Your ORBITA Watchwinder has been designed to provide years and years of dependable service without need of maintenance. It comes to you with a two-years guarantee to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. It will keep virtually any fine automatic watch fully wound and "exercised." There are two different mounts available. Mounts are interchangeable and can be switched easily without tools.

CUP type units (see above ) for ORBITA Watchwinders provide 360 degree winding action. The cup unit provides the appropriate winding action that may be required for heavy watches or large diameter chronographs. The cushion supplied with each cup unit will accommodate a wide range of wrist sizes and bracelet or strap designs. However, both smaller and larger cushions are available upon request if required. To mount the watch, remove the cushion. Close the watch bracelet or strap around the cushion so that the sponge cushion is compressed and the watch is centered. Then insert the watch/cushion assembly back into the cup. Some models have removable cups. When remounting them, be sure to engage the slot in the cup with the motor drive pin.

DUAL type units (see above) allow two watches to be wound on a single motor shaft. Plastic covered stainless steel "C" shaped springs are used to support the two watches being wound. Each spring is compressed as the watch is slipped over it. Releasing the spring causes it to expand, securing the watch in position. Dual holders should always be loaded with two watches for balance so as to prevent premature bearing wear of the drive system components.

Battery or AC Power? Take your choice! Your Watchwinder operates on both. 6 volts DC is supplied by using one or more battery cassettes, each of which accepts 4 "C" cell alkaline storage batteries. Alternately, you may use the supplied AC/DC plug-in wall adapter which converts house voltage to 6 volts DC. If you opt to use the plug-in adapter, it is a wise precaution to remove any batteries you may have installed to prevent possible battery acid spillage. Be aware that the batteries are automatically disconnected whenever the AC adapter is used. The adapter does not recharge the batteries.

How your ORBITA Watchwinder operates: The motor is cycled on and off by a microprocessor which activates the drive system for approximately one (1) minute and then pauses. The pause interval is variable and is user programmed (see diagram). This allows the winding program to be optimized for a particular watch and affords maximum battery life and minimum wear to both watch and winder. An on/off toggle switch controls operation.

Programmed Operation: Provides a choice of four settings; 500, 650, 800, or 950 turns per day (TPD). Additionally, the Watchwinder may be programmed to automatically reverse after each cycle for bi-directional winding watches or programmed to rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise for unidirectional winding watches.

Troubleshooting Winder Operation: Virtually all fine automatic watches require between 600 and 800 turns per day (TPD), whether worn on your wrist or turning on your watchwinder, For convenience, Orbita programmable watchwinders are preset at the factory for 800 TPD with clockwise rotation. However, many automatic watches wind in both directions. If yours do, choose bi-directional winding as it distributes wear over all components of the watch's internal winding mechanism and is the most efficient mode of winding operation. If you would like to determine the winding requirements of your watch(es), Orbita provides a winding database on our website, www.orbita.ch, in the technical section.

If your watch is not winding at the factory default setting of 800 TPD with clockwise rotation, proceed as follows:

Step 1:  Set the program for 800 TPD Counter-clockwise rotation only.  Simply reset the DIP switches to the appropriate positions shown.  Then run this way for a few days.  If the problem is still not resolved, go to Step 2.

Step 2: Call or e-mail our Customer Service Department. We will try to diagnose the problem for you. Tel. 0049 7641 93 75 748

                            
About Power Reserve: Some automatic watches incorporate a Power Reserve Indicator (PRI) on the dial face. The PRI shows how many hours the watch will operate if unworn. Basically, the PRI indicates the tension of the mainspring. Our winders will keep your watch running and the PRI will read anywhere from 1/4 to full reserve. This is perfectly normal. If the PRI always shows full reserve, you might want to reduce the turns per day program slightly. This will conserve battery power and prevent winding more than necessary.

Winder Running Continuously? If your winder is set for Programmed operation (as it should be) and you suddenly notice that it is running continually, don¹t despair. The winder is telling you that it is time to change it¹s batteries. Here's what¹s happening:  as the batteries drain over time, the voltage drops and, at one point, the microprocessor shuts down. However, the reduced voltage is still enough to power the low-current motor for a while. So, install new batteries and the continuous run problem will be solved.

Accessing the Watchwinder drive unit for battery replacement and/or cycle programming is accomplished as follows:

For SINGLE, TRIPLE or SEXTETTE units, simply remove the drive unit out of the Watchwinder case. Open the case cover, then with your right hand at the back of the case and your left hand holding the drive unit, both slide and tilt the drive unit forward, removing it from the case. Do so gently to prevent tearing the suede case lining. Please note that on some winders, the drive units simply sit in place. If so, there is no need to remove any fasteners. Simply remove cups and grasp spindles to lift drive unit out of the case. Once clear, remove the battery cassette(s) by grasping and unplugging the brown plug which attaches it to the green printed circuit board. Install batteries in the positions indicated. Programming is accomplished by moving the tiny white levers of the black DIP switch(es) mounted on the circuit board (see diagram). Each Watchwinder spindle is individually programmable. Reverse the above procedure to reinstall.


BATTERY ALERT is a unique feature on many of our multiple head, battery-powered Watchwinders. It incorporates a solid state detector circuit that continually monitors battery voltage. After your winder has been running for several months, battery voltage drops from the original 6.0 volts supplied by fresh batteries. When it drops to less than 4.8 volts, the detector circuit automatically triggers a small LED light on the front panel signaling battery replacement is in order. Your winder will continue to operate while the LED is lit, but actual winding time (turns per day) is reduced proportionately to the voltage drop. For best winding performance, battery replacement should not be delayed. If the supplied plug-in AC/DC adapter is powering your Watchwinder, the battery alert feature is automatically disabled.