Why
Automatic watches stop when they aren't worn for a day or two. Commercial winders are often noisy, bulky or expensive, so I built my own that fits on a shelf and disappears into the room.
Design
The watch sits on a cushion inside a round opening at the front. Behind it, a stepper motor turns the cradle through a set number of turns per day, alternating direction and resting in between so the movement isn't overwound. An illuminated push button on the front controls it.
Exploded view: front panel and cradle, drive shaft, stepper motor, control board and back panel with power switch.
| Drive | Stepper motor |
|---|---|
| Turns per day | Configurable |
| Direction | Clockwise, counter-clockwise or both |
| Controls | Illuminated push button, power switch |