Automatic Watch is Fully Wound :As you strap on your automatic watch and admire its craftsmanship, you notice the second hand ticking steadily. Unlike a quartz watch powered by a battery, your automatic is a mechanical timepiece that harnesses energy from the movement of your wrist. But how do you ensure it stays fully wound when not being worn? Read on to learn how an automatic watch works and tips to keep it wound.
We’ll cover what powers the internal mechanisms, why manual winding is still useful, and options like watch winders to maintain function when the watch rests on your nightstand. Whether new to automatic watches or a lifelong enthusiast, this guide breaks down their winding system and how they keep accurate time.
What Is an Automatic Watch?
An automatic watch, also known as a self-winding watch, is a mechanical timepiece that winds itself using the movement of the wearer’s wrist, so it doesn’t require batteries or manual winding to keep running.
Inside an automatic watch is a weighted rotor that spins when the watch moves, transferring energy to the mainspring. As the mainspring tightens, it stores energy to keep the watch running accurately. The more active you are, the more the rotor spins and the more power is stored to keep the watch wound. However, an automatic watch will eventually run out of power if it’s not worn for a prolonged period.
- Automatic watches are ideal for those looking to harness kinetic energy for accurate timekeeping without frequent winding or battery changes.
- They appeal to watch enthusiasts who appreciate the intricate mechanics of a self-winding movement.
- Popular brands of automatic watches include Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, and Tudor.
To ensure your automatic watch is fully wound and keeping accurate time:
- Wear the watch daily. The motion of your wrist will keep the mainspring energized.
- Wind the crown clockwise 10-15 times when you first take it out of the box or if it’s been unworn for a while. This manually winds the mainspring to start the self-winding mechanism.
- Consider using a watch winder. A watch winder simulates the motion of your wrist to keep automatic watches wound when not being worn. They are especially useful for watch collectors or those with multiple automatics.
- Get your automatic watch serviced every 3 to 5 years. A watchmaker will lubricate, test, and replace worn parts to keep your timepiece functioning properly.
An automatic watch requires care and maintenance but rewards its owner with a stylish and enduring timepiece that harnesses the energy of motion to keep flawless time. With regular use and service, a quality automatic watch should last a lifetime and become an heirloom to pass down to the next generation.
How Does an Automatic Watch Work?
An automatic watch is a mechanical timepiece that winds itself using the movement of your wrist. As you move around during the day, a rotor in the watch spins and winds the mainspring to keep the watch running accurately.
- The mainspring is the power source of the watch. As the rotor spins, it winds the mainspring tighter and tighter. The mainspring then slowly releases its energy to power the escapement and oscillator, which keeps time and causes the hands to move.
- The escapement is a device that converts the rotational motion of the mainspring into oscillating motion.It causes the balance wheel to spin back and forth at a constant rate.
- The balance wheel oscillates at a consistent speed, which then causes the gear train to move the hands at a steady pace. Most automatic watches have a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour or 4 hertz.
- If the automatic watch isn’t worn for a while, the mainspring will unwind and the watch will stop. Manual winding or a watch winder is needed to start it again. Using a watch winder when the automatic watch isn’t being worn will keep it running smoothly and accurately.
To ensure your automatic watch is fully wound and keeping good time, wear it regularly or use a quality watch winder. An automatic watch can typically go 2 to 3 days between wearings before it needs rewinding. As the mainspring tightens, you may notice the second hand moving with more vigor. Once the mainspring is fully wound, the motion will become steady again, indicating your automatic watch is now keeping perfect time!
Signs Your Automatic Watch Is Fully Wound
If you have an automatic watch, it’s important to know when it’s fully wound so you can keep accurate time. Here are some signs your automatic watch is up and running at full power:
- The second hand is moving smoothly. In an automatic watch, the second hand motion comes from the mainspring. If the watch is not fully wound, the second hand may stutter or not move at all. A smoothly moving second hand means there’s enough tension in the mainspring to keep accurate time.
- The power reserve is showing full. Many automatic watches have a small gauge that shows the power reserve or how much time is left before needing to be wound again. If this gauge shows the power reserve at maximum, typically 40-80 hours, your watch should be fully wound.
- There’s resistance when winding. As you turn the crown to manually wind an automatic watch, you should feel some tension or resistance. This means the mainspring inside is tightening. If the crown spins freely with little resistance, the watch needs more winding to reach a full power reserve.
- It’s keeping accurate time. The ultimate sign an automatic watch is fully wound is that it’s keeping time accurately. An unwound or dead watch will stop moving the hands altogether. Check your watch against an accurate time source like your phone or computer to ensure it’s correctly tracking the time.
To maintain an automatic watch at full wind and power, you’ll need to continue wearing it regularly so it can wind itself through the motion of your arm, or use a watch winder. An automatic watch that’s fully wound and operating at peak performance will give you an accurate, reliable timepiece for years to come.
