Is it normal for a watch to stop running in a winder?

[Ferdelious]

I have a 4 watch winder that I got off Amazon a year ago that has been working fine so far, or at least I thought. But last night I went to check on my GMT that has been on it for almost 3 months now and I noticed the watch had stopped. I'm pretty sure the winder was never unplugged or stopped running for a long period during that time. Once I put the GMT on my wrist within about 30 seconds it started working again. The watch is circa 2006 and has never been serviced. Is it normal for a watch to stop like that during long periods on the winder? Or is the winder not working efficiently? All I did was put the watch on my wrist and it worked, I did not wind it at all. Before I put it back, I set the right time and wound it 40 revolutions. I will check tonight to see how close it is to COSC.

[Danex]

I'm seeing this as well on my winder. I'm still trying to figure it out because all my watches stop after a couple of weeks.

[MonBK]

If your winder turns less the 650 TPD it will eventually run down.

[fullcourt]

make sure it's set for the correct number of tpd (turns per day) and that they're turning in the correct direction (clockwise/counterclockwise)

i've never had a watch stop in the winder unless the winder has stopped.

here's a link for tpd and direction

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

good luck

[Tools]

Yes, it will stop while on a winder...

As mentioned, it needs about 650 winds a day just to maintain enough power to stay at the same wind as when you put it on the winder.

If not, it will eventually run down to where the winder is not putting enough into it against what it is using to stay running.

You should always wind the watch fully when you put it on the winder, since, they don't actually wind the watch up, they just maintain the wind already there..

[Ferdelious]

Originally Posted by MonBK

If your winder turns less the 650 TPD it will eventually run down.

Originally Posted by fullcourt

make sure it's set for the correct number of tpd (turns per day) and that they're turning in the correct direction (clockwise/counterclockwise)

i've never had a watch stop in the winder unless the winder has stopped.

here's a link for tpd and direction

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

good luck

Thanks Guys. I bought a cheaper model and not sure I can set the amount of TPD. I know that it definitely rotates clockwise then counterclockwise. If my memory serves me right, its supposed to run 10 minutes on then 10 minutes off, etc...

[Ferdelious]

Originally Posted by Tools

Yes, it will stop while on a winder...

As mentioned, it needs about 650 winds a day just to maintain enough power to stay at the same wind as when you put it on the winder.

If not, it will eventually run down to where the winder is not putting enough into it against what it is using to stay running.

You should always wind the watch fully when you put it on the winder, since, they don't actually wind the watch up, they just maintain the wind already there..

Thanks Larry!

[MonBK]

Get yourself an Orbita and your problems are over.

Give Kevin at Orbita a call and I'm sure he'll make you a deal.

[VICI]

Check the specifications for your winder and the watch movement requirement.

My Rolexes are at 650 bidirectional rotations per day

[tegee26]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Get yourself an Orbita and your problems are over.

Give Kevin at Orbita a call and I'm sure he'll make you a deal.

I'll second that. I bought my son a Privee and I have a 3-unit Sienna.

Love my Orbita.......

[Sublover2166]

With watch winders as other things, you get what you pay for. A cheap 50 dollar winder will not do the same as a nice quality 500 dollar winder.

[watchwatcher]

My problem with winders is that when you start talking about the good ones, you start talking about money that I would prefer to put toward my next watch.

[Ferdelious]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

My problem with winders is that when you start talking about the good ones, you start talking about money that I would prefer to put toward my next watch.

This was my thought exactly, not sure I want to go in the 1k range or higher for a winder. I guess I just have to check more often and manually wind to keep my watches running properly.

[Brian Page]

Sell all your watches and buy one REALLY good one - never take it off, problem solved.

[azguy]

I've had my Wolf winders for year and never have had a watch stop running. I have mine set a 700 TPD even though 650 is the conventional wisdom...

[Judah]

Some winders have timers and shutoff automatically. I have a Diplomat and It auto shuts off. I have to unplug and then plug in again to reset the timer. Bought for $20 of craigslist. I does the job.

[breitlings]

I think that the numbers orbita recommends are a bit on the low side. so I would say something like 550 -650 turns per day each direction, or around 1200 total, and I don't think it will stop.

It happened to me on a breitling I just had serviced using orbita numbers so I don't think it's automatically the watches issue.

[KevNev]

Originally Posted by Tools

Yes, it will stop while on a winder...

As mentioned, it needs about 650 winds a day just to maintain enough power to stay at the same wind as when you put it on the winder.

If not, it will eventually run down to where the winder is not putting enough into it against what it is using to stay running.

You should always wind the watch fully when you put it on the winder, since, they don't actually wind the watch up, they just maintain the wind already there..

If a winder does more than the needed 650 winds just to maintain, wouldn't that increase the wind in the spring and not just maintain? I guess my scenario assumes the watch isn't put on at full wind.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by KevNev

If a winder does more than the needed 650 winds just to maintain, wouldn't that increase the wind in the spring and not just maintain? I guess my scenario assumes the watch isn't put on at full wind.

