What is “overwound”?
Many times old watches are described as “overwound”. But all this really means is that the watch is wound up all the way, but will not run. Technically, you cannot overwind most mechanical wrist and pocket watches. The use of force in winding, when the watch will wind no further, will break something, and the spring will give way. A mechanical watch is designed to wind up all the way, until you cannot easily wind it up further. When a watch is described as “overwound”, it just means that it has a problem causing it not to run. It could be that it needs routine maintenance, cleaning and oiling, or it could be more serious, like a broken part.
There is no such thing. Many times old watches are described as “overwound”. But all this really means is that the watch is wound up all the way, but will not run. Technically, you cannot overwind most mechanical wrist and pocket watches. The use of force in winding, when the watch will wind no further, will break something, and the spring will give way. A mechanical watch is designed to wind up all the way, until you cannot easily wind it up further. When a watch is described as “overwound”, it just means that it has a problem causing it not to run. It could be that it needs routine maintenance, cleaning and oiling, or it could be more serious, like a broken part.
