A Handy Tool - The Crown Winder
It wasn't too long ago that I discovered the joy of using the crown winding tool.
For those of you who have vintage watches without a quick-change day/date feature, you understand the frustration of having to move the hands from 9:00 to 3:00, back and forth to change it, and sometimes the task is compounded by the crown being very small or the knurling being worn or maybe you have sausage fingers. Well this tool makes it easier and it's also wonderful for winding a mechanical watch or automatic.
Glasses for scale. It's about the size of a one-hitter, and one end is a plunger:
When you depress the plunger, the other end opens up:
Just put it on the crown, release the plunger, and begin turning as needed. I find it helpful to use gravity to keep it on the crown because it will sometimes slip off. When it does slip off, it does so AWAY from the watch, so you won't scratch the watch at all. And although it hasn't happened to me, it's within the realm of possibility that you could apply the tool to the crown and it is able to touch the case, so pay attention. If you look closely at the picture below, you'll see there's a gap between the tool and the watch case, so on this watch it's not a concern:
They have different sizes, so make sure you order the right size range. The one pictured is a 4mm, ordered from Amazon for less than $10US, and I find that is the perfect size for all but the smallest crowns in my collection (and I do have another for those).
Anyway, I just thought I'd pass this along for any of the new people who may not know about this inexpensive & handy tool.
Cheers! 🍻
-Eric
~Father ~Christian ~Husband ~Gearhead ~Fisherman ~Ailurophile ~Woodworker ~Gun Collector ~Photographer ~Watch Collector ~Caribbean Traveler & Beachgoer ~IT Professional: MS-ISM, BA-COMM, SOC
Part of me thinks this is a bit silly & part of me remembers that I have a vintage inspired Bulova with a small, finger destroying crown. I may have to consider it in the future.
Part of me thinks this is a bit silly & part of me remembers that I have a vintage inspired Bulova with a small, finger destroying crown. I may have to consider it in the future.
I use it even when I don't have to, i.e., the crown is big enough for fingers. It's that helpful to me.
I have no issue winding my Rolexes, Omegas, Panerais or Tudor. Is this a Chinese watch problem?
Old watches mostly have small crowns and women with fingernails had an even harder time. The old non luxury ones were hand wind also.
I love winding my watches.. the feel and the sound is my ASMR but I have one watch.. Raymond Weil.. the crown is so rigid that it hurts my sausage fingers to wind. Sometimes I just wait for the time to catch up where the watch has stopped so I don’t have to set it. Thank you for suggesting this tool..
Waiting to see who smugly goes out of their way to pooh pooh this tool because it isn't for them. Live and let live.
Thanks for the link, I dropped it to basket already 😉
Great idea. While I actually enjoy setting my watches, I have one or two that take a while to set if I'm setting them in the afternoon. Three times around takes a while. I only actually wind one and that's my manual Nomos, which I thoroughly enjoy winding.
This will help with my new 34mm Wolbrook, thanks!
I have no issue winding my Rolexes, Omegas, Panerais or Tudor. Is this a Chinese watch problem?
What a Condescending answer , all you did is belittling and name dropping
It's a great tool , some might say a waste of money ... but why not have ?
I have 3 amazing watches and I hate the crowns of 2 of them, I hate the crowns they have , they are too small for My fingers) it's a matter of convenience
What a Condescending answer , all you did is belittling and name dropping
It's a great tool , some might say a waste of money ... but why not have ?
I have 3 amazing watches and I hate the crowns of 2 of them, I hate the crowns they have , they are too small for My fingers) it's a matter of convenience
I think you’re projecting your own insecurities mate
I think you’re projecting your own insecurities mate
I'm 1.91 and my palm length is above average (13 cm)
BTW, what do you think about watch winders? ...just curious about your twisted line of thoughts
I'm 1.91 and my palm length is above average (13 cm)
BTW, what do you think about watch winders? ...just curious about your twisted line of thoughts
1.91…. Are you trying to flirt with me? Gal Gadot is more my type..
As for Watch winders, I’m indifferent to them. I have one, but most of my watches are scattered around my home. I don’t buy into the school of thought that lubricants solidify to the point of stopping a movement; however constant use will obviously cause wear. Who cares though? If you can’t afford to fix your watch you obviously can’t afford that watch. I’m sure that opinion will offend the wokerati here.
1.91…. Are you trying to flirt with me? Gal Gadot is more my type..
As for Watch winders, I’m indifferent to them. I have one, but most of my watches are scattered around my home. I don’t buy into the school of thought that lubricants solidify to the point of stopping a movement; however constant use will obviously cause wear. Who cares though? If you can’t afford to fix your watch you obviously can’t afford that watch. I’m sure that opinion will offend the wokerati here.
It seems like you're the one who has insecurities, you went to far ...
All I said us that I'm tall with thick wrists
For me watch winders are a good buy and you don't have the pay that much foe a decent watche winder , i wear a different watch everyday (in my case 3 coming on 4th ) and I use it from time to time .
Now for the service or fix as you said it
If I buy a 6k watch now , it doesn't mean I could afford the service later on ... this is a thing to take into consideration even if you're rich