Patent Publication Number: US-11036183-B2

Title: Watch winding apparatus for winding a wrist watch and method thereof

Description:
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/460,171, filed Jul. 2, 2019; all of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a watch winding apparatus and a method for winding a wrist watch with mechanical self-winding eccentrics and, more particularly to a carrier for a wrist watch which allows to place the wrist watch therein with minimal effort without the need to close a bracelet. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A self-winding watch, also known as an automatic watch, is a mechanical watch in which the natural motion of the wearer provides energy to run the watch, making manual winding unnecessary. Such watch winds itself using a weight inside the watch that oscillates to put tension on the mainspring through the random motion of the watch wearer&#39;s arm. Generally, in a mechanical watch the watch&#39;s gears are turned by a spiral spring called a mainspring. In a manual watch energy is stored in the mainspring by turning a knob, the crown on the side of the watch, winding the mainspring. Then the energy from the mainspring powers the watch movement until it runs down, requiring the spring to be wound again. The self-winding watch movement has a mechanism which winds the mainspring using the natural motions of the wearer&#39;s body. The watch contains an oscillating weight that turns on a pivot. The normal movements of the watch in the user&#39;s pocket or on the user&#39;s arm cause the rotor to pivot on its staff, which is attached to a ratcheted winding mechanism. The motion of the watch is thereby translated into circular motion of the weight which, through a series of reverser and reducing gears, eventually winds the mainspring. 
     Generally, the self-winding watches include a rotor and a reverser mechanism. The rotor is a semi-circular weight that is mounted on the movement, and is sometimes also known as the oscillating weight. The rotor swings through 360° thanks to the movements of the watch on the wrist. Through a series of gears, the movement of the rotor winds the mainspring which supplies the watch with mechanical energy. The reverser mechanism sits between the rotor and the gears, and enables the rotor to wind the mainspring no matter which way it turns. Various reverser mechanisms exist, the best-known being the pawl-winding system. This comprises two wheels, each made up of a top disc and a bottom disc. These discs are connected by a spring-less pawl that unclicks one wheel then the other depending on the direction of rotation. 
     When completely wound, the mainspring will generally have sufficient energy to run the watch for up to 12 to 48 hours, depending on the particular type of watch. Therefore, it will be appreciated that when the watch is not being worn for a sufficiently long period of time, the energy in the mainspring will tend to run down or completely dissipate. Once the spring is unwound, a self-winding watch generally cannot be fully rewound in a few seconds. The task of rewinding a self-winding watch can be a major inconvenience, as it may include resetting the time, dates and numerous other functions, or “complications,” each time the spring runs down. Often watch collectors and stores have multiple such watches which need to be wound, and thus the task becomes even more cumbersome when multiple watches are involved. 
     Some watch winders are known for keeping self-winding watches wound when not in use. Watch winders are mechanical devices that can simulate the aforesaid natural motion to keep the so-called “automatic watch” or “self-winding watch” that is stored in the watch winder operating smoothly for those who don&#39;t wear their watch every day and/or won&#39;t wear their watch for a long time. Various automatic watch-winders for keeping self-winding watches wound when not in use are currently available. A typical watch-winder, or so-called watch rotator, includes a motor-driven spindle, drum or other structure adapted to hold and rotate a watch about an axis. During rotation about an axis perpendicular to the watch face, for example, the pendulum of the watch will hang downwardly under gravity, and the watch will rotate about the stationary pendulum, causing the mainspring to stay wound. 
     Such commercial watch winders often require a significant effort on part of the user to place the watch for winding thereof. For a commercial winder, which holds the watch with a cushy pillow-like holder, the process is the following. First the user needs to untie/unlock the watch (e.g., from user&#39;s wrist). Then, the bracelet of the watch is put around the pillow. Thereafter, the bracelet is tied or locked around the pillow. If the watch bracelet has a mechanical closure, this step is relatively less cumbersome; however, if the watch has a buckle, this process can be hard, especially for people with diminished motor skills. Thereafter, the watch is wound in the watch winder and the process is reversed. That is, the bracelet is untied/unlocked from pillow, which again may be cumbersome for the user. 
