Horology is very conservative. The basis of watch mechanics is still the fundamental principles discovered by outstanding scientists and implemented by no less outstanding masters several centuries ago. Revolutionary breakthroughs are rare! Within the scope of this review, we are interested in two major inventions.
Breakthrough first: self-winding. It was created and patented by the Swiss Abraham-Louis Perrelet in 1777. The essence, like everything ingenious, is simple: a freely oscillating weight - a rotor - is built into the clockwork. Its moment of inertia (the product of the mass of the weight and the square of the length of the lever on which the weight is placed) is sufficient for the proper effect on the mainspring. Of course, in reality, everything is somewhat more complicated - after all, a special transmission is required to transfer the inertial force from the movement of the rotor to the spring. But these problems became for Perrelet only a matter of technique.
Note also: in those days there were no wristwatches, but the invention turned out to be useful even for pocket watches. He took the watch out of his pocket, shook it in his hand a dozen or two times - and it continues to tick regularly, there is no need to suffer with the winding key (the crown has not yet been invented in the Perrelet era). And already in the age of wristwatches - and absolutely beauty: when the watch is on the wrist, it is almost always in motion and, accordingly, is always wound up. We add that an improved design has been used for a long time, eliminating the danger of re-winding the spring and its possible breakage.
However ... A person does not always wear a watch on his wrist. They can lie motionless for a long time, especially if a person has more than one copy. Then, sooner or later, the clock stops, and the owner, when he returns to this instance, is forced to re-establish the exact time, this is at least. And then also the date, day of the week, month, phase of the moon, etc. etc. Moroka! In addition, there is an opinion that a technical device should not be idle for a long time - in a watch mechanism, for example, a downtime can lead to thickening of the lubricant.
Therefore - the second breakthrough: the winder box. This invention is much younger, it dates back to 1990 and belongs to Italians Sandro Colatieri and Carlo Crespi. Again, just to the point of genius: there is a box (box), a nest in it, it is able to rotate around its axis (preferably in both directions), a watch is put in the nest (of course, self-winding), an electric motor built into the box is turned on (it works from mains or from batteries), the socket rotates with the clock, the clock is wound, voila!
Besides, the box is beautiful too! For manufacturing, wood, sometimes valuable species, leather, stylish metal parts, varnish, inlays are used, they are laid out with velvet inside, and outside the watch winder can be admired through a transparent cover. A worthy piece of furniture and a kind of attraction at the same time!
If the first timemover (in Italian it is also called very briefly - rotori) Colatieri and Crespi was designed for only one watch, today multi-boxes are also produced, even for a whole collection - for example, up to 20 pieces. At the same time, manufacturers take into account that watches should be placed in them without interfering with each other, even if these are models of considerable dimensions. And finally, the choice of the winding mode, according to the "work-rest" scheme, is often offered. Modes are indicated by the number of revolutions per day (for example, 650 - 1300 - 1950), which correspond to the numbers near the control toggle switch. Sometimes it is also possible to select the direction of rotation: clockwise, counterclockwise, mixed cycle. In multi-boxes, as a rule, there are several electric motors with a separate setting for each.
Here are some examples of timemover.
Prestige WW-1219-BL
Prestige's design bureau is located in the United States, with production in China. The box is designed for one watch with a diameter of up to 80 mm. Works both from the mains and from batteries (two pieces of AA format). The body is made of wood, covered with glossy black lacquer, the interior is finished in eco-leather. Dimensions: 14,5 x 14,5 x 16 cm.Four operating modes (750, 1000, 1500 and 1800 revolutions per day).
AllBox FT13013
It's not hard to guess that AllBox and AllTime are close relatives. Indeed, the AllBox brand is the fruit of a partnership between the AllTime and Prestige brands. It is necessary to note the exemplary level of processing of all details, both outside and inside, a wide choice of shapes and sizes, a variety of styles of AllBox boxes. This model is designed for three-hour winding, rotation is clockwise, counterclockwise and in combined mode, the number of revolutions per day is from 650 to 1950.
Made of wood, covered with black lacquer, equipped with LED lighting and an automatic stop function when the door is opened, it is powered from the mains, and can even be controlled remotely using a remote control.
AllBox JDS002G-1
For one watch, with the same modes, and with power both from a regular outlet and from no less conventional batteries. The case is not for everybody, it is painted with the colors of the national flag of Germany and supplemented with the German coat of arms - an eagle. And the case material is plastic, so the model is more than affordable.
AllBox S202-LE-3V
This option is for two copies, and the performance can be called luxury. Wood (23,5 x 26 x 18 cm), dark brown lacquer, eco-leather, 15 winding programs (with the same three rotation modes and the same speed range). LED illumination, automatic stop of rotation when the door is open, remote control, mains power supply. Plus a pull-out storage drawer ... whatever!
M&Q MQ-8513-1
And this is the own "box" brand of the AllTime company. Watch winder M&Q certainly belongs to the luxury segment. Here is this sample: wood, black piano lacquer, gray velvet inside. Dimensions - 41 x 18 x 18,5 cm, rotation modes - the same three, there are also three jacks for watches. Pull-out compartment for accessories and other things.
M&Q MQ-3212-2
The last model in the review is a godsend for a collector, because this box is designed to be simultaneously wound for 12 hours! Complete set of modes, silent Mabuchi electric motor, top-level performance: wood, brown piano lacquer, tempered glass door. The price of a little over 1000 euros should not confuse the collector - let us remind that as many as 12 copies are wound here, and even the thing is truly beautiful.
