Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

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TrevorB
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Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by TrevorB »

Hi All,

I dare say this has been discussed before, but I'd like a bit of advice if possible please.

I've only recently aquired a couple of automatic watches and wondered whether, when I want to wear one of them for several days consecutively, is it best to let the other one stop, or wind it to keep it going? Or perhaps it doesn't matter which. I don't particularly want to pay out for a winding machine.

Hope this is not a daft question.

Thanks for your help.

Cheers,

Trevor.
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nathanclarinet
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Re: Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by nathanclarinet »

Most people would say it is good to rotate autos as it means less servicing (based on what I have learnt on here). I certainly rotate mine and don't have a winder so they may rest for a week or so at a time.
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Re: Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by Woodell »

nathanclarinet wrote:Most people would say it is good to rotate autos as it means less servicing (based on what I have learnt on here). I certainly rotate mine and don't have a winder so they may rest for a week or so at a time.
Heard the same here..........makes sense to me.
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Re: Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by Mortis »

The choice is yours and, as with most things, it's all about compromise.

Wearing an auto everyday keeps the oils lubricated but increases wear, so servicing will be required more often.

Wearing an auto once a month or so is probably enough to keep the oils moving (and prevents them stagnating or settling) and will lengthen service intervals. But you will have to set it each time you wear it.

Wearing an auto very infrequently could result in the oils setting and so a more major service will be needed.

I personally go for the middle option but this is partly because I have a load of watches and it helps preserve them but also because it lowers the "wear and tear" on the bracelet, case, etc. Keeps 'em pristine and looking good as well as reducing wear on the movement! Daily wear probably requires servicing every three to four years, whereas I feel comfortable with about twice that at six or so years (depending on how slow it gets!). Also, I enjoy setting the time daily on each watch I choose to wear.
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Re: Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by TrevorB »

Thanks for the advice so far guys. It's much appreciated.

I only have a couple of autos and a quartz so I wasn't thinking of leaving any of the autos unworn for more than about a week really. Sounds like it's fine for me to just let them stop when not being used then?

Cheers,

Trevor.
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Re: Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by st-rider »

FWIW asked something similar when thinking about autowinders.

Currently redoing the storage and 4 watch autowinder on order.
So going to compromise. Have autowinder plugged into 24hr or weekly timer.
Plus rotate watches in the winder plus remind myself to wear one at least a few days a month.

Decisions, decisions....

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Re: Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by Kip »

Sorry to jump in so late...was a tad busy with the chat and tying up some loose ends with the boss.

Without splitting hairs, what Mortis says is close enough. If you wear the same watch everyday, service in the 5 year range is ok unless subjected to punishing conditions. If you are rotating a few watches, a winder can be a nice convenience......an absolute necessity......not necessarily. If you have a few more than the average person, like I do, you can go through a ritual every month or 2 and wind them all to give them some exercise and keep the oils from getting stagnant.

I have winders enough for 12 watches and actually rotate the watches that are on the winders. I run them on the winders for about a week then switch them out. That to me is sufficient. I usually end up setting the watch I wear on any given day anyway so I really use the winders for exercising the movements.

Manual winds....not much you can do there but wind them...this, I admit, is a chore with a bunch of vintage and pocket watches in the collection.
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Re: Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by highway62 »

wear them as and when you want, it's a nice ritual setting and winding a watch after you haven't worn it for a while , like shaking hands to say hello! :lol:
As has been said just try to wear all of them once or twice every 4-6 wks or so
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Re: Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by Woodell »

Or....Follow the new trend...Wear two watches.. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Or more... :D
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Re: Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Thank you Gods and Gurus for answering the question I hadn't asked yet! :lol:

I'm hiking in Spain for 3+ weeks very soon (Camino de Santiago part 2!) and definitely didn't want to take my C8 or vintage Omega (dings and sweat-wrecked leather straps :( ), so I'll be taking a quartz jobbie from the "hardly wear" drawer! For the same reason the DBR1 (dispatched yesterday! :D :D :D ) will be staying in the box.
I was concerned, though, about how long it was safe to leave mechanicals without winding, but from what Mortis, Kip et al say they should be fine for a month!
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Re: Automatics - Keep 'em going or let 'em stop?

Post by SillentWolf »

At this time i have four automatics at home (and one on the way).

I bought myself a watchwinder for 3 watches. So 3 watches can be wind, every single day .. (if i dont wear them)
And one is on my wrist. The Seiko dont need winding from a winder, its a Premier Kinetic.
If you pick op the Seiko once a month, it still runs fine. It has a huge backup. So i dont worry about that one.
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