Function

This is one of the reasons why such winders are made from high quality components. The boxes are often constructed of beautiful cherry, oak, walnut or mahogany wood with a display window that is hard and glossy. A perfect balance of form and function - an automatic watch winder is the ideal devices for highlighting your valuable timepiece and keeping it wound up for when you are ready to wear it.

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