Wolf Cub watch winder review: the perfect watch winder for most people

In many industries, we see brands become so synonymous with a product category that the model name becomes the de facto name for the category as a whole. Hoover is the colloquial name for a vacuum cleaner; Rizla for a cigarette paper. Even iPad as terminology for a tablet.

Wolf isn't quite at that level just yet, but the brand is certainly making in-roads. When you think of the best watch winders out there, chances are you picture a Wolf model.

The brand offers everything from a teeny portable option in the Rocket, right through to luxurious safes for the most discerning collections. Today, I've got the brand's entry-level model to test. The Wolf Cub is a single watch winder which offers a simple interface – perfect for first time users.

Wolf Cub watch winder review: Price and availability

The Wolf Cub single watch winder is available for a retail price of £325 / €365 / $399 / AU$545. At the time of writing, though, there are discounts available in all of those markets, bringing the price even lower.

Here in the UK, the winder is available from retailers like Chisholm Hunter and Goldsmiths, as well as more general retailers like Amazon and Debenhams.

Wolf Cub watch winder review: Features and design

The feature-set of this watch winder is relatively sparse – and that's no bad thing. The brand describes the Cub as "young, smart and uncomplicated" and that's exactly what you're getting here.

There are no controls to master, no apps to download and no fancy displays. Instead, you get a sleek, vegan leather-covered box, with a pop down front panel and an on-off switch. There's a power input just below that on the rear of the case, or you can pop a quartet of AA batteries in the base for wire-free operation.

The winder itself clips into a chrome mount, and includes a squishy rear half which can contract to the exact size of your watch strap. That should help to ensure no slippage as the watch turns.

That's about everything on the features front – the box will turn 900 times per day, and uses a patented rotation program which actually counts the rotations made.

You can snag the Wolf Cub in a massive array of different finish options. My review unit is orange, and other bright finishes include yellow, pink and light blue. Those with a more muted colour palette can opt for browns, black or green, though.

Wolf Cub watch winder review: Performance

In use, this watch winder is really fantastic. That simplicity really does make it a doddle for first-time users, as there's absolutely nothing to get to grips with.

Simply pop your watch on the winder, turn it on and everything kicks into motion. The rotor turns silently, making it a perfect choice if it's going into a bedroom or office – you certainly won't be disturbed here.

The size adjustor is also much more useful here. I've made use of a few Wolf products and have had issues in the past, thanks to my teeny, tiny wrists. Other products have minimum sizes which are simply too big, and put excess stress on the strap, but that's not the case here.

There's no lock on offer here – something which might have been nice to include – though in practise it's unlikely to make world's of difference. That lack of control might also become a nuisance to those who look for a more granular level of control over their watch winding. Still, there are a wealth of pricier Wolf winders which offer that, if needed.

Wolf Cub watch winder review: Verdict

All in all, this is probably the best watch winder for most people. It's relatively affordable, and offers everything you need and nothing you don't. Sure, some may gripe at the lack of features, but most will see that as a selling point, not a demerit.

If you're a first-time winder user looking for a simple way to keep your watch ticking, or you just fancy something where bells and whistles are left well alone, this is a solid choice.

Wolf Cub watch winder review: Also consider

If you're looking for something similar to the Wolf Cub in size and features, the Barrington Single watch winder is a pretty good pick. It offers some additional control, but misses out on the front cover.

If you're happy to spend more, or fancy something a little more space aged, something like the Wolf Earth Single watch winder is a good call. It's more pricey, but features storage in the top, a locking front panel and a Bluetooth app connection for control of different functions.