Orbita Watchwinder Comparisons

Many owners of fine automatic watches are employing watch winders to keep their watches wound or "exercised" when unworn. Naturally, there is concern that the winder they choose to wind their watch, does not cause unnecessary wear of the over-winding protection mechanism built into the watch. Unfortunately, most watch companies do not provide information to their customers about the turns per day (TPD) or the rotational direction required to keep their automatic watches wound on a watchwinder. So, for purposes of this essay, let us start with the baseline that all automatic watches produced over the past 50 years require somewhere between 500 and 800 TPD to keep running. There is no automatic watch made that requires more than 800 TPD, although some chronographs may need an additional 50 to 100 TPD if the stop-watch function is accidentally or intentionally activated while the watch is on the winder. Specific requirements for several well-known watch brands follow, and our Watch Database provides winding requirements for most other Swiss, German and Italian brands - just click the link in the left-hand panel.

BRAND	TURNS/DAY	ROTATION DIRECTION
Rolex	650	Both (All Models)
Patek-Philippe	600	Counter Clockwise (Some Models)
IWC	700	Clockwise Only (Most Models)
Breitling	650	Both (Most Models)
Jaeger-Lecoultre	800	Both (Most Models)

Manufacturers of watchwinders take one of two approaches to insure that their winders do the job:

The first approach is cheap and at first glance seems effective; simply wind the watch by over-winding the watch. For example, if a particular watch needs 600 TPD clockwise to stay wound, a winder turning 1440 TPD (720 TPD clockwise and 720 TPD counter clockwise) will surely do the job. The only problem is that the 720 TPD of counter clockwise rotation does nothing except cause added wear, to both watch and winder and reduces battery life as well. It is something of a "brute force" method of winding to achieve a "universal system".

The alternate approach costs more but resolves the over-winding problem in a truly elegant manner. These winders employ a microprocessor control that is user programmable. Then it becomes a simple matter for the watch owner to set the TPD and the rotation direction to meet his specific watch requirements, thereby eliminating any possibility of over-winding his watch and wasting battery power, if used.

Here is a comparison of several different watchwinder designs currently being marketed with data on TPD and direction. If the winder is not made in the USA, (x x x x x) indicates the name of the winder importer or distributor.

WATCH BRAND	TURNS PER DAY (TPD)	CW ONLY	CCW ONLY	AUTO REVERSE	WINDER VOLTAGE	BATTERY LIFE
Orbita (Made in USA)	500, 650, 800, 950,1300	Yes	Yes	Yes	6 VDC	6-24 months
M.T.E. (Feldman)	2200	Yes	No	No	115 VAC	N/A
M.T.E. (Feldman)	1400	Yes	Yes	No	3 VDC	6-12 months
Scatola Del Tempo (Chronoswiss)	700-5480	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 or 6 VDC	12-24 months
Underwood (Chronotime)	1800	No	No	Yes	3 VDC	1 month
Timemover (Several Importers)	1440	No	No	Yes	6 VDC	12 months
Note: Battery life varies depending on the winding program selected, the weight of the watch, ambient temperature, etc.

Obviously, owners of fine automatic watches are concerned with protecting their investment while enjoying the convenience of an always wound and operating watch. Choosing the right winder, one that does that job without excessive winding, is a concern that should be addressed first. Leather and trim are nice to look at, but ultimately, the drive system and the control system of a particular watchwinder must do the job quietly, dependably and without damaging the watch it winds. Ask about winder warranty. Orbita's is for two (2) years and can be extended to five (5)years. Ask who fixes the unit if service is needed? Does it have to go back to Italy or China? . If in doubt, contact the manufacturer of the winder or the customer-service office of the winder supplier and be sure that you express your concerns. Also, you can ask the watch supplier for input. Choose carefully before you decide. A winder should provide you with many years of dependable service. Alas, many don't, even if they look pretty. Ours do!