REVIEW OF ORBITA'S "QUATTRO" WATCHWINDER

Posted by N.W. Freeman on January 24, 1999 at 11:19:34:
Bulletin Board Post Number: 294

Having previously posted a report which I did on my own initiative about the single head Orbita battery powered watch winder I had purchased (see bulletin Board #61) I was asked by Chuck Agnoff, Orbita's President to critique a new four-headed design that he plans to introduce at BASEL 99 in April 1999. I agreed to test the prototype unit, which Orbita calls the "QUATTRO" and it arrived a few weeks ago.

Each motorized pair of cups is activated by the microprocessor separately which controls both the ON and OFF times. By using the DIP switches, each pair of cups can be set to rotate approximately 500, 650, 800 or 950 revolutions per day as per the instructions with the unit. I had previously suggested to Mr. Agnoff that instead of automatically reversing the cup rotation after each "ON" cycle, it would be nice to have the option of defeating the counter clockwise rotation which is wasted winding time for unidirectional winding watches. I was pleased to see that this recommendation is included with DIP switch number one (1) with both sets of cups. When setting a set for a counterclockwise continuous mode of winding the motor lead connector can be reversed to give a continuous wind to those few watches that are wound only counterclockwise.  There is a three-position toggle switch on the faceplate of the unit. Pushed to the left gives continuous rotation for quick winding of unwound watches. Care must be taken here for forgetting to stop the continuous winding will both over wind (a little won't hurt), but will also run down the batteries rather quickly. The middle position is off and the right position is for programmed mode. The toggle switch is a rugged metal unit, much better than some of the cheap plastic switches I have seen other watch winding companies use. I asked Mr. Agnoff about the quality of parts used and he stated that the switches and bearings were military specification grade components in keeping with the top quality image he is intent on providing.

I felt that it would be nice to have individual control for each cup separately (rotation timing and direction) but Mr. Agnoff explained that this would have required two additional motors and ended up with the whole product being too expensive for retail. Therefore each set of two cups are programmable and I find in my test that this is sufficient.

The hinged door with glass insert opens up for mounting and removing watches. Under the hinged motor frame plate is a velvet lined case interior with a battery compartment for four (4) battery cassettes. The motor plate (floor plate) is made of metal and covered with suede leather and holds the Orbita logo and metal switch. I appreciate the metal floor plate as it insulates my watches from the motors. Each cassette holds four (4) "C" cell batteries. Four batteries will operate the unit but eight (8) batteries are the default number recommended. There is room for eight more batteries or a total sixteen (16) batteries. The more batteries installed the longer the unit runs without replacement. I asked Mr. Agnoff about the battery life with all sixteen (16) installed and he thought it would be about two years. I move my unit back and forth to the safe not with the recommended number of eight (8) but with sixteen (16) batteries installed and it is not heavy; my wife moves it most of the time. Anyway, Chuck advised me that he would soon have a single rechargeable battery ready for installation. I have never used the included AC adapter, except for testing, but it is comforting to have as a backup.

Now the icing on the cake! As we all know, while we all love our automatics, they aren't always as accurate as we would like. Part of my watch-a-mania is getting my automatics as accurate as possible, I like them within 1.5 seconds a day but will settle with 2 seconds a day. Well! Orbita has included a built-in digital clock display which is radio-controlled by the U.S. Atomic Master Clock (WWVB) which broadcasts a time signal from Fort Collins, Colorado. Now I already have an atomic clock, but the convenience of having the clock on the winder when I remove a watch relegates the other clock unused. I'll probably give my original atomic clock to one of my kids. The Arabic numbers on the included atomic clock are a half inch high and easy to read, it uses a separate single AA battery and shows the United States time zones.

The case as it arrived was a beautiful dark cherry hardwood, about 10X10X10 with a see through glass panel so that the winding action and the times on the watches may be observed without lifting the top. Mr. Agnoff stated to me that he would soon come out with a leather covered version. He also stated that he was developing a separate optional storage drawer that would mount under the Quattro and hold eight additional watches in cradles. I received the first storage drawer made about two weeks after Orbita advised me it was in the making. My wife immediately took some of those cradles for her daily worn jewelry and I still have a cheap watch or two laying on the dresser. Like the super markets, I had to give up something to get the shelf space on the dresser.

My test of the unit reveals he following information about this beautiful additional piece of equipment on the dresser.

1.    Revolutions per minute continuous mode on battery or AC adapter ---------12

2.    Revolutions per minute programmed mode battery ------------10.5

3.    Switch settings, revolutions per day for the four (4) factory settings, as I timed them. Orbita states plus or minus 10 percent for battery condition but they were almost right on with my fresh batteries. I installed 16 batteries so I won't have to waste time replacing them soon. Listed below are actual revolutions compared to the default settings made by Orbita.

A.    490 revolutions per day.     Factory setting—500 RPD.

B.    657 revolutions per day.     Factory setting—650 RPD.

C.    795 revolutions per day.     Factory setting—800 RPD.

D.    975 revolutions per day.     Factory setting—950 RPD.

4.    There is a tommy rod that holds the faceplate up for setting either set of DIP switches.

5.    The winder with both sets of motors running is quiet enough that we cannot hear it eight feet from our ears at night. A good feature.

6.   The atomic clock has never failed to pick up a signal here in Florida. After two days and nights in the safe it was still keeping time, but a signal came up showing it had missed two nights of automatic checking with WWVB. One night back on the dresser and it refreshed and reset itself.

7.   I found that if one set of winding cups are not needed the leads can be disconnected from the microprocessor to that motor, thus saving battery life.