Affordable, Stackable, and Colorful Watch Winder Review – Barrington Single Edition
If you're new to watch winders, the Barrington Single Watch Winder is a great option for beginners. This device holds a single watch, but its modular design allows for stacking multiple units and daisy-chaining them for a personalized setup. Plus, you've got a wide range of vibrant colors to choose from, making it a winner for expanding your horological horizons. Let's find out if it's the perfect starter watch winder!
Barrington Single Watch Winder review: Price and availability
Watch winders vary greatly in price, with options as cheap as £25 and as expensive as close to £2,000. The Barrington fits into the more affordable Market. Most color options, including the Shadow Black model we reviewed, are priced at £225, while the wooden models are £395. All are available now from the Barrington website.
Features and design
A standout feature of this watch winder is its power source. You can simply plug it into a wall outlet with the included cable, or you can use four AA batteries for cable-free operation. Barrington understands that buyers might collect several of these winders over time, so they can be stacked and plugged into each other for daisy-chained power from a single plug socket.
The direction and frequency settings are adjustable via rotary knobs on the rear of the winder. With options for forwards, backwards, alternating, 650, 750, 850, 1000, and 1950 rotations per day, you can customize the winder to best suit your watch's needs. I love the sleek piano black finish of the review unit, but the range of colors ensures it'll fit into or stand out from any home decor. Unlike some winders, this one doesn't cover your watch, making it less suitable for long-term storage.
Performance
The watch cushion on the front is made of plastic, wrapped in a squishy material with a carbon fiber weave effect. The mount uses a spring-loaded design to accommodate different watch sizes and presses against the strap or bracelet for a secure hold. Barrington suggests the cushion is designed for wrist measurements between 19 and 24 cm, making it suitable for 70% of customers. However, smaller wrists may need to purchase a separate, smaller cushion for best results.
The motor is extremely quiet, nearly silent from a few feet away. It might be audible if kept on your bedside table, but from across the room, you won't hear it. A green light flashes on the front when the winder is in motion, which could be irritating in a dark room, but it's not particularly bright, and I didn't find it bothersome during testing.
Verdict
Watch winders cater to a specific niche within a niche – they provide convenience for mechanical watch owners who don't want their watch to lose power when not in use, especially complex watches with extra functions that require configuration.
If you're in that category, the Barrington Single Watch Winder should be on your shortlist. It's not the cheapest option, but it's far from the most expensive, offering the design, quality, and functionality you'd expect at this level.
Horology enthusiasts will appreciate the custom rotation and frequency settings, while everyone else will love the quiet operation and the ability to stack and daisy-chain multiple units. Just keep in mind the cushion size, and order the smaller one if necessary.
The Barrington Single Watch Winder, despite being an affordable option among various watch winders, comes with advanced technology such as adjustable power source and customizable direction and frequency settings. This technology is housed in a variety of gadgets, available in vibrant colors, making it not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing in any home decor.
