As automatic watches continue to grow in popularity, watch winders have become one of the most debated accessories among modern collectors. Some consider them essential tools, others dismiss them as unnecessary luxuries. The truth, however, is more nuanced.
A watch winder is neither universally required nor entirely pointless. Whether it makes sense depends on how you wear your watches, how many you own, and what you expect from them. Understanding when a watch winder adds value – and when it doesn’t – helps collectors make smarter, more intentional decisions.
When a Watch Winder Actually Makes Sense
- You Rotate Multiple Automatic Watches
If you own more than one automatic watch and rotate them throughout the week, a watch winder can significantly reduce friction in daily use. Watches kept on a properly configured winder remain powered, meaning no repeated resetting of time, date, or additional complications.
For collectors with three, five, or even ten watches in rotation, convenience quickly becomes the primary value proposition.
- Your Watches Have Complex Complications
Complications such as perpetual calendars, moon phases, and GMT functions are not designed to be reset frequently. In these cases, keeping the watch running is less about laziness and more about preserving correct function.
This is one reason brands like WatchMatic frame watch winders as ownership tools for complication-heavy collections rather than decorative accessories.
- You Prefer Grab-and-Go Wearability
Many modern collectors want their watches to be immediately wearable – especially those who see watches as daily tools rather than museum pieces. A watch winder supports this lifestyle by keeping selected watches ready without manual intervention.
In this context, a winder functions much like a phone charging dock: not mandatory, but undeniably convenient.
When a Watch Winder Doesn’t Add Much Value
- You Wear the Same Watch Every Day
If one automatic watch dominates your wrist time, a winder offers little practical benefit. Daily wrist movement already provides sufficient winding, and placing the watch on a winder overnight adds no meaningful advantage.
In these cases, manual winding after extended downtime is perfectly adequate.
- Your Watches Are Simple Three-Hand Models
For basic automatic watches without date or calendar complications, resetting after stoppage takes seconds. A winder may still be nice to have, but it is far from essential.
This distinction is often overlooked, leading first-time buyers to assume that all automatic watches require continuous motion — which is simply not true.
- You Expect a Winder to Improve the Watch
A common misconception is that a watch winder improves accuracy, prevents wear, or replaces servicing. It does none of these things.
A winder’s role is limited to maintaining power reserve – nothing more. Collectors seeking deeper understanding often turn to resources like watch winder basics to separate function from marketing hype.
The Importance of Proper Settings
Where many winders fail is not in concept, but in execution. Automatic watches are engineered with specific winding requirements – measured in turns per day (TPD) and rotation direction.
Over-rotation or continuous spinning is unnecessary and, in poorly designed units, potentially problematic. High-quality winders emphasize controlled cycles, rest periods, and flexibility for mixed collections.
This is why experienced collectors increasingly prioritize independent control watch winders over one-size-fits-all solutions.
A Tool, Not a Requirement
Ultimately, a watch winder makes sense when it supports how you actually live with your watches. It is a tool for convenience, not a badge of seriousness or luxury.
For some collectors, manual winding and occasional resets are part of the ritual. For others, especially those managing multiple automatic watches, a thoughtfully chosen winder simplifies ownership without interfering with mechanical integrity.
The smartest decision isn’t asking “Do I need a watch winder?” — but rather “Does a watch winder fit how I use my watches?”
