Yes, watch winders do stop and start rather than running continuously. Most watch winders operate intermittently, turning for about 30 seconds to a minute and then stopping for a rest period. This cycle repeats based on a preset number of turns per day (TPD) to mimic natural wrist movement without causing excessive wear on the watch's winding mechanism. The stop-and-start pattern helps keep the watch properly wound while avoiding unnecessary strain and wear on the automatic winding system. Some winders even allow you to program how frequently and for how long they turn, as well as the direction of rotation. Because automatic watches are designed to wind with intermittent motion, continuous spinning is not needed or recommended. If a watch has stopped completely, it usually needs to be manually wound first before placing it in the winder.
How They Work:
Intermittent Winding: Watch winders operate on pre-programmed routines, turning the watch for a short burst (e.g., 30 seconds to a minute) and then resting for a set period.
Simulating Natural Motion: This stop-and-start action mimics the way a person's arm moves throughout the day, which keeps the watch's mainspring wound.
Protecting the Movement: The resting periods allow the mainspring to unwind slightly, which prevents constant tension and preserves the longevity of the watch movement.
TPD Settings: The exact duration of the winding cycles and rest periods depends on the specific watch's requirements, often determined by a "Turns Per Day" (TPD) setting.
Why It's Better Than Continuous Spinning:
Avoids Over-Winding: Constant winding can put excessive tension on the mainspring, which is unnecessary for a watch that can only hold a finite amount of energy.
Maintains Constant Torque: By periodically rewinding the watch throughout the day, the mainspring experiences more constant torque, which helps maintain the watch's accuracy.
Preserves Longevity: Allowing periods of rest prevents the mainspring from being constantly taut and ensures the mechanism is not subjected to continuous stress.
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