Zodiac Talk => General Zodiac Discussion => Topic started by: Sansail on July 15, 2010, 07:52:46 PM

Title: Recommendation for Automatic watch winder
Post by: Sansail on July 15, 2010, 07:52:46 PM
Thanks for the good advice on using a toothpick to change the settings on my moonphase. 

While I will not be wearing the watch daily, I would like to keep it wound so the settings remain current.  I have seen some ads that say the wrong automatic watch winder could damage the watch through overwinding.

Would someone give me some guidance on selecting a watch winder for my 1960's Zodiac moonphase.

Thank you. 
Title: Re: Recommendation for Automatic watch winder
Post by: jon p on July 15, 2010, 10:54:12 PM
 :o forget the ads, you cannot "overwind" a watch,BUT different watch movements wind in different directions,some will wind in both, some either direction only.look for a winder that reverses direction during their cycles and cycles on and off.some even have settings where you can set how many minutes an hour they actually wind.winder prices really go from low to REAL high. i have a couple of low priced ones that do a good job, but usually the less pricey ones make some noise so dont put them in the bedroom unless you are a sound sleeper!!! hope this helps. by the way, your watch is special due to it being an automatic, most you see are manual wind.  JON
Title: Re: Recommendation for Automatic watch winder
Post by: Sansail on July 16, 2010, 08:12:03 AM
Jon,
Thank you for your advice. It is much appreciated.
Sandy
Title: Re: Recommendation for Automatic watch winder
Post by: JDS (Ohio) on July 18, 2010, 12:24:28 AM
Quote from: Sansail on July 15, 2010, 07:52:46 PM
Thanks for the good advice on using a toothpick to change the settings on my moonphase. 

While I will not be wearing the watch daily, I would like to keep it wound so the settings remain current.  I have seen some ads that say the wrong automatic watch winder could damage the watch through overwinding.

Would someone give me some guidance on selecting a watch winder for my 1960's Zodiac moonphase.

Thank you.

Sansail,
I've had 4 different brands of winders so far, and would really only recommend the Eilux winders.  I was put onto them by another WIS, and they are great - reliable and pretty darned quiet (almost inaudible).  You can set them for clockwise, counterclockwise, or alternating both directions.  At 950 rpd, they should not overwind your watch. 

I would NOT recommend either the polished wood cased "no names" usually found in mall stores, nor the Orbita Sparta.  The first polished wood "mall wonder' died on me in about 9 months winding a Seamaster, and its warranty replacement didn't make even a full month.  The Orbita is a bit noisy, and doesn't seem to keep heavier watches wound worth squat.

Of course my watchmaker always says that the best winder is your wrist; he recommends never using any winder, period.