Breitling Navitimer- Do I need to wind it regularly?

[boxster9]

Just wanted some advice, i have a Breitling navtimer which was a present approx 18 month ago. Thing is I have only worn it once approx 6 month ago, the rest of the time it is kept in its box. My question is whether I need to wind it regularly. will anything happen in term of parts/mechanism if it is unused and I just left it in the wardrobe?

thanks for any advice

[Don1]

An age-old question.... Some people swear blind that winders are needed, to keep everything running smoothly, to keep the oils etc moving....

other say that they've had the watch 20 years, never serviced it, and kept it like you have currently.

I know the watch manufactuers are always looking at ways to have a mechanical watch that doesn't need to be serviced, so I'm assuming that there is some truth in the former argument.... Anyone else with a more technical view on it?

[uktrailmonster]

I'd sell it if I was you. What's the point in owning a watch you use once every 6 months?

I've got a few autos that I rotate, so they often spend a month or two unworn. When I'm not using them I don't keep them on a winder and nothing bad has ever happened once I've wound them back up. I would argue that keeping them running continuously just causes normal wear anyway. But I can't see how a stopped watch could wear out at all. But it probably makes sense to run them every few weeks to keep the lubrication flowing etc. The only point I can see in using a winder is so you don't have to bother resetting them all the time.

[RemaL]

bought a watch winder from e-bay back 2 years ago and working great keeping my Omega and tag going

Edited by RemaL on Monday 3rd December 14:26

[grumbledoak]

Seems a little pointless to have it and never wear it. That said, I'd probably just let it run down and wind it when you want to wear it. I doubt it would do more damage in the long run than continual use.

I love the irony of a clockwork watch sitting on a mains-powered winder, mind, if you go that way!

[boxster9]

I don't want to sell it , I think its a fantastic watch, just unable to wear it on a regular basis due to work. So no definite consensus on this one it seems.

[Popeyed]

I rotate my Navitimer and Tag, and when not in use the Navitimer just sits in the draw. Just a pain having to reset and wind it every time I want to wear it again.

[uktrailmonster]

If you're only going to wear it a couple of times a year, there isn't much point in keeping it on a winder. Just give it a quick wind once a month to keep everything moving freely. Winders are useful if you have a few watches you rotate regularly and don't want to keep having to reset them after they've been left for a few days.

[RS Patrik]

Why don't you rotate them?

I got a few watches that I use 1 week, then rotate for another.

But should anyone have any tips on a good winder, that has the same quality as Orbita, less the fancy appearance, I would be ever so grateful!

[lowdrag]

Like said above, an age old question. My Navitimer is sitting in the drawer as it has done every winter and I've never had a problem with it over the years. I've no idea who is right or wrong but if it makes you feel easier buy a winder. They aren't dear.