650 happens to be a setting that Orbita advertises for Rolex and so we easily toss out this number even though it may be a few winds off either way. In practice, you set your winder for the recommended turns per day and if the watch stops, you adjust to give it more turns.

Yes, if a watch only uses the equivalent of 600 winds a day to stay winding/power-used neutral, 650 will eventually wind it up. It would take a long time, but it could do the job. (I believe that a Rolex is actually close to the 600 requirement so 650 should always work)

That's the opposite of what this thread is about though. If a winder is set at 600 but the watch actually needs 650 to remain neutral, the watch will eventually stop.

Now, that is theoretical. Reality is that the watch will stop, but since the winder continues to turn, it will eventually put enough wind in the stopped watch that it will restart; it will run until it stops once again and repeat that cycle until something changes the balance.

[Ferdelious]

Originally Posted by Tools

650 happens to be a setting that Orbita advertises for Rolex and so we easily toss out this number even though it may be a few winds off either way. In practice, you set your winder for the recommended turns per day and if the watch stops, you adjust to give it more turns.

Yes, if a watch only uses the equivalent of 600 winds a day to stay winding/power-used neutral, 650 will eventually wind it up. It would take a long time, but it could do the job. (I believe that a Rolex is actually close to the 600 requirement so 650 should always work)

That's the opposite of what this thread is about though. If a winder is set at 600 but the watch actually needs 650 to remain neutral, the watch will eventually stop.

Now, that is theoretical. Reality is that the watch will stop, but since the winder continues to turn, it will eventually put enough wind in the stopped watch that it will restart; it will run until it stops once again and repeat that cycle until something changes the balance.

As always thank you for the knowledge Larry, great post!

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Ferdelious

The watch is circa 2006 and has never been serviced.

Now that you solved the winder problem, I think you should solve this too.

[Ferdelious]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Now that you solved the winder problem, I think you should solve this too.

You're right, its probably time. But the wife wants to redo the kitchen so I'm holding off. It's mostly a safe watch that I'm going to give to my son when he's ready.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Ferdelious

You're right, its probably time. But the wife wants to redo the kitchen so I'm holding off. It's mostly a safe watch that I'm going to give to my son when he's ready.

[locutus49]

Great post. I'm looking to buy one off Amazon, a cheaper one (Chiyoda, with a Japanese motor) but looks decent. BTW, I had to laugh when I saw you use the word Reality on the internet.

Originally Posted by Tools

650 happens to be a setting that Orbita advertises for Rolex and so we easily toss out this number even though it may be a few winds off either way. In practice, you set your winder for the recommended turns per day and if the watch stops, you adjust to give it more turns.

Yes, if a watch only uses the equivalent of 600 winds a day to stay winding/power-used neutral, 650 will eventually wind it up. It would take a long time, but it could do the job. (I believe that a Rolex is actually close to the 600 requirement so 650 should always work)

That's the opposite of what this thread is about though. If a winder is set at 600 but the watch actually needs 650 to remain neutral, the watch will eventually stop.

Now, that is theoretical. Reality is that the watch will stop, but since the winder continues to turn, it will eventually put enough wind in the stopped watch that it will restart; it will run until it stops once again and repeat that cycle until something changes the balance.

[Racerdj]

I have used Wolf exclusively and run at 650 both directions and have never had any of my watches stop. I am probably on the high side.

[breitlings]

this thread needs more cowbell/pictures

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by MonBK

If your winder turns less the 650 TPD it will eventually run down.

Yup! Same here!

[style88]

If you buy those made in China winders where there is no TPD setting, but only allows periodic turnings (6 minutes turn, stop 3 minutes, etc) you will either over wind the watch or the TPD is not enough to maintain the wind. The pre-built settings are either too aggressive or too slow I have one before and it's useless. Infact, the hinge broke after 4 months.

I later change to another winder which allow TPD settings, set it to bidirectional 650 TPD, and the watches never stop. It's not orbita, it's not wolf, it's a made in Singapore winder,not that expensive (ard US$220 for a 4-watches unit) but it look as expensive as those wolf type with touch digital interface for settings.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by style88

If you buy those made in China winders where there is no TPD setting, but only allows periodic turnings (6 minutes turn, stop 3 minutes, etc) you will either over wind the watch or the TPD is not enough to maintain the wind. The pre-built settings are either too aggressive or too slow I have one before and it's useless. Infact, the hinge broke after 4 months.

I later change to another winder which allow TPD settings, set it to bidirectional 650 TPD, and the watches never stop. It's not orbita, it's not wolf, it's a made in Singapore winder,not that expensive (ard US$220) but it look as expensive as those wolf type with touch digital interface for settings.

a picture is worth a thousand words lol

[style88]

Originally Posted by breitlings

a picture is worth a thousand words lol

Attached a picture here. The touch interface can set different TPD settings for each of the motor.

There is also a storage drawer at the bottom for 2-3 manual wind watches.

Comes in carbon black or Porsche brown interior. Has a door sensor, motor stops when you open the door. Can off this function as well.

Has LED lights at the top, good for viewing at night, but you can off it if you wish.

Not a wolf, but for the price, does the job pretty well and has "premium" function.