Tips for Winding an Automatic Watch
An automatic watch winds itself using the kinetic energy from your wrist movements. However, if you haven’t worn the watch for some time, it may stop. To get it started again and ensure it’s fully wound, here are some tips:
- Gently turn the winding crown clockwise while the watch is face up. The crown is the knob on the side of the watch case used to set the time and date. Turning it winds the mainspring which stores energy to power the watch.
- Wind the watch in a clockwise direction to avoid damaging the movement. Turn the crown smoothly without jerking it.
- Wind until you feel resistance. That means the watch is fully wound. For most watches, 30 to 40 turns should do it. Don’t overwind.
- Once fully wound, set the time and date. Then put the watch on your wrist so it can continue self-winding as you move.
- Use a watch winder. This device gently rotates your watch to keep it wound when you’re not wearing it. Programmable winders can wind multiple watches.
- Get your automatic watch serviced regularly. A watchmaker will lubricate, test and regulate the movement to ensure optimal performance and accuracy. They can also test if the power reserve is still holding a full wind.
- Consider a manual wind watch. These have to be wound by hand and don’t self-wind. So they’re ideal if you don’t wear the watch daily or want more control over its power. Popular brands like Rolex, Omega and Tag Heuer offer manual wind models.
To keep your automatic watch wound and in top working order, follow these tips and recommendations from watch experts and enthusiasts. With regular winding and occasional servicing, your timepiece can provide many years of enjoyment and accurate timekeeping.
Using a Watch Winder for Automatic Watches
If you own an automatic watch, using a watch winder can help keep it wound when you’re not wearing it. Automatic watches use the movement of your wrist to keep the mainspring wound. When the watch is stationary, the mainspring unwinds, causing the watch to stop. A watch winder gently moves the watch to keep the mainspring wound so it continues to keep accurate time.
What is a Watch Winder?
A watch winder is a device that holds and rotates an automatic watch when it’s not being worn. It has rotating motors that slowly spin the watch to simulate the natural movement of your wrist. This keeps the mainspring wound so the watch continues running and keeping accurate time. Watch winders allow watch collectors and owners of multiple automatic watches to keep all their timepieces wound and ready to wear.
Do You Need a Watch Winder?
Whether you need a watch winder depends on a few factors:
- If you own expensive automatic watches, a winder will help ensure they stay in good working order when not being worn.
- If you own multiple automatic watches and rotate between them, a winder keeps them all wound so they’re ready to wear whenever you want.
- If your automatic watch has complications like a perpetual calendar, moonphase or flyback chronograph, a winder helps keep all the mechanisms engaged.
- If you go long periods without wearing your watch, a winder prevents it from stopping which helps maintain its accuracy and power reserve.
However, watch winders are not necessary for all automatic watch owners. If you regularly wear your automatic watch at least a few times a week, the natural movement of your arm should keep it sufficiently wound. Watch winders can also shorten the overall lifespan of some watch movements, so for occasional use, manually winding or resetting your watch may be fine. Whether or not you need a watch winder comes down to how often you wear your watch and your needs to keep it running continuously.
Common Issues With Automatic Watch Winding
Automatic watches rely on the movement of your wrist to keep them wound and running accurately. However, there are a few common issues that can arise with the winding mechanism that are good to be aware of.
The watch stops running when not worn.
Since automatic watches require motion to stay wound, they will stop running when not worn for an extended period of time. This is normal and not a cause for concern. Simply wind the crown clockwise or wear the watch again to restart the movement.
The rotor gets stuck.
The rotor is the weight that spins inside the watch to wind the mainspring. If the rotor gets stuck and is unable to spin freely, the watch will not remain wound and charged. This can often be fixed by a watch repair professional. They can clean, lubricate or replace parts to get the rotor moving again.
The watch runs fast or slow.
If an automatic watch is over-wound or under-wound, it may run faster or slower than it should. An over-wound watch has too much tension on the mainspring, causing the balance wheel to spin too quickly. An under-wound watch has too little power to keep the balance wheel spinning at the proper rate. Adjusting how often you wear the watch or use a watch winder can help regulate the timekeeping.
Difficulty manually winding the watch.
Some automatic watches also allow you to manually wind the crown to charge the mainspring. If manually winding becomes stiff, gritty or tight feeling, it could indicate dirt or debris inside the winding mechanism or a more serious issue. It’s best to have the watch checked by a professional to avoid potential damage.
By understanding the most common issues that can arise with automatic watch winding and how to address them, you can keep your beloved timepiece running accurately and for years to come. Proper care, maintenance and repair when needed will serve any automatic watch well.
Comparing Automatic, Manual Wind and Quartz Watches
When it comes to watches, there are three main types of movements that keep time: automatic, manual wind, and quartz. Each has their pros and cons, so let’s compare them to help determine which is right for you.
