Your Rolex is a precision instrument that was built to be worn daily. When it's not on your wrist, a quality watch winder keeps it running accurately — but not all winders are created equal, and Rolex movements have specific requirements.
Here's what you need to know.
What settings does a Rolex need?
Most modern Rolex watches use calibres with these winding specifications:
| Movement | Used In | TPD | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cal. 3235 | Submariner, Datejust 41, Sea-Dweller | 650 | Bidirectional |
| Cal. 4131 | Daytona (2023+) | 650 | Bidirectional |
| Cal. 3285 | GMT-Master II | 650 | Bidirectional |
| Cal. 3230 | Explorer, Air-King | 650 | Bidirectional |
| Cal. 3255 | Day-Date 40 | 650 | Bidirectional |
Most Rolex movements: 650 TPD, bidirectional.
This makes Rolex watches relatively forgiving to wind — they don't require high TPD, and bidirectional winding means the direction setting is less critical.
However, using a winder with the wrong TPD (too high or too low) can still cause issues — either under-winding (the watch stops) or unnecessary wear on the winding mechanism.
What to look for in a Rolex winder
1. Accurate TPD control
Your winder should allow you to set a specific TPD — not just "low / medium / high" switches. Rolex movements need 650 TPD, and a winder that can only do 750 or 1,000 is providing more than necessary.
2. Bidirectional rotation
All modern Rolex calibres wind bidirectionally, so your winder should support alternating clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation.
3. Quality motor
Cheap winder motors can introduce vibration and noise. A precision motor — like the Faulhaber motors used in Time Machine winders — rotates smoothly and silently, with no vibration that could affect your watch.
4. Cushion fit
The winder cushion should hold your Rolex securely without compressing the bracelet. Oyster bracelets and Oysterflex straps have different profiles — the cushion needs to accommodate both.
5. Build quality matching your watch
A €10,000+ Rolex deserves a winder built to a similar standard. Look for premium materials, precise engineering, and a design you're proud to display.
Why Time Machine is ideal for Rolex
Time Machine winders address every requirement:
- Exact TPD: The app has specific profiles for every Rolex reference — set 650 TPD bidirectional with one tap
- Automatic detection: Dual sensors detect your Rolex when placed on the winder. No buttons needed.
- Faulhaber motors: German precision motors (20x more expensive than typical winder motors) for smooth, vibration-free, silent rotation
- Carrara marble base: Materials that match the quality standard of your Rolex collection
- 1-year battery: No cables near your watches
Rolex models in our database
The Time Machine app includes winding profiles for every current and recent Rolex reference:
- Submariner (all references)
- Daytona (all references)
- GMT-Master II (all references)
- Datejust 36 & 41
- Day-Date 36 & 40
- Explorer & Explorer II
- Sea-Dweller & Rolex Deepsea
- Yacht-Master & Yacht-Master II
- Air-King
- Sky-Dweller
- Milgauss
- Cellini
And many discontinued references.
The bottom line
A Rolex winder needs accurate TPD control (650 TPD), bidirectional rotation, a quality motor, and build quality that matches your watch. Time Machine winders deliver all of this with the added benefit of automatic watch detection and the largest winding profile database available.
Find the exact winding settings for your Rolex model in our winder settings database, or explore the Time Machine collection.