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Post by jmh1970 on Nov 29, 2007 17:08:34 GMT -5
Last holiday season my wife purchased a Steinhausen winder for me as a told her I needed a winder for some of the watches that I have.
My questions are:
1) Can the use of a winder in this price category damage any of my watches? (this one seems to do the trick - keeping them wound and running)
2) Is it better to keep an auto watch not running - only winding it once in a while for maintenance?
3) It seems you can spend endlessly on winders. Where is the sweet spot between price / function / and presentation
I know this sounds like the guy who buys the Porsche but can't afford the gas - but I would rather spend the money on another watch
Please set me straight - any input appreciated
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Post by timefinder on Nov 29, 2007 17:16:44 GMT -5
JMH: There are reasons for and against. Me personally, I do not use them; but, some members do. I have posted some links to articles discussing this, and I am sure other members will jump in as well, so you can make the decision that is best for you. www.chronocentric.com/watches/winders.shtml*Forum Sponsor Link*: usawatchservice.com/watch_repair_faq.html (See toward the end his view of watch winders.) Hope this will help as a start.
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Post by idriveanm5 on Nov 29, 2007 20:07:23 GMT -5
JMH, Opinions vary, and I think the majority are opinions, period.
1. I use a Steinhausen winder for my Rolex and Omega collection. No problems, though one day I aspire to own an Orbita. 2. If you talk to just about any AD, they'll tell you to keep it running, and not to let it stop. I also subscribe to this philosophy. Plus, it's handy not having to set your watch when you haven't worn it for a while. I tend to go several weeks between some of the watches in my collection. 3. No clue.
Good luck!
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Post by Scott D on Nov 29, 2007 20:52:55 GMT -5
Well, this is the age old "ford - chevy" argument, and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. So first the statistic. To the best of my knowledge (and I've extensively searched) there is no evidence or study that was able to prove that using a winder can harm the watch, assuming the winder either rotates the appropriate number of turns each day, or the watch has a slipping clutch to avoid over-winding. A proper winder can not hurt the watch. You could argue that extended periods of non-winding can hurt the watch, because the lubrication doesn't get circulated, but you'd have to let it sit a really long time. So to answer your first & second question, as long as the winders set to the proper rotations, or your watch has a slipping clutch, the winder cannot hurt your watches & there's really no reason not to let them sit unwound. Sure, you may get a bit longer between servicing by not keeping them running all the time, but I'd also think you could reverse that & say because of the use / non-use you could need servicing earlier. I don't think either would make a huge difference in the frequency of required servicing.. The opinions come into plan on whether the money spent is worth it or not. And it's just that - an opinion. I for one like them. I have 13 automatics, and hate resetting my watches. So for me it's fantastic. Though yes, I could have used that money for another watch, but I like how they're all safe & secure in the winders, and they're always ready-to-wear. Now, to your last question, what's the 'sweet-spot' as to how much you have to spend. There is no correct answer here either (Now you know it just couldn't be that simple! ). As long as the winder rotated the proper number of rotations per day & holds the watch securely, thats all that matters. One of my winders is also a Steinhausen, and I've had it about 2 years with zero problems mechanically. What you get when paying for higher end is mostly a quieter motor, and maybe better material for the exterior. Now my Steinhausen started getting noisier after awhile, to the point I couldn't have it on the nightstand & sleep. Wasn't like it was a train motor or anything, but it bugged me enough when trying to go to sleep I didn't like it there. No problem, I moved it elsewhere and got an Eilux winder. The Eilux on the other hand is extremely quiet, so much so I can hardly tell it's running unless I look at it. It's also much more expensive. THAT'S what you're paying for. Eilux, Orbita, Wolfe, they are all great names, the Porsche, Mercedes or BMW of winders. The Steinhausen is the Chevy, Ford or Dodge. Absolutely nothing wrong with it, it'll get you from A to B, and can look nice, but not as nice as the others... Unless the Steinhausen is giving you problems, there isn't any reason to change IMO. I mainly changed because of 1) the noise & 2) the Steinhausen was full. I hope this helps!
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Post by jmh1970 on Nov 29, 2007 23:07:50 GMT -5
Thanks for all the information! More decisions!
When speaking of a slipping clutch is there a solid way to determine if my autos have this feature? - With rolex is there a certain production year this feature was included? Or certain movements?
Again thanks so much for the information
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Post by Scott D on Nov 29, 2007 23:19:43 GMT -5
Thanks for all the information! More decisions! When speaking of a slipping clutch is there a solid way to determine if my autos have this feature? - With rolex is there a certain production year this feature was included? Or certain movements? Again thanks so much for the information Hummm.. I can't recall when Rolex started, so I won't guess. I'm pretty sure all modern ones have it. I'm sure one of the guys will answer with a definitive response though...
