Today on Reddit, I came across a discussion where watch enthusiasts shared their views and experiences with using watch winders, especially for higher-end or expensive watches. The conversation revealed a balanced mix of appreciation and skepticism. Here is a breakdown of the most frequently mentioned advantages and disadvantages.
What a Watch Winder Actually Does
A watch winder keeps an automatic movement running by gently rotating it, simulating the wrist's natural motion. This prevents the lubricants inside the movement from thickening and keeps the calendar and time functions active.
However, not all automatic watches benefit equally. A simple three-hand Rolex Oyster Perpetual has a different tolerance and energy reserve compared with a perpetual calendar from Patek Philippe. For some movements, the difference between staying active and running down is merely a matter of convenience; for others, it can protect the long-term accuracy.
What Reddit Users Say
Reddit threads on r/Watches often show a split between two camps.
One group insists winders are “pointless,” arguing that modern lubricants prevent any real damage from stopping. They reset their watches by hand, enjoying the ritual as part of ownership.
The other group sees a winder as a time-saving essential, especially for collectors with multiple automatics. As one user wrote, “I’d rather spend my mornings choosing what to wear, not resetting ten watches.”
While these opinions reflect genuine experiences, they often miss an important nuance — not all winders, or watch owners, are the same.
From a Collector's Perspective
For collectors who rotate between several luxury watches, a good winder keeps each timepiece ready to wear. It also reduces the stress on the crown and winding stem that occurs with frequent manual resets.
At Rotelux, we've observed that owners of complicated watches — such as moonphases or dual-time models — tend to appreciate the practicality of a winder far more than casual wearers. The reason is simple: resetting these complications can take time and precision.
Meanwhile, collectors with simpler pieces often choose to let them rest. In their case, a winder becomes more of a display accessory than a mechanical necessity.
The Technical Argument
From a horological standpoint, the main debate centers on lubrication and wear. Vintage watches often used oils that would settle if a movement stopped for months. Modern synthetic lubricants, however, remain stable even when idle.
That means a contemporary Rolex Submariner can safely rest in a drawer without harm. Yet for long-term storage, especially in humid climates, a winder inside a controlled environment provides extra protection — not just by keeping it moving, but by maintaining air circulation and preventing moisture buildup.
When a Winder Makes Sense
A winder is worth considering if:
- You own several automatic watches with different power reserves.
- You rotate watches frequently and value convenience.
- You have models with calendar or moonphase complications.
- You prefer to keep your collection displayed and ready to wear.
On the other hand, if you wear the same watch daily or enjoy winding it by hand, you may not need one. A good winder should enhance your ownership experience, not replace it.
The Rotelux Take
At Rotelux, we believe a winder should complement both function and form. Each of our units is designed to respect the mechanical rhythm of a fine timepiece — silent, precise, and configurable for different movement types. Whether you see it as a maintenance tool or a presentation piece, the right winder should reflect the same attention to detail as the watch it protects.
Conclusion
So, do luxury watches really need a winder? Not always. But for many collectors, it's less about “need” and more about “experience.” A winder simplifies routines, safeguards mechanisms, and turns a collection into a living display.
In the end, it's not about what Reddit says — it's about what kind of watch owner you are.
