Frequently asked questions

A watch winder moves the rotor while the watch is not being worn. It maintains the power reserve and avoids resetting the time, date or complications. It mainly provides convenience: a modern watch can remain stopped without damage.

Not necessarily. It is useful if you regularly alternate between watches, want them ready to wear or have a complication that takes time to reset. For a watch worn rarely and easy to set, a watch box may be enough.

The watch sits on a cushion in a rotating holder. The motor alternates rotation and rest according to a programme. The two essential settings are turns per day (TPD) and direction: clockwise, anticlockwise or bidirectional.

A single model suits a watch worn in rotation. A multi-watch winder is practical when several watches must keep running. For different movements, choose independently adjustable slots to set each watch’s TPD and direction.

In this range, choose an individual model offering bidirectional rotation and real rest cycles. The entry-level models Rotation Horlogère start around €99. However, check the available programs: compatibility with your caliber remains more important than design or price alone.

TPD means Turns Per Day: the number of rotations the winder completes in 24 hours. This should replace the energy used by the watch without adding unnecessary rotations.

First find the exact reference of the watch or its caliber, then consult our TPD guide. If the reference is not listed, forward it to our team. Always start with the lowest recommended value and check the power reserve after 24 to 48 hours.

No. Age does not determine the setting. TPD depends on the movement’s design, winding system and mechanical condition. If the usual programme no longer maintains the power reserve, servicing may be needed; greatly increasing TPD will not repair a faulty movement.

Some movements wind in both directions; others only clockwise or anticlockwise. The wrong direction may fail to provide enough energy. Follow the movement’s recommendation rather than always selecting bidirectional mode.

Modern automatic movements generally have a slipping mechanism that acts when the mainspring is sufficiently wound. A correctly set winder will therefore normally not break the spring through overwinding. An excessive programme is still unnecessary and adds rotations without benefit.

Many recent Rolex calibers operate around 650 TPD in bi-directional rotation. This value is suitable for many Submariners, Datejust, GMT-Master II and Daytona, but the exact reference should always be checked, especially for an old watch. Check out our TPD Rolex guide.

Several Patek Philippe calibers use around 800 TPD in counterclockwise rotation, but not all Nautiluses share the same movement. Check the exact part number before commissioning. A generic answer based solely on the name “Nautilus” would be insufficiently precise.

No. A winder acts on the rotor of an automatic watch. A manually wound mechanical watch has no such rotor and must be wound using its crown. A quartz watch uses a battery or another energy source and does not benefit from rotation.

There is no universal length of 8 or 12 hours. A programmed automatic watch winder automatically alternates rotation and rest over 24 hours. The watch can remain installed as long as the program respects its caliber and you want to keep it running.

Yes, if the model incorporates rest cycles and if the TPD is correctly set. “Continuously operating” does not mean running without interruption: the device must alternate between activity and pause. For a watch worn only a few times a year, it is still perfectly possible to turn off the watch winder and let the watch stop.

No, not after a few days or months. Modern synthetic lubricants do not freeze just because the watch is standing still. Periodic maintenance remains necessary according to the manufacturer's recommendations, whether the watch is kept on an watch winder or stopped.

A correctly configured device does not normally pose a risk to a modern automatic watch. Check the TPD, direction of rotation, rest cycles and bracelet retention. Too high a setting or improper installation provides no benefit and may generate unnecessary mechanical activity.

No motorized mechanism can be guaranteed to be absolutely silent in all rooms. The noise perceived depends on the motor, the cabinet, the distance and the furniture which can amplify the vibrations. For a bedroom, choose a model whose sheet explicitly mentions a low noise level and place it on a stable surface.

Common causes are too low TPD, incorrect direction of rotation, a watch not wound sufficiently at the start, a poorly engaged cushion or an unstable power supply. First wind the watch manually according to the manufacturer's instructions, then test the recommended program for 48 hours. If it stops again, the movement may need to be checked.

A watch box protects timepieces from dust, scratches and light impacts, but it does not keep them running. An automatic watch winder adds a rotating mechanism for automatic watches. A collection can combine the two depending on how often each piece is worn.

Choose a capacity slightly larger than your current collection to maintain a margin. Also check the spacing between compartments for large cases, the available height and the possible presence of a drawer for bracelets or accessories.

