Do you find it inconvenient to tune your watch every time it stops after removing it from your wrist?
This is a common problem among automatic watch users and we have the solution for this: getting a watch winder for your timepiece.
What is a Watch Winder?
A watch winder is a contraption used to keep automatic watches running even when you’re not wearing them.
Automatic watches are powered by your arm swings.
They have self-winding mechanisms installed in them which rotate or swing in sync with your arm movement.
Automatic timepieces have power reserves but when they run out of energy, the watch will stop completely.
You have to manually wind the watch to get it running again and then adjust the hands for the time lost.
The inconvenience it causes led to the birth of automatic watch winders.
Some people are afraid of using watch winders, thinking these will destroy their timepieces similar to how overcharging a battery for hours can put them beyond their limit.
You don’t have to worry about watch winders overwinding your precious Rolex.
Automatic timepieces have a special apparatus for preventing this disaster.
Besides, letting your timepiece sit on a watch winder is just like wearing them on your wrist the whole time.
What to Look for in a Watch Winder for Rolex
In looking for a Rolex watch winder, consider the following factors to narrow down your selection process.
Functionality
Usually, watch winders give you the option to tweak the rest cycles and the winding direction.
The best watch winders for Rolex have 3 directional settings (clockwise, counterclockwise, bi-directional) that make them a versatile partner for your timepiece.
A winder that can rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise will help distribute the wear equally in both directions, extending the life of your watch.
Watch winders normally have a setting that will let you alternate the winding movement.
Older automatic watch models rotate only in one direction, so make sure the watch winder also caters to this limited rotation.
The best watch winders for Rolex have on and off running cycles.
This allows you to set when to run the winding movement and how long it has to wait before it repeats the cycle.
Rolex watch winder boxes have different TPD (turns per day).
The recommended minimum TPD for a Rolex timepiece is 750, so look for a winder that satisfies this number at the least.
Some watch winders have LCDs that show how many turns remain before the watch gets completely winded.
This can help you determine the power reserve level available on the watch before you use it.
If you plan to own more than one automatic watch, it would be best to purchase a multi-headed unit.
But if you’re just starting out and you plan to wear your Rolex occasionally, you may want to go for a single-headed unit.
Aesthetics
Some watch winders are made for display with materials made of the finest wood, smoothest leather, or clearest glass.
They can handle multiple watches at the same time and can be readily used as part of your office or home décor.
They’re quite expensive, though, compared to your average watch winder models.
There are also budget-friendly products that will do just fine, although you shouldn’t expect much from their quality and longevity.
Quality
Don’t skimp on quality.
You have a luxury timepiece that needs extra care, which is why you should also get a winder with high standards.
Having a bad winder is worse than having no winder at all.
A poorly-designed Rolex watch winder box can increase the wear and tear on your watch for having limited winding direction.
Avoid these types of winders and go for something that’s specially built to handle your Rolex with care.
Price
You may be wondering why these Rolex watch winder boxes are costly when they only have one main function to perform.
The quality of the parts used, the endurance for wear and tear, and the overall design explain their costs.
There’s also the precision and knowledge of the winder manufacturer in taking care of your Rolex watches factored in the price tag.
The Best Watch Winders for Rolex
Here are the best watch winders for Rolex timepieces.
Brookstone Single Watch Winder
Rolex uses a unique self-winding mechanism called perpetual movement.
Not many winders can match this standard, making this product from Brookstone one of the best watch winders for Rolex.
It has 3 rotational settings, a built-in timer, and a solid wood casing with a black lacquer finish.
The package also has an AC adapter for wall socket plugging.
This watch winder suits not only Rolexes but also timepieces from Tag Heuer and Omega.
It’s the ideal product for those who are looking to showcase their highly-valued possession.
Pros:
- Bi-directional, counterclockwise, and clockwise rotation
- Minimalist design adds elegance to your luxury timepiece
- Excellent function settings
Cons:
- AC adapter falls easily off the winder
- It’s quite tall for the watch it holds
- No indicator to identify whether it’s running or not
Pangaea S400 E Single Watch Winder
The S400 has a case made of dark cherry wood with glossy lacquer finish, an adjustable pillow for your watch, and a bi-directional Mabuchi motor.
Its motorized turntable can keep watches from brands like Rolex, Breitling, Blancpain, Tag Heuer, Panerai, and Piaget winded.
Pros:
- Portable and compact for easy storage
- Quiet operation
- 2 program settings
- Runs on either AC power or 2x AA batteries
Cons:
- AC wire is visible
- Winding rate is not adjustable
- Batteries run out of power too fast
WOLF 270002 Heritage Single Watch Winder
The Wolf 270002 is a rectangular box lined with satin and faux leather and a front cover made of tempered glass.
It features chrome clasp closures, chrome control knobs, 3 directional settings, start delay options, and a pre-programmed 900-turn rotating setting.
For its price and quality, the Wolf 270002 is one of the best watch winders for Rolex you can get your hands on.
Pros:
- Multi-directional rotation settings
- Durable and elegant-looking
- Super quiet operation
- Accommodates large watches with long bands
- D-cell battery or AC adapter power option
Cons:
- Front door has a flawed design
- Big and takes a lot of space
- Can’t program anything else other than the rotation cycle and direction
Orbita Sparta Bold Single Watch Winder
The Sparta Bold is a Rolex watch winder box that has a textured aluminum frame and a Rotorwind motor.
It swings instead of rotating to wind your watch.
