Are watch winders safe

A watch winder itself isn't inherently bad for your watch, but it can be if used improperly or with a low-quality winder. In fact, a well-chosen and used winder can be a beneficial tool for keeping your automatic watch running smoothly and accurately.
Safety of Watch Winders
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Designed for Daily Wear Simulation: Watch winders mimic the natural wrist movements that keep an automatic watch running, simulating everyday wear for which these watches are intended. This means using a winder will not inherently damage the watch.
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No Risk of Overwinding: Automatic watches have an inbuilt slipping clutch mechanism that prevents overwinding. This means even if a watch winder continues to spin after the watch is fully wound, it will not cause damage by overwinding.
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Benefits for Watch Maintenance: Keeping the watch mechanism active helps maintain the lubrication inside, preventing it from drying out and clogging, which can happen if the watch is left idle for long periods.
Potential Risks and How to Avoid Them
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Quality of the Watch Winder: Poor-quality or cheap winders may cause issues such as excessive vibration, incorrect winding patterns, or exposure to magnetic fields, which can damage the watch. Choosing a reputable, well-made winder is crucial.
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Magnetization Risk: Some winders with strong magnets or motors can magnetize a watch, affecting its accuracy. High-quality winders are designed to minimize this risk.
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Incorrect Settings: Using a winder with inappropriate turns per day (TPD) or rotation direction for your specific watch can cause unnecessary wear, especially on the slipping clutch. Modern winders often have adjustable settings to match the watch's requirements, and using the lowest effective settings can reduce wear.
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Type of Winder Motion: Oscillating winders, which move back and forth, are generally considered gentler and safer than rotary winders, which spin continuously in one direction.
In conclusion, watch winders are safe tools to keep your automatic watches running smoothly when not worn, provided you invest in a good quality winder and use it properly.
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