To wind an automatic watch, leave the crown pushed in (or unscrew it first if it is a screw-down crown), then turn it upwards, towards 12 o'clock, around 20 to 40 times. That is enough to restart a stopped watch and give it a good part of its power reserve; your wrist or a watch winder then keeps it going. You cannot overwind it: the mechanism is designed to slip once the mainspring is fully wound.
The crown positions
The crown of an automatic watch usually has two or three positions. Each one controls a different function, and winding happens in the first.
| Position 0 / 1 (pushed in) | Manual winding of the mainspring |
| Position 2 (first click out) | Quick-set date (on watches with a date) |
| Position 3 (second click out) | Time setting; on many calibres the seconds hand stops |
On a watch without a date, the single pulled-out position sets the time. If in doubt, your watch's manual is the reference.
Which way do you wind an automatic watch?
With the crown pushed in, turn it upwards, towards 12 o'clock: that is clockwise when you look at the crown head-on. This is the movement that winds the mainspring.
In the other direction the crown turns freely with a light clicking sound. That is normal and does nothing, so you can wind back and forth: only the upward turn counts. Hold the watch flat or in your hand rather than on your wrist, where winding puts the crown stem under strain at an angle.
How many turns does it take?
For a watch that has stopped completely, 20 to 40 turns of the crown is the usual range to fully wind the mainspring. The exact figure depends on the calibre, the length of the mainspring and the gearing of the winding system. Some manuals give a precise number, and that is the one to follow.
Ten turns is often enough to get the watch ticking, but with so little energy it runs at the end of its reserve, where accuracy is at its weakest. Thirty turns, then wearing it, is the better habit.
| Stopped watch | 20 to 40 turns, or the figure in the manual |
| Watch worn the day before | A few turns, or none |
| Watch taken off a winder | None: the mainspring is already wound |
Can you overwind an automatic watch?
No. The mainspring of an automatic watch is attached by a slipping bridle: once the spring is fully wound, the bridle slides against the wall of the barrel instead of building up more tension. The rotor can keep spinning on your wrist all day, and you can keep turning the crown, without breaking anything.
That is also why you feel no firm stop at the end of winding, unlike a hand-wound watch. Manual-wind watches do have a stop: when the crown resists, stop there and never force it.
Manual winding is still not something to do more than necessary. It works the keyless mechanism, the stem and the crown gaskets. A watch worn every day generally does not need it.
Screw-down crowns
On dive watches and many sports watches, the crown screws onto the case tube to keep the watch water-resistant. You need to release it before winding.
- Unscrew the crown by turning it downwards (towards 6 o'clock) until it springs free. It is now in the winding position.
- Wind by turning upwards, 20 to 40 turns depending on the manual.
- Push the crown back against the case and screw it upwards with light pressure until you feel resistance. Do not overtighten: the thread is fine.
A crown that is not screwed down properly compromises water resistance. Always check it before going near water.
How do you know it is fully wound?
Most automatic watches have no power reserve indicator, but a few simple checks will tell you:
- the seconds hand starts within the first few turns; if it has not moved after ten turns, something is wrong;
- after thirty or so turns, the watch should run for at least a full day left on a table;
- if your watch has a power reserve indicator, the hand rises as you wind: stop when it reaches the top.
A watch that stops well short of its stated reserve, even after a full wind, probably needs a service.
Mistakes to avoid
- Changing the date in the evening. Roughly between 9 pm and 3 am the date-change mechanism is engaged, and forcing the date then can damage it. We explain why in our article on changing the date.
- Shaking the watch hard. A few gentle wrist movements set the rotor going; vigorous shaking adds nothing.
- Trying to hand-wind a calibre that does not allow it. A few entry-level automatic movements, such as the Seiko 7S26, cannot be wound from the crown. Wear the watch or move it gently instead.
- Pulling out the crown underwater or with wet hands.
How often should you wind an automatic watch?
If you wear it every day, you usually do not need to: the rotor winds the mainspring with every movement of your wrist, and a normal day's wear keeps an automatic watch running. Manual winding is mainly for restarting a watch that has stopped, or topping up one you have not worn for a day or two.
How to keep an automatic watch running when not worn
This is the real question once you own more than one watch. Left on a table, each one stops when its power reserve runs out, often between 38 and 80 hours depending on the calibre (see our guide to automatic watch power reserve). Each time, you have to wind it, set the time and often the date again.
A watch winder saves you the trouble: it turns the watch gently, at the pace and in the direction that suit its calibre, so it stays ready to wear. Our watch winder settings by calibre give the rotation direction and turns per day for the most common movements. It is especially useful for watches with complications, which take a long time to reset.
FAQ
Do you need to wind an automatic watch every day?
Not if you wear it daily: your wrist is enough. Manual winding is for restarting a stopped watch or one you rarely wear.
How long do you need to wear it to wind it?
It depends on your activity and the calibre. After a manual wind of around thirty turns, a normal day's wear keeps the reserve topped up.
The crown spins freely: is something wrong?
Turning downwards, that is normal. If it winds nothing in either direction, or comes loose, take the watch to a watchmaker.
Should you wind an automatic watch before putting it on a winder?
If it has stopped, yes: around twenty turns, then set the time. The winder then maintains the reserve; it is less effective at winding a completely empty mainspring.