Bethan Girdler-Maslen
If you're a watch fanatic, you'll be aware how important owning a watch winder is. Yes, collecting watches can be a rewarding pastime, not to mention a great way to stay accessorised to the nines. However, every owner of automatic (self-winding) watches knows that if you don’t keep them moving, they'll slow down and stop.
This is where watch winders come to the rescue. These boxes can act as storage solutions and display cases, but above all else, they rotate periodically to keep your watch’s power reserve topped up. That way, no matter how long it is since you last wore your best watch, the winder will ensure it's topped up at the right time and ready to be worn.
A watch winder should feature a considered design that will serve to highlight your investment and suit your interior aesthetic. In this guide, we've found a wide array of watch winder options to suit all kinds of collectors. Our favourite has to be the Wolf Cub Single Watch Winder, and you'll find out why in just a second, but there's still a wide variety to explore.
The top three
The best overall watch winder
If you're looking for a single watch winder that exudes class and luxury, then the Cub by Wolf is your best option. It feels like a meticulously engineered piece of kit, with a sharp, faux-leather design. It'll also look great on a desk or side table, which is obviously very important as well.
The best affordable watch winder
The Barrington Single Winder is another favourite of ours. It's made from MDF but with an incredibly smooth gloss finish, perfect if you own one automatic watch or if you're short on space. It also has an much friendlier price tag than some other options on this list.
The best premium watch winder
The Wolf Rocket Watch Winder is the world’s smallest travel watch winder, fitting perfectly in the palm of your hand. However, it still has that premium price tag, making it a great option for those who enjoy the finer things in life.
Lizzie is T3's Home Staff Writer, also covering style and wellness. Not only does Lizzie scout out and review the best products to buy within these areas, but she also dedicates time and effort into finding out how to keep them safe. When it comes to your timepieces, watch winders are the perfect accessory to keeping them wound up when not in use. They're also great for protection, and Lizzie couldn't recommend them enough.
This guide has been updated to feature both a more affordable and a premium option, and the team is actively reviewing recent models to add in the coming weeks.
Best watch winders ranking
The best watch winder overall
If you're looking for a single watch winder that exudes class and luxury, then the Cub by Wolf is your best option. It feels like a meticulously engineered piece of kit, with a sharp, faux-leather design.
It features a fine Saffiano finish and has a glass cover to keep dust off your pride and joy. The Cub comes in a number of colour options too, but my favourite is this stunning dark-green colourway. The watch winder is finished with chrome hardware and has a single winding setting.
Obviously, the Cub is the entry-level model of Wolf's range, with space for just one timepiece. If you want a watch winder with a larger capacity, then you'll have to look elsewhere in Wolf's range, or at the other options below.
The best affordable watch winder
The Barrington Single Winder is made from MDF, but with an incredibly smooth gloss finish. That makes it perfect if you own one automatic watch or if you're short on space. Inside is a Japanese motor which rotates almost silently, and is powered by either a mains plug or two AA batteries.
There are settings for the direction of rotation, as well as the number of turns per day. Knowing which setting is incredibly easy thanks to the Barrington Watch Database, which suggests the best setting for your watch model.
There are seven colours to choose from, meaning it shouldn't have a problem fitting into your room, and, at a price of £125, we think it's tremendous value for money. Check out all the colours available on Barrington's website.
The best premium watch winder
If you're constantly on the go and looking for a modern watch winder that will keep up with you, the Wolf Rocket Watch Winder is great option. It's the world’s smallest travel watch winder, equipped with a long battery life and compact design that will fit in any travel case.
It is a little pricey for a travel watch winder, coming in at £500-£600 depending on where you buy it from. However, it's made from genuine leather and there are five colours to choose from, so it's a model that will be a good fit for most people.
The best automatic watch winder
This is the best watch winder if you have a larger watch collection. It's designed to suit varied collections too – the sprung watch holders can carry all types of watches, from dinky to oversized, and it’s also able to simultaneously wind two watches on different settings – with pre-programmed sleep phases and intermittent rotations, no less.
