Watch Winders

[mpeich]

Any suggestions for a reliable and affordable watch winder for my new Sub and older Datejust? Also, which direction should the the winder wind, or is bi-directional best?

Thanks for any advice, and Happy New Year to all!

Cheers,
Mike

[globalmedia33]

Wolf Designs watch winder is pretty good.

[Watchvirgin]

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=384941

This!

[lmcgbaj]

I personally hate winders and I really dont see the use unless you have a very large collection. With that said Wolf Design is average. Orbita would be a top quality winder.

[T. Ferguson]

Personally don't have the need for one but the two brands that seemed mentioned a lot are Wolfe and Orbita.

A search of the topic will bring up a ton of info...and debate.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by lmcgbaj

I personally hate winders.....

How is that even possible How can you hate something that always has your watch ready to go.....

[Racerdj]

I have always used Wolfdesign winders. I had a triple and moved on to the 6 bay version. I like to grab a watch and go with no setting. Each bay can be individually programed.

[Mystro]

Brookstone make s very good affordable and programmable quad winder. Each head is programmable and bi or one directional. I own one and a Orbita for the last 20 years. Wolf is another good one.

I don't think there is any debate on the subject rather than opinions. Fact is, a quality programable winder will not hurt a movement.
I have more time with my TT Sub Rolex on a Orbita winder than I think anyone on the forum does. (19 years running constantly). After the 15 year mark for its first service ever and the movement was is excellent condition needing nothing than the typical routine service parts. That's non stop running for 15 years either on my wrist or on its Orbita winder! I should also mention, it didnt need any servicing at the 15 year mark but after many forum discussions on the matter, I decided to send my watch in for a routine service and have its results posted on the forum for empirical data on "delayed routine service" and "extensive watch winder use". It was well documented in previous threads.

Winders are great and my watch is kept in tip top condition.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by mpeich

Any suggestions for a reliable and affordable watch winder for my new Sub and older Datejust? Also, which direction should the the winder wind, or is bi-directional best?

Thanks for any advice, and Happy New Year to all!

Cheers,
Mike

For Rolex it needs to be bi-directional and set at 650 TPD.

Oooops, Orbita is the best.

[Horology.life]

I have the rolex wonder and wolf design single winder, both are very good.
Having said that I don't use them very often!

[thewatchguy93]

A brand called Rapport make beautiful quality watch winders.

[c.capt]

Orbita winders are good but $$$$. I personally use Wolf winders and have 12 of them currently. PM me and I can hook you up with an AD that can give you a nice discount.

[Tokyo Time]

Wolf for me. Great balance between affordability and quality.

[darwen]

Out of interest - why do Rolexes require bi-directional winders ?

If you have it on a uni-directional winder you'll damage the watch ?

[c.capt]

Originally Posted by darwen

Out of interest - why do Rolexes require bi-directional winders ?

If you have it on a uni-directional winder you'll damage the watch ?

They don't *require* one. The movement can be wound in either direction which, when on the wrist, makes the watch more efficient at winding. Setting it to one direction or having a unidirectional winder will not harm the movement.

For example, the ETA 7750 only winds in the clockwise direction (thus the telltale "Valjoux Wobble"), but the ETA 2892 is bidirectional.

[mhj202]

Originally Posted by MonBK

For Rolex it needs to be bi-directional and set at 650 TPD.

For a Wolf bi-directional winder, that's the 325 TPD setting, right?

[c.capt]

Originally Posted by mhj202

For a Wolf bi-directional winder, that's the 325 TPD setting, right?

I believe Wolf increments by 50, so I'd go with 350. Side note - Daytonas require around 800 TPD... so for Wolf - bidirectional, set to 400.

[sco]

Remember to get a locking cuff. My watches have "base jumped" on their own in the past. I was sent a new larger cuff, and that has seemed to resolve the issue.

Honestly though, I haven't used it in a while, I just let my watches run down and set them when I am ready to wear. The most time consuming is my Omega AT, only because there is no quick set date. Even that takes about a minute at the longest... Good Luck...

[Sublover2166]

Now that I have 2 Subs, I am really glad I bought a winder. There seems to be a lot of anti-sentiment against winders, but I have never heard of a winder damaging a movement on this forum. What I have heard is many threads starting like this; "Was winding my Rolex this morning and something snapped, now the watch wont wind". My winder is a dust free environment for my watches, they are always fully wound and set to the right time, and if I have a day where I am either doing yard work or am sick I can choose not to wear any watch that day and they always remain ready to go. What is there not to like? BTW my winder can run on 2 D batteries which will last for nearly a year. This makes it convenient to lock the winder in my safe when I am not home.

[fullcourt]

been using a winder for years....

here's a great website for info on what direction and how many tpd needed

http://orbita.com/2010_web/NEW/WatchDatabase.htm

Rolex info:

ROLEX
Most Rolex Automatics Most Rolex Movements Both 650
Daytona Cosmograph 4130 CW 800-950
Daytona Both 650-800
Submariner Both 650

[bdex75]

I have a wolf viceroy 2.7 triple and set it to 350 bi-directional with a 42 hour delay for my DSSD, DJ, and wife's date.
Doesn't do much good for the manual winds though. They just nap in the storage area up top


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Invictus Maneo]

Where's Padi???????

[tegee26]

Been using an Orbita Sienna triple winder for my Breitling, Omega PO and SubC. Been no issues for over a year now.

Breitling requires single direction at 650 TPD and the Omega and Sub are 650 TPD Bi-Direction.

As someone already posted a link to Orbita's database, which is a GREAT resource for how many TPD you need for each watch. My Orbita can be programmed individual for TPD, however all three are on regardless of the setting which is the only drawback of my particular unit.

BTW: I am in the camp of "liking" a winder.......nough said I gues:-).

[GoonerStrike]

I have heard that winders will actually extend the life of a movement vs. not being worn/winded. Is this true?

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by globalmedia33

Wolf Designs watch winder is pretty good.

Have always had very good luck with a Wolf myself too. They are affordable when compared to Orbita and no issues here.

[thomaspp]

Originally Posted by GoonerStrike

I have heard that winders will actually extend the life of a movement vs. not being worn/winded. Is this true?

No. This is open to debate among the experts but no one has convinced me the winders do anything for the movements. I would only get one if I had an annual/perpetual calendar so I don't have to set the thing all the time.

[lmcgbaj]

Originally Posted by azguy

How is that even possible How can you hate something that always has your watch ready to go.....

I have a few reasons:

1. They are not practical unless you have a large home safe and a winder that runs on batteries inside the safe. I don't have my watches displayed in the house. I don't find it safe.

2. I prefer to set the watch myself instead of having the watches run 24/7 just in case I want to use one of them. Although debatable I tend to believe that it puts more wear on the watches for no reason.

3. I like setting up my watches in the morning. It's kind of a bonding ritual. Call me crazy.

Again this is just my experience so some folks might find them useful. I had one and sold it after two weeks.