If you’re in the market for a new watch, you may be wondering if hand wound watches are any good. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of hand wound watches to help you make a decision.
In This Article…
Introduction
Whether you’re a watch enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates the art of fine craftsmanship, you’ve probably wondered at least once if hand wound watches are any good. After all, they’re not as popular as their quartz or automatic counterparts, so it’s natural to wonder if there’s a reason for that.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of hand wound watches so that you can decide for yourself if they’re right for you.
What is a hand wound watch?
A hand wound watch is a watch that is powered by a manually wound spring, as opposed to an automatic watch which is powered by the movement of the wearer’s arm. Hand winding is necessary to keep the watch running, and must be done regularly (usually daily).
Advantages of hand wound watches:
-They are typically more accurate than automatic watches, since there is no potential for the automatic mechanism to jostle or misalign the gears.
-They are usually thinner than automatic watches, since there is no need for a bulky rotor mechanism. This makes them more comfortable to wear, and also helps them fit better under a shirt cuff.
-They tend to have a longer power reserve than automatic watches, since there is no need to wind the mainspring as frequently. This means they can be left unwound for longer periods of time without stopping.
-They are generally less expensive than automatic watches, since they do not require as much complex machinery.
Disadvantages of hand wound watches:
-They require regular winding in order to keep running, which can be inconvenient or forgetful if you’re not used to it.
-If you don’t wear your watch regularly, the lubricants inside can dry out and cause damage to the movement. This can shorten the lifespan of your watch or reduce its accuracy over time.
The pros of hand wound watches
Hand winding has a couple of advantages over automatic watches. The first is that hand winding is more accurate. When you start your watch, the mainspring is fully wound and under high tension. As the watch runs, the mainspring slowly unwinds and loses tension. This makes the watch run slower and eventually stop.
With an automatic watch, the rotor winds the mainspring while you wear it. This can cause the mainspring to become wound unevenly, which can affect accuracy. With a hand wound watch, you can wind the mainspring evenly every time, which keeps it accurate.
The other advantage of hand winding is that it doesn’t require as much maintenance as an automatic watch. An automatic watch has moving parts (the rotor) that can break or wear out over time. A hand wound watch doesn’t have any moving parts, so there’s nothing to break or wear out.
The cons of hand wound watches
There are a few disadvantages to hand wound watches. One is that they require regular winding, or else they will stop working. This can be a nuisance, especially if you are forgetful or have a busy schedule. Another con is that they are generally more expensive than watches with batteries. Finally, hand wound watches tend to be less accurate than their battery-powered counterparts.
Are hand wound watches any good?
Hand wound watches are known for their excellent accuracy and durability. Many people believe that hand wound watches are better than automatic or quartz watches, but this is not always the case.Hand wound watches can be just as accurate as any other type of watch, but they do have some advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of before you purchase one.
Advantages:
– Hand wound watches are more accurate than automatic or quartz watches. This is because they do not have the same type of components that can wear out or break over time.
– Hand wound watches are also more durable than other types of watches. This is because they do not have as many moving parts that can break or become damaged over time.
– Hand wound watches are also less likely to need batteries, which makes them more environmentally friendly.
Disadvantages:
– Hand wound watches can be more expensive than other types of watches. This is because they are considered to be a higher quality product.
– Hand wound watches can also be more difficult to repair if they break . This is because there are fewer repair shops that specialize in hand winding watch repairs.
