Daily Winding Routine - Harmful to Movement?
Curious what the latest consensus is on my daily winding routine for my watches. I have a collection of about 8 watches that I manually wind almost every day so they are ready to go when I want to wear them. Some info I have read says that the movements were not designed to be wound daily (the automation movements) and that constant manual winding can harm the movement. Any truth to this? Thanks.
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The parts of any machine wear with use. Watches are tough little machines, but nevertheless the parts and oils degrade a little every time that I wind them up. I let mine rest between wears. It takes 30 seconds or less to wind and set a watch (maybe a little longer without a quickset date). I don't mind the ritual.
There’s no truth that automatic movements are not designed to be wound daily. Just don’t overwind. I typically just give the automatic watches I want to keep running 20 winds a day. Otherwise I’ll just let them run flat then wind them about once a month.
There’s no truth that automatic movements are not designed to be wound daily. Just don’t overwind. I typically just give the automatic watches I want to keep running 20 winds a day. Otherwise I’ll just let them run flat then wind them about once a month.
You can't overwind automatic movements, they have a slipping bridle on the main spring.
You can't overwind automatic movements, they have a slipping bridle on the main spring.
Cheers.
I don't anymore - I snapped the crown off my Seamaster 300 & it was very expensive to get repaired.
As @Aurelian said it only takes a few seconds to set anyway so why bother. I've quartz if I need a grab and go!
Nopoe. The only thing you do is shorten the service period.
For instance, if you wind a watch every day or keep it on an active winder, it will need service after 3-5 years (Omega coax movements longer-Winders not applicable to manual wind). On the other hand, if you only wind it once a month or when you wear if (if sooner) then the service period can be extended considerably.
When I hear about 40 year old watches it seems more common that they were in a drawer for 30 of those years than running all that time. Makes me think the less they tick the longer they last. Good reason to buy more watches and rotate, running them when it’s time to wear them.
I always let them run out and only hand wind them to get them going before setting. I doubt it's harmful to wind or run them more, but the less it runs, the less wear and tear and servicing.
Wind it. Set it. Wear it. Take it off. Let it rest until the next time. Part of owning such a watch is to handle it and bring it back to life when needed. I get more enjoyment of doing this every time I wear one. It will last a little longer before a needed service. All moving parts will wear down over time of use.
Enjoy the watch!
Cheers 🍻
There may be some sticklers that might tell you it's the stem on the crown that's not designed to withstand the same amount of winding a manual crown/stem is. An automatic movement that can hand wind still wants to get most of it's winding from the rotor while wearing, not through the crown constantly the way a manual movement is made to.