Now that you've committed to buying a watch winder (or if you haven't yet, see here), what should you consider when choosing the right one? How can you "optimise" your watch winder use? Does it even matter?
1. Choose a winder that does not run continuously
Choose a watch winder that operates in a stop-start fashion like the Cyclops Watch Winder to minimise wear on your watches and preserve their longevity. This is to ensure that the watch is not subjected to continuous stress from winding for extended periods. The Wolf Watch Winder, offer custom programming options so you can set the exact turns-per-day, which is useful if you want to be very precise with your TBD settings. Other winders are pre-programmed with timed stops between rotations.
Wolf's British Racing Watch Winder allows you to program the winder within a range of 300 ~ 1,200 turns per day (TPD). *Price ~ $1,335 AUD. Source: Wolf
Cyclops Watch Winder is a stop-start winder, with pre-programmed rotations 2 minutes clockwise, 2 minutes anti-clockwise and 2 minutes rest. *Price ~ $99 AUD. Source: The Watch Box Co.
2. Use a watch winder sparingly and allow watches to rest
Allowing your watches occasional moments of rest helps replicate the natural rhythm of your wrist. This thoughtful habit ensures that the mainspring (which holds potential energy) can spend its energy levels through the entire strip once in a while. Alternatively, wear your watch every now and then.
3. Winder that alternates in direction of rotation
Select a winder that alternates between clockwise and anticlockwise rotations to ensure it is mimicking the movement as close as possible to you actually wearing it. Most winders should have this setting; however, it is good to double-check.
One of the most premium watch winders in the market, famous for their GMT-style window, the Scatola del Tempo's Rotor 1 offers bi-directional settings. *Price ~ $880 AUD. Source: JJFarrenPrice
3. Design fit
Get a winder that works well with other objects and furniture in your room. Take a look at what other objects are on the table and see if matches the theme of your room, in terms of shape, colour, and materiality. For example, if your room is more modern and minimalist style, you might want to look for symmetrical shape with consistent colour like the Cyclops Watch Winder. On the other hand, if your room is more rustic and cosy, rectangular shapes and mahogany material could be more suitable.
Carina Watch Winder uses walnut and mahogany to create a more traditional watch box look. Price ~ $159 AUD. Source: The Watch Box Co.
Final Verdict: watch winders will not make or break your watch
Sure, you can "optimise" your watch winder ownership with the considerations above. However, my honest advice is to simply go for the one that looks good to you.
Most commerical automatic watches are built to last for reliability and durability and commercial stop-start watch winders should not put any damage to the watch. Watches were built for explorers - soldiers, deep sea divers, pilots, and even astronauts. Call it a marketing stunt nowadays, but historically, automatic watches were built to withstand many things, and people relied on their watches to meet crucial timings. In WW2, thousands could die if the artillery was a minute late for the infantry in front. Most established watch brands still carry the manufacturing standards to meet quality, reliability and performance standards for watches to last various tough conditions.
The British Military invited 12 Swiss watch brands to produce automatic mechancial movement wrist watches during WW2. This is the Omega "W.W.W" - image source: A Collected Man.
Such conditions put a lot more stress on the watch than leaving it on any watch winder. Therefore, in my opinion, beating around the bush about whether a watch winder will mess up your watch is trivial.
Life is short, watches are built for a lot more than you may think, so just get out there and pick the one that speaks to you and your watch.
References
Check out the articles below to learn more about watch winders and watch care best practices.
How to Buy & Use the right watch winder
What does Teddy Baldassare think of watch winders?
What does New York Magazine recommend?
Watch Winder: A Beginner’s Buying Guide
Watch Winder Guide: The Watch Club
Slaets Antwerp: Rotor One (cover image)
*All prices valid at the time of writing (6th of January 2024).