storing Sub wound, but stopped

[mch979]

I have read some opinions that keeping a watch long term on a winder, just causes wear on the watch as it it running constantly, perhaps for years on end.

Also read that winding it periodically is a good idea.

Why not wind it, and then pull the crown out to stop it....any reason why it can't stay stopped indefinitely? It is not going to wear anything or create any debris when it is stopped.

I wound my Sub about 30 times (1/2 turns), pulled the crown and stopped it, and stuck it in the safe... Any reason not to do this?

Thanks for any technical explanations of why not, or why it should be fine.

[watchmaker]

Store it unwound or leave it on a winder. Storing it wound with the crown pulled out gives no value add over the other options.

The question of how to store is largely irrelevant because one way or another the watch is going to have to be serviced. A watch winder does increase the mechanical wear versus a watch that is stored stopped, but not by any significant amount assuming servicing is allowed for in the cost of ownership.

If servicing is something people seek to avoid I can highly recommend the little clock on any smartphone.

[moyski]

Originally Posted by mch979

Why not wind it, and then pull the crown out to stop it....any reason why it can't stay stopped indefinitely? It is not going to wear anything or create any debris when it is stopped.



I wound my Sub about 30 times (1/2 turns), pulled the crown and stopped it, and stuck it in the safe... Any reason not to do this?



Thanks for any technical explanations of why not, or why it should be fine.

So many things wrong here. Why wind it up in the first place then stop the movement for storage? Leaving the crown open like that would increase the risk of moisture entering your watch. If long term storage is needed, let the movement run out of power, no tension on the mainspring barrel, no pressure on the gears. Keep the crown screwed down to protect the movement from moisture.

[ilovethiscity]

I agree the crown should always be closed. I see so many pictures on Chrono24 etc of pre owned watches with the crown out and I think people see that as saying it’s been stored well but it’s the total opposite. The crown’s major purpose is to keep the movement (the most important part of the watch) from being exposed to dust/moisture and anything else that could potentially cause real problems. I’d rather let the watch stop and then give it a good wind when I next wear it. They are built to last and last!

[amh]

Originally Posted by ilovethiscity

I agree the crown should always be closed. I see so many pictures on Chrono24 etc of pre owned watches with the crown out and I think people see that as saying it’s been stored well but it’s the total opposite. The crown’s major purpose is to keep the movement (the most important part of the watch) from being exposed to dust/moisture and anything else that could potentially cause real problems. I’d rather let the watch stop and then give it a good wind when I next wear it. They are built to last and last!

- But people here always say it's ok to swim even if you left the crown open because there's another set of gaskets protecting the movement. So how could moisture get in?
- And what if the pics on chrono24 are done with the crown pulled out so the seller can align the hands?

I wouldn't do what OP is proposing but I certainly see no harm in it. Supposedly springs don't "wear out" even if they are under tension.

[Crown & Shield]

People are wrong: the Triplock crown has three sets of gaskets for a reason: to keep water out. When the crown is unscrewed, two sets of gaskets are not doing their intended job.
As for storing the watch wound with the movement stopped, it is not recommended because it puts unnecessary stress on the mainspring.

[johnny.tran1]

def keep it closed so dust and other things can't get in

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Store it unwound or leave it on a winder. Storing it wound with the crown pulled out gives no value add over the other options.

The question of how to store is largely irrelevant because one way or another the watch is going to have to be serviced. A watch winder does increase the mechanical wear versus a watch that is stored stopped, but not by any significant amount assuming servicing is allowed for in the cost of ownership.

If servicing is something people seek to avoid I can highly recommend the little clock on any smartphone.

Thank you for commenting on the terrible myth of watch destruction on a winder.
Haven’t lost a watch yet and have 8 winders currently working.

[SN13]

Winders don't "Destroy" a watch, but logically would increase the wear and tear internally as the watch is constantly moving and making contact with the other parts.

A light polish doesn't destroy a watch, but if you polished it every day, eventually the cumulative damage adds up.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by mch979

Why not wind it, and then pull the crown out to stop it....any reason why it can't stay stopped indefinitely? It is not going to wear anything or create any debris when it is stopped.

If it has a date, it will have to be reset anyway. If it does not then winding and setting take seconds.

Not sure what this would accomplish except undue stress on the internals of sitting wound and stopped.

[m j b]

I too don't see the advantage of winding before putting in storage-you still have to set the time and maybe the date as well. Plus all of the other issues mentioned.

When I have more than one watch in rotation, I just let them run down and when I want to wear them, the crown gets unscrewed, the time set and then I wind it. Pretty simple.