Watchwinders
As part of our current #watchwinderweeks, which we started on our Facebook and Instagram accounts, we would like to address the watchwinder as part of our portfolio in today’s blog post.
“What is a watchwinder? What purpose does it serve and why should I own one?” – These are questions that every enthusiast of automatic watches has already dealt with. Today we take the opportunity to answer these questions briefly.
What is a watchwinder?
“If you rest, you rust!” In order to avoid such chaos on an automatic watch, mechanical devices have been developed to wind up the mentioned watch and keep it operational.
Such a mechanical device is called a watchwinder.
What purpose do watchwinders serve?
The answer to this question requires clarification: What special features does an automatic watch entail?
Unlike classic mechanical wristwatches, automatic watches are not powered by batteries but by kinetic energy. Through natural movements, when worn of the wrist, a torque acts on the rotor inside the watch. The mainspring is wound by the laws of inertia and gravity.
In short: The movement on the wrist is sufficient to keep the functions of an automatic watch running.
However, enthusiasts of automatic watches are now faced with a well-known problem: “What should I do if I cannot wear all watches at the same time? Should I put up with having to reset my watch every time?” – Of course not!
Watchwinders are used to ensure that all so-called complications (e.g. weekday display, perpetual calendar, moon phases) remain intact despite the expiration of the power reserve.
A watchwinder imitates the movement of the carrier when unworn, keeping the automatic watch wound and ensuring quick use.
How does a watchwinder work and how do I find the right one for me?
As mentioned above, a watchwinder keeps the automatic watch intact in unworn condition by the respective movement.
For this purpose, the automatic watch is attached to the watch retaining spring. When the watch winder is switched on, the spring rotates slowly with the watch around its own axis of rotation.
Additional functions of a watchwinder determine the choice of the right device. For example, on some models you can control the rounds per minute as well as the direction of rotation. Such opportunities allow the perfect adjustment to the respective movement.
In addition to private use, watch manufacturers and jewellers also require watchwinders in order to check not only the integrity of the watch but also the automatic winding and the construction of the reserve gear.
Especially for commercial use, MTE has developed so-called “watch case holders” for some models of our watchwinders (e.g. the WTS4). This serves the easier handling of the automatic watches, because the watch strap can be removed once and the watch can still be moved on the watchwinder.
Watchwinders are already very practical in any area, be it in a workshop, at home or even when travelling. With the help of a watchwinder, your favourite pieces will always remain ready for use, no matter how flexible your life situation is.
F E E L T H E E M O T I O N B Y M O T I O N
