Hand-wound luxury watches

The charm of manual winding watches lies in their simplicity, and their reliance on the human who is going to be wearing the watch. With each turn of the crown, the wearer manually winds a mainspring, which stores potential energy.  

This energy is released through the escapement which gradually moves the gears and hands which tell you your time. While the winding may require a bit more effort compared to automatic watches, the winding of the watch becomes a ritual which connects the wearer to the timepiece.

Because manual winding watches do not rely on any oscillating rotor, or any electronic components, the movement of a well-regulated manual winding watch can achieve high levels of accuracy, making it a very reliable option for a vintage or pre-owned watch. 

The lack of a rotor on the bottom of the movement also causes the manual winding movements to be noticeably thinner compared to their automatic alternatives. Unlike quartz watches, mechanical watches do not rely on any form of battery.

Manual winding watch movements have been around for ages, going way back to centuries ago. In the late 18th century, clever watchmakers started tinkering with manual winding mechanisms. They came up with these early versions that had winding keys or crowns, which you had to manually crank to make the watch tick.

As time went on, technology and engineering got better, and those winding mechanisms got even more reliable and efficient. Now, these watches are like living relics, carrying the legacy of watchmaking history and showcasing the amazing artistry that goes into them.

When you opt to buy a manual winding watch, you need to take in to account that your watch demands some care and maintenance. Since manual winding watches have some very precisely machined moving parts, regular maintenance is vital for the well-being of the movement. 

We recommend you service your manual watch at least once every six years, to make sure it will keep on telling you the correct time. In comparison to an automatic watch however, manual winding watches can cost less to service, because it does not have a constantly moving rotor which can cause wear.

Manual winding watches, generally speaking, are a bit more costly than their battery powered counterparts, however they might be cheaper than the self-winding automatic watches. 

An entry-level luxury manual winding watch from any big brand like Omega, Cartier, Breitling and more, will cost you anywhere upwards of €1.000, depending on the brand, age, materials used and complications of the watch.