Despite careful automatic watch care, it can happen that an
automatic watch stops.
The most common cause is simply that the power reserve has been used up. Unlike quartz watches, automatic watches do not need a power source to keep the watch running. The special mechanism of an automatic watch is designed so that the movement is kept going solely by the motion of the wearer’s wrist. The energy generated in this way is stored in the so-called power reserve. The watch then runs until the fully wound mainspring has completely lost its tension and the movement stops.
Why should you wind an automatic watch?
So that accurate timekeeping is always ensured.
So that stable running behavior can develop.
So that the mechanical movement runs continuously and does not suffer damage.
So that the watch has a long service life.
How should you wind an automatic watch? In principle, there are 3 methods for winding an automatic watch:
Winding an automatic watch through wrist movement
If the watch is worn regularly for 8 hours a day, the power reserve will keep fully recharging.
Caution: Since the winding mechanism is designed for normal and regular movement, an automatic watch should not be worn during sports. Fast, jerky movements interfere with the delicate mechanism and can cause lasting damage to the movement.
Wind the watch via the crown
- Remove the watch from your wrist
First, you should take the
wristwatch off your wrist. This makes it easier to reach the crown, and it also minimizes the risk of turning the crown too forcefully.
- Set the crown
Next, you should find the correct crown setting for winding the watch. This can vary depending on the model and manufacturer. The crown is used not only to wind the watch, but also to set the time or date on the dial. To do this, the crown must be pulled out either halfway or all the way. To wind the watch, the crown usually does not need to be pulled out at all; it only needs to be turned in a specific direction.
Caution: On water-resistant watches, the crown must first be loosened, as in normal use it sits so tightly that no water can penetrate into the case.
- Turn the crown
To tension the mainspring and wind the watch, the crown must be turned clockwise. To do this, you should grip it firmly between your thumb and index finger and carefully turn it from bottom to top. It usually takes about 30 turns to fully wind the watch. Once the mainspring is fully tensioned, this will also be noticeable through a clearly perceptible resistance when turning.
- Check and set the time
After winding the watch, you should check whether both the correct time and the correct date are shown on the
chronograph. Since these settings are also adjusted via the crown, they may have been changed unintentionally due to movement.
Caution: When setting the watch, the hands should always be moved clockwise and not in the opposite direction. This helps protect the watch mechanism.
- Secure the crown
Last but not least, the watch crown must be properly secured again. To do this, gently push it back into its original position. Especially with waterproof watches, care must be taken to ensure that there are no leaks in the case.
Winding an automatic watch with a watch winder
If an automatic watch is not worn regularly and is kept primarily as a collector's item or investment, it should still be wound regularly. Watch winders are made for exactly this purpose; they are used for the proper storage of automatic watches. Not only do they present these watches attractively, but the built-in technology also moves them regularly. This simulates the natural movement that normally occurs when wearing the watch.
If none of these measures help, which is rather unlikely, the watch probably has a fault. Contact your seller or the manufacturer during the warranty period. If you no longer have a warranty, a watchmaker can also take a look at the watch.
