You own a mechanical watch with automatic winding or you are planning to acquire one, and you want to know how to operate it properly to preserve it and keep it in good condition for many years. Then you are in the right place.
A self-winding mechanical watch does not require a battery and does not require manual winding. Its operation is based on the natural movement of your wrist, thanks to the presence of an oscillating weight (also called a rotor) located at the back of the watch.
The oscillating weight swings continuously as the wrist moves, winding the barrel spring, the watch's power source. The barrel spring winds itself progressively throughout the day until it reaches its maximum (the power reserve is then at its maximum).
Note: In watchmaking, the power reserve refers to the operating time of a watch when it is not worn (for an automatic watch).
For example, if a watch like the MM23-01 in our store has a 40-hour power reserve, this means that once fully charged (after a full day of wearing it), it will continue to run for 40 hours before stopping.
On the other hand, when an automatic watch is stopped, its power reserve is zero and the barrel spring is fully relaxed, with no stored energy. On skeleton automatic watches, you can visually see whether the barrel spring is stretched (and therefore loaded with energy) or relaxed (devoid of energy).
MM24-04 - MORFIN House
To start a mechanical watch, it's very simple. Shake it until you see the beating heart of the watch (if the watch is skeleton) or simply when the second hand starts to move.
Once the watch is started, simply wear it and it will automatically wind itself with the natural movements of your wrist. The spring will gradually tighten.
Tip: If you wear your watch very rarely (less than once a month), wind it using the side crown (about 30 turns if the watch is completely stopped). This will keep it running (without wearing it) and lubricate the components, preventing stagnant oil from accumulating in certain areas, which will optimize its lifespan.
Tip 1: If you want to keep your watch healthy and keep it on time, consider investing in a watch winder, like the ones we offer in our store, which will keep your watch running continuously to keep it running at all times.
Tip 2: Automatic watches have an unmatched charm for watch lovers and require special attention to optimize their longevity. When setting the time, turn the hands clockwise, as the components are designed to work in this direction. If your watch has a date window, be sure to set it when the hands are between 3 a.m. and 9 p.m. The period between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. is called the "dead zone" and forcing the date change in this time interval can damage the mechanism via the push button.
Tip 3 : To prevent dirt from getting into the case, it is a good idea to remove dust and dead skin using a little water and a toothbrush every 3 months.
By following these tips, you will be able to enjoy your self-winding mechanical watch for many years to come.
