CHIYODAWatch Winder for Single Automatic Watches Solid Wooden Box with Mabuchi Motors

The watch winder is easy to use with the controls on the back and out of sight. I was concerned about the motor going out on a lot of these winders in less than a year. Then I discovered on Youtube you can open the winder from the top not bottom. The motor on this winder is available on Amazon for $18. I wouldn't try this unless you have some skill repairing small mechanical devices. One thing I didn't like is the pillow. It is too big for ladies watches or men that have small wrists. Amazon has a nice assortment of small pillows for less than $6 for three each. The picture shows my watch on a 3 inch square pillow. The watch is secure and looks good. You wouldn't think a square pillow would look good in a round winder but it does. The piano finish is beautiful. Chiyoda will respond to your email questions very quickly. I would give it five stars if they supplied both large and small pillows.

I am changing my prior review, since it was for a previous model of this winder.The first time around, years ago when I first bought one, the fixed TPD options did not work for my watch movement. Chiyoda has steadily upgraded and expanded their winder selection, and I now find them to be the best affordable winders on the market.I have probably 35 or so automatics, and over 20 winders at least, so I'm quite familiar with what's out there. If you want to spend a lot, there are high end winders, of course, but since I'd rather buy another watch, I prefer a more affordable winder that still does the job, and still looks good, since, besides keeping it wound so I don't have to constantly update the time and date, it's also great to have an attractive display location for my watches.The drawback of some affordable winders can be longevity as well as limited TPD options, watch fitment issues, etc., but I now have half a dozen different Chiyoda winders and they all are performing perfectly. Plus, they have the best and most responsive customer service, so I'm confident that, if I ever needed to use the 18 month warranty, I know they will take good care of me as a customer.This single winder has been upgraded to give broader TPD options, now with a separate selector for rotation direction, so, it is ideally suited to a wide range of watch movements.It keeps my automatic perfectly ready to wear, does not magnetize it, it's a beautiful little piece of furniture, well made, and is utterly silent. And, the price is amazing!So, basically you get a winder that gives the same performance as a high price winder, without the high price. That really is the best way to describe this buy. And the price point is awesome, certainly one of the lowest, for a single winder, that provides more features than most similarly priced, and, as stated, provides the same features as a winder ten times the price.The finishing is professional, and the simple pillow holder keeps my watch protected and in place, and is far easier to use than many winders with hard plastic clip-in holders. This winder is also a convenient size and doesn't take up a lot of room, which is helpful when having a lot of watches and being a bit short on space.It operates by wall power or it will run for a limited time with two AA batteries installed in it, but Chiyoda also sells an external battery pack, with four D batteries, for a longer run time. I am going to try that next, since this winder wound up in a spot that isn't near to a wall plug, so I'm thankful battery power is an option.In terms of use, there are a variety of places to look up the proper TPD and rotation direction for your automatic watch. I have used these with Breitling, Tissot, Raymond Weil etc., all the way to Seiko powered Invictas and, whether high end Swiss or budget Japanese movements, these winders work.So, just be sure your movement matches with the wide range of options here, for winder settings, and then set it, and your watch will always be ready to wear, without having to wind it, set the time, fix the date, etc.For me, with a lot of watches, both auto and quartz, it can be long time between wears, so having a good winder is a helpful way to be able to just keep my automatics ready to put on my wrist for the day.Chiyoda is my go-to brand now, and I love that it costs so little to get a well made, reliable winder that does the job, and is backed by great customer service.Highly recommend!!!Thanks for reading, and I hope this has helped. :)UPDATE: Added photos -- also I am using the Chiyoda battery pack now (available here on Amazon), which uses four D Cell batteries, for extended use and it works GREAT. Have ordered two more battery packs, in fact,, for other winders I have. You can also see the beauty of the finishing on the winder, as well as the simplicity of the effective watch holder, a cushion pillow that snugs into the winding cradle, completely protecting the watch while holding it in place, and it's super simple to use, just put the watch on the pillow and put the pillow in the winder. I'm really happy with this purchase!

