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Manual-wind movement

Also called hand-wound, manual winding

A manual-wind, or hand-wound, movement is a mechanical movement that must be wound by turning the crown, with no rotor to wind it automatically.

Hand-wound movements are often thinner than automatic ones and appear in many classic dress watches, chronographs, and vintage pieces. Some collectors prefer them for the ritual and the view of the movement through a display back.

When inspecting one, wind it gently until you feel resistance, then confirm it runs and holds power. Over-forcing a fully wound movement can damage it.

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