Automatic Watch Winder Guide

A watch winder will keep your automatic watch running if you are not wearing it every day. Automatic watches, or self-winding mechanical watches, use the motion of your wrist while the watch is being worn to automatically wind the mainspring and keep the watch running. You cannot "overwind" an automatic watch because they are equipped with a device that disengages the winding mechanism once the mainspring is fully wound.

If you do not wear an automatic watch every day most models will stop running within about 24 hours. It's a nuisance to have to reset the time and date every time you want to wear one of your favorite automatics! The simplest solution for those who own a number of different watches including self-winding automatics is to use watch winders.

Who needs A watch winder?

If you only own one automatic watch and you wear it daily, then you probably do not need a watch winder. However, if you have two or more watches and are not wearing your automatic every day, then you definitely want to consider getting a watch winder. Watch winders not only keep your automatic watch running but they also protect them from dust and damage while they are not on your wrist. Virtually every watch winder has a glass or clear plastic cover so you can still see the time on your watch even when you are not wearing it. This is a great feature if you have a favorite automatic that you like to show off to your friends or customers.

You can also use a watch winder to "recharge" the battery for kinetic quartz watches such as Seiko Kinetic and Omega-matic watches. Kinetic watches use the same wrist motion to store energy in a capacitor that is similar to a rechargeable battery.

Automatic Watch Winder Features

The problem with most watch winders is they have a noisy, disruptive motor, they're inefficient and they're expensive. Most single watch winders cost between $200 and $400 and the price range can atually vary greatly, ranging from $25 for a cheap, plastic single watch model to over $50,000 for those "serious" automatic watch collectors or dealers that want a floor standing cabinet, 50 watchwinders, key locked glass doors, programmable motors, timers and more.

Here are some factors to consider when making a decision as to which watch winder will meet your needs:

Motor - Not all watch winders are created equal. Some models only move in one direction. Over a long period of use this repeated motion can actually wear out the winding mechanism prematurely. If you are going to be using your watch winder on a regular basis, look for a model that has variable direction motor. Also, if you are going to put your watch winder on display somewhere, you should consider getting a model that features a "silent" motor.

Timer - Many watch winders are equipped with an automatic timer. For example, the most popular watch winder on Amazon.com is the Zurich Time Double Automatic Watch Winder that features a timer that automatically winds for one hour and rests for three hours.

Power - If you travel on a regular basis and have several automatic watches, then make sure you get a watch winder that can run on batteries. Many models will operate on either AC power or batteries.

Watch holders - Make sure you get a model that has adjustable size watch holders so you can use your watch winder for all of your automatic watches, both now and in the future.

Selected Watch Winders Available For Sale

The following watch winders are currently available for sale from various selected sellers. To check the details of any of these listings simply click on the links below. Please be sure to read the details of each listing and take some time to check out the seller's reputation and background. We do not endorse or support any of the specific sellers.

Popular Watch Winders For Sale by Dealers

Watch Winders For Sale by Individuals

(Click on the following link to view all of the listings for Watch Winders)

Latest Watch Winder News, Info and Updates

Brookstone Watch Winder - For a Limited Time Save 25% Off Original Price - For a limited time, the Brookstone watch winder is available for 25 percent off the original price of $99.00 - now only $69.99. In addition, Brookstone is also running several other special offers.
WatchCases.com - An Excellent Source for Watch Winders - If you are looking for watch winders, then be sure to check out one of my new favorite websites - WatchCases.com. There is an article on WatchCases.com that is very comprehensive and will explain all you need to know to make a wise watch winder buying decision.