Watch winder - function, origin and meaning

Watch winders are mechanical devices that wind automatic watches and help to maintain their functionality even when they are not worn or are rarely worn. Today, most mechanical wristwatches are equipped with an automatic winding mechanism and do not need to be wound by hand as was the case in the past. Winding is done entirely by hand. simply by the wearer's arm movements when he or she is running. If this is not possible because the watch is rarely or never worn, a watch winder is required. This slowly rotates the watch placed on it around the rotor axis and in this way simulates the missing arm movements. The Slow “replacement movements” ensure that the winding mechanism still works, the watch does not have to be rewound after 24 to 48 hours and remains intact for a long time.

No new recruitment required

Watch winders have been around since 1948 and were developed by Hans Schmiedbauer, ultimately becoming the birthplace of the now internationally renowned precision machine factory Elma Deutschland. Initially, the "circulation regulators" as they were called at the time were used to check the repaired automatic watches. However, the many advantages of the watch winder for home use were soon discovered and so they have already found their way into the homes of many watch collectors and are still a popular storage method for automatic watches today. This is particularly useful for watches with complications, such as a perpetual calendar or a moon phase display, as setting these sophisticated features is often very time-consuming.

In addition, the accuracy of the movement can be precisely selected. This means that highly valued pieces of watchmaking are always ready to be shown off. However, the watch winders themselves are often lovingly designed collector's items made from valuable materials such as fine woods, glass, aluminum, etc. Some even have several different winding programs to offer. The number of revolutions per day and the direction of rotation depend on the type of automatic winding. In most cases, automatic movements are wound on both sides with between 650 and 900 revolutions, also known as "UPT" (revolutions per day) or "TPD" (turns per day). The manufacturers of watch winders often offer a list of the movements and their direction of rotation.

Elegant and professional accommodation

Mechanical watches can be affected by being idle for a long period of time, as dirt can build up and the fine moving parts can wear out at irregular intervals. For watch lovers who own many high-quality automatic watches and cannot wear them all the time, this wear and tear is of course a nightmare. But there is a simple solution: Automatic watches that are not or only rarely worn can be kept running with a watch winder, thus avoiding long periods of idleness. They are also always ready for use. There are various devices with one or more movable watch holders, as well as versions where the focus is on function and others whose elegant design almost overshadows that of the watches they contain. The best materials, elegant lighting and a viewing window are real eye-catchers. Such a noble presentation base offers a suitable home for particularly exclusive automatic watches and is also a wonderful decoration for the living room.

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