The cushion should hold the watch without excessively stretching the strap. For a small wrist or a rigid bracelet, look for a cushion that is compressible or available in multiple sizes. If in doubt, measure the inner circumference of the closed bracelet and compare it to the dimensions indicated on the product sheet.

Un safe with built-in watch winders brings together in the same piece of furniture the physical protection, storage and maintenance of automatic watches. This solution is particularly suitable for valuable collections, difficult-to-adjust complications and customers wishing to centralize their timepieces in a personalized installation.

No. A biometric lock controls access, but it alone does not constitute burglar-proof certification. The resistance depends on the structure, the door, the bolts, the anchoring and the tests carried out. For insurance needs, explicitly request a recognized certification such as EN 1143-1.

The EN 1143-1 standard classifies the resistance of a safe to burglary after standardized tests. The higher the grade, the greater the resistance tested. The necessary grade depends on the value to be protected and the requirements of your insurer. A trade name such as “high security” does not replace a certificate.

Only your insurer can confirm the required level and the insurable value. Before ordering, ask in writing for the expected standard, grade, type of lock and anchoring rules. We can then study a configuration corresponding to these criteria, without promising coverage in place of the insurer.

We study the address, floor, elevator, stairs, door width and floor before delivery. The standard service can stop in front of the building or at the landing door depending on the carrier. Particular assembly, anchoring or handling means must be confirmed and costed in advance.

Yes, depending on the model: exterior leather, interior color, stitching, wood, carbon, lighting, drawers, number of watch winders, dimensions and sometimes certification level. Each project is subject to feasibility validation, a quote and a deadline before the start of manufacturing.

Yes, delivery is free in France and internationally. For safes and particularly heavy products, the standard service is specified before ordering. An installation in a room, a floor or the use of specific handling equipment may be subject to an additional quote.

The products available are generally prepared within 24 to 48 hours, exceptionally up to 72 hours. Delivery to France is then estimated at 5 to 8 days. Pre-orders, customizations and safes follow the schedule indicated on the product sheet or quote.

Yes. Standard international delivery is generally estimated at 5-12 days after preparation. Delivery times vary depending on destination, carrier and local formalities. Heavy or custom-made products are subject to a specific organization.

An email containing the tracking number and link is sent after shipping. You can also use our tracking page. The first event can appear 24 to 48 hours after the creation of the label, when the carrier performs its first scan.

Depending on the country and the quote, delivery can be made to the edge of the property, in front of the building, to the landing door or to the chosen room. These services are not equivalent. Access and the need for a tailgate, freight elevator or handling team must be validated before shipping.

The methods offered may include credit card, Apple Pay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and PayPal. The options actually available appear during checkout and may vary depending on the country, currency and order amount.

Split payment solutions can be offered depending on the country, amount and eligibility of the customer. When a Klarna, PayPal or other option is available, it appears directly at checkout. Rotation Horlogère cannot guarantee acceptance decided by the financial service provider.

Check for spam and the address entered during checkout. If no message appears, contact us with your name, email address and order amount. We will verify its registration without asking you to provide your full banking details.

Contact us as soon as possible. A modification or cancellation remains possible as long as the preparation or manufacturing has not reached an irreversible stage. After shipment, a standard product must be returned according to the withdrawal procedure. A customization that has already been started can generally no longer be canceled.

You have 14 days after receipt to request the return of a standard product. It must be unused, complete and returned to its original packaging. First fill out our return form. Unless there is a defect or error on our part, return costs remain the responsibility of the customer.

A product manufactured according to your particular choices cannot generally be returned for a simple change of mind. This exclusion does not remove your rights in the event of defect, damage or non-compliance. The characteristics must therefore be validated before launching production.

Contact us quickly without throwing away the packaging. Photograph the carton from multiple angles, the shipping label, interior protection, and product damage. These elements are necessary to organize the appropriate solution and, if necessary, create a file with the carrier.

Our products benefit from a 2-year warranty covering manufacturing defects under normal conditions of use. It does not cover shocks, unexpected humidity, modifications, improper power supply or use contrary to instructions. The applicable legal guarantees remain unchanged.

Contact our customer service with the order number, model, precise description and a short video if the problem concerns a motor, noise or control. We can carry out a remote diagnosis, transmit instructions, offer a replacement part or organize a return depending on the situation.