Automatic watches, also known as self-winding watches, use the kinetic energy produced by the wearer’s wrist movements to automatically wind the mainspring. They offer a nostalgic mechanical movement without the need to manually wind it. However, automatic watches are generally less accurate than quartz watches and require periodic winding to keep accurate time.
Manual wind watches require the wearer to physically wind the crown clockwise to tighten the mainspring. They also use an intricate mechanical movement, but need to be wound daily to keep running. While some watch enthusiasts prefer the hands-on winding ritual, others may find it tedious. Manual wind watches also tend to be less accurate than quartz watches.
Quartz watches use a quartz crystal to keep time. They are powered by a battery and are generally the most accurate. Quartz watches require infrequent battery changes but lack the mechanical beauty of automatic and manual wind watches. They are also often less expensive.
In the end, the choice comes down to your priorities. If accuracy and convenience are most important, a quartz watch is probably your best bet. If you prefer tradition and admire the craftsmanship of mechanical watches, an automatic or manual wind watch may suit you well. Or you can have the best of both worlds with an automatic or manual wind watch that uses a quartz movement! The options are many, so take your time exploring and find what ticks the boxes for you.
Caring for Your Automatic Watch Movement
An automatic watch movement is a tiny mechanical wonder, with dozens of intricate parts working together to keep accurate time. To keep your automatic watch running properly, you need to understand how to care for its movement.
The automatic movement winds itself using the kinetic energy of your arm movements. A rotor spins with each motion of your wrist, which in turn winds the mainspring that powers the watch. For the watch to keep the best time, the mainspring needs to remain adequately wound.
- Make sure to wear your automatic watch daily. Leaving an automatic watch sitting motionless for an extended period of time will cause the mainspring to unwind, reducing the power reserve and accuracy. Wearing the watch regularly keeps the mainspring wound, ensuring maximum accuracy and power reserve.
- Wind your watch manually if it stops. If your automatic watch does stop due to lack of motion, you’ll need to wind it manually to start the movement again. Turn the crown clockwise while it’s in the winding position to manually wind the mainspring until the second hand starts moving. This will power up the watch to get it running again.
- Consider using a watch winder. If you have multiple automatic watches that you rotate between, a watch winder can keep each watch wound and running accurately when not being worn. Watch winders slowly rotate your watch to mimic the motion of your wrist, keeping the mainspring wound and ready to go when you put the watch on.
- Have your watch serviced regularly. Like any mechanical device, an automatic watch movement requires periodic service to keep it running well. Most watchmakers recommend having an automatic watch serviced every 3 to 5 years. A watchmaker will thoroughly clean and oil the movement, replace any worn parts, and test to ensure it’s keeping proper time before returning it to you. Proper servicing helps prevent premature wear and keeps your automatic watch in peak operating condition.
Following these tips will help you properly care for your automatic watch movement and keep it keeping perfect time for years to come. With some attention and care, a high-quality automatic watch can become a trusted companion that lasts a lifetime.
FAQs: How to Know When Your Automatic Watch Is Fully Wound
Automatic watches wind themselves using the movement of your wrist, so they don’t require manual winding. But how can you tell if your automatic watch is fully wound? Here are some tips:
- Check the seconds hand. On a fully wound watch, the seconds hand will move smoothly around the face without stuttering or stopping. If the seconds hand is jerky or stops moving, your watch needs winding.
- Listen for ticking. A fully wound automatic watch will tick steadily and vigorously. If the ticking slows down or becomes irregular, it’s time for a wind.
- Feel the rotor spin. On some automatic watches, you can see or feel the rotor spin when you move your wrist. If the rotor is spinning strongly with normal arm movement, your watch is likely fully wound. If the rotor seems sluggish or stops spinning, wind your watch.
- Monitor power reserve. Many automatic watches have a power reserve indicator that shows how much wind is left in the mainspring. If the power reserve indicator is at maximum, your watch is fully wound. As the mainspring unwinds, the indicator will drop – so wind your watch before it empties.
- Wind manually if needed. If your automatic watch seems to be losing time or not keeping good time, it may need a manual wind to get it started. Gently turn the crown clockwise while it’s on your wrist until you feel resistance. Wind in short bursts, checking the seconds hand to make sure it’s moving properly. Once fully wound, your watch should keep good time and wind itself automatically with normal use.
Keeping your automatic watch fully wound will help ensure the most accurate timekeeping and long term reliability. With regular wear and occasional manual winding, a quality automatic watch can provide a lifetime of service.
Conclusion
So know you can tell if your automatic watch is fully wound by checking the seconds hand. If it’s sweeping smoothly, the mainspring is wound tight and storing maximum power. Wind it daily by wearing it or using a winder to keep it powered. Understanding your watch will help it run accurately for years to come.
