Watch winding

Are we talking modern autos (last 15-20 years ish)? If so, you don't really need to wind them regularly to have them work and work well. Modern synthetic oils do a good job of lubricating and keeping things working in stasis.

Vintage watches are a different matter. I am not an authority on them by any means, but older non synthetic oils can gel up from non use which creates operating problems. Others should weigh in here.

I personally don't wind my watches except when they're dead and I want to set and wear them.

Alan, it is a good question. Many folks starting out struggle with the difference between automatic, mechanical, etc. For your automatics (IE, they traditionally have a rotor that helps create the energy) you do no need to wind them regularly. Wind them as you wear them. It is okay to let them run out of energy and when you go to wear it next, you want to set the time, date, then go ahead and give it 10-20 full winds until you see it start moving.

Now, some folks want to keep them running all the time to keep the date and other functions intact. It is a personal preference, but it does create additional wear and tear on the movement. On the flip side, it is nice to not let them sit forever not running. It is not as big a deal with new lubricants, but I personally wind all of mine about once a month.

I usually hand wind whatever autowinders I'm wearing once a day. Yeah, they're autowinders, but I'm so damn lazy that most of my autos will stop about halfway through the day.

I wear my retired badge with pride.

I only wind a watch if I'm going to wear it that day. My dailies (a GS GMT and a Doxa 600T) are basically always running since I switch off between them. My other mechanical watches just sit there for days and weeks without running until they get worn. I will wind the watch I'm wearing in the morning then let the automatic rotor take over for the rest of the day.

Hiya Alan.

I’m very new to automatics and purchased a Seiko Turtle about a week and a half ago (so VERY wet behind the ears…!) and I’ve worn it for only 3 days. I DO like the Turtle, but I like a different watch most days.

Mine stopped on Saturday. I’ve purchased powered watch winder to keep it going in the down times. I can’t recall the brand of winder as it hasn’t arrived yet! The one I purchased was AUD99 but you can get cheaper (and vastly more expensive) ones.

Perhaps a watch winder may be of interest. You won’t need a schedule. Set and forget.

This is the auto winder I’ve purchased.

Mine get wound whenever I wear them. Sometimes not for months. Remember, with modern lubricants in watches, it's not about how often they move, but more a question of, "When does that lubricant dry up?" and that's not dependent on the watch moving, or not. So, unless you need your automatics to be "grab and go" at a second's notice, don't worry about winding them often; just let them run down.

I only wind them before I wear them, otherwise they are just laying dead in the safe.

I only have one watch in the auto watch winder because its an annual calendar moonphase and to set it everytime it's dead is too much of a hassle for me.

Thanks a LOT! So, I guess I've been overthinking it.

Much appreciated, Ihave a watch winder, I keep my Oris Moonphase in it but I guess I'll just wind as I go with the others.

LOL, same here. Being retired is what had me on a winding schedule. I was concerned about my GS drying out but find that I shouldn't worry.

Thanks, actually some new AND some vintage. So, I should wind the vintage more often but not worry about, say, my Grand Seiko?

Excellent answer and so much help, thanks. Once a month is fine, I get lazy or forgetful at times, once a month should be perfect.

Thanks guys this has been helpful and enlightening. Great discussion!

This is my current understanding of the matter!

In terms of modern watches, yes, you don't need to drive yourself crazy, keeping them ticking. Vintage watches are a different sort of situation if you get one that hasn't been serviced for a long time, however, in both cases if the watches are being maintained properly, there will be no issues.