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Looking to build a watch winder

OmegaAm
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Hi Guys,

Ive been looking around the internet at watch winders now that I have a few automatics and it got me thinking, Im a bit of a nerd, why can't I just build my own? Setting up a box with a motor isn't tough but, I notice that almost all movements have different specs for winding. Some are bi-directional while others need a specific direction and they all have different rotations per day. For my vintage watches I don't see anything available on the Omega site. Is there a better place I should be looking? The last thing I want to do is hurt my movements by winding too much (if that's even a thing?).

Secondly, what are some features you would like to see in a winder that might not already exist? I was thinking I could connect the box to a web app, create profiles for specific watches so I could keep the design of the winder very minimal while maintaining very efficient accuracy. I was also thinking I could set up LED back lighting that could be changed within the app as well.

Any and all insight would be greatly appreciated, if anyone has a specific winder they love feel free to post it here for inspiration.

Thanks!
 
BenBagbag
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gemini4 gemini4
Custom made Ranchero winder
74B00AF2-85A0-44E4-B6C9-16EFF9A1D67F.jpeg
You look great, Marc! Have you lost weight?

And that man to the right also looks good!
 
OmegaAm
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gemini4 gemini4
Custom made Ranchero winder
74B00AF2-85A0-44E4-B6C9-16EFF9A1D67F.jpeg

If you could refrain from posting photos of my family and friends on the internet, that would be great
 
Larry S
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Orbita has a great website ...great spec tables...you want it fully programmable ... and quiet...
 
Foo2rama
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Best winder setting database.

https://www.orbita.com/winder-support/#

Note it is not mobile friendly
Note 2, it has the settings for the Orbitas... some winders use slightly different settings so you can round up.
 
OmegaAm
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Larry S Larry S
Orbita has a great website ...great spec tables...you want it fully programmable ... and quiet...

The plan is to build something similar to one of their models but at a price point that is drastically less. In theory the internal components aren't expensive, you have a micro controller and a motor. I am a computer programmer so I figured I might as well give it a go.


Foo2rama Foo2rama
Best winder setting database.

https://www.orbita.com/winder-support/#

Note it is not mobile friendly

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you.
 
OmegaAm
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
Note 2, it has the settings for the Orbitas... some winders use slightly different settings so you can round up.

As I will be building my own from scratch I figured that 650 turns per day would be pretty uniform regardless, no?
 
Foo2rama
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OmegaAm OmegaAm
As I will be building my own from scratch I figured that 650 turns per day would be pretty uniform regardless, no?
Not enough for some watches. Some need 1200 some 900.

Some also have different winding rotations.
 
OmegaAm
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
Not enough for some watches. Some need 1200 some 900.

Some also have different winding rotations.

Sorry, I didnt mean all watches. It was more if "Watch A" needs to go 650 rotations a day clockwise, that number shouldnt be affected by the winder you are using.
 
Reddy_Kilowatt
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I just attach a stick to the drive axle and fasten the watch to the stick. Why make it more complicated?

yskmvyqh2x211.jpg
 
OmegaAm
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Reddy_Kilowatt Reddy_Kilowatt
I just attach a stick to the drive axle and fasten the watch to the stick. Why make it more complicated?

yskmvyqh2x211.jpg

I mean that even seems more complicated, you could strap atleast 4 onto this bad boy:
523-d-010-1-400.jpg
 
523-d-010-1-400.jpg
BenBagbag
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I'd go with this. Better RPM and sweeter too. 👍

cotton candy machine.jpeg


But honestly, this sounds like a cool project should you decide to take it on. If so, please keep us updated here!
 
Foo2rama
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OmegaAm OmegaAm
Sorry, I didnt mean all watches. It was more if "Watch A" needs to go 650 rotations a day clockwise, that number shouldnt be affected by the winder you are using.
Correct as long as the direction is correct.

Unless your Dr Strange. As infinite turns is not going to do anything in that set up
762B605A-F888-461A-8E5A-DDCD5791AC9C.jpeg
Edited:
 
Reddy_Kilowatt
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OmegaAm OmegaAm
I mean that even seems more complicated, you could strap atleast 4 onto this bad boy:
523-d-010-1-400.jpg
BenBagbag BenBagbag
I'd go with this. Better RPM and sweeter too. 👍

cotton candy machine.jpeg


But honestly, this sounds like a cool project should you decide to take it on. If so, please keep us updated here!

A bunch of one-uppers.
 
OmegaAm
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
Correct as long as the direction is correct.

Unless your Dr Strange. As infinite turns is not going to do anything in that set up
762B605A-F888-461A-8E5A-DDCD5791AC9C.jpeg

Not going to lie, that was what sparked my interest on building a winder
 
Foo2rama
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OmegaAm OmegaAm
Not going to lie, that was what sparked my interest on building a winder
Just be aware of the massive flaw in that design lol.
 
TDBK
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A big spinner which spins all your watches at once, just spins the whole case.
 
OmegaAm
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TDBK TDBK
A big spinner which spins all your watches at once, just spins the whole case.

Ah yes the classic "tape your whole watch box to the desk fan" trick
 
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