It’s smart in more ways than one, too, with its faux leather casing and chrome hardware looking simple and sleek, and a glass front panel that allows you to keep an eye on things while showing off your favourite watches.
Wolf is one of our favourite watch winder brands too, and well respected, so we know this is a reliable and well-designed product.
The best large watch winder
If you've got a large watch collection, or like to wear a different watch every day of the week, then you need a serious watch winder. This Wolf Viceroy has space to store and maintain the precision of six watches. It's made from rich faux leather, which is great if you're vegan, with a glass cover and silk lining.
It can perform up to 1,200 turns per day and has a start delay of up to 72 hours so you can set it ahead of time. Each watch winder can be programmed individually, so it can suit all different watch needs. You can also keep everything secure with the integrated lock and key, although, the front is made from glass, so it's probably not that secure.
The best single watch winder
A leather-bound watch winder-meets-jewellery box might be enticing, but if a three grand price tag takes it out of the realms of accessibility, consider this dinky version instead. A testament to the old adage that good things come in small packages, it’s ideal if a single watch winder is all you need, with its practical small footprint and high-end-looking lacquered box made from solid walnut.
The low-voltage motor keeps things moving constantly and quietly on a choice of timed or fast modes, by DC adapter or batteries, making for a superbly versatile winder.
The only reason we're not sure about it is that the lid is opaque, which means you can't see your watch when it's in your winder. You may like my watch to be on display, but if you prefer something a little more discreet, or have a vintage watch that might fade in the sun, then this is a great option.
How to choose the best watch winder
If you own an automatic watch, you know the struggle – leave it unworn for too long, and suddenly, it stops running. That’s where a watch winder comes in handy, keeping your timepiece ticking even when it’s off your wrist. However, with so many options out there, picking the right one can feel like a challenge.
First of all, it's important to know that not all watches wind the same way. Some need clockwise, others prefer counterclockwise, and some need a mix of both. A good winder lets you customise these settings, along with TPD (Turns Per Day), so your watch gets just the right amount of movement. High-quality winders usually offer a range between 600 and 1800 TPD, covering most automatic watches.
Most winders run on AC power, but if you’re planning to keep yours in a safe or take it on the go, a battery-powered option is worth considering. Some models offer dual power sources, giving you the flexibility to switch between plug-in and battery use.
If you're big on statement pieces, you'll also want to consider the aesthetics. Whether you prefer the sleek look of carbon fibre, the classic feel of wood, or the luxury of leather, choose a design that fits your style. Don’t forget the interior lining as well, especially as a soft, scratch-resistant material will keep your watch safe.
If you have (or plan to have) more than one automatic watch, it's also a good idea to consider a multi-watch winder over a single-watch winders, which will make life a whole lot easier.
How we test the best watch winders
When we review a watch winder the process is fairly simple. First, we assess the watch winder's design, whether it looks good, what materials it's made from and whether it feels robust and well-made. This is an important consideration, because ultimately a watch winder is a luxury purchase, and if you want it to display your pride and joy then you'll want it to be attractive.
Then we'll look at how practical it is, whether the watch cushion feels secure and how easy it is to dial in the correct settings.
Finally, we'll look at how the watch winder operates, how quiet it is, how long the batteries last, whether it's smooth and what functions it offers.
Best watch winder FAQs
Can a watch winder overwind my watch?
No, modern automatic watches have a slip-clutch mechanism that prevents overwinding. However, using a winder with the correct Turns Per Day (TPD) setting is important to avoid unnecessary wear. Most high-quality winders allow you to adjust TPD to match your watch’s needs.
Does a watch winder affect the longevity of my watch?
A properly used winder won’t harm your watch – it simply keeps the movement lubricated and running. However, excessive use (like setting too high a TPD) can lead to unnecessary wear over time.
