How to Wind a Rolex Watch

Between quartz movements, smartwatches, and cellphones in our pockets everyday, the art of manually winding a watch has largely been lost. Although traditional mechanical watches are experiencing a strong resurgence at the moment, the vast majority of the models currently available are of the self-winding variety.

In the old days, all watches needed to be wound by hand; however these days, it is only the small minority that require you to wind them each day. However, just because a watch has an automatic winding movement, that does not mean it cannot also be manually wound. Additionally, it is also important to note that not all automatic winding movements can also be manually wound. However, the vast majority of Rolex watches can also be wound by hand, so today we are going to take a look at exactly how to wind your watch.

Many Rolex watches have screw-down crowns and this means that there is an additional step involved in the winding process because the winding crown must first be unscrewed from the case of the watch before it can be used to wind the movement or set the time or date. Additionally, while all modern Rolex watches (even those from the Cellini collection) now feature screw-down crowns, certain vintage and discontinued models feature standard push/pull crowns that do not need to be unscrewed before they can be used to operate the watch.

For watches with screw-down crowns, the first step will be to unscrew the crown from the side of the case. While doing this, it is important that the crown fully come unscrewed from the threads, otherwise it will just screw itself back down when you attempt to wind your Rolex.

Once the crown is fully in the unscrewed position, simply rotate it clockwise (towards the 12 o’clock position if you are looking at the face of the watch). The key detail here is that in order to wind the watch, the crown should not be pulled out at all once it is unscrewed, otherwise it will simply adjust the time or date, rather than manually supply tension to the mainspring. When the crown is in the proper position for winding, the watch will still be running (if it was running before) and you will not be able to adjust the time, date, or any other features on the watch.

For watches that are manual-wind only, simply rotate the winding crown clockwise in a gentle manner until it stops being able to turn. Once it stops rotating, the watch is fully wound. Do not force it beyond this point, otherwise you will almost certainly damage the movement

However, for automatic winding watches that also permit manual winding - and this includes the vast majority of Rolex models - you will never reach a natural stopping point like you will with a manual-wind only watch. Instead, once the watch is fully wound, a type of slip gear engages, and although the winding crown will still rotate, no additional tension will be supplied to the mainspring. This feature is the same one that prevents an automatic watch from overwinding itself throughout the day, but it also means that there is no possible way to over-wind your watch if it is of the self-winding variety. Instead, rotate the winding crown on your Rolex about 40 rotations. You may feel tension slightly build as you turn the crown; however, as long as it is an automatic winding watch, there is no risk of over-winding it.

By this point, your watch should be both fully-wound and running. If necessary, pull the crown out to set the time and date. However, if the time and date are already correct, the winding process is complete, and the only step left is to return the crown to its secured position.

Once your Rolex is fully wound and the time and date are both displaying the correct values, simply press the winding crown inward onto the threads and rotate it clockwise so that it screws back down onto the side of the case of the watch. Keep screwing down the winding crown until it is fully in the screwed-down position. This ensures that your watch is fully sealed and maintains its resistance to water and dust intrusion.

Lastly, it is also important to note, that although the instructions in this video primarily focused on Rolex watches, they will also work for the vast majority of other luxury watches that feature mechanical movements that can also be manually wound.

Thanks for watching our video on how to wind a Rolex. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel so that you can stay up-to-date on our latest video content.

[jamesmayo]

I had a Rolex Explorer 2 model 1655 for 40 years. It never got wound. Despite a hell of a beating, it served me well. Best workhorse in rolex's stable.

[LuisRamos-xtsg]

Finally a simple way to get directions.

[aussie]

Now I know how to wind a watch I don’t own.

[jeffburger]

I have a 35 year old Sea Dweller that I never, ever manually wound. Then, about 5 years ago a salesperson at Tourneau told me I should wind it every week even if I was wearing it all the time & the auto-wind feature was in play. So, now I wind it about every week-20-30 turns.

[pilotER]

I have put my son's name in the AD list, when he was born. So by the time he turns 18, hopefully he will get a call from AD. waiting Game!!

[startlovinglife]

This was exactly what I was looking for!! Thank you much!!!

[ChocolateApricots]

I recently inherited a Rolex watch. Someone told me about pulling out the stem to set the time and date, but I forgot about unscrewing it first! Thank you for posting! 🌹

[deckerbob]

I’ve owned my submariner since 1975 and I never knew that it had an auto slip for hand winding. Thanks for the info.

[TM]

Ok great thanks, now I can do it for my OP and DJ 😊

[grealestate]

Best is to set the time around 6 am or 6 pm to avoid injuries to the date wheel

[thestoic]

Just got my submariner, thanks a lot.

[jorgethecat]

i have the same one but i didnt get how to unscrew it and if your wondering i lost the box and all that so any type of info on how to change the time

[Isaiahonya]

hi there. i have a rolex myself, would you know why mine doesnt wind anymore? when i try to, the crown just spins. and one more thing, my push nobs dont do anything, they dont work like they should. i have a chronograph
thanks
🙏

[calpulse]

Whats your opinion on the auto winders for Rolex watches

[thetiktokman]

tried this on my Rolex Submariner but it still won't tick over; it has stopped & I can't wind it up...

[krishnamangang]

What does he mean by clockwise or towards the 12 o clock location? Can anyone explain

[lirbic]

Is it dangerous to wind it but be in the date mode so that the date flickers but dont change? I just got my sub and Im afraid I did some damage to the mechanics

[dhorus]

I have the Rolex Yacht Master black dial rose gold & steel. I i swear they never told me it as a windup watch i know it winds on your wrist but not that i needed to.

[lakerfan]

I just bought my first Submariner. Just curious, if the watch is self winding, why do we need to wind it?

[markluffman]

My is the second of your videos I’ve watched and you have to SLOW DOWN WITH YOUR SPEECH! It’s so hard to follow, give the commentary some inflection, passion, desire! The monotone and 100mph delivery turns me off what could actually be some interesting topics. Treat feedback as a gift! 👍