FAQ / SUPPORT
What kinds of watches need a watch winder?
All automatic, self-winding watches will need a watch winder.
Why should I use a watch winder?
Automatic watches are designed to be worn, not to lie in a drawer. The lubricants used for the complex mechanisms within your watch tend to migrate away from critical surfaces when the watch is not in use. When the watch is put on after the lubricants have moved, it can cause damaging wear. A well-designed watch winder keeps watches properly lubricated and ready to wear. It conveniently keeps you from having to reset or adjust the watch after any unused period.
What is the difference between “mechanical" and "automatic"?
A mechanical watch is one that derives its power from a tightly coiled main spring which is housed in a drum or barrel within the watch. It uses energy from the wound spring, rather than a battery to power the watch. As the spring unwinds, it provides the power for the gear train escapement, balance wheel, and other components that make the watch work. The original mechanical watches had to be hand wound every day.
The automatic watch is a special type of mechanical watch that is wound by the movement of the wearer's wrist, or by a watch winder when the watch isn’t being worn. That motion causes a rotary pendulum or rotor inside the watch to rotate or oscillate and wind the mainspring. The term "self-winding" is a misnomer because the watch cannot actually wind itself. It must be worn by the user or hand wound in order to operate.
How long will an automatic watch run when unworn?
The amount of time that an automatic watch will run when it isn’t being worn varies greatly between manufacturers and by other factors, including the number of extra features a watch may have and where it is located when not worn. However, most automatic watches will run anywhere from 24 to 60 hours before stopping. One way to guarantee that your watch will be ready to wear whenever you want is to purchase a watch winder.
How much winding does my watch need?
Different watches have different recommended turns per day. Turns per day, or TPD, are the number of turns of the internal motor that will keep a particular watch wound. Most automatic watches require 600 to 1000 TPD, but they do vary between manufacturers and even between models. All of our watch winders are set to accommodate the minimum requirements of TPD.
The Optimal TPD
TPD stands for turns per day, or, how many full revolutions the winder turns in a 24-hour period. For a watch inside the winder, there is a magic number of turns per day that it needs to run best. Too little TPD, and it doesn’t wind fully. Too many, and you risk wearing it out.
A good watch winder will give you options on setting the TPD, but the default setting will generally be around 650 TPD, which is perfect for most watches. But when you set your winder, it would be smart to do some research first.
It’s also important to keep in mind that if your winder is set to the optimal TPD setting, and you put your watch in the winder not fully wound, the winder will not fully wind it for you. So just remember to manually wind the watch up first, then place it in the winder. That way, your watch will come out of the winder at its optimal mainspring tension.
Can an automatic watch ever be over-wound?
No. All automatic watches have a built-in slipping mechanism that prevents over-winding. However, this safety device should not be overstressed because it will eventually wear out. All of the watch winders we carry have built-in, automatic timers that prevent the watch winder from continuously winding your watch.
What's the difference between AC and DC power?
Both types use electric motors. The difference is how the motor gets its power. AC units plug into a wall outlet. A DC powered watch winder can be operated by batteries so it is more portable. DC units are frequently used when watches are kept in safes. Battery-powered watch winders can also run on AC by using an AC power adapter which plugs into a wall outlet.
Do you carry any battery-operated winders?
Yes, some of our winders can be operated by batteries. Most of the battery-powered watch winders can operate using batteries or AC power supply.
Are watch winders loud when operating?
All of the watch winders that we carry are very quiet during operation.
Can I manually turn the motor in a watch winder?
No. Never attempt to manually turn the watch winder motor because this will damage the unit.
Is there a warranty for your watch winders?
Yes, all of the watch winders that we carry come with a warranty from the manufacturer. Most watch winders come with a one or two year warranty from the company that covers any problems related to the motor of the watch winder.
How do you ship watch winders?
All of our watch winders are securely packed and usually shipped within one to two business days. Please check our Shipping Policy for more details.
How much do you charge for shipping?
Please see our Shipping Policy for details.
How long does it take to have a watch winder shipped to my address?
Depending on delivery location, it usually takes 1-3 business days for delivery within Singapore. For international delivery, expect at least seven to 14 business days for your watch winder to arrive. If you wish to have your order delivered as fast as possible, please let us know you wish to have it on "Express" shipping. See our Shipping Policy for details.
Is there any additional sales tax/customs duty?
For International orders, may incur customs duty. Customs duty is the responsibility of the customer.
What payment methods do you accept?
SGWATCHWINDER accepts all major credit cards payment via paypal (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) For local Customer, You can also do paynow/paylah or bank transfer.
What is your exchange and return policy?
Please note our products are not eligible for return or exchange.