     Therefore, there is a need of a simple apparatus for winding of an automatic watch, and which allows the watch to be placed therein with ease. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed subject matter provides watch winding apparatus for winding a wrist watch with mechanical self-winding eccentrics and having a bracelet. According to one aspect of the present disclosure here is provided watch winding apparatus that includes a carrier adapted for mounting the wrist watch therein. The carrier includes a hollow cylindrical housing with an inner wall. The carrier also includes a bracelet holding mechanism arranged inside the hollow cylindrical housing. The bracelet holding mechanism is adapted to be switched between a closed position and an open position such that in the open position thereof, the bracelet holding mechanism is disposed providing a gap with respect to the inner wall, and in the closed position thereof, the bracelet holding mechanism is disposed with the said gap being narrower with respect to the inner wall. The carrier is adapted to receive the wrist watch therein with the bracelet being slided through the said gap between the bracelet holding mechanism and the inner wall while the bracelet holding mechanism disposed in the open position thereof, and the bracelet being snugly supported in the gap with the bracelet holding mechanism disposed in the closed position thereof. Further, the watch winding apparatus includes a rocker device adapted to allow placement of the carrier thereon. The rocker device is configured to rotate the carrier, based on user-configurable setting, to activate the mechanical self-winding eccentrics for winding of the wrist watch mounted therein. 
     The presently disclosed watch winding apparatus uses a spring-loaded bistable mechanism for the bracelet holding mechanism. The bracelet holding mechanism further comprises one cushioning piece lined on one side thereof facing the inner wall, and another cushioning piece lined on corresponding portion of the inner wall, to snugly support the bracelet between the two cushioning pieces. The carrier comprises a pillar arranged with respect to the bracelet holding mechanism such that the wrist watch rests on the pillar when mounted in the carrier with the bracelet extending from sides of the pillar towards the bracelet holding mechanism. 
     Another technical feature of the presently disclosed watch winding apparatus is that the carrier is a two-piece structure. The carrier comprises a first half-cylindrical structure having the bracelet holding mechanism arranged therein and the pillar arranged therein, and one or more pin sleeves arranged along distal peripheral face thereof. The carrier also comprises a second half-cylindrical structure having one or more pins, corresponding to the one or more pin sleeves, arranged along a distal peripheral face thereof. Herein, the second half-cylindrical structure is adapted to slide onto the first half-cylindrical structure such that the one or more pins are received in the corresponding one or more pin sleeves to align the distal peripheral face of the first half-cylindrical structure with the distal peripheral face of the second half-cylindrical structure, thereby making it easy to combine the two half-cylindrical structures into one cylindrical structure to be placed on the rocker device. The watch winding apparatus comprises a catch mechanism provided between the first half-cylindrical structure and the second half-cylindrical structure to releasably couple the first half-cylindrical structure and the second half-cylindrical structure, in the carrier. 
     A further technical feature of the presently disclosed watch winding apparatus is that the rocker device uses an actuation mechanism for automatic winding of the wrist watch. The rocker device comprises a first block with a rolling surface adapted to allow placement of the carrier thereon, and a second block pivotally supporting the first block thereon. The actuation mechanism is arranged between the first block and the second block, the actuation mechanism configured to cause rocking of the first block, with respect to the second block, such that the carrier placed on the rolling surface is rolled between two ends thereof and rotate thereby. 
     The actuation mechanism comprises an actuator fixed to a top side of the second block from one end thereof and to a bottom side of the first block from other end thereof, wherein the actuator is configured to extend and retract, based on user-configurable setting, to cause rocking of the first block; and at least one limit switch provided on the top side of the second block such that the at least one limit switch is depressed when the bottom side of the first block comes in contact with the top side of the second block while rocking, wherein the at least one limit switch generates a signal on depression thereof to cause the actuator to switch from extension thereof to retraction and vice-versa 
     A further technical advantage of the watch winding apparatus includes that the rolling surface have guide rails defined therein to prevent the carrier from rolling off from lateral sides thereof. Further, the rolling surface is curved to prevent the carrier from rolling off from the longitudinal ends thereof. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure here is provided a method for winding a wrist watch with mechanical self-winding eccentrics and having a bracelet. The method comprises mounting the wrist watch in a carrier. This involves resting the wrist watch on the pillar in the carrier with the bracelet extending from sides of the pillar to be engaged by a bracelet holding mechanism. The method further includes placing the carrier, with the wrist watch, on a rolling surface of a rocker device. The method further includes actuating the rocker device, based on user-configurable setting, to cause rolling, and thereby rotation, of the carrier on the rolling surface, to activate the mechanical self-winding eccentrics for winding of the wrist watch mounted therein. 
