Alternating watches

[scott123]

I alternate my watches quite regularly, but obviously, now and again the power reserve runs out and they stop. Is this bad form on my part?

Should I look at a watch winder? Are the movements designed to keep moving or is it OK to let them stop and then just manually set the time/date/second time zone when next wearing them? I don't mind manually winding them, so would only look at a watch winder if letting them stop is detrimental to the movement (I'm pretty certain it isn't otherwise every auto in a shop window would be on a winder - but thought it prudent to ask, especially considering the long term health of the movement).

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[lowdrag]

I've had one watch 13 years and it sits regularly in the drawer, then comes out to play from time to time. It's never been serviced but it runs perfectly when I put it on. Personally I reckon these watch winders are a waste of money (hides below the parapet for incoming). Seriously though, they didn't exist for donkey's years yet watches still worked OK. I'll get the Navitimer out tomorrow for fun and see how accurate it is after three days - I haven't worn it for two years at least.

[huytonman]

In theory keeping the main spring constantly wound will give you the best and most reliable accuracy. Of course if you have a manual wind you are stuffed anyway. I cant think why you would create any damage by letting the watch wind down apart from the added stress that winding from scratch will add to the spring but its designed for that. Personally I havent ever bothered with a winder and wont be doing so. Servicing is something different though, these things need looking after, the lubrication does eventually get clagged up and will dry off, even inside a sealed watch case. Mechanisms need to be taken care of and I do have my watches serviced every 4-5 years. Having said that I did have a Tudor Submariner that was perhaps the most accurate automatic mechanical watch ive owned (more so than my rolexs) and I never had it serviced once in ten years and wore it most days. Then I was given a lesson in what goes wrong by a local watchmaker, after that I felt quite guilty! Who knows what long term damage i did to it.

[scott123]

Thanks for the advice guys - I don't think I'll be bothering to get a winder then.

[TheStoat]

I have a watch winder because I like to have whatever watch I want to wear ready at the drop of a hat. It's also a nice way of displaying watches but I'd agree that regular servicing is the key factor in ensuring a watch remains healthy. Oils dry out etc and wear increases, seals may need replacing...

[dace]

huytonman said:

In theory keeping the main spring constantly wound will give you the best and most reliable accuracy. Of course if you have a manual wind you are stuffed anyway. I cant think why you would create any damage by letting the watch wind down apart from the added stress that winding from scratch will add to the spring but its designed for that. Personally I havent ever bothered with a winder and wont be doing so. Servicing is something different though, these things need looking after, the lubrication does eventually get clagged up and will dry off, even inside a sealed watch case. Mechanisms need to be taken care of and I do have my watches serviced every 4-5 years. Having said that I did have a Tudor Submariner that was perhaps the most accurate automatic mechanical watch ive owned (more so than my rolexs) and I never had it serviced once in ten years and wore it most days. Then I was given a lesson in what goes wrong by a local watchmaker, after that I felt quite guilty! Who knows what long term damage i did to it.

I too have a Tudor Submariner. I have had it 18 years and only had it serviced twice.

I wear it everyday and never take it off!

[lowdrag]

Well, the Navitimer has been on my wrist two days after spending 2 years in the drawer and it is 8 seconds adrift. Never serviced, it has led a fairly hard life too. I rest!

[sparkyhx]

I think there is two schools of thought 1 - does no harm and 2 - if its running its wearing out.

Personally I alternate between two watches and manage to keep both wound fully

Where they really are needed is with perpetual calender ones cos setting them can be a bh I believe