Sparta has a programmable winding motion that allows you to set it to operate every 10 or 15 minutes.
Pros:
- Fits a wide array of Rolex watch sizes
- Easy to operate
- Compact and blends easily with any existing decoration
- Quiet operation
- D-cell battery or AC adapter power option
Cons:
- No protective cover
- Quite expensive for its basic features
- Swinging motion may not be enough to wind some watches
WOLF 270402 Heritage Double Watch Winder
The Wolf 270402 has a faux leather exterior, a tempered glass cover, a faux suede interior, chrome-finished knobs, and a Mabuchi motor.
It features a pre-programmed 900-turn rotation setting, 3 directional settings, a pause and sleep function, and a 10-second delay before the next rotation cycle starts.
Pros:
- Completely silent operation
- It has a LED indicator that tells you it’s running
- Simple to set up
- You can store up to 3 watches in it
- Top-notch quality and design
- D-cell battery or AC adapter power option
Cons:
- Power cord protrudes too much from the back of the case
- Awkward design for opening the glass panel
- The box is huge
Orbita Sparta 2 Watch Winder
The Sparta 2 has a powder-coated aluminum frame and 2 winding modules with a Rotorwind motor.
Each module does a swinging motion to keep the watch winded and has 10- and 15-minute cycle options.
Each cycle can be programmed to have a 900 to 950 turns per day (10-minute cycle) or 750 turns per day (15-minute cycle).
Pros:
- Durable construction and simple design
- D-cell battery or AC adapter power option
- Battery option makes it ideal for cabinet storage
Cons:
- No cover to protect the watch
- It’s expensive despite having basic features
- Aluminum frame looks cheap
WOLF 457356 Roadster Triple Watch Winder
The Wolf 457356 Roadster has a tempered glass cover, a pebbled faux leather exterior, a case made of Makassar wood, chrome-finished knobs, a Mabuchi motor, and a backlit LCD screen on each winding unit.
This Rolex watch winder box features 3 directional settings and a fully-controllable rotation setting which allows you to program how many turns per day (300 to 1,200) the winder should do.
Pros:
- Designed for large and heavy watches up to 52mm in size
- You can store up to 5 watches in it
- Super quiet operation
- High-quality components used for better durability
- Backlit LCD tells you how many turns are left on the winding unit
- D-cell battery or AC adapter power option
Cons:
- Expensive for a watch winder
- It’s huge given that it can hold 3 watches for winding
- Might be confusing to use for beginners
WOLF 459156 Roadster Four Piece Watch Winder
The Wolf 459156 has a leather exterior, a Makassar wood faceplate, a glass front cover, a Mabuchi motor, and a backlit LCD on each of the 4 winding modules.
Each winding module features 3 directional settings, programmable rotation (300 to 1,200 turns per day), and start delay options.
The winder runs solely on AC power.
Pros:
- Fits up to 52mm watches
- Excellent craftsmanship and overall design
- Smooth and silent operation
- Backlit LCD tells you how many turns are left on the winding unit
Cons:
- No battery option
- No additional storage room, unlike the other Wolf watch winders
- Box is large and takes up a lot of space
WOLF 459256 Roadster Six Piece Watch Winder
The Wolf 459256 has a faux leather exterior, an Ebony Makassar wood interior, and a tempered glass cover.
Each of the 6 winding units features a backlit LCD, a Mabuchi motor, 3 directional settings, programmable rotation (300 to 1,200 turns per day), and start delay options that range from 6 to 72 hours.
Pros:
- Aesthetically beautiful
- Operates silently
- Durable and reliable
- Has a lock closure for improved security
Cons:
- Runs on AC power only
- Insufficient operating instructions on the included manual
- No extra room for storing other watches like the other Wolf Roadster models
Orbita Sparta InSafe Four Watchwinder
The Sparta InSafe is a box seating 4 winding modules each equipped with a Rotorwind motor that creates a swinging motion.
The box itself has an interior made lined with soft suede and an exterior lined with black vinyl, but without any glass cover to protect the watches.
The winding units can be programmed to perform 10- or 15-minute winding cycles.
Pros:
- One of the few Rolex watch winder boxes that can be hung on a wall
- 4x D-cell battery power supply can last for 5 years
- Elegant design fit for décor and display
Cons:
- No AC power option
- No glass cover to protect the timepieces
- No option to program the turns per day the winding units make
Orbita Insafe Watchwinder Black 6
The Insafe Black 6 is a Rolex watch winder box that has six winding modules powered by Rotorwind technology.
The rectangular box is covered in black leatherette while its interior is lined with black suede.
It can be programmed to resume winding every 10 or 15 minutes.
Pros:
- Lithium batteries can last years, thanks to the power-saving feature of the winder
- Can be placed inside a cabinet, hung on a wall, or displayed on top of a table
- Looks like a vault, making it a suitable partner for your luxury watches
Cons:
- No AC power option
- No glass cover to protect the timepieces
- No option to program the turns per day the winding units make
Conclusion
If you’re wearing your watch all the time, you may not need a watch winder at all.
However, having a Rolex watch winder box seems to be a good option whether you actively wear the accessory or not.
Aside from removing the hassle of winding the watch every time it stops, you gain the advantage of having a secured container to store your precious timepieces.
We’ve listed the best watch winders for Rolex with options both for those who are on a budget and those who want something that can be used to display their luxurious collection.
Pick the best one that suits your budget and needs and you’ll never go wrong with your purchase.
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