Keeping Time: What is a Watch Winder And Should You Buy One?

Watches are stylish accessories that also double as time-tellers. And while cell phones have replaced the universality of watches, they remain stylish and functional wrist décor. Watch styles fall into three categories: automatic, mechanical, and quartz. The distinguishing factor between the three is how they operate and keep ticking day in and day out.

After all, what is the point of a watch that doesn't tell time, especially when you need to know the time of day the most? Bottom line: there's not much use for a watch when it stops telling you what time it is.

Which leads us to our topic: how does each type of watch tell the time? To answer that, we need to have a look at each type of watch. We'll give you a hint: it's all in the details.

Quartz Watch

Quartz watches date to the late 50s, and their movement correlates with the introduction of batteries in the watch industry. Essentially, a quartz movement watch is entirely battery-operated. If you're not well acquainted with watch terminology, you might not have realized that some watches depend on battery juice to function.

Quartz watches are best for people who don't want to worry about ensuring that their watch is powered up and ready to go every day. After all, batteries are very reliable. Well, until they run out... That's why it's smart to have a backup supply of batteries for the inevitable moment that time stops ticking—on your wrist, at least.

Another fun fact about quartz watches is that the watch itself doesn't have to be discarded and replaced when it stops telling the time. Instead, you'll exchange the dead batteries for brand new ones!

The quartz watch is the best option for your every day, watch-wearing individual. If you are a watch connoisseur, then you'll likely love mechanical and automatic watches, too! Who says you have to stick to one style, anyway?

Mechanical Watch

Both mechanical and automatic watches are hot commodities in the watch industry. The mechanical movement involves an intricate assortment of small parts, all of which work together to produce a sophisticated timepiece.

Mechanical watches should be classified as works of art because the way all those tiny components and pieces move together to keep time is nothing short of miraculous. There's no denying it: mechanical movement watches are impeccable. As if their artistic beauty wasn't enough, many mechanical watches are affordable. Of course, there are those on the spendy side, but there is a mechanical watch for every budget!

However, it's no surprise that name-brand mechanical watches will be far more costly, seeing as the intricacy alone elevates the price tag out of this world.

Mechanical watches are a fete of mastery, but there is one caveat: you can't just throw in a new battery when the watch dies. Of course, the goal is not to let the watch die. Still, any internal damage like water or grime can result in a dead watch. In this instant, you'll have to either take it to a watch doctor or replace it altogether.

Automatic Watch

Last but not least, the automatic movement style of watches does not require batteries or intricate internal components. Well, then, how do they work? That's an excellent question! Unlike quartz and mechanical watches, automatic watches are in a league all their own.

Quartz watches sustain on battery juice, and automatic watches tick through time thanks to a strategically designed and assembled combination of tiny parts. What about mechanical movement watches? How do they stay on if there's nothing that charges them?

Automatic watches rely on an ever-winding, natural motion. Seem vague? The self-winding mechanism gains energy from the wearer. Inside the watch is a mainspring that stores energy. As you wear the watch, it uses the energy that self-winds it. When the wearer puts the watch on, an internal rotator activates the winding mechanism. Fascinating, right? But does the rotator ever fail? Or perhaps take the day off? Well, that leads us straight into the purpose of watch winders.

What is a Watch Winder?

A watch winder is an instrument that turns the internal mechanisms of a watch for you. Essentially, watch winders spin the intricate pieces in the body of the watch so that you don't have to. When you aren't wearing mechanical watches, they stop running.

The idea behind watch winders is that they will ensure that your watches last longer than watches that are not charged with a watch winder. With a watch winder, you can securely place your watch in on the winder and it will rotate the internal system of your watch so that the mainspring stays functional.

Let's Be Honest: Do You Need a Watch Winder?

As neat as this device is, you certainly don't need a watch winder. Many watch enthusiasts regard watch winders not as a necessity, but a novelty. In other words, a watch collector will likely have a watch winder, but an average watch wearer won't find it necessary.  

If you have the money to afford a watch winder without breaking the bank, then they can certainly be an exciting tool to have around. If watch winders don't excite you, there's no reason you can't save that money for another new timepiece for your watch collection. If they aren't required, what purpose do they have?

A Watch Winder Can Also Be Helpful

Even though you don't necessarily need a watch winder, it can be a helpful gadget to have around. For example, if you have a few mechanical watches and don't have time to sit around and wind them, you can place them both on a watch winder. In this way, they are handy tools to keep within arm's reach!

Watch winders serve a purpose, and you might find them more useful than you anticipated. At the very least, they are an interesting collector's item, especially as mechanical watches become rarer. And if you don't find yourself falling in love with watch winders, don't worry, time will still go on ticking. Luckily, you've got a watch to keep you up to speed.

Are you a watch aficionado? We thought so! Browse our watch catalog to find the next timepiece for your collection!

SHOP FOR WATCHES

Watches