The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Um........sorry to ask a novice question. But why the need for watch winders? Do watches like Brietling have issues if they aren't 'activated' for long periods? Is there some issue I need to be aware of if I find my watch has stopped, then reset it and wind it up?

Just curious

S

Whether you want/need a watch winder depends a number of things. Firstly, the size of your collection. If you have for example over 10 watches, then winding them and setting the date periodically can be a bit of a drag. Secondly if you have a watch with a complicated movement such as a perpetual or semi-perpetual calendar, they can be a real hassle to reset once they stop. Thirdly it depends how long you leave your watches unwound for. Over time oils can thicken and pooling can occur whereby oils move away from where they should be by the action of gravity. Think of a car - if you didn't run it for 6 months you might have problems when you start it, but if you'd run it everyday it would've been fine. A winder can help prevent all these things happening.

The downside is that they can possible cause a little more wear on components, but no more than if you'd worn it everyday anyway.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks for the responce, the issue is much clearer now.......

This is an age old debate among the WIS fraternity to wind or not to wind, I am in the to wind camp but no doubt there is loads more in the Not to wind camp, Id say if you like them buy one if you don't then don't its all a matter of choice really.

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a winder or no winder is an interesting question.

Past the the understandable reasons like keeping your watch wound and not having to mess with them when you want to just strap them on and go.

Now if you place a watch on a winder and keep it running some remark that it will cause some wear, but if the same watch was strapped to my wrist everyday, it would be getting the same "auto" winding motion and the oils arent allowed to sit, so these two situations are a mute point.

Now if the watch is allowed to run down and stored in the safe, box or dealers display case (for years sometimes), the movement wouldnt get any wear, but the oils are going to eventually break down and harden causing problems that require a servicing. Same reason why some people recommend starting the chrono function every so often and letting it run for 24 hours or so.

I am a proponent in a winder (if its not evident). I have just enough watches that my 6 watch winder works for me (at least now!). When the collection grows, I will have to rotate watches into the winder every couple months: 1st so I can wear them without worrying about winding them every time and 2nd to keep things lubed up inside.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
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Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15