Are Watch-Winders Just a Gimmick? Do I Need One?

[HopsAndClocks]

I've just received my second mechanical watch in the mail, making my collection: one quartz, two automatics. The quartz watch is no concern, as it keeps ticking oblivious to who's wearing it or what's going on. However with having two mechanical watches now, I'm realizing that one of them will be sitting on my desk for long periods of time without use. I don't mind having to reset and wind the watch when I want to wear it (actually I enjoy setting and winding watches oddly enough) but...

I'm concerned as to whether or not it is harmful for a modern mechanical (automatic) watch to sit for days or weeks without being worn or wound. I've heard two sides to this argument, one saying that the oils will congeal... BUT other people say that with modern synthetic oils (used in modern watches) congealing isn't possible.

So, is it okay to leave a mechanical watch sitting dead for several days or even weeks? How about months? Another reason I ask is that I'll be taking a trip overseas soon, and want to take only one of my mechanical watches, meaning the other would be left home without winding or any movement for a couple of weeks. I really hate the idea of watch-winders, and will only purchase one of it's necessary to preserve the longevity of my watch, otherwise I don't want any part of it.

What do you think? Do I need to purchase a watch winder?

P.S. There's a good chance my collection of mechanical pieces will be growing in the future, so whether or not I NEED to wind them each and every day to preserve their longevity is a real concern I have... Please help me put my mind at ease by knowing what to do : ) Thanks !!!!!!!

[ed21x]

it better to let it run down than induce excess wear on the parts. to maintain oil distribution, wind/wear the watch once a month.

[dbakiva]

I wouldn't call them a gimmick; they are a convenience in some circumstances, but you will not damage your watches by not having them on a winder.

[tfarchio]

From what I've read, there are a number of different opinions on how often a watch should be wound to make sure that the oils don't congeal. As another member already noted, about once a month seems to be the general rule of thumb. But again, some people think it should happen more often while others are less concerned about it in general.

That being said, you might still want to consider getting one, simply from a convenience standpoint, especially if you plan on having more autos in your collection. While it doesn't seem like much of a hassle to reset a watch now, I found that doing it every couple of days got pretty annoying. I also became concened about having to manipulate the crowns on my vintage autos so often. I know the crowns are meant to be unscrewed and screwed back in repeatedly, but I figured why put excess wear and tear on that part unless I absolutely had to.

[lambretta]

No you do not need one. I have 15 mechanical watches and we live together happily without one!

[Dakota2cSRT4]

No you do not need one. I have 15 mechanical watches and we live together happily without one!

I don't quite have that many (!!!) but I don't have a winder either. I've considered buying one out of shear convenience but haven't broken down and done it yet...

[John MS]

Unless your watch has several difficult to set complications I can't think of a practical reason to buy one. The usual three hand day & date watch found today is very easy to set up. And most mechanical watches need to have the time adjusted weekly if display accuracy is desired. A good winder that can be programmed can cost the equivalent of a good watch. Save your money for something you can wear.

There is a lot of misinformation about regarding watch oils travelling or congealing if the watch is not run. Modern watch oils will stay in place whether the watch is run or not. Watch oils will gradually thicken from dust and evaporation but that will occur whether no matter what.

[BrentYYC]

I have a six watch winder, and four of the pedestals are used for display only. The only two I use on an ongoing basis are for an automatic that I wear several times a week, and for a complication watch that I don't wear very often but takes at least five minutes to set everything. The later is the only strong reason to buy a winder, imho.

Generally I prefer to let my watches wind down, but manually wind them once every few weeks if I'm not wearing them.

[Scottaw]

Think how long they go unworn from manufacture to sale, if it were tht big of a deal all retailers would have them on winders.

Just if you hate resetting.

[Perseus]

Think how long they go unworn from manufacture to sale, if it were tht big of a deal all retailers would have them on winders.

Just if you hate resetting.

I don't think it has anything to do with the lubricants congealing and Scottaw brings a great point about dealers not putting watches on winders. When I had 3 or 4 autos I did wonder if I was compromising the longevity of the crown, stem, etc when I had to set them each time I wore them.