Every watch lover has had that moment; they pick up their favourite timepiece as they head our for the day to realise that it's stopped. You might be in a rush just to get it on your wrist and fastened securely before heading for the train or jumping in the car. Hours might go by before you remember to wind and set it. If it's an automatic watch, it's probably gained some power and started running, but it won't be telling the right time.

There is something magical about automatic watches - tiny mechanical marvels that feed off your movement. Fortunately, you don't need to keep wearing a watch 24/7 or keep on top of which one you wore last if you use a watch winder! Watch Winders are small machines that keep the watch rotating, moving even more so than a watch would during regular use on the wrist. A sample setting might be something like 800 turns per day. This will keep most modern watches fully wound.

Beyond solving that morning frustration, another advantage of a winder is that it keeps the watch safe and secure and they look great. They make a novel addition to any bedroom or even living room, and it can be very satisfying putting your treasured watch into the cradle at the end of a long day.

If you're proud of your watches then it's a nice feature to have them displayed in a multi-watch winder. The different designs of the watches catch the eye and the movement makes it like a moving sculpture. Watch winders come in different sizes, from single boxes up to boxes and safes featuring 12 or more winders. This is where specialists like Barrington Watch Winders have found their niche - making reliable winding technology accessible without the luxury markup that some brands command.

Some winders can be found inside safes, which enable extra security for valuable timepieces. We've talked about the many benefits of keeping your watch in a safe, not least because safes are waterproof and dustproof. A well made watch winder with a front glass screen is also highly protective against accidents, and while it might not be water or fireproof, it will protect your watches against most domestic risks as well as keep them telling the right time. Imagine walking up to your winder each morning to choose which watch to wear that day, knowing they're clean, dust and smudge free, and all perfectly set.

We recommend keeping all your watches safe in either a pouch, watch roll, watch box, or on a winder. If you can add a safe then that's even better. We've often noted that the biggest risk to your watches comes from other family members, or even pets, so having a regular place to put your most worn watch, such as on a winder, or store all your watches, is very sensible.

If you're curious to see different winder technologies in action, events like The Manchester Watch Show in November 2025 offer great opportunities to compare options hands-on. Barrington Watch Winders are a proud sponsor of this year's show, and will be there to help you see their product range and understand the difference between basic rotation and properly engineered winding cycles.