Branded watch winders can cost anywhere between two hundred and eight thousand dollars, which may prove very expensive for low budget users. People who have a knack for designing and making their gadgets and gizmos can create their own watch winding devices that serve the purpose of winding watches and are relatively inexpensive.

The things required for making a watch winder include a small electric motor, a few pieces of wood, leather, and drive components such as shaft collars and washers. Apart from this, users also need to have an appropriate toolkit and other nuts and bolts required for the purpose. The intended device will not mimic the complex motions of commercially produced watch winders but will generate simple circular motions that are enough to wound a self winding watch when not in use.

The electric motor should provide about two to three RPM and should have automatic shut down functions that will give the motor an opportunity to rest and cool off. The body of the winding device is made from wood as it can easily be altered using household toolkits.

The motor is placed inside the wooden box and secured with the help of screws or fast acting glue. After this the drive shaft is joined with the motor using rubber rings or other gear mechanism as preferred by the user. It is important to put some Vaseline or other lubricating material on the shaft for easy removal of the assembly. A washer is also placed around the shaft to provide a nice base and enable unrestricted and smooth circular motion of the shaft collar.

After making the basic rotational device, it is necessary to test the device and make sure that it is functioning as per design objectives. After this, the interiors are covered with cushioning material and a gripping mechanism is installed to firmly secure the watches when placed inside the winding device.