First the good things ... It looks very nice, clean finish and even my grandchildren enjoy watching the watch go 'round. After playing with the settings for my 45 year old Longines Accutron watch, it is nice to be able to put it on and have the correct, or nearly the correct, time. The pillow inside easily adjusts to my watch, I have a small wrist, and holds the watch securely. Overall a good value for the intended purpose.Now the one bad thing ... Early on, I was confounded by the thing just not working. After some diddling with it, the problem seems to be either that there is a break in the plug for the charger where it connects to the unit, or that the socket in the box, itself, does not make good connections. So, when I put the watch in, I have to play with it a bit to be sure that it is running. Annoying, and the reason that this is not a "5-star" review.-----08 Jul 18 Update:So I finally felt that the problem that I was having with the power was due to a bad charger. Contacted the company and they did send me a new charger, which does continue to work. NEW PROBLEM at this time is that walking into the bedroom I wondered what the sound was that I was hearing. After searching around, realized that I could now hear the motor and gears from the winder, sounds which were not there when the device was now. So, after about ten months of use, it is no longer quiet enough to be near the bed, and relegated it to another room. Still works, just not as silent as when new. It does do the job it is supposed to do, wind the watch, but not without issues with the power supply and not, after 10 months, as quiet as promised. So, downgrade from the 4 stars originally to 3 stars now. When (not if, I fear) it gives up, will likely look to other brands even if it does mean paying more. It's a nice watch that I wind, and I like wearing it!-----26 May 19 UpdateI guess good things come to those who wait. After my review from July, 2018, I had given up hope and just tolerated the noisy winder with the flaky power plug. At least it kept my watch wound with a little TLC and tolerance. Then, a few weeks ago, I received an Email from the manufacturer apologizing for missing my July, 2018, review, and offering to replace the winder, as the noise indicated that the bearings were shot. I accepted the offer, and the new unit was received a few days later. I have had it in service for a few weeks, waiting to update my review. First, the flaky power issue is solved. Don't know if it was the charger or the unit, but no problem with that any longer. Second, the unit is as quiet as can be. I now have to look at it to see if it is running when I come into the room, no way I could hear it from even a few feet away. Watch is staying well wound and keeping as good time as a 45 year old watch can keep! I am very happy with the winder, and especially the responsive manufacturer, and will raise my rating to five stars at this time. I would encourage any buyer to communicate with the company if there are problems. Hopefully, there will be none!

I have allowed myself over a full year of use before writing this review - but to be perfectly honest, It is a product replacement due to my original unit breaking down that is prompting this review. Having said that, I am still giving this product a full 5 stars, and here's why:- EXTERIOR: The look and feel of the exterior is absolutely gorgeous and premium. The glossy wood finish looks and feels very luxurious - definitely does not look like a winder that's priced below $100. The plexi-glass window is durable and clean. Just be careful to push your bigger watches into the cushion when you set it in so that the face won't scratch onto the glass. Every angle of this box looks and feels sleek/modern, and has a nice weight/feel to it.- INTERIOR: Felt material is lined on the inner walls. There are no visible blemishes - high level of craftsmanship. The holder rotates very smoothly, and the pillow is very plush and plump, but yet sturdy and durable. It holds my Breitling Navitimer perfectly (which is a bulkier and heavier watch than normal).- FUNCTION: It worked flawlessly for over a year; kept my watch wound daily. I like to switch between different watches daily so its nice to come back to my Breitling perfectly wound and ready to where. The motor is moderately quiet, if you listened very carefully in silence you can make out the sound (but this is the older version I am reviewing - they might have fixed this in the updated unit). Regardless, I wouldn't consider it a con enough to deduct a star. There are 4 winding options in my unit and they all worked perfectly. There is an option to power the unit off of batteries in case you are traveling with it.- CUSTOMER SERVICE: Now, this is the part where the 5 star review really get's justified... After 13 months of use, my unit stopped working all on it's own. I turned the power on and nothing moves. You can hear the winding inside the box but the winder would not rotate. Clearly the motor became defective. I contacted Joyce through email from this product's company and she responded immediately (within a day) for every inquiry I made. First she sent me a replacement motor, which I received within 1-2 weeks. But upon opening the unit to replace the motor myself I had difficulty removing a screw to get into the interior, so I emailed Joyce again. Now she has authorized a replacement unit that is making it's way to me as I write this review. This all happened in the span of 4 email exchanges and lighting quick responses. Their gold star customer service, IMO, is what makes this product shine greater that it's look/function. They stay true to their warranty policy even after over an entire year of use.Electronics malfunctions - it happens. But it's great when the company cares about their customers and looks out for them and makes sure they are being taken cared of. Thank you again, Joyce. I look forward to using this beautiful Chiyoda winder once again! I highly recommend this product to anyone that's checking this unit out, but are on the fence. I was once in your shoes. You won't regret it. Hope this helps!

Saw where several others had the same complaints, wrote to the vendor without any response. No operating instructions, no dust swatch, no warranty card, confusing operating function controls. Suggest looking for another product with a more complete package. However, this winder does seem to work and quietly.UPDATE:Vendor did make contact, sent proper instructions, explained warranty, apologized and offered full refund.Though initial impression was not favorable this vendor made every effort to address the issues and make things right, which we greatly appreciated. Again, the product works well, quietly, and my wife is happy that her Rolex is in good hands. Thanks for the extra effort. no refund necessary.