Winding your automatic watch properly helps protect the movement and ensures accurate performance. Unlike quartz watches, automatic movements rely on mechanical energy stored in a mainspring — so when they’ve stopped or are running low, a manual wind is the most direct way to get them going again. Always wind your watch off your wrist to avoid putting pressure on the crown stem, and turn the crown slowly and smoothly. Rapid or aggressive winding isn’t just unnecessary — it can wear down components over time.

• Step #1: Remove the watch from your wrist to avoid putting pressure on the stem.
• Step #2: Locate the crown — usually on the right side of the case.
• Step #3: Gently unscrew it if it’s a screw-down crown.
• Step #4: Turn the crown clockwise (away from you) ~30 times. You’ll feel some resistance build, but that’s normal.
• Step #5: If it’s a hacking movement, the second hand may stop while winding — it will resume after you're done.
• Step #6: Push the crown back in and screw it down if needed.

For a deep dive, read our article on: How To Use an Automatic Watch.

Short answer: No — but there’s a caveat. Modern automatic watches have a slipping clutch mechanism that prevents overwinding. Once fully wound, the mainspring disengages so it won’t be damaged. A few things to keep in mind:

• If you feel a sudden change in resistance or grinding, stop winding immediately.
• Older or vintage watches may not have this clutch, so check your model’s specs if unsure.
• Rule of thumb: ~30 full turns is enough for most automatics.

You don’t need to wind your automatic watch every day—unless it has stopped or is running low on power and you aren’t wearing it consistently. Automatic watches are designed to keep themselves powered through the natural movement of your wrist, so if you wear your watch daily, manual winding is usually unnecessary. However, daily winding can be beneficial in certain situations:

• Multiple Watches in Your Collection: Watches left unworn for several days can run out of power, so giving them a manual wind helps keep them ready to wear.
• Desk Job or Limited Wrist Movement: If your daily activity doesn’t provide enough motion to fully wind the watch, manual winding ensures it maintains accurate time.
• Keep Precise Timekeeping: Especially for watches with complications (such as moon phase or perpetual calendar), where consistent power is essential for proper function.

Otherwise, wearing your watch regularly will naturally keep it wound through your movements, making manual winding optional for most wearers.

Automatic watches are powered by a mechanical rotor that spins with the motion of your wrist, transferring energy to a mainspring. This means they don’t require batteries or recharging. Instead, they rely on classic, self-sustaining engineering. If your automatic watch stops, all it needs is a wind to get it going again — no battery swap necessary.

Want to learn more? Discover our complete guide on: How Do Automatic Watches Work.

Light wrist movements or a gentle rock can help start a stopped watch, but it’s important to avoid shaking it aggressively. While mild motion can keep the watch running, excessive shaking can lead to significant damage.

On average, wearing an automatic watch for 6 to 8 hours of active movement can fully wind the mainspring. However, factors like your level of activity (e.g., desk work vs. walking), the efficiency of the rotor system, and the watch’s power reserve capacity can affect how quickly it winds. More active movement typically results in a faster wind, while less movement may require additional manual winding to keep the watch running smoothly. If you’re inactive for most of the day, consider giving it a few manual winds in the morning.

The power reserve refers to how long a fully wound automatic watch will run without motion. The typical range is between 38 to 42 hours, although some high-end models can last up to 120 hours or more, depending on their design and movement efficiency. This reserve ensures that your watch continues to operate even if it’s not worn for an extended period. Most manufacturers list the reserve in the watch specs. If your watch stops after a day or two, that’s not a flaw — it just means it’s time to wear or wind it again.

The bespoke ETA-2671 automatic movements used in VIEREN Luxury Watches exemplifies superior craftsmanship with a power reserve of 44 hours, allowing the timepiece to sustain accurate function without wear for nearly two days.