Watch winders?

Mark M · 30 Dec 2012 at 15:11

I have a Tag Heuer Grand Carrera Calibre 6 and it stops pretty quickly when I take it off my wrist so was wondering if I should get a watch winder for it for when I take it off? I think the reason it stops fairly quickly is because I sit a a desk all day and rarely move my left hand off the keyboard!

I take it off when I go to the gym on an evening and then sometimes dont put it back on until the morning. I don't wear it while it bed either. In all fairness its not too bad having to adjust it most mornings but thought it might be an idea to just put it in the winder when I take it off?

If so what winder should I be looking at for it?

Thanks

Rotty · 30 Dec 2012 at 15:16

I have a 4 watch Rapport one, very well made, they do single winders too

Mark M · 30 Dec 2012 at 15:19

Thanks Rotty. Do you need to pay attention to the type of motion a watch has which dictates what winder you need? I read a review somewhere that some of the cheaper ones can actually damage the watch but not sure if that is correct?

godinman · 30 Dec 2012 at 15:52

Have you got a dog?

Mark M · 30 Dec 2012 at 15:56

godinman said:
Have you got a dog?

I do not have a dog, is that why the watch stops? :confused:

Rotty · 30 Dec 2012 at 15:59

Mark M said:
Thanks Rotty. Do you need to pay attention to the type of motion a watch has which dictates what winder you need? I read a review somewhere that some of the cheaper ones can actually damage the watch but not sure if that is correct?

I wouldn't worry too much re motion type but cheap ones tend to be very poorly made

mistercrabb · 30 Dec 2012 at 16:00

Mark M said:
I do not have a dog, is that why the watch stops?

If you had one you could attach your expensive watch to its leg and recharge it for free.

SexyGreyFox · 30 Dec 2012 at 16:26

Reminds me of this thread I tried to start - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18465724

A watch that stops when you take it off your wrist is one of the daftest things ever.

lakitu · 30 Dec 2012 at 16:30

Your Grand Carrera shouldn't stop quickly even if you have an office job. The power reserve is 48+ hours so as long as you wear it every day it shouldn't need to be manually wound. When was it bought/serviced?

Mark M · 30 Dec 2012 at 16:32

It was bought Aug last year and hasn't been serviced as the guy said it wouldn't need doing until about 5 years. Should I take it back to the jewellers and see if they can have a look at it?

Disco Boy · 30 Dec 2012 at 16:37

Unless you sit motionless all day then your watch shouldn't stop overnight, I'd be a bit concerned that there's some sort of issue with it.

If your movement allows it, wind it fully, manually and then don't wear it and see how longit takes to stop. If it doesn't allow manual winding, then spend a whole shaking it while you are watching tv or something, then do the same.

Mark M · 30 Dec 2012 at 16:39

I dont think it can be wound manually but I may be wrong?

Im happy to sit and shake it though to see how long it lasts but how long will I need to do it for it to be fully charged?

Disco Boy · 30 Dec 2012 at 16:50

Mark M said:
I dont think it can be wound manually but I may be wrong?

Im happy to sit and shake it though to see how long it lasts but how long will I need to do it for it to be fully charged?

Many can, RTM. What movement does it have?

A while I guess, just do it until you get bored.

Edit: I'd be surprised if youcan't wind your movement manually. It's based on an ETA 2892 which has this feature.

Castiel · 30 Dec 2012 at 16:50

I have a DesignHutte single winder...it has silent operation and fits my Omega perfectly.

http://www.designhuette.com/uhrenbe...nder-for-1-Watch/Watch-Winder-Space::940.html

mistercrabb · 30 Dec 2012 at 17:04

How long are these fancy kinetic watches supposed to last then? Do they not have batteries or something?

I used to have an £80 kinetic Pulsar, it lasted about 6 months after I stopped wearing it.

Disco Boy · 30 Dec 2012 at 17:10

mistercrabb said:
How long are these fancy kinetic watches supposed to last then? Do they not have batteries or something?

I used to have an £80 kinetic Pulsar, it lasted about 6 months after I stopped wearing it.

A kinetic watch and an automatic watch are different. A kinetic watch is a quartz movement (like a "normal" watch with a battery) whereas an automatic watch is a mechanical movement.

lakitu · 30 Dec 2012 at 19:42

Yes the Calibre 6 (ETA 2892) can be manually wound. Give it a full wind and see how long the watch runs for. Make sure you set it aside and do not move it so not to wind using the auto weight.

This will let you know if there's a problem with the automatic workings or the mainspring.

Disco Boy · 30 Dec 2012 at 20:39

lakitu said:
Yes the Calibre 6 (ETA 2892) can be manually wound. Give it a full wind and see how long the watch runs for. Make sure you set it aside and do not move it so not to wind using the auto weight.

This will let you know if there's a problem with the automatic workings or the mainspring.

2895-2

lakitu · 30 Dec 2012 at 20:42

Disco Boy said:
2895-2

True! The winding and auto work is the same though

Bear · 30 Dec 2012 at 22:01

mistercrabb said:
How long are these fancy kinetic watches supposed to last then? Do they not have batteries or something?

I used to have an £80 kinetic Pulsar, it lasted about 6 months after I stopped wearing it.

As said, these are purely mechanical watches which are wound up by the actual movement of the watch via your arm during the day.

The power reserve varies depending on the movement. My Omega Seamaster for instance has a 40 hour power reserve, whilst my Panerai has a 72 hour power reserve.

I don't wear a watch whilst sleeping but if you wear the watch daily it should never run out.