Watch Winder
A watch winder is a motorized box that gently rotates an automatic watch to keep it wound and running while you are not wearing it. It is handy for a watch with a date or for a collection in rotation. Hand-wound and quartz watches do not need one, so it is purely a convenience.
At a glance
- Made for
- Automatic watches
- Not needed for
- Hand-wound and quartz
- Purpose
- Convenience, not a requirement
An automatic watch draws its energy from the motion of your wrist. The moment it comes off, that motion stops and the watch slowly unwinds until it eventually halts. A winder mimics that movement, turning the watch it holds at regular intervals to keep it wound.
What it actually does
The box has one job: keeping a watch you are not wearing alive and running. That convenience shows up in a couple of situations:
- Watches with a date: it spares you resetting the date every time you come back to them
- A collection: it keeps several watches in rotation ready to wear
To see how that motion translates into running time, it helps to read up on the automatic watch and its power reserve.
Who does not need one
Hand-wound and quartz watches gain nothing from a winder, because neither draws power from wrist motion. The box does no work for them. That is why it is best seen as a pleasant convenience to own rather than a requirement.
If you are new to automatics, our guide to the best automatic watches under $500 is a sensible starting point.
Examples
Keeps a date-displaying automatic such as the Orient Mako 3 wound on the days you do not wear it, so you skip resetting the date each time you return to it.
View this watchHolds a small collection of automatics that you rotate through, keeping each one running and ready to wear.
Comparison
There are two ways to keep a watch ready to wear.
| Option A | Option B | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Watch winder | Rewinding it by hand | The winder turns the watch automatically and the date stays set; by hand you reset the time and date yourself each time. |
Related terms
Watches that show this
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a watch winder for an automatic watch?
No, it is a convenience rather than a requirement. It keeps the watch wound on days you do not wear it, so you avoid resetting the time and date each time. It is most useful with a date watch or a collection in rotation.
Does a watch winder help a quartz or hand-wound watch?
No. Quartz and hand-wound watches do not draw power from wrist motion, so they gain nothing from being rotated. A winder only makes sense for automatic watches, which wind from movement.