Manual winding in Watches: Popular feature among renowned brands

Luxury Watches are characterized above all by their extraordinary attention to detail. Especially hand-wound models, which are made for both women and men, are considered less practical but attract a loyal community of watch enthusiasts. Icons like the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch, the Panerai Luminor, or the Lange 31 from A. Lange & Söhne therefore enjoy a high reputation worldwide.

How does the hand-winding work on a Watch?

As early as 1845, hand-winding was invented as a mechanism at Patek Philippe. Over the following decades, hand-winding became one of the leading mechanisms in Watches.

Handaufzugsuhren are mechanical timepieces that receive their energy through manual winding. This energy is stored in the mainspring and determines the running time of the Watch. How long the energy storage lasts depends on various factors – such as the number of barrels, the length of the mainspring, and the frequency of the balance wheel. Models with a high beat frequency require a correspondingly larger amount of energy.

What is better: Watches with hand-winding or with Automatic?

As Watch lovers, we cannot answer this question generally. There are arguments for and against a purchase for both versions. Nostalgics appreciate the connection to traditional Watchmaking and its purism in hand-winding. The case is significantly slimmer and the Watches often offer a fascinating insight into the technology.

-200€

Cartier

Santos Dumont

Cartier Santos Dumont steel manual winding men's watch WSSA0046 [2506349] Sale price6.150€ Regular price6.350€

Limited -400€

Cartier

Santos Dumont

Cartier Santos Dumont steel / gold manual winding men's watch W2SA0025 Limited [2602469] Sale price9.850€ Regular price10.250€

Vintage

Universal Geneve

weitere Modelle

Universal Geneve steel manual winding unisex 842101 Vintage [2600224] Sale price850€

Collector’s Piece Vintage -400€

Heuer

Carrera

Heuer Carrera chronograph steel manual winding men's watch 2447S Vintage [2600120] Sale price7.550€ Regular price7.950€

Nomos

Tetra

Nomos Tetra steel manual winding unisex 481 [2601949] Sale price1.550€

Limited -300€

Nomos

Tangente

Nomos Tangente steel manual winding men's watch Lävograph Limited [2601103] Sale price3.150€ Regular price3.450€

Patek Philippe

Calatrava

Patek Philippe Calatrava 18 ct white gold manual winding women's watch 4905 [2600110] Sale price8.150€

Collector’s Piece Vintage -600€

Patek Philippe

Ellipse

Patek Philippe Ellipse 18 ct white gold manual winding unisex 3583 1 Vintage [2600413] Sale price9.950€ Regular price10.550€

Automatic Watches wind themselves automatically through wearing. The supposed daily winding is omitted. Automatic Watches are especially very suitable for everyday use and ideal for practically oriented Watch wearers.

How often must you wind a hand-wound Watch?

The decisive nominal value in this context is the Power Reserve of a Watch with hand-winding. Many luxury Watches have a Power Reserve of 36 to 48 hours, but there are also specially designed exceptions that can last up to 10 days with the supplied energy. Anyone who chooses a hand-wound Watch should make winding a daily ritual. This establishes the necessary routine and prevents winding from being forgotten.

In which direction is a hand-winding wound?

To wind a Watch, the crown is usually turned clockwise. For models with a screw-down crown, as often found on diver's Watches, the crown must first be unscrewed before winding can take place.

When must a hand-wound Watch go to the watchmaker?

Due to the complex mechanisms, it is advisable for a hand-wound Watch to go to the watchmaker every 5 to 8 years. A condition check and renewal of the lubricants contribute to the long-term preservation of the Watch.

What if a hand-wound Watch stops?

If despite all caution and regularity the Watch stops, a visit to the watchmaker with workshop is also recommended. There are certainly numerous possibilities to get the Watch running again.