Q: When I manually wind my automatic watch, the rotor also turns. What is broken?
A: Often, when you manually wind an automatic watch with the crown, the rotor will also turn. Originally, when you manually wind an automatic watch, the automatic winding mechanism slips and the rotor will not turn. However, if the automatic winding mechanism runs out of oil or has a malfunction, the rotor will turn when you manually wind the watch. This is said to be less likely to happen in high-end watches, but is more likely to happen in general-purpose ébauches that use a reverser, or automatic watches that have not been used for a long time.
In most cases, this is due to a lack of oil or oil buildup inside the movement, so an overhaul will fix it. In the past, there was a repair method that involved removing only the automatic winding mechanism and oiling it, but nowadays, there are no manufacturers or watchmakers that will undertake partial repairs. Generally, when this type of problem occurs, the entire automatic winding mechanism is replaced.
So, what can be done to prevent problems from occurring? While there is nothing you can do about running out of oil, you can prevent the oil from hardening if you are careful. Even if you don't use your watch regularly, you should run it at least once a week. It doesn't have to be run at full speed, just to circulate the oil. This may be difficult for collectors who own many watches, but running your watch from time to time will help prevent malfunctions in your watch, including the automatic winding mechanism.
