FRONT — smooth operators
Edited by SAM KESSLER
WINDING UP THE AUTOMOTIVE SLANTED WINDERS THAT’LL KEEP YOUR HOROLOGICAL ENGINES TICKING WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE. You wake up, bleary-eyed and head out to an appointment so early that you need to check your emails en route to find out what exactly it’s all about. About half an hour later, as you’re checking your watch to see just how late you’re going to be, you notice that your watch is still telling you it’s 11PM the previous evening. So, either time’s broken or you’ve forgotten to wind your watch. You my friend, need a watch winder. There’s plenty of discourse over whether a winder is good for your watch or not. On the one hand, some say that it means your watch is going through more wear and tear than it would if you let it wound down. On the other, that continual movement stops the lubricants from settling and therefore keeps the movement operating smoothly over time. The bottom line though is that if you hate having to keep all your watches wound by hand, you could probably use one. But which winder to use? The relatively straightforward contraption runs the gamut from simple boxes with a singlespeed winder to multi-directional masterpieces with more settings than a space-age microwave. There’s just as many styles too, whether that’s classical in the vein of a 19th century writing desk or sleek and stealthy. Yet with automotive season fast approaching – both figuratively and literally – how about a winder to reflect the obsession for all things mechanical us watch lovers share with the petrolheads of the world? From racing red leather to aerodynamic shells, the choice is yours. Or at least, your wallet’s. Because let’s be fair, if you’ve not tried a watch winder before, you might want to dip your toe in first. Here then are the coolest automotiveinspired watch winders for every budget.
Vintage Vibes with a Modern Engine:
WOLF BRITISH RACING GREEN SIX-PIECE WATCH WINDER The classic combo of gold and green is as appealing as ever in winder form, particularly when said green echoes the golden age of British racing in a way that should see Sir Stirling Moss make an appearance. Though the vegan friendly, pebble-grained leather is a distinctly modern twist. It’s contrasted with fluted borders to
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the winding apertures ripped straight off a Rolex Cellini for an inimitable dash of glamour. Equipped with space for six watches, the winders themselves are among the most advanced out there, despite the classical surrounds. WOLF’s are the only winders which count the exact number of rotations rather than an estimate. They also let you factor in the power reserve left in the watch, meaning there’s no risk of overwinding. Pair that with more customisable settings than a Savile Row tailor and you have one of the best winders around. £2,829, wolf1834.com
