Best way to wind a Speedmaster Professional?

SlayedDreamer · Feb 4, 2021

Having recently bought my first Speedmaster Pro, I am finding it a bit difficult to wind because of the crown guards on the side. I have seen some youtube videos showing people winding it various ways, and I would like to know what you folks think is the best way to wind the watch?

a) Traditional way with thumb and index fingers:

b) Dial down with thumb and index fingers:

c) Index finger sliding along the back:

I personally find the index finger along the back method to be easiest for me, but I am wondering if it is placing undue stress on the winding mechanism of the watch?

M'Bob · Feb 4, 2021

SlayedDreamer
Having recently bought my first Speedmaster Pro, I am finding it a bit difficult to wind because of the crown guards on the side. I have seen some youtube videos showing people winding it various ways, and I would like to know what you folks think is the best way to wind the watch?

a) Traditional way with thumb and index fingers:

b) Dial down with thumb and index fingers:

c) Index finger sliding along the back:

I personally find the index finger along the back method to be easiest for me, but I am wondering if it is placing undue stress on the winding mechanism of the watch?

Don’t like three, non-balanced torque. May not matter though...

Jones in LA · Feb 4, 2021

It appears as though example b) is NOT tightening the main spring at all...so don't do that one that way! You can wind a Speedmaster with the watch inverted like example b) but you turn the crown in the same direction as if the watch was not inverted, like examples a) and c).

I own two watches with Cal. 1861 movements, and interestingly, one is super easy to wind and one is really hard to wind. I sent the one that is hard to wind into Omega while it was still under warranty to have it checked as I was concerned that something may be amiss inside. But everything checked out OK, so now I have calluses on my index finger and thumb from winding that particular watch (which I do once each day).

I can't imagine that winding like example a) or c) would put any more or less stress on the winding mechanism when comparing the two.

gbesq · Feb 4, 2021

Daily generally works for me. 😀

Pazzo · Feb 4, 2021

The method that suits you best.
More important is to know when to stop winding.

jaguar11 · Feb 4, 2021

Have you looked in the instructions?

SlayedDreamer · Feb 4, 2021

jaguar11
Have you looked in the instructions?

The manual (both the book and video manuals) doesn't have a recommendation on which technique one should use to wind the watch. It merely states when and how often to wind it.

marcn · Feb 4, 2021

Pazzo
The method that suits you best.
More important is to know when to stop winding.

+1 this. A Tim Mosso-type who worked at my local OB said to me once on this topic, "...just make sure to release the crown between each clockwise spin...", which would make c) apparently unrecommended, and I don't think b) does anything other than a counter-clockwise spin. And no power drills, please.

madjestikmoose · Feb 4, 2021

I tend to just use my fingers 👍

thatmatt · Feb 4, 2021

How long have you had the watch? I found that the crown loosened up a bit after a couple of months and was easier to turn. I know what you mean though - I found that having sore / chapped fingers from cold weather recently makes it even harder!

MRC · Feb 4, 2021

marcnorth
+1 this. A Tim Mosso-type who worked at my local OB said to me once on this topic, "...just make sure to release the crown between each clockwise spin...", which would make c) apparently unrecommended, and I don't think b) does anything other than a counter-clockwise spin.

I had to take my watch off and look at it as I wound to find out what I really do. Grip is (c) but to move thumb and finger back to their starting positions I do have to release the crown. Been doing it this way for over 50 years (minus the quartz years 🤦 ) with no evident problems. One watch gets wound upside down but that's because it's a Cal. 11 with the crown at 9.

vbrad26 · Feb 4, 2021

It will get easier, or you will get used to it.
Not sure which one happened for me...but it was one of them.
I'm most like exhibit A though.

SlayedDreamer · Feb 4, 2021

thatmatt
How long have you had the watch? I found that the crown loosened up a bit after a couple of months and was easier to turn. I know what you mean though - I found that having sore / chapped fingers from cold weather recently makes it even harder!

It's actually just three days old 😉 But I do hope it does loosen up over time!

VickMacky · Feb 4, 2021

C, without a doubt.

Alex Cheers · Feb 4, 2021

Well I am doing like in a) but I have seen my AD doing it like in c) and it is just faster I think

nicolamilton · Feb 4, 2021

My almost new FOIS is butter compared with my new Snoopy.
I hope it will get better, bur I'd say 3861 is harder to wind up.

Togri v. 2.0 · Feb 4, 2021

I just wind it

64Wing · Feb 4, 2021

I've been rocking method C since day 1. No problems.

Cenzo · Feb 4, 2021

I use "a" but turn the crown forward then back. I know back does nothing, but it seems smoother for me going back and forth. Just a habit I got into. And always with the watch off my wrist.

imfagent449 · Feb 4, 2021

I never thought about this at all. I remember a post from Walt Odets a very long time ago talking about how you should wind a full twist back the other way to maintain the rubber seal. At least, I think that is what I remember from reading a forum post a few decades ago.

Best way to wind a Speedmaster Professional?

SlayedDreamer

M'Bob

Jones in LA

gbesq

Pazzo

jaguar11

SlayedDreamer

marcn

madjestikmoose

thatmatt

MRC

vbrad26

SlayedDreamer

VickMacky

Alex Cheers

nicolamilton

Togri v. 2.0

64Wing

Cenzo

imfagent449

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