The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'm starting to think I maybe should buy some winders for my watches, to have them "on time" all the time.

What are your experiences? Any specific winders you could recommend to buy (or to avoid buying)?

Also, what would be the best situation, trying to optimize the money? I currently have 9 watches I'd like to put in rotation. Should I go for a huge winder, several smaller or just one midsize and leave some of the 9 out?

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

There was a thread on here a while ago about watch winders but I couldn't find it. (And I'm supposed to be working so not spent too long looking! )

I have used Rapport and Official Time winders in the past. IMO Rapport are expensive for what they are and mine became quite noisy after a relatively short period of time, and had to go back to the jewellers for repairs. (I think Admin had a same noise issue with his). I currently have a 6 way by Official Time which has (so far at least) proved to be excellent value for money. The design is one of their newer versions which is very similar to Rapport, but at considerably less cost. So far it has proved an excellent piece of kit and I've had mine for quite a while now. They also come in some pretty cool colour woods (mine is in grey oak) which makes a change from the usual mahogany or walnut.

My personal advice would be to buy a couple of 6 ways as at that size they aren't too obtrusive. The larger ones tend to end up as complete pieces of furniture, which is fine if you want that, but for me I like them to be a little understated. If you have a decent size collect (which you seem to have!) then a couple of 6 ways will be neater than 9 or 10 singles, or 4 2 ways. (Also, less plugs!!)

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Driver8

Site Moderator

The Official Time ones do seem good bang for buck, and I did have some noise issues with the Rapports, and they sent me new motors.. no problems since. But I personally only will buy Orbita from now on.. I like the long battery life and that I can stick the whole winder in the safe and keep the watches wound. They also do a great job with the single direction winding autos like the Valjoux 7750.

Wolf Designs are great winders too, but they do not match my Orbitas, so Orbitas it is.

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

I use a Sparta Orbita winder and am very happy with it. It's battery powered and VERY quiet. Just the trick!

Should also have added on my post - the Official Time ones have a battery option too, but I've not tried mine out on batteries yet, so I have no clue how long they would last, but considering the whole cycle is powered (i.e. no "gravity effect" used), then I would assume the battery life will not be great if all 6 pads are running.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I just bought this wolf design one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PSPY9E

I will let you know how it turns out, from the extensive research I have done this seems like the best value at amazon prices. I also bought their travel sized one, I am hoping I can somehoew modify the top drawer to occupy for of them to end with a nice 6 watch winder for around 1K. They are said to be beutifull abd of excellent quality, we shall see.

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Certified watch nut.

Nice winder, Altair! Can't wait to hear your review of it

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

Will definetely doa full review with pics and results of experimenting as soon as I get it. This is the travel rotator I got

http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Designs-Genu ... 684&sr=1-7

Since it runs on batteries and is relatevely small I am confident I can have the top shelf of the larger two watch winder modifies to accomidate at least four of them easily.

Those two I got are the best value by the way, the other wnders are either too cheap (build qiality) or too expensive.

Like these from the same company:

http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Designs-Trip ... 52&sr=1-33


http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Designs-Doub ... 52&sr=1-32

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Certified watch nut.