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Computers-hardware-arduino-watch Winder

watch winder

Desktop prototype video on youtube. Or local

arduino, stepper_winder.ino, code is here Wanted a watch winder for my growing acquisitions of automatic watches.
I got tired of setting them after they had been sitting for days.
Lazy, I know, but a good excuse to play with the arduino and build something that is physical. <grin>
back-story: Did extensive research on good/best/ watches that was meant to be a gift for someone else. \\After that gift was given, I too was bitten by the 'Automatic' watch bug for all the right reasons.

• Old school
• Convience of a twist of the wrist to see the time
• The wonderment of it's mechanical design
• Uniqueness
• as Jewlery, which I don't wear, but thought it a nice change.

my first purchase was new Orient Men's '2nd Gen. Bambino Ver. 1' Japanese Automatic Stainless Steel and Leather Dress Watch, Color:Brown (Model: FAC00005W0) with a domed dial and crystal, 6 bps sweep second hand, hacking(second hand stops when setting the time) and of course the automatic winding mechanism made in a japaneese factory by an old world company.

yes I have found a new in an ever growing list of interests ! <grin>

next was the ORIENT CFM00002B then an older seiko 5 with character face in yellow.

... so, finding time to wear this growing list of treasures became an issue and the concept of a way to keep them wound became a side project of the watches.

Wolf makes some of the nicer watch winders, but they are pricy and some have complained that even they have issues with the motors stopping in time. At $200 ish per watch, I thought I might do it cheaper and be able to easily repair it when needed.

the Project starts
guidelines for my watch winders:

• cheaper than the cheaper watch winders, which are $50 ish from amazon.
• arduino based
• display for status/programing/tod
• any tpd(turns per day) we want
• quiet ie silent

after researching japaneese watch winder motors, I decided on a small cheap stepper motor.
the current parts list for the electronics core function looks like this:
each winder box:

qnt Tprice discription
1 $2.80 28BYJ-48 ULN2003 5V Stepper Motor + ULN2003 Driver Board for Arduino
1 $3.99 ps/2 Mini-Din 6 Pin Male Male Black Cable 1 foot
1 $1.43 ps/2 Mini DIN 6 Pin Female Connector Sockets
1 $0.70 3P F/F Jumper Wire 200mm Female to Female these get cut in 2
1 $0.73 4 Pin 20cm female female Jumper Wire these also get cut in 2
---
1 $1.99 NDS 3P06 Sewer Drain Cap, 3-Inch, PVC
1 $0.67 8875K14 Super-Cushioning Polyurethane Foam Cord, 4" Diameter, 1.5" have to buy 36"
1 $4.69 Actobotics 5mm Bore 0.77'' Set Screw Hub
2 $1.47 Mini Skater Abec 9 Precision 608 ZZ Bearings for Skateboards
2 $0.80 Silicone Tubing, 3/4" ID x 1-1/8" OD used on outside of bearings.
2 $0.18 Phillips Drive, 1/4"-20 corse Thread Size, 2"
6 $0.28 Coarse Thread Hex Nuts, 1/4 X 20-Inch, 100-Pack
8 $0.13 Steel Flat Washer 1/4" Screw Size, 9/32" ID, 5/8" OD this size clamps the bearings well.
2 $0.05 Phillips Machine Screw, 6-32 x 1/2-Inch
2 $0.03 flat washer No. 6 Screw Size
2 $0.12 Machine Screw Hex Nut, 6-32
---
2 $3.36 1/8 x 5 x 5" front/back - polycarbonate in solor gray from tap plastic
2 $3.36 1/8 x 5 x 4-3/4" top/bottom - polycarbonate in solor gray from tap plastic
3 $5.04 1/8 x 4-3/4 x 4-3/4" sides/interior - polycarbonate in solor gray from tap plastic
2 $1.70 micro hinges to glue on front cover from tap plastic
==========
$33.52

now the small print: above does not include taxes nor shipping, prime might help here for amazon, or buy local. Hardware finishes don't mater, zinc screws are fine, I bought just what was cheap. Many items you'll have to buy in quantity and if you're building only one, above will get expensive. You'll also need to get solvent/glue and applicator for the polycarbonate, also not included in above price. One can use other materials like acrylic or cardboard or pressboard instead of the polycarbonate.

arduino controller, only one needed for all the winder boxes.
1 $8.39 HiLetgo New Version ESP8266 NodeMCU LUA CP2102 ESP-12E Internet WIFI Development Board I like this manufacture and version.
1 $8.99 Diymall 0.96" Inch Yellow Blue I2c IIC Serial Oled LCD LED Module 12864 128X64 like this manufacture and the yellow first line.
1 $5.95 5V 4A 20W Power Adapter 5.5mm x 2.1mm the 28BYJ-48 steppers require about 150ma each ... so multiply this by how many you'll be running to get an idea of how many Amps you'll need. This 4Amp should run 15 or so watch winder boxes.
4 $4.00 12mm Waterproof Push Button Momentary On
1 $0.46 2.1mm x5.5mm 2 Pins DC Power Jack Female Panel Mounting Connector Socket