What is TPD with a Watch Winder?

What does 'TPD' mean?

‘TPD’ is an abbreviation for 'Turns Per Day'.

Why is TPD important for watch winders?

All automatic watches contain a rotor. When agitated, this generates kinetic energy that is then stored in the mainspring within the watch movement. Different watch movements have different requirements as to how much energy or TPD they require daily to maintain enough power to keep the watch running.

 

How do I find the right TPD for my watch?

We have a database that is updated regularly. Firstly type the make or model of your watch and you will be presented with a list of matches. Click your model and you will see the amount of turns per day that your watch requires. Click here to visit our winding specifications database.

 

How to set the TPD on your watch winder

Different brands of watch winder have different control methods. This might be a twist knob, a touchscreen control or a downloadable app. Simply select from the amount of TPD available that suits your watch's requirements along with the direction of rotation. Some watch winders are pre-programmed to perform a ‘one size fits all’ single program and do not require setting – just turn on and go. Should you be interested you can view our range of units here.

Benefits of Fully Programmable TPD Settings on Winders

Some premium watch winders are capable of being programmed to the exact number of TPD recommended by the watch manufacturer. During the programming stage (normally carried out on a downloadable app) you can set the exact turns per day in increments of 10 or 20 and select the direction of rotation. This enables the owner to rest assured that their watch is getting exactly what is required and recommended.

Ambiente Double Macassar by Modalo
Modalo Ambiente Nine in Macassar
Modalo Showtime Triple Macassar with Red
Showtime Triple Macassar & Red

FAQs

What determines the right TPD for a watch?

There are many things that will contribute to the required amount of TPD, this could include the size and type of mainspring being charged and also what complications (seconds, date, chronograph etc…) the watch features. A very common turns per day requirement is 650 Bi-directional and we have a category dedicated to these winders.

What happens if I set the TPD too high or too low for my watch?

It is important to know that you cannot overwind your watch, so setting it too high does not matter. However, if you set it too low, then you may find that the watch loses accuracy or even stops.

Can I change the TPD setting on my watch winder while my watch is in motion?

Yes, altering the settings while in motion will not have any detrimental impact on the watch winder or the watch.

Could the TPD setting impact the accuracy of my watch?

As mentioned above, if the TPD is not set to a high enough amount for your particular watch then it could lose accuracy or stop. Furthermore you cannot overwind the watch by having a higher than required TPD.

Can the TPD setting be adjusted for different rotation modes (e.g., single-direction, bi-directional)?

Indeed you can. Some watch movements require Clockwise (CW), some Counter Clockwise (CCW) and some Bi-Directional (Bi) rotations. Many of our watch winders have the choice of rotation. However, some watch winders are pre-set to simply do Bi-directional. It is worth noting that if your watch requires CW but the winder only offers Bi, then the CCW rotations performed simply wouldn’t charge that watch – it would not have any detrimental impact at all.

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