Leaving you watch unwound for extended period of time

I´m not a watchmaker, but it does not harm the watch. A watch that is running needs a service sooner, than a watch that sat in the box.

Also not a watchmaker, but my understanding is that the lubricants can dry faster if left sitting still. 

When I asked my watchmaker he said that to wind them up once a month is sufficient. I try to keep that scheme.

My watchmaker gave me the same recommendation, move it once a month

My concern exactly. 

My concern is that the gears will not be properly lubricated if the watch stood still for a long time. 

Same as above,my AD told me it makes no difference they still require a service at recommended intervals 

If it´s not moving, it doesn´t need lubrication, if it´s moving again its lubricated because it moves.

My Watchmaker said, that modern oils don´t dry faster, when not in motion, but a watch that ist always running, needs a service sooner. 

From personal experience, I bought a brand new German-made watch from an AD. While wearing it for about a week, it just stopped running. Had a trusted local watchmaker take a look since I didn't like to go thru the hassles of sending it back for warranty repairs. Since my watchmaker's specialty is with Japanese movements and my watch had a Miyota engine I gave him the go-ahead to open it up. He ended up doing a complete service on the movement and told me that the lubricants on the watch dried-up or stocked-up probably from sitting too long in the display window of the AD. That no part was broken or there was something he needed to replace. It was probably a NOS or something.

So I would definitely say Yes it has a negative impact on the movement of a mechanical or automatic watch. Unless it has something to do with the quality of the lubricants used I would advise to wind or use your mechanical/automatic watch regularly. The gears and lubricants need to perform their functions regularly to be in tune/sync. Reminds me also of Japanese automobiles which have a regular preventive maintenance schedules of 5k/10k kms or "3 months whichever comes first".  Then again this might only be true for watches with Japanese movements.

I make a habit of winding them when I see them; unfortunately, this is quite a lengthy process if you have lots of them and have them scattered around in random places.

This is the state of my upstairs desk. I’m currently trying to sense check a multi-million pound foundation scheme and in my peripheral vision I have the squirrels demanding breakfast, and the relentless tick tick tick of most of this lot. These are the strapless, strap-changed, and the recent battery changed. Oh, and behind the laptop, the parts for the ongoing build... it’s a mess.

This is chaos. Just don’t get to this point.

Also note, the synthetic oils used today are waaaaaaaaaaaay better than the vegetable and animal fat oils that were used 50 years ago. So some of the advice and 'old wives tales' you will hear about watches, lubricants, etc, have their basis in situations that don't apply to people wearing modern watches. Modern lubricants don't 'gum up' at all, but they will eventually dry up. And that key word: eventually. Not running your watch for a period of time won't contribute to that. It's the period of time - full-stop - that matters.

I NEVER leave my quartz unwound longer than a few hours. 

Sorry but this sounds not true. This problem is gone a long time ago, since the modern oils are completely synthetic. 

The comparisation with cars is nonsense. A car engine has nothing in common with a watch.

Your watchmaker wants those routine service billings! 😉

Not my experience at all. Sounds like they simply want more service work. Winding them up every now and then is sufficient.

Let’s see. I bought my Datejust in 2006 and have not had it serviced. It is rarely worn. It still runs just like it did at first. Do the math. I wore my Planet Ocean a lot more, same vintage, and it finally needed servicing...after 10 years, give or take a year. 

A Miyota movement. That’s the problem right there. 😂

Sir, you are triggering my ocd.

But it's a lovely state to even have isn't it? 

Doesn't the fact that the springs sit in a uncompressed position have some bearing on things, or is that solely when things start sticking due to gunkification?

Personally I'm of the rolling stone gathers no moss school regardless of how miraculous "modern" synthetic oils allegedly are. 

I do believe so that modern oils are completely synthetic. The watch itself just came out in 2021. With no parts needing any replacement and the watchmaker charging me next to nothing for the service, I can't really be sure what to think.

The comparison to a car engine is more to emphasize the watch movement's japanese origin which same as japanese cars require service every 3 months which I hope should not be the case. Nonetheless, I believe the same as car engines, watch movements have moving parts, gears and lubricants to run properly.

Maybe so. Not really sure, but I also read a lot of good reviews about their movements too. 🤔

Not a watchmaker but I know someone who likes to tinker and learned a bit along the way.  He seems to be on the side of less is more and the newer lubricants they use today really don't have the issue of breaking down like the lubricants of yesteryear.  For the record, I try to get my automatics going once a month, but not fanatical about it.

A desk should never be naturally tidy.

Get this Man a watch box ASAP!

I'm another once a monther.

Define damage to the movement? 

Well, everybody has an opinion including me. 😁🤣

But in all seriousness, I have gotten to the point that movement manufacturers and the features of that movement are important. When it comes to movement manufacturers, I place Miyota mid field behind the likes of ETA, Kenisi and Rolex. Then there are integrated manufacturers like IWC who make it all. So that is four manufacturers of movements I would place well ahead of Miyota. BTW, many people say good things about Seiko mechanical movements but when I compare their performance vs an ETA in a Hamilton, that is the superior combination. 

My original comment was a brief exercise in attempted levity. 

I would definitely agree with you that Miyota is mid-tier. The price difference says it all. Compared to ETA-powered pieces we would probably be looking at at least 6hun to 1K while Miyota-powered pieces can be had from 3-5hun. Some microbrands and indeed a few mainstream brands use Miyota to keep the prices of their pieces attractive and affordable for customers. Citizen which owns Miyota has also been in the industry for a long time and has a wide loyal customer base. So I would say Miyota is not really, shall we say a flyweight in the industry. 😉

Never meant to imply they are a light weight. And I see your point about price. Then again, shopping sales or discount sites, one can often find ETA powered watches in the sub $500 level. 😁

2nd this. This is the same advice I've heard from my watchmaker.