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Post by pauleypaul on Nov 30, 2007 6:40:46 GMT -5
I only have 4 Rolex (SD SUB GMT AIR-KING) so i don't feel i need a winder. Besides, i like giving them all a little wind each day, it keeps me in touch with the ones that i'm not wearing. :-)
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Post by wantonebad on Nov 30, 2007 11:46:40 GMT -5
I paid too much for my dual Steinhausen last year on e-bay, paid $80 for it and it doesn't work properly. I would put my Seamater in it after having manually wound it and three weeks later the watch had stopped intermittently and the time/dat was off. I hate my Steinhausen and am considering a new one. I know others are happy with their Steinhausen but I would never consider another one, ever YMMV JMHO
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Post by idriveanm5 on Nov 30, 2007 13:42:09 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about your experience with S-hausen Wantonebad.
It appears that the opinions on this subject are just about as varied as the winders themselves. I've bought 3 winders - one was a no-name from Seabay, which works fine but is a bit noisy. Then, I have a S-Hausen 4 watch winder with 2 tables for my wife, which works fine. Finally, she bought me an 8 watch winder with 4 tables. The Rolex pieces love it, as does my Omega Planet Ocean. However, my mid-size Bond SMP doesn't like it much - occasionally it will stop on the winder and be a few hours behind when I pick it back up. It may be getting a touch over-wound. The SMP is happiest on my wrist, go figure. I don't think there's any damage going on to the SMP - it keeps time fiercly when it's on the wrist.
Could they be made better? Sure. But then again, you get what you pay for, and my most expensive winder was still less than $300.
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Post by timefinder on Nov 30, 2007 14:46:30 GMT -5
I think the best winder is on the wrist! ;D
After reading this thread, it appears we all have different opinions on this. Interesting thread.
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Post by Scott D on Nov 30, 2007 15:24:24 GMT -5
I would put my Seamater in it after having manually wound it and three weeks later the watch had stopped intermittently and the time/dat was off. So 2 things that come to mind.. 1) are you sure it was set for the correct number of rotations per day? If not, it would have lost time over time.. On most Steinhausens there is a switch on the back that depending how they are set will determine the revolutions per day. A Seamaster needs 650 (I assume it's a 1120 movement) 2) Winders are meant to maintain, not completely wind a watch. It's not uncommon for a watch that sits on a winder for long periods of time to lose time after a few weeks. If the watch wasn't 100% wound prior to being put in the winder, it'll lose time. Reason is the revolutions it gives is meant to keep it going, but if the watch was say at only 30% of the reserve, after a few weeks it'll go lower & lower..... That could be the reason it lost time. When I put a watch on the winder I won't wear for awhile, I fully wind it manually before putting it into the winder. Otherwise, I've noticed they'll lose time. Just some FYI that may help....
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Post by pauleypaul on Nov 30, 2007 15:42:20 GMT -5
I suppose one advantage of a winder is continuity (i assume since i don't have one) i mean, whichever Rolex i'm wearing keeps great time, those in the drawer and subject to a daily maintenance wind tend to run a little fast.
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Post by idriveanm5 on Dec 1, 2007 9:48:35 GMT -5
Scott offers good advice as usual. I'll give my Bond SMP a bit of extra juice before I stick it on the winder. BTW, my S-hausen doesn't really give me the option to set by "turns per day." It's more like XX minutes clockwise, YY minutes off, XX minutes counterclockwise, YY minutes off. Without knowing the angular velocity, it's a bit difficult to calculate how many turns per day the stupid thing gives.
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Post by mike on Dec 1, 2007 13:05:10 GMT -5
You know, the debate on winders has been going on for a long time--and will continue to do so LOL! Several collectors (and watchmakers) whose opinion and expertise I trust say that leaving a watch "at rest" for a period of time does no harm. I have several pieces that for one reason or another see less wrist time than others. I give them a wind about once a month and have no problems. I kinda think a winder is more a convenience than a necessity. I love em on watches without quick-set! I have an orbita and couldn't be happier with it.
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Post by pauleypaul on Dec 1, 2007 16:15:04 GMT -5
Hi jmh1970, Sorry to backtrack a little on this thread but i was looking through the booklet for my GMT (1991) which makes reference to the 'slipping clutch' and is shown next to the 3135 movement. Don't know if this helps any but there you go! :-)
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