HOW TO WIND A ROLEX DAYTONA?

Watch enthusiast or not, most people will have heard of the famous and iconic timepiece from Rolex, the Daytona. With decades of rich history and heritage, Rolex have made some of the most iconic and special timepieces ever. However, with all their different models have you ever wondered how to actually wind your Daytona watch? Amongst setting the time and re-setting the seconds and minute hands on the chronograph, winding up the power reserve and knowing which position to have the crown in can be confusing. 

2 dayto

As you can imagine, Rolex does not randomly choose how one of their watches should be wound up but rather they select the most appropriate method based on what the specific model is designed to do, in this case the Daytona. It is really important you know how to wind your Rolex Daytona properly to ensure no damage occurs to your watch and to make the movement last as long as possible without needing a service.

fIRST THING TO KNOW FOR WIND YOUR DAYTONA

To wind your Rolex Daytona watch up, the first thing you’re going to want to know is does it have a screw down crown or not? Now this may seem like a stupid question but when Rolex first released the Daytona back in 1963, the Daytona reference 6239 did not feature screw- down crowns on either the crown itself or the pushers. Soon after in 1965 Rolex made the move to switch the classic pump pushers in the Daytona for screw-down ones. So, if your model is more recent than from 1965 you will first need to unscrew the crown anti-clockwise before you can wind it. Once you’ve fully unscrewed the crown, the first and only position your crown will be in will be for winding. 

Dayto 5 digits

Source : Time & TIde

Calibre Daytona

Source : Calibre corner

Turn the crown clockwise and you will be able to wind your watch up and hear and feel the buttery smooth spring being wound up. The calibre 4130, the movement inside all Daytona’s from 2000 to 2023, or the calibre 4131, the newer version with a larger power reserve, both need around 25 rotations to be fully wound. Be careful not to overwind your watch, even though modern day Rolex watches have a clutch lock system to avoid the spring being wound so tightly it breaks. However older models don’t so as soon as you notice it getting harder to wind, you’ve probably got to the level of your full power reserve.

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Once your watch is fully wound the next thing you’re going to want to know is, is it manual or automatic? With regards to the Rolex Daytona, it was only in 1988 when Rolex introduced the first automatic movement in the calibre 16520 so if you own one prior to 1988, it will feature a manual wind movement. Automatic Rolex watches feature a rotor in the movement which can freely move both left and right as you move your wrist around. This rotor is also attached to the spring that’s responsible for the power reserve of your watch. 

Dayto 5 Digits

Source : Bob's Watches

Automatic watches usually don’t need winding up as frequently so long since so long as you keep wearing it, the power reserve will be constantly wound up. The rotor moves both left and right whilst you wear your watch which keeps winding up the power reserve, but instead of actually manually winding it, the rotor winds it when you move your wrist. Thanks to gravity on earth, Rolex realised and were the first ones to use kinetic energy to power your watch so you only have to wind your watch up when you take your watch off for an extended period of time. 

particularity FOR WIND YOUr vintage DAYTONA

Daytona on pocket

Source : Watches London

Since vintage Rolex Daytona’s didn’t have a screw down crown you do not need to unscrew the crown. From the first position, which is the position when the crown is pushed all the way in, you can simply start to wind your Daytona. Just like before, be careful not to overwind your manual Rolex Daytona because it is possible to overwind these models and this would actually break the spring which would mean your watch no longer has a power source. With manual Rolex watches it’s just like putting fuel in your car at the gas station, you feel a click to let you know it’s full, the same goes for your Rolex Daytona. You should be able to feel a small click as you’re winding it and this click lets you know the power reserve is full so you should stop winding.  

And there you go, you now know how to safely wind your Rolex Daytona without risking an expensive service trip needed! It is very important to look after your precious Rolex Daytona’s movement to make sure it lasts the test of time, that’s why here at ZEALANDE we offer high-quality rubber straps to give your bracelet a break and keep it nice and shiny. Perhaps you may also just be looking to give your Daytona a new look, either way with ZEALANDE's options being as vast as they are, you can definitely find the perfect strap for you.

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