     Still further technical aspects and advantages of the presently disclosed watch winding apparatus and method for winding a wrist watch will become apparent upon reading the technical description and considering the claims appearing below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present subject matter will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of the subject matter so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter. Notably, the FIGUREs and examples are not meant to limit the scope of the present subject matter to a single embodiment, but other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements and, further, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a carrier for holding a wrist watch; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side planar view of the carrier; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front planar view of the carrier; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a left-perspective view of the carrier in dissembled form; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a right-perspective view of the carrier in dissembled form; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a partial perspective view of a first half-cylindrical structure of the carrier with a bracelet holding mechanism disposed in open position thereof; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a partial perspective view of the first half-cylindrical structure of the carrier with the bracelet holding mechanism disposed in closed position thereof; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a back planar view of the carrier; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the carrier with the wrist watch mounted therein; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a rocker device adapted to allow placement of the carrier thereon; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a partial perspective view of the rocker device showing an actuation mechanism therein; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a partial perspective view of a second block of the rocker device showing the actuation mechanism therein and a mounting arrangement therein; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the rocker device; 
         FIGS. 14-15  illustrate front planar views of the rocker device in operation; and 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of a watch winding apparatus having the carrier with the wrist watch placed on the rocker device, in operation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments in which the presently disclosed process can be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed method and system. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed process may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the presently disclosed method and system. 
     In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting. Rather, the subject matter preferably encompasses other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present subject matter encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration. 
     Although the present disclosure provides a description of watch winding apparatus for winding wrist watch with mechanical self-winding eccentrics, it should be understood that the description is by way of example only and is not to be construed in a limiting sense. It is to be further understood, therefore, that numerous changes may arise in the details of the embodiments of this watch winding apparatus with carrier adapted for mounting the wrist watch therein and rocker device configured to rotate the carrier, and further method for winding wrist watch. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of this disclosed method and system as claimed below. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a carrier  100  for holding a wrist watch (not shown). The carrier  100  includes a housing  102  which is generally a cylindrical structure. In one example, the housing  102  is made of wood, or specifically polished wood. In other examples, the housing  102  may be made of any other suitable material including, for example, plastic, glass, stainless steel, or the like without any limitations. The housing  102  may be provided with ornamental design features for enhancing the appeal thereof. The housing  102  may be polished in any suitable color depending on the required or desired aesthetics of the carrier  100 . Generally, an outer surface  104  of the housing  102  may be kept smooth to have low friction for allowing rolling, and thereby rotation, of the carrier  100  on a rolling surface (as discussed later in the description). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side planar view of the carrier  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-2  in combination, it may be seen that the housing  102  includes two ends, a first end  106  and a second end  108 . Herein, the first end  106  is considered as a front end of the housing  102  and the second end  108  is considered as a rear end of the housing  102 . As may be seen, the housing  102  includes grooves formed at the two ends  106  and  108  thereof, to provide first faces  110  at the two ends  106  and  108 . It may be appreciated that the grooves may be formed by turning of the cylindrical housing  102 , for example, by using a lathe machine or the like. Such techniques for turning of cylindrical surfaces are well known in the art and have not been described herein. Further, the housing  102  includes a second face  112  located between the two first faces  110  at the ends  106  and  108 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , transitional edges  114  between the first faces  110  and the second face  112  may be chamfered, i.e. sloped. