One of the most important processes in maintaining a watch or timepiece is winding it. Although most contemporary wristwatches are quartz or battery-powered, traditional or mechanical watches are still powered by a spring mechanism. The spring tightens as you wind it and drives the watch as it unwinds. The spring mechanism keeps the wristwatch on time. Those types of mechanisms are found within a mechanical watch’s movement (a watch’s internal parts). Mechanical watch movements are split into two groups: manual and automatic. An unwound manual or automatic watch left unused can end up malfunctioning, which can be an expensive fix. Winding is important for both automatic and manual watches. You just need to do it as it is part of owning and caring for precious and timeless items. Do check out the handy guide below if you want to wind your watch properly!
How To Properly Wind Your Watch
1- Winding For Manual Watches
Manual watches are watches with manual-wound movements. It is recommended that such watches must be wound at the same time every day to ensure they function properly. To properly wind your manual watch, carefully go through the following steps:
- Remove your watch from its container or take it off your wrist. Winding a watch while wearing it can strain the inner mechanisms.
- Locate the watch crown. A watch crown is a small dial typically situated on the right-hand side of your watch’s case (the watch’s foremost external part that houses its inner workings). While holding your watch using one hand, use your thumb and forefinger to pull the crown out.
- Start winding it clockwise. Be careful not to force out the crown while winding. Winding your watch too much can damage its setting mechanism and the crown. If you happen to damage the crown, you can always check out sites like Watch & Style for a replacement. After 20 to 40 rounds of winding, you will feel resistance. In time, feeling for the resistance will be easier. In manual watches, you will reach a point where the winding is no longer possible.
- Your watch is now wound. Gently push the crown back in to return it to its original position. If the watch runs down sooner than you like, then know you did not quite hit the maximum point of resistance or tension.
2- Winding For Automatic Watches
Automatic watches are watches with automatic movements or movements that are self-winding. Automatic watches are meant for daily wear because the wearer’s movements ensure that automatic watches function. The automatic movement is similar to a manual movement watch, except that it is powered by a rotor that maintains the watch’s energy. Still, you’ll need to wind your automatic watch periodically. To properly wind your automatic watch, follow the steps below (the first few are just the same as some steps to winding a manual watch):
- Remove the watch from its container or take it off your wrist, locate the watch’s crown and unscrew it until you hear the first click telling you it’s in the first position.
- Turn the crown clockwise 20 to 40 times, or just turn the crown clockwise until you feel the resistance. You can’t overwind an automatic timepiece, unlike a manual timepiece. Keep in mind that you’ll need to pull the crown out to expose the stem, like working with a manual movement watch. The crown can also set the date, time, or other functions on your watch.
- Once you’ve finished winding, gently push the watch’s crown back in.
- Wear your watch and keep the movement running with your natural wrist motions.
Yes, manual movement watches can last up to five days with one wind, but that doesn’t mean they’re self-winding. Remember to research the watches you own and the watches you plan on buying. Check their packaging details or search for serial codes or model codes online to get more info. Automatic movement watches can operate for a long time but will lose their wound energy if left unused for a time. Of course, you can always wait to see how long your watch lasts from one wind.
