HOW TO WIND A ROLEX?

Rolex have made so many different watch lines and models within those lines it can be difficult to know what processes to follow for certain ones especially when it comes to winding the watch. It is very important to know exactly how to wind your Rolex watch as this is the only way it will have power to tell you the time. Obviously, it is not just critical to understand how to wind your Rolex to tell you the time but just as important to make sure you do not damage the watch when trying to wind it. This is why today we are going over the different ways to wind a Rolex watch for both modern and vintage pieces so you know how to wind your Rolex watch correctly.

First steps in winding up a Rolex

To wind your Rolex 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 certain models, like the Rolex 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. 

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. 

Source : Watch Exchange

Source : The Watch Collector

Rolex became famous for their Oyster case which means they are water resistant to at least 100 metres. Rolex has introduced screw-down crowns on every single model of their watches today in 2024 and have done since the 1930s to give you confidence that the crown cannot accidentally be pulled out whilst in the water. Famous models like the Rolex Submariner, Datejust, Oyster Perpetual and Daytona all feature this screw-down crown so in order to wind those models you will first need to unscrew the crown. To do this, unscrew the crown anti-clockwise before you can wind it. Once you’ve fully unscrewed the crown, the first positions your crown will be in will be for winding. 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. Be careful not to overwind your watch, even though modern day Rolex watches have a clutch system to avoid the spring being so tightly it breaks, 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. 

All modern Rolexes and most vintage pens are all automatic where they 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. Automatic watches usually don’t need wounding up as frequently so long since so long as you keep wearing it, the power reserve will be constantly wound up. 

Source : Hodinkee

The rotor moves freely left and right which keeps winding up the power reserve, but instead of actually manually winding it, the rotor winds it when you move your wrist. The Earth’ gravity causes the rotor to all move downwards so when you move your arm around by walking, picking things up and working the rotor will be moving the entire time. Watch makers realised you could use kinetic energy to power your Rolex watch so you only have to wind your watch up when you take your watch off for an extended period of time.

Hand-wound watches from Rolex

However, with manual wind movement models from Rolex, you will have to frequently win the watch up. With there being no rotor in the movement to constantly charge your power reserve, it is up to you to make sure you keep your Rolex watch wound, otherwise it will stop ticking and the time will be incorrect! 


There are not many models from Rolex where you need to do this but if you happen to own the Rolex Oyster manual wind ref 4444 then you will need to manually wind the watch. Since this model is not water resistant, there is no 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 vintage Rolex. Just like before, be careful not to overwind your manual Rolex 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. 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 watch without risking an expensive service trip! It is very important to look after your precious Rolex 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 Rolex a new look, either way with ZEALANDE's options being as vast as they are, you can definitely find the perfect strap for you.

— James Talbot