There are not so many times in life when a product so far exceeds your expectations, that you feel compelled to write something about your experience owning it. In my mind, writing a review, is somewhat like writing a thank you letter. It's a chance to show some appreciation for a job more than simply well done. Normally, an exchange of money for a product and the feeling that you got a fair deal is enough, but what do you do when the product you now own far exceeds in value the money you paid for it? I guess you say thank you and try to spread the word.

So, a bit about Rotolution winders. I have been in the watch business most of my life and in addition to selling watches I have sold winders as well. I once even carried Scatalo De Tempo, but now I only represent some of the more popular brands most watch fans are familiar with. My problem was a personal one, I have a collection of around thirty watches and despite having access to a number of brands at wholesale, I simply wasn't excited enough about any of them to use for myself. My personal choice was limited to winders with only two or four modules as I simply don't care for the extremely large units that wind eight-ten-twenty plus watches at once for multiple reasons. First, they take up to much space for my taste and secondly, I'm not interested in showing the world that I have so many expensive things all sitting in one place on display. If you can afford such a collection, you probably have a housekeeper, baby sitters, various people doing work in your house from time to time, so why make my precious collection a target? Further, my entire collection doesn't need to be wound all the time, most are fine resting quietly and when I choose to wear one, I simply set the time and enjoy it for as long as I'm interested in wearing that watch. I found two modules was enough, I can keep a couple of watches wound and ready to go and I can always switch between who gets winder time and who takes a rest.

What makes Rotolution so special, well a number of things. First, when you open your box you will simply be amazed at the build quality. Frankly, it's better than many models on the market costing 5 to 7 times more. The displays are one of the coolest features I have ever seen, in addition to being useful, they are simply fun to look at. In the end, that's exrememly important as watches, winders and such are simply wonderful toys we enjoy looking at, so watching the displays is great fun and the information you are given is exactly what you need to know. The displays are also perfectly straight in line. No slight tilt, nothing but perfection. Kind of what you expect from a company like Patek or Vacheron Constantin, everything lines up just right.

The watch pillows are also perfect. They adjust to your watch with complete ease and most important for me is the fact that they are covered in a soft velvet, so no chance of micro scratches. You may notice that one very famous brand uses patent leather on their holders, big problem, patent leather will scratch 18k gold. Would you rub your Patek on your leather jacket?

The software is beyond easy to use and very functional. No more figuring out tables and tons of different switching selections in order to change your winder TPD requirements. This is far more important than you may think at first, as those brands which do offer a decent selection of TPD options, and some don't offer it at all, which is silly in my opinion, require you to arrange the switches in the back in many different combinations in order to get the simple end task you are trying to accomplish. With Rotolution, no problem at all, just click Clockwise, Counterclockwise, or both and select whatever TPD's you like. It doesn't have to be exactly 650, you can make it 665 or any number that suits you. Every watch is a little different, so a watch which is listed as needing 650 TPD may need just a few more to keep it wound correctly. However on any other brand of winder, you would never know this and be forced to move up to 900 TPD, the next most likely option you have. Now you are really overstressing you slip clutch and you really only needed another 10 turns per day.

Lastly, the lock, hinges and glass. All beautiful quality. I really like the lock. It's not so much about theft as you are probably not going to leave a smaller module winding box in your living room, although I guess with a lock you can, but it's just a nice feeling to place your watches in and lock the thick pain of glass. It's a feeling of complement, the watches are locked in and secure, the TPD's are correct, everything is in order and I can now forget about them or sit back and enjoy the show. The lock also works nicely to keep younger ones from opening the cabinet as well as older ones and all in between. Now you don't have to worry about your 75 year old father in law peering inside to figure out what this contraption is all about when your not looking.

I just wanted to share my thoughts and say thank you for sending me such a great new addition to my beloved watch collection. I am in no way affiliated with Rotolution, in fact, they don't sell through dealers, so when I asked I was politely turned down. I'm actually working against my own financial interests, but its a big world and plenty of customers, so if you are considering a winder, know you will be pleased with a Rotolution. If you were going to buy one from me, then disregard this entire review :-)

   © 2008 Wind My Watch