Even though automatic watches are designed to wind themselves through the natural motion of your wrist, they occasionally need manual winding. This is especially true if they haven’t been worn in a while or if your daily movement isn’t enough to keep them fully powered throughout the day. If your watch is part of a rotation, give it a few manual winds daily to keep the movement active.

• Remove The Watch From Your Wrist: This avoids pressure on the crown stem.
• Unscrew The Crown: If applicable, turn it counterclockwise until it releases.
• Wind The Crown: Turn it clockwise ~30 times. You’ll feel slight resistance as the mainspring tightens. Stop when it feels fully wound — forcing it could damage the mechanism.
• Don’t Pull The Crown Out: Only wind from the first position.
• Screw The Crown Down: Push the crown back in to preserve water resistance.

For a detailed step-by-step guide, read our article on: How To Wind an Automatic Watch.

If your automatic watch hasn’t been worn before or has stopped due to lack of movement, you’ll need to give it a manual start using the crown — the small knob on the side of the case. This quick process will get your timepiece ticking and ready to wear.

1. a.   Remove The Watch From Your Wrist: This avoids pressure on the crown stem.
2. b.   Unscrew The Crown: If applicable, turn it counterclockwise until it releases.
3. c.   Wind The Crown: Turn it clockwise ~30 times. You’ll feel slight resistance as the mainspring tightens. Stop when it feels fully wound — forcing it could damage the mechanism.
4. d.   Don’t Pull The Crown Out: Only wind from the first position.
5. e.   Screw The Crown Down: Push the crown back in to preserve water resistance.

Curious to dive deeper? Check out our complete guide on: How Automatic Watches Work..

Automatic watch movements have built-in slipping clutches to prevent overwinding, but it's still best to stop winding once you feel increasing resistance — typically after about 30 clockwise turns. If your watch has a transparent caseback, you might catch a glimpse of the rotor and other components in action, which is a nice visual cue that the watch is fully functional.

• Check The Power Reserve: The ETA-2671 automatic movements used in VIEREN timepieces deliver up to 44 hours of power reserve, meaning your watch will maintain accurate timekeeping for nearly two days off the wrist
• Signs It’s Fully Wound: The crown will become stiffer to turn, and the seconds hand will move smoothly and instantly. These are signs that your watch is fully wound and functioning at its best.
• Continuous Winding: There’s no additional benefit to winding beyond the point of resistance. Overwinding won’t increase the power reserve or accuracy, so stop once you feel resistance.

It’s a common myth that shaking your automatic watch will help start it, but this is NOT recommended. The internal rotor is designed to move with natural wrist motion, and sudden or forceful movements can damage the delicate mechanics inside.

✓  Gently rock it from side to side (like turning a doorknob) for 30 seconds, if needed.

✓  Prefer manual winding over shaking for consistent, safe power.

✗  Avoid tapping, flicking, or rapidly spinning the watch — it’s a precision instrument, not a toy.

Owning an automatic watch is a rewarding experience, but it does come with a learning curve. To help you protect your timepiece and ensure it performs at its best, here are some of the most common mistakes new owners make and how to avoid them:

✗  Winding on Your Wrist: Always remove the watch before winding to avoid strain on the mechanism.

✗  Overwinding the Movement: Stop winding when you feel increased resistance — this means the mainspring is fully charged.

✗  Setting the Date at Night: Never set the date between 8 PM and 4 AM — this is when the internal gears are active and prone to damage.

✗  Leaving It Unworn Too Long: Wind it every few weeks if stored, as prolonged inactivity can degrade lubricants.

✗  Neglecting Servicing: Service your watch every 3–5 years to keep it running smoothly for decades.

✗  Wearing During Sports or Sleep: Avoid wearing your watch during high-impact activities or sleep unless it’s rated for such conditions.