The Beauty And Functionality Of Self-winding Watches

Some people feared that the advent of cell phones and PDA devices might bring about the demise of the wristwatch. But fine watches are not merely timepieces, they are pieces of art to be passed on from generation to generation and enjoyed on a daily basis as well. And so fine watches endure, and must be looked after carefully by their owners. Self-winding watches are beautiful and convenient, but sometimes they need help staying "healthy:" watchwinders serve that purpose.

Mechanical watches are classics in timepiece design but they are often inaccurate because their owners neglect to wind them properly and regularly. Self-winding watches have an automatic mechanism that rewinds the mainspring using the natural motions of the wearer's own body. They are not to be confused with quartz watches, however, which use batteries to keep running.

Discerning consumers love self-winders because they are made with the same craftsmanship as their predecessors but are infinitely more convenient. And say what you will about electronic watches, they just don't have the same cache as the classics. There is something distinctly attractive about owning a device that is purely mechanical and that does not use any of the electronic and digital gizmos we rely so much on in every other aspect of our daily lives. However, owning such a watch carries with it a certain degree of responsibility and its needs must be attended to on a regular basis.

The reliability of the self-winding watch's timekeeping capabilities is completely dependent on the habits of its user. Because the winding mechanism is connected to the actions of the arm, the watch may wind down if it is not worn every day or on a regular basis. It can be wound manually to prevent any issues, but that rather defeats the purpose of having a self-winding watch. In order to keep their watches "healthy," many owners choose to purchase a watchwinder.

A watchwinder is a battery-operated device that sits on a tabletop; it emulates the daily actions of the human wrist by moving in circular patterns. Watch collectors who favor self-winding timepieces may collect watchwinders as well, since they are often as elaborate and exquisite as the watches they service! However, if your tastes run simpler, there are watchwinders designed strictly for functionality to choose from as well.

Self-winding watches, like all fine timepieces, should be looked at and serviced by a watch repairman every two years or so. If you keep your timepiece "healthy" and running properly, it will provide enjoyment for generations to come.

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Watchwinders Plus (http://www.diamondsandwatches.com) is your source for high quality
Buben and Zorweg watchwinders. Art Gib is a freelance writer.