How It Works:
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Automatic watches have a rotor inside that spins as the wearer moves their wrist, winding the mainspring which powers the watch.
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When the watch is not worn for an extended period, such as several days, the mainspring's energy reserves (power reserve) run out, and the watch stops.
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The watch winder holds the watch and rotates it intermittently, mimicking wrist movements, which spins the rotor and keeps the mainspring wound.
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The rotation is programmed to occur at specific intervals and in certain directions to avoid overwinding or excessive wear.
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Most winders offer customizable settings, such as:
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Turns Per Day (TPD): Number of rotations the winder performs per day, tailored to the specific watch's needs (commonly between 650 and 800 TPD).
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Rotation direction: Clockwise, counterclockwise, or bi-directional depending on the watch's winding mechanism.
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A good-quality winder will not overwind the watch because automatic watches have built-in mechanisms to release excess energy.
Benefits of Using a Watch Winder:
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Convenience: Keeps watches with complex calendar or other functions running continuously, avoiding the hassle of resetting them.
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Maintenance: Continuous rotation helps distribute lubricants inside the watch movement evenly, reducing wear and prolonging the watch's lifespan.
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Protection: Many winders serve as cases that protect watches from dust, sunlight, and scratches while storing them.
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Ideal for collectors or owners of multiple automatic watches who rotate their use.
Additional Notes:
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A watch winder is not necessary if you wear your automatic watch daily since natural wrist movement keeps it wound.
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It is not useful for manual-wind or quartz watches.
In summary, an automatic watch winder is a sophisticated tool that simulates wrist motion to keep automatic watches powered, accurate, and properly maintained when not worn, enhancing convenience and longevity for watch enthusiasts and collectors
