What watches need a watch winder

Watches that need a watch winder are primarily automatic (self-winding) watches. These watches rely on the motion of the wearer’s wrist to wind the mainspring, which powers the watch. If left unworn for about 30-40 hours, an automatic watch will stop running because it no longer receives the motion needed to keep it wound.

Watches that need a watch winder:

Automatic watches: These watches require movement to keep running. A watch winder mimics wrist motion to keep the mainspring wound, preventing the watch from stopping.
Automatic watches with complications: Watches with features like perpetual calendars, moon phases, or other complex functions benefit from a watch winder because resetting these complications can be time-consuming and tricky if the watch stops.
Collectors or owners of multiple automatic watches: If you rotate between several automatic watches and do not wear them every day, a watch winder keeps all watches running and ready to wear without manual winding or resetting.

Watches that do NOT need a watch winder:

Manual winding watches: These must be wound by hand and do not benefit from a watch winder.
Quartz watches: Battery-powered watches do not require winding at all.
Automatic watches worn regularly: If you wear your automatic watch daily, it will stay wound naturally and does not need a winder.

In essence, a watch winder is most useful for automatic watches that are not worn regularly or have complex features that are cumbersome to reset. It keeps the watch running, maintains accurate time and date, and helps preserve the movement by keeping the lubricants evenly distributed. For a single automatic watch worn frequently, a winder is generally unnecessary.