Unlike automatic counterparts that harness the energy from the wearer's motion, vintage watches with manual movements require a more hands-on approach. Manual winding involves turning the crown to tighten the mainspring, storing potential energy that is gradually released to power the watch. In this blog post we teach you how to wind a vintage watch with manual movement.

Step by step guide

Wind a manual movement watch in 6 steps

  • Step 1: hold the watch

    Be cautious not to wear the watch on your wrist during the winding process, as doing so can bend the stem attached to the crown.

  • Step 2: locate the crown

    Identify the crown of your vintage watch. The crown is a small, usually knurled knob on the side of the watch case.

  • Step 3: check crown position

    Before winding the watch, ensure the crown is in the neutral position (non-active position), typically flush against the case.

  • Step 4: turn the crown

    While keeping the crown in the neutral position, turn it clockwise to wind the watch. You should feel a subtle resistance as you wind the mainspring.

  • Step 5: count the turns

    Vintage watches generally require around 20 to 30 turns to reach a full wind. Be patienced and avoid over-winding, as this may damage the movement.

  • Step 6: set the time

    Winding the watch is complete; now, set the time. Find more tips on setting the time in this blog post.

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Note: If your watch has a screw-down crown, unscrew it in an anti-clockwise direction before winding the movement.

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