You have just acquired your first automatic watch, or you are looking for the best way to care for it. An automatic watch winder is an obvious choice: when it is no longer being worn, an automatic watch will generally stop after 2 to 3 days, depending on its power reserve. However, choosing the best automatic watch winder is not straightforward when purchasing one for the first time. Excessive rotations, unsuitable capacity, disruptive noise… some mistakes only become apparent with use. Here are the 5 most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Contents :
- Mistake 1: ignoring the requirements of your calibre
- Mistake 2: underestimating the effects of magnetism
- Mistake 3: overlooking quiet operation
- Mistake 4: choosing the wrong power supply for travel
- Mistake 5: buying based solely on price
- FAQ
Mistake 1: ignoring the requirements of your calibre
Two parameters must be considered: The number of turns per day (TPD): most calibres require between 1,000 and 1,900 rotations per day. Too few, and the watch will stop; too many, and the mechanism will be subjected to unnecessary strain. The direction of rotation: some watches wind clockwise, others counter-clockwise, while most wind bidirectionally, alternating between both directions. Buying an automatic watch winder without checking these requirements may result in unsuitable care. What SwissKubik offers: the Startbox automatic watch winder operates on a standard cycle of 1,600 rotations per day, with 800 turns in each direction, calibrated to suit most watches. For more precise control, SwissKubik offers Masterbox, a programmable watch winder that can be configured through its app, which provides recommended settings according to the watch model.
Mistake 2: underestimating the effects of magnetism
underestimating the effects of magnetism This is an invisible pitfall and undoubtedly one of the most frequently overlooked. The hairspring — the fine spring that regulates the balance wheel and acts as the true conductor of the watch — is sensitive to magnetic fields. When it becomes magnetised, its coils can stick together, causing the watch to run fast, sometimes by several minutes per day, until its accuracy is significantly affected. An automatic watch winder relies on an electric motor, which naturally generates a magnetic field. In lower-quality models, a poorly controlled motor may gradually affect the accuracy of the very watch it is intended to preserve. The quality of the design makes all the difference. What SwissKubik offers: SwissKubik watch winders are designed to exert only a very low magnetic influence on the watches they maintain, thereby preserving their accuracy.
Mistake 3: overlooking quiet operation
overlooking quiet operation An automatic watch winder operates day and night and is often placed in a bedroom or office. A noisy model can quickly become disruptive in these living spaces. This criterion is easily overlooked when purchasing a device without having heard it in operation. What SwissKubik offers: a silent mechanism designed to blend discreetly into any interior. The app also allows you to activate a night mode, which pauses the watch winder during a defined period and stops all movement while you sleep.
Mistake 4: choosing the wrong power supply for travel
choosing the wrong power supply A watch winder powered solely by the mains can be restrictive. In addition to offering greater freedom of placement, a battery-operated watch winder can easily be moved into a safe. Many buyers do not consider this portable use. At home, without the constraint of a power socket: choose a battery-powered model. When travelling: a conventional watch winder designed for the home is not intended to be transported. What SwissKubik offers: Startbox operates wirelessly for up to 3 years using two alkaline batteries and can be placed wherever you wish, including inside a safe. Masterbox also operates on batteries but can be connected to the mains, automatically switching to the mains supply when plugged in. For travel, Travelbox is perfectly suited to the task: a 2-in-1 travel watch winder that protects the watch from impacts during the journey and keeps it moving once you reach your destination.
Mistake 5: buying based solely on price
buying based solely on price
Comparing two watch winders based solely on their displayed price means overlooking the features that define a high-quality watch winder.
- Rotation counting: an optical reader measures the exact number of turns completed, whereas other models rely on an approximate estimate.
- Pauses between cycles: a resting period between two sequences allows the watch spring to relax naturally, rather than placing the mechanism under continuous strain.
- Magnetic-field control: a strong magnetic field can affect the accuracy of a watch. A well-designed watch winder limits this influence.
- Expandability: a collection rarely grows all at once. A modular watch winder that can be expanded as new timepieces are acquired avoids the need to replace an entire case each time a watch is added.
- Warranty and support: a watch winder is a device designed to be kept for many years. The length of the warranty and the quality of the after-sales service reveal a great deal about the manufacturer’s confidence in its product. What SwissKubik offers: Startbox and Masterbox feature optical readers and pauses between rotation cycles, and are designed to emit a very low magnetic field. In terms of expandability, Startbox has been designed as a modular solution: the cases can be stacked or arranged separately, allowing the system to evolve with your collection without having to replace it. Masterbox, meanwhile, is available in versions for 1 to 12 watches. Hand-assembled in Switzerland, all SwissKubik products are covered by a 3-year warranty from the date of purchase.
What SwissKubik offers: Startbox and Masterbox feature optical readers and pauses between rotation cycles, and are designed to emit a very low magnetic field. In terms of expandability, Startbox has been designed as a modular solution: the cases can be stacked or arranged separately, allowing the system to evolve with your collection without having to replace it. Masterbox, meanwhile, is available in versions for 1 to 12 watches. Hand-assembled in Switzerland, all SwissKubik products are covered by a 3-year warranty from the date of purchase.
FAQ
How long does it take for an automatic watch to stop?
Generally, an automatic watch will stop after 2 to 3 days without being worn, depending on its power reserve. A watch winder prevents this by keeping the watch in motion. Certain specific watches may offer a power reserve of 8 or even 10 days.
How many turns per day does my watch need?
Most calibres require between 1,000 and 1,900 turns per day. The standard setting of 1,600 turns is suitable for most watches. For more specific requirements, a programmable model such as Masterbox allows the number of turns to be adjusted with complete precision.
Can a watch winder damage my watch?
A high-quality watch winder is designed to do the opposite: it helps maintain the mechanism. Accurate rotation counting, pauses between cycles and effective magnetic-field control prevent excessive strain. These are the criteria to consider, rather than price alone.