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , it may be seen that the housing  102  is a hollow cylindrical structure, providing a space  118  inside the carrier  100  for accommodating various components therein. As illustrated, the carrier  100  includes a pillar  120  inside the space  118 . In particular, the pillar  120  is located towards the first end  108  of the housing  102 , in the carrier  100 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a front planar view of the carrier  100 , that is a planar view of the carrier  100  as if seeing the first end  106  thereof. As illustrated, the pillar  120  may be generally extending from an inner wall  122  of the housing  102 , behind the front face  110  (as may be better seen from  FIG. 4 ). The pillar  120  may be connected to the inner wall  122  from one side thereof. As discussed, the pillar  120  is used for mounting of the wrist watch in the carrier  100 , such that back of the wrist watch snugly sits on the pillar  120 . In the illustrated examples, the pillar  120  is shown to be generally a rectangular structure; however, it may be appreciated that the pillar  120  may have any other shape suitable for accommodating the wrist watch thereon, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a left-perspective view of the carrier  100  in dissembled form; and  FIG. 5  illustrates a right-perspective view of the carrier in dissembled form. As illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5 , the carrier  100 , and the corresponding housing  102 , is a two-piece structure. The carrier  100  includes a first half-cylindrical structure  124  and a second half-cylindrical structure  126 . It may be appreciated that the first half-cylindrical structure  124  and the second half-cylindrical structure  126  may substantially be halves of the carrier  100 , or the housing  102  thereof, but may not necessarily be exact halves. It may be seen that the first half-cylindrical structure  124  includes one of the first face  110 , about half of the second face  112  of the housing  102 ; and the second half-cylindrical structure  126  includes other of the first face  110 , other half of the second face  112  of the housing  102 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5 , the first half-cylindrical structure  124  have the pillar  120  arranged therein. Further, as may be seen, the portion corresponding to the first face  110  of the housing  102  provides an annular ring having a distal peripheral face  128  of the first half-cylindrical structure  124 . One or more pin sleeves  130  are arranged along the distal peripheral face  128  of the first half-cylindrical structure  124 . The pin sleeves  130  may be in the form of holes formed in the distal peripheral face  128 . Further, as illustrated, the second half-cylindrical structure  126  provides a distal peripheral face  132 . The second half-cylindrical structure  126  have one or more pins  134 , corresponding to the one or more pin sleeves  130 , arranged along the distal peripheral face  132 . It may be appreciated that the one or more pins  134  and the one or more pin sleeves  130  are arranged complementary to each other to allow for engagement thereof, when the first half-cylindrical structure  124  and the second half-cylindrical structure  126  are bought close together and coupled with each other, to assemble the carrier  100 . It may be appreciated that the second half-cylindrical structure  126  is adapted to slide onto the first half-cylindrical structure  124  such that the one or more pins  134  are received in the corresponding one or more pin sleeves  130  to align the distal peripheral face  128  of the first half-cylindrical structure  124  with the distal peripheral face  132  of the second half-cylindrical structure  126 . The one or more pins  134  and the one or more pin sleeves  130  are designed to have close tolerances with respect to each other for providing proper engagement of the first half-cylindrical structure  124  and the second half-cylindrical structure  126 . 
     Further, as illustrated, the carrier  100  comprises a catch mechanism  138  provided between the first half-cylindrical structure  124  and the second half-cylindrical structure  126 . In one example, the catch mechanism  138  is a ball catch mechanism, as well known in the art. Such catch mechanism  138  includes one or more protrusions  139   a  provided in the second half-cylindrical structure  126  which may be complementary to be inserted into a slot  139   b  formed in the first half-cylindrical structure  124  to be caught by a catcher  139   c  therein. When the first half-cylindrical structure  124  and the second half-cylindrical structure  126  are coupled, the protrusions  139   a  are received in the slot  139   b  and held by the catcher  139   c  to further enhance engagement of the first half-cylindrical structure  124  and the second half-cylindrical structure  126  together. In other examples, the one or more protrusions  139   a  of the catch mechanism  138  may be magnetic and the catcher  139   c  may further have magnetic properties to releasably couple the first half-cylindrical structure  124  and the second half-cylindrical structure  126  together, when the protrusions  139   a  are received in the slot  139   b.    
     According to embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5 , the carrier  100  includes a bracelet holding mechanism  140 . The bracelet holding mechanism  140  is arranged inside the housing  102 . In particular, the bracelet holding mechanism  140  is arranged inside the first half-cylindrical structure  124 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a partial perspective view of the first half-cylindrical structure  124  of the carrier  100  with the bracelet holding mechanism  140  disposed in open position thereof; and  FIG. 7  illustrates a partial perspective view of the first half-cylindrical structure  124  of the carrier  100  with the bracelet holding mechanism  140  disposed in closed position thereof. In one embodiment, the bracelet holding mechanism  140  is a spring-loaded bistable mechanism. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6-7 , the bracelet holding mechanism  140  includes pivotally connected arms, namely a first arm  142   a , a second arm  142   b , a third arm  142   c  and a fourth arm  142   d ; with the first arm  142   a  and the second arm  142   b  pivotally connected to each other, the second arm  142   b  and the third arm  142   c  pivotally connected to each other, and the third arm  142   c  and the fourth arm  142   d  pivotally connected to each other. Also, as illustrated, the bracelet holding mechanism  140  comprises one cushioning piece  144  lined on one side thereof facing the inner wall  122 , and another cushioning piece  146  lined on corresponding portion of the inner wall  122 , on each of the opposing sides thereof. In the present examples, the cushioning pieces  144  and  146  are rubber foam pieces. 
