My newer Speedys seem to have a bit of resistance to winding. So I have to use my right thumb and index finder to turn it clockwise. There isn't much to get a bite on and I have to roll it along half a turn at a time. Its actually a pain in the butt to wind. I can imagine that people with big fingers would have a harder time with it.

My older Speedy (25yrs) is much easier to turn, so I can use my index finger rolling it with a front to back motion from underneath pretty quickly.

 

I have a new Speedmaster and although it's not the easiest watch to wind, I don't find it too difficult. I don't have a vintage Speedy, so I can't compare the two.

 

not for me, it's just being kept inside the safe so with the rest of my hoard. i dont set time either on my daily beater watch since i started collecting because i have 2 cellphones that take care of the job.

 

My '92 winds easily with the edge of my forefinger.

 

How new? Sounds to me like it's time for a service - I've had newer Speedmasters (2004-05) that needed quite a bit of effort to wind, but it was a sign that the watch just needed to be serviced.

@Archer can either confirm or disprove this, but I think you're better off rolling the crown between two fingers as applying pressure from one side can put undue stress on the crown stem.

 

Mine isn't hard to turn. Nice viscous feeling resistance, but not hard. I just wind it with two fingers until it stops. I don't go for the one finger wind, which just seems like it has to be putting more force on the stem, which doesn't seem right. Probably not that big of a deal in any case. I'm not sure there is any real wrong way to wind, provided that you stop winding when the crown stops turning.

Man I really don't get that. That would drive me crazy to not even have it set. It such a functional dependable piece, its already sitting on your wrist - why not toss it a bone and let it do it's job? its beggin ya to be used!

 

Yes, it's better to wind using thumb and finger than applying pressure from just one side.

 

Mine is a 44mm Co-Axial so winding is pretty much automatic. On occasion I will wind it manually, but that's rare.

 

As an example I just picked up a Tintin, probably made in 2015. It's not super hard to turn but it's hard to get a grip on the crown with my finger tips. This makes winding tedius, but maybe it's an opportunity to relax and think of the day ahead as I wind it

Good point about putting pressure on the stem I will avoid single finger winding.

 

Was told by a local watchmaker that, inside the crown, there is a rubber gasket, which actually offers less resistance to winding as time goes on, because it dries out. Can't confirm or deny the veracity of this, though.

 

Isn’t it bad to not wind your watch occasionally because the balance spring might get deformed or oils might settle?

 

Just replacing a crown on a Seamaster...old crown with worn seal on the left, new crown with new seal on the right...

The balance spring isn't going to get deformed unless something is acting to deform it. Oils are held in place by capillary action. Letting a watch sit is not "bad" for it.

Cheers, Al

 

Like gravity?

 

Maybe on Jupiter I would be concerned with the gravity...but then again the -100 degree C temperatures and atmosphere made out of hydrogen would probably be more pressing issues...

 

Thanks for the pic. It looks like the ID on the inside of the new crown in less, so true that the new crowns offer more resistance to turning than the worn ones?

 

Yes. That can be mitigated with the use of lubrication on the seal, such as Fomblin grease (which is what I use), but and old worn out/dry seal will generally be easier to turn the crown.

 

Thanks Al.

 

Archer is correct, the seal may just be a tad dried up.. A bit of lubrication inside, with the crown pulled out, and then wind it a lot- push the crown in and out a bit too. Will then turn smooth as it should.

-John

 

My Speedy's crown had a little resistance during winding at first. After a month or so, it relaxed noticeably. No idea how long it was sitting before I bought it. After I had it serviced (during which the crown and seals were replaced), it winds with no feeling of extra resistance. The end of winding usually catches me by surprise, so I try not to exert too much pressure while I'm twisting the crown.

 

I'm a little confused by your post. So you wear a watch but don't wind it or set the time? Or you don't even wear a watch?