Automatic watch winder: complete guide Swiss Kubik

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A watch winder keeps your automatic watches running and preserves their mechanisms. Complete guide: how it works, turns per day, Swiss Kubik vs Scatola Rotor One vs Rapport London. Official retailer, 3-year warranty.

The automatic watch winder: what is it actually for?

An automatic watch stops within 24 to 72 hours once it is no longer worn. For a collector with several timepieces, resetting each watch at every rotation quickly becomes a chore — and a source of unnecessary wear on crowns and gaskets.

The watch winder reproduces the natural movements of the wrist. It keeps your watch running, the oils circulating, and the mechanism in perfect working order — even during several weeks without wearing.

Browse our selection: automatic watch winders — Swiss Kubik, Rapport London, Scatola del Tempo.

How does a watch winder work?

Every automatic watch is fitted with a rotor — an oscillating weight that rotates with each wrist movement and rewinds the mainspring. The watch winder simulates this movement by rotating the watch according to a defined winding programme.

The standard programme is 1,600 turns per day, split into alternating cycles: 800 clockwise, 800 anticlockwise. Between each cycle, the winder pauses to allow the spring to relax — an essential rest phase to prevent over-winding the mechanism.

This programme covers the needs of 90% of automatic watches on the market, including the vast majority of Rolex, Omega, IWC, Breitling and TAG Heuer models.

What is the ideal number of turns per day for my watch?

Most automatic watches require between 1,000 and 1,900 turns per day to function correctly. Below this, the spring gradually unwinds. Above it, the winding is simply stopped automatically by the mechanism.

To find the exact requirements of your timepiece, consult the automatic watch winding specifications database — it lists rotation specifications by brand and model.

If your watch has specific requirements, a programmable winder such as the Swiss Kubik Masterbox allows you to adjust every parameter via Bluetooth from your smartphone.

For more information, see "how to use a watch winder"