To wind a Movado automatic watch, you can either rely on its self-winding mechanism through daily wear or manually wind it using the crown when it needs a jump start or after being unworn.
Understanding Your Movado Automatic Watch
Movado automatic watches are renowned for their self-winding mechanical movements. This means they typically do not require daily manual winding. Instead, an internal rotor pivots with the natural motion of your wrist, continuously winding the mainspring. However, if your watch has stopped after a period of inactivity, or if you're wearing it for the first time, you'll need to manually wind it to get it going.
Step-by-Step Guide to Manually Winding Your Movado Automatic Watch
Manually winding your Movado ensures it has enough power reserve to function accurately, especially before you start wearing it regularly.
Preparing the Crown
Before winding, you need to ensure the crown is in the correct position. Many Movado automatic watches feature a screw-down crown for enhanced water resistance.
- Unlock the Crown: Gently turn the crown counterclockwise for approximately six rotations. This action will release it from its screwed-down, locked position. Once unlocked, the crown will spring out slightly to the first position.
- Practical Insight: Do not pull the crown at this stage; simply unscrew it until it's free.
Winding the Movement
With the crown unlocked and in its winding position, you can now energize the mainspring.
- Wind Clockwise: Turn the crown clockwise about 20-30 times. As you wind, you will notice the second hand on your watch begin to move, indicating that the movement is receiving power.
- Key Indicator: The watch's second hand starting to move is your signal that it has enough initial power to run.
- Note: For automatic movements, it's generally safe to wind until the second hand moves, as they often have a slipping clutch mechanism to prevent over-winding the mainspring when manually wound.
Securing the Crown
After winding, it's crucial to properly secure the crown to maintain your watch's water resistance and protect its internal mechanism.
- Push and Screw Down: Gently push the crown back in towards the watch case while simultaneously turning it clockwise. Continue turning clockwise until the crown is fully screwed down and snug against the case.
- Important: Do not force or over-tighten the crown, as this can damage the threading. It should feel secure but not excessively tight.
Automatic Winding Through Wear
Once your Movado automatic watch is running, it will continue to wind itself as long as you wear it regularly.
- Rotor Action: The internal rotor mechanism spins with your arm's motion, transferring kinetic energy to the mainspring and keeping the watch powered.
- Daily Activity: Most individuals' daily activities provide sufficient motion to keep an automatic watch wound. If your lifestyle is very sedentary, you might find yourself needing to manually wind it more often or consider a watch winder.
When to Manually Wind Your Movado
While automatic, there are specific scenarios where manual winding is beneficial or necessary:
- Initial Start-Up: When using the watch for the very first time.
- After Inactivity: If your watch has been unworn for several days (typically 40-80 hours, depending on the watch's power reserve), it will stop. A manual wind will get it running again quickly.
- Insufficient Wear: If you wear your watch intermittently or have a very inactive lifestyle that doesn't provide enough movement for the rotor.
Tips for Maintaining Your Movado Watch
To ensure your Movado automatic watch remains accurate and in excellent condition:
- Watch Winders: If you own multiple automatic watches and don't wear them daily, a watch winder can keep them perpetually wound and set, eliminating the need for manual winding each time you want to wear a specific timepiece.
- Avoid Extreme Environments: Protect your watch from extreme temperatures, strong magnetic fields, and severe impacts.
- Regular Servicing: Like any precision instrument, your Movado watch benefits from periodic professional servicing (typically every 3-5 years) to clean, lubricate, and adjust the movement.
