Watch winding is not holding

Your watch is self winding and will run down (if fully wound) for about 2 days.

This type of watch thrives on use and if not used will stop. To avoid having to re-wind by shaking, it should be worn every day.

(Some makers say that to full wind up their self winding watches, they need to be shaken (gently) aboiut 200 times).

If it an automatic watch, it usually marked as such on the front or back.

To wind a self winding watch, shake it gently from side to side for a few minutes.

This type of watch thrives on use and if left off for more than 2-3 days it will stop.

Automatic watches will stop running if not worn for a few days.

Did you leave the watch off for more than 2 -3 days?.

If you did, then it can be restarted by either winding it using the crown wheel (may not be possible) or by holding the watch level and swinging it gently from side to side for a few minutes. (There is a weight inside which rotates with the motion of the wearer to wind it up- so don't swing it very rapidly).

If this does not work, then it may be that you have to take it to a dealer to have it examined.

mcdevito75 here, I would imagine your Rolex is an automatic, not all Rolexes are. After 2 days not running at all your Rolex needs a very good start not just putting it on and that"s it. Sorry to say!, I would ask you to do this, With your watch close to your ear I would like you to wind the watch, listen closely, if you haer a clicking or a drag sound you know you have to give about 20 winds to your watch before you put it on, after the 20 winds the automatic takes over. If the stem just spins and no sound, Click or drag, then your rolex is fully automatic, after you put it on you"ll have to ttwist your wrist back and forth to get the automatic moveing to wind your watch somewhat. Twist your wrist back and forth maybe 20--30 times, this way your watch has an initial wind and as you wear it the winding continues with the motion of your wrist, after it"s wound pretty good if it stops and goes, have the watch serviced.

Assuming it's not a quartz watch try winding it fully - about 40 turns of the crown. If you wear it daily it won't need further winding unless you skip a day or you're not very active. The watch is typically wound by the movement of your arm/wrist. Manual winding will compensate for the lack of movement.

Automatic, or "self-winding" watches get their power from movement of your wrist throughout the day. Unless you're quite active the amount of movement is just about enough to keep it running till the next day. However, if you let the watch run down completely as you did when you were away, there is no reserve power left. The solution is simple: just manually wind the watch and you'll be good to go. To manually wind the watch unscrew the crown as if you were going to set the watch but do not pull it out as would for setting. Wind the watch about 40-50 turns and it will run fine if you wear it every day.

If it's a quartz watch, replace the battery. If it's a mechanical watch, even a "self-winding" model, wind it manually - unless you're very active it needs a manual winding if you don't wear it all the time. If it's more than a few years old it may need cleaning by a watchmaker.

Self winding watched should not need to be wound as long as they are being worn.

To tell if the self winding mechanism is working, hold the watch close to your ear (hold it vertical, as though it was on your wrist) and rock it gently. You should be able to hear a ratchet operating (a soft clicking noise).

I can't help thinking your suspicion about the mechanism having failed, sound very likely.

I should be self-winding. Put it on your wristing and move around.

sounds like an auto wind watch,you must wear this watch most of the day to keep it wound up.to wind the crown must be pushed all the way in.