Manual and hand-wound watches

Mechanical watches are considered to be the origin of classical watchmaking, and are still highly valued today for their durability and precision. At the heart of a mechanical watch lies a perfectly balanced system of gears, springs and levers that have been crafted with great precision to ensure optimal performance. As they operate without batteries or electronic components, they offer a traditional craftsmanship experience. While these timepieces are often considered luxury items or collector's pieces, they require regular maintenance and careful handling to remain precise and reliable.

How does a manual mechanical watch work?

Manual watches are also known as hand-wound watches. As the name suggests, a mechanical watch with manual winding must be wound by hand by turning the crown. The true fascination of mechanical watches lies in the precision of their inner workings, whether they are sporty designs for men or refined models for women. There is a distinction between hand-wound and automatic watches. Both types are powered by a tensioned spring. Manual watches are wound by hand using the crown, whereas automatic watches draw energy from the wearer's movement. The longevity of a mechanical watch depends on its quality and how well it is cared for. With regular servicing and careful handling, they often accompany their owners for decades and can even be passed down through generations.

It is normal for mechanical watches to gain or lose a few seconds per day, typically between 5 and 20 seconds. This varies according to the quality of the watch and how well it has been maintained. The most accurate mechanical watches are COSC-certified chronometers (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute), which must meet very strict accuracy standards with a daily deviation of -4 to +6 seconds.

Mechanical watches with manual winding require a regular supply of energy, which is provided by winding them up by hand. The length of time that such a watch runs for after being fully wound depends on the manufacturer and model. This duration is known as the power reserve, and for most manual watches it is typically around 40 to 50 hours. In some cases, it can reach up to 80 hours or even several days. Nevertheless, most watchmakers recommend winding manual watches at the same time every day to maintain optimal accuracy. This also ensures that any additional functions (such as a date display) continue to operate correctly.