How to maintain a watch winder?
The watch winder as an accessory for automatic watches is extremely popular. This watch accessory ensures that automatic watches continue to function by rotating them in the watch winder. Every watch enthusiast knows that an automatic watch comes to a standstill if you are not wearing it. The watch does not move, causing the movement to stop. Subsequently, the time, date and perhaps other functions of the watch are no longer displayed correctly.
If an automatic watch has stopped, you must first shake it manually or wind it via the crown to get energy back into the automatic movement. You must then set the time, date and/or other functions correctly again. This is inconvenient and takes time. In addition, it is not good for the durability of the watch. Why? The crown of the watch is one of the most vulnerable parts. If you pull out the crown to correctly set the time, date and/or other functions, the crown is in its most vulnerable position. The crown is only connected to the timepiece by a thin rod of iron. A defect in the crown or movement is then likely.
You can easily save a lot of time and effort and keep your watch safe by using a watch winder. Most watch enthusiasts use this watch accessory. As indicated above, the benefits are great. But a question that is almost never asked is; How do I maintain my watch winder?
In this article we discuss how you can best maintain your watch winder. This extends the lifespan of this watch accessory, which of course benefits your automatic watches.
How do you use a watch winder?
A watch winder is a handy watch accessory and actually a "must have" for every watch enthusiast who loves automatic watches. However, a good watch winder is not cheap and should be seen as an investment in your watches. It is therefore important that you use and maintain this watch accessory properly.
We give you some advice on how to use your watch winder correctly. The most important advice is to always stop when you place or remove one or more automatic watches in the watch winder. The motors must therefore stop before you insert or remove the watch holder. If you insert or remove the watch holder while the engine is still running, this will cause friction and stress on the engine. After all, your hand keeps the watch holder steady while the motor continues to run. This is not good for the engine and can lead to various defects. The engine may make more noise because the "gearbox" or the engine itself is damaged, but the engine can also fail completely. In addition, the cup in which you place the watch holder can come loose from the motor. The cup then hangs and can touch the sides when rotating, causing the cup to no longer rotate smoothly.
In short, stop the watch winder or the specific motor of the watch winder before installing or removing an automatic watch. This prevents many problems and greatly extends the lifespan of this watch accessory.
Another piece of advice is that you always place the watch winder in a safe place. Avoid placing it in places where the watch winder, and therefore your watches, are at risk. Consider, for example, children, pets, but also places near moisture (bathroom) or in full view (burglary). Choose where you place this watch accessory with care and attention. Of course, the exact location also depends on the size of the watch winder. A watch winder for one watch naturally takes up much less space than a watch winder for 4 watches.
Most watch enthusiasts place their watch winder in the bedroom, living room or in their office. Compact watch winders, for example the Benson Compact models, can also be placed in a safe. In a safe, this watch accessory is of course very safe with your watches. In short, think carefully about where you place this watch accessory.
In addition to the above, it is also important to look at your insurance, and in particular the provisions regarding automatic watches. Ask your insurer about the options and conditions. It is important to be well informed because there are quite a few differences and you will not be happy if your favorite watches are stolen and you appear to have no (or poor) insurance. The saying “better safe than sorry” certainly applies here.
How do you maintain a watch winder?
If you want your watch winder to last for a longer period of time, it is important that you maintain it properly. But how do you maintain this watch accessory? What should you do and what should you not do? In the future we will answer these questions, so that you can enjoy your watch winder with rotating watches in it for a long time.
In terms of maintenance, it is important that the rotation of each engine is smooth. This means that the engine can run without (much) resistance, which benefits the durability of the engine and gearbox. Make sure that your watches are properly secured in the watch winder, in other words that they are properly secured to the watch holder that you then click into the watch winder. This prevents the watch from accidentally falling out, which means you run the risk of damage to your watch and the watch winder. If the rotation is not completely optimal, we recommend having this watch accessory checked by a specialist.
Another tip is to keep the watch winder clean. You can clean the outside and inside with a cloth so that dust and other dirt does not stand a chance. This keeps everything neatly clean, which also benefits the watches inside. We often see models that have been used for a while that are returned for service or repair and the watch winder does not look clean. We then clean it completely and remove dust and other dirt from this watch accessory. We treat the wooden exterior with a microfiber cloth that may be slightly wet. Basically just like you clean a piece of furniture such as a table, dresser or chair.
Resetting the watch winder once in a while, for example once a year, is also a good idea. You can remove the adapter (at least 30 minutes) and restart and configure everything. It is useful, for example, to change the positions of the watches so that all motors are loaded fairly evenly. If your watch winder has a door or lid, we advise you to keep it closed as much as possible. Firstly, because the noise level of the engines is less noticeable. Secondly, because a closed door or lid keeps other influences such as dust and condensation out of reach of the watches.
In any case, you can always ask a watch winder specialist for a check and possible replacement of parts. Submitting a video is often sufficient for a first impression, on the basis of which it can then be decided that the specialist will actually physically check the watch winder.
Conclusion
Do you want to enjoy your watch winder for a longer period of time that ensures that your automatic watches keep time? Then it is advisable to use the watch winder correctly and regularly check whether everything functions smoothly. The most important advice is to always stop the specific motors when inserting or removing a watch. This prevents wear of the engines and contributes to durability. Keeping this watch accessory clean is another important tip. This ensures that you take the best care of your watches and that the watch winder remains as new. Useful if, for example, you want to purchase a larger model and sell this model.
Do you have any questions or comments based on this article about the maintenance of a watch winder? Please feel free to contact us. With more than 18 years of experience in the field of this watch accessory and as an official dealer of more than 12 brands, we offer you professional advice.