watch winder advice

[Matty]

Wow, after reading all the posts here really makes me think not twice, but many more times about if i really should be getting a watch winder? This is so, b'cos i'll soon have 3 automatic watches in my collection. How about you all giving me some feedback on these 2 links for watch winders if they are good or bad? Maybe your comments hereafter will decide if i should buy or not? Thanks in advance guys!

http://counting-time.com/index.html

http://titan.gostorego.com/

[skydweller_sg]

Thanks for the in depth analysis
I belong to the first school - to rest watch when not in use + full wound to run once a month for lubrication distribution
In addition i only unscrew crown to wind in aircon condition to minimise moisture
And i store watches in drybox with crown fully screw-down
i dont use winder

[lthg25]

interestingly that the threads are said to be damaged by constantly unscrewing and screwing in the crown where it is commented by a watch winder site. is it trying to convince people to buy winders?

scenario -

if a watch is constantly being put on a winder, it means that the watch is constantly working every day regardless if the watch is on a wrist or otherwise. will it require constant service as a result of 'working daily'? likewise with a car engine, if it is working constantly, it means that it will reach its 10k, 20k, 30k,40k,.....servicing faster meaning more money has to be spent on servicing the moving parts?

constant servicing will cost more than repairing the worn out threads?

it is mentioned that you damaged the threads of a vintage rolex, is it due to the age of the watch itself considering that it is a vintage watch or is it caused by you constantly unscrewing and screwing in the crown or both or other factors are involved?

it is noticed that in the article it mentioned that automatic cannot be over-wound. however, constant activating the slipping clutch will it lead to the slipping clutch to be damaged faster?

there are many different school of thoughts. a watch winder is more of a convenience for me rather than any other reasons. however, a watch that would require a winder is a perpetual calendar due to its cumbersome process of setting the time if it stops because one has to adjust the day, date, month, year, leap year, moon phase (if present).

Yes there is 2 schools of thoughts for watches that are seldom used. One to let to stop to reduce wear and tear, another is to keep parts moving to keep lubricant from settling and drying up. I don't think there is any strong proof watches will last longer either way.
As for cars, I don't think I would want my car to sit there for too long. Part in the car will be damaged if not used for too long.

As for the threads on my vintage rolex, I guess it should be combination of both, constantly unscrewing and screwing and age. But logically with a contantly running watch, we only adjust the time/date, 5 times a year for dates dues to no 31 days in a month and maybe 15-20 times to correct the time. With a watch without a winder adjusting the time can be up to (48 hours power reserve), more than 100 times? Cannot be good for the threads.

Anyway that is my two cents on this. Ya but after all I think having a winder is more for convenience rather than anything.

[skydweller_sg]

besides the crown, 2 other ways moisture seeps into a watch is through the crystal seal and the caseback seal
over time, rubber gaskets deteriorate and this may allow moisture seepage
while it may not be necessary to do a full servicing every 5years, its good to at least do the leakage check regularly, just to be on the safe side
dry test up to 10bar/100m should be sufficient to ensure no moisture seepage from ambient

[TanWL]

Thank you for the info.

[skydweller_sg]

seems like more revelation required, here goes:

for time/date adjustments and winding, i always unscrew the crown of my watches in aircon condition where temperature is 23 to 25degC and humidity about 50%RH
for storage, i always keep the crown screwed down

there are some collectors who keep the crowns unscrewed when stored in drybox to 'dehumidify' the movement - i dont practise this

So do you put watches into the dry box with the crown unscrew or not? Does the dry box act like an oven which will dry out whatever moisture in the watch due to the winding of the watch in the open environment?

[TanWL]

So do you put watches into the dry box with the crown unscrew or not? Does the dry box act like an oven which will dry out whatever moisture in the watch due to the winding of the watch in the open environment?

[skydweller_sg]

that means if you never ever unscrew the crown to wind or adjust date/time, you are fine
but everytime you unscrew the crown in a humid condition like ambient in singapore, moisture from ambient, albeit a tiny amount of it, stays within the watch when the crown is screwed down

need further revelation?
its amazing how much there is to learn, isnt it?

A watch that is afraid of condensation . That is really a revelation to me. So watches that state water resistance, what does that means?

[TanWL]

A watch that is afraid of condensation . That is really a revelation to me. So watches that state water resistance, what does that means?

[skydweller_sg]

no relation and hell alot of differences in construction
not even sure why you bring up this point about construction
but there is sure a common hazard between these 2 in terms of storage, ie the condensation of moisture within both

lots of stuff to learn in watch collecting

Mmm...I wonder what are the differences in construction between a camera lens to a watch???

[TanWL]

Mmm...I wonder what are the differences in construction between a camera lens to a watch???

[skydweller_sg]

not sure if there is a magic number to this
usually delicate devices such as camera lens are stored at 40-50%RH

Wow, keeping watches is getting more complicated.
So what should be the RH level be? 30%RH or 60%RH or ....?

[Dfive]

Wow, keeping watches is getting more complicated.
So what should be the RH level be? 30%RH or 60%RH or ....?

too low will kill the rubber seals... they will dry up and crack.... LOL

[TanWL]

Wow, keeping watches is getting more complicated.
So what should be the RH level be? 30%RH or 60%RH or ....?

[skydweller_sg]

Read somewhere regarding lubricant distribution ... Its not necessary to keep running the watch to ensure even distribution of lubricant
Once or twice a month with a full wind is sufficient
More important is the storage temperature
Lubricant dry up at cold temperature
Good thing singapore is close to 30degC most of the time , even with aircon in your room its about 25degC
The killer in our climate is actually humidity
Try to keep your watches in drybox if possible, instead of watch winder