How to Wind an Automatic Watch: A Practical Guide

1. Keep It Moving in Daily Life

Wearing your automatic watch during normal activities such as walking, working, or driving will usually provide enough motion to keep the mainspring charged. Most models store about 40 to 50 hours of energy, so they can keep ticking even if you leave them off for a day or two.

If you lead a very inactive lifestyle for long periods, the watch may stop sooner because it is not receiving enough motion. In this case, you can give it a manual wind to keep it running.

Tip:Avoid wearing your watch during intense sports such as tennis, squash, or basketball. Repetitive shock and heavy swings of the arm may harm the winding system.

2. Take The Watch Off Before Winding

Although automatic watches can wind themselves, a manual wind from time to time is recommended. Always take the watch off before winding. This prevents strain on the crown and allows you to handle it at a natural angle.

3. Find and Understand the Crown

The crown is the small knob on the side of your watch case. It usually has three positions:
- Pushed all the way in: the watch operates normally.
- Pulled halfway out: often used for setting the date.
- Fully pulled out: used for setting the time.

For winding, the crown stays pushed in. If your watch has a screw-down crown for extra water resistance, unscrew it gently until it releases before winding.To open the crown, simply turn the crown anti-clockwise to unscrew it (takes about 4 or 5 turns). To close it back, push it in while turning clockwise. Do not close it real tight, just with mildly firm finger pressure. It is the threading that provides water-tightness, so over tightening does nothing to increase the water protection and can overstress the metal, eventually damaging it and ruining the water protection of the crown.

4. Wind the Watch Gently, Clockwise

Hold the crown between your thumb and forefinger and turn it clockwise, which means upward toward the 12 o’clock mark. About 30 to 40 turns will usually fully charge the mainspring. You will notice the seconds hand start moving once the power reserve is restored.Most modern automatics include a slipping mechanism, so you cannot accidentally overwind them. Still, turn gently and stop if you feel resistance.

If you need to set the time, turn the crown so that the hands move forward. Avoid setting the time backward, which can put unnecessary stress on the movement and calendar system. If you pass the correct time, simply keep moving forward until the right time comes around again.

5. Secure the Crown After Winding

Once you are done, press the crown back into place. If your watch has a screw-down crown, press and turn it until it is locked tightly. This step is essential for maintaining water resistance.

6. Check Accuracy

Compare your watch with a reliable clock or your phone after winding. If it consistently runs too fast or too slow, a watchmaker can regulate it using specialized timing equipment.

Keeping Your Watch Running Smoothly

An automatic watch is more than a timekeeper. It is a small piece of engineering history that runs on your own movement. By wearing it often, winding it gently when needed, and treating the crown with care, you can enjoy accurate performance and preserve its longevity. Most companies recommend the watch be checked and relubricated every three to five years. If the wearer regularly subjects a water-resistant automatic to water, the seals should be checked annually, your automatic watch will keep ticking reliably for decades.