     As may be seen from  FIG. 7 , the bracelet is snugly supported in the gap with the bracelet holding mechanism  140  disposed in the closed position thereof, including wristwatch  12  mounted therein. As discussed, the bracelet holding mechanism  140  is adapted to be switched between a closed position and an open position. In the open position of the bracelet holding mechanism  140  (as illustrated in  FIG. 6 ), the first arm  142   a  and the fourth arm  142   d  are at a substantial distance from the inner wall  122  of the housing  102  of the carrier  100 , while in the closed position of the bracelet holding mechanism  140  (as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ), the first arm  142   a  and the fourth arm  142   d  are at a reduced distance from the inner wall  122  of the housing  102  of the carrier  100 . Therefore, in the open position, the bracelet holding mechanism  140  is disposed providing a gap with respect to the inner wall  122 ; and in the closed position, the bracelet holding mechanism  140  is disposed with the said gap being narrower with respect to the inner wall  122 . With the cushioning pieces  144  and  146 , such arrangement of the bracelet holding mechanism  140  in the closed position snugly support the bracelet between the two cushioning pieces  144  and  146 . It may further be contemplated that although one particular type of the spring-loaded bistable mechanism is explained for the bracelet holding mechanism  140 ; any other suitable type of bistable mechanism may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     It may be appreciated that a user may simply push or pull the bracelet holding mechanism  140  from connection point between the second arm  142   b  and the third arm  142   c  to cause the bracelet holding mechanism  140  to be switched between the closed position and the open position. Alternatively, in some examples, the bracelet holding mechanism  140  may include an operating switch (not shown). The operating switch is implemented for switching the bracelet holding mechanism  140  between the open position and the closed position thereof. For this purpose, the operating switch may be manually moved. Such operation of the operating switch for operating the spring-loaded bistable mechanism of the bracelet holding mechanism  140  may be contemplated by a person skilled in the art and thus has not been explained herein for the brevity of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a back planar view of the carrier  100 , that is a planar view of the carrier  100  as if seeing the second end  108  thereof. Further,  FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the carrier with the wrist watch (referred by the numeral  10 ) mounted therein. As discussed, the pillar  120  is used for mounting of the wrist watch  10  in the carrier  100 , such that the wrist watch  10  sits on the pillar  120  (as depicted in  FIG. 9 ). In particular, the carrier  100  is adapted to receive the wrist watch  10  therein with a bracelet of the wrist watch  10  slid through the gap between the bracelet holding mechanism  140  and the inner wall  122 , while the bracelet holding mechanism  140  is disposed in the open position thereof. Thus, in the carrier  100 , and particularly the first half-cylindrical structure  124 , the pillar  120  is arranged with respect to the bracelet holding mechanism  140  such that the wrist watch  10  rests on the pillar  120  when mounted in the carrier  100  with the bracelet extending from sides of the pillar  120  towards the bracelet holding mechanism  140 . 
     Moving on,  FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a rocker device  200  adapted to allow placement of the carrier  100  (as discussed in reference to  FIGS. 1-9 , in the preceding paragraphs) thereon. As illustrated, the rocker device  200  includes a first block  202  and a second block  204 . The second block  204  pivotally supports the first block  202  thereon (as discussed in detail later). The first block  202  includes a rolling surface  206  adapted to allow placement of the carrier  100  thereon. As may be seen, the rolling surface  206  have guide rails  208  defined therein to prevent the carrier  100  from rolling off from lateral sides  210  thereof. Further, as may be seen, the rolling surface  206  is curved to prevent the carrier  100  from rolling off from the longitudinal ends  212  thereof. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a partial perspective view of the rocker device  200 .  FIG. 12  illustrates a partial perspective view of the second block  204  of the rocker device  200 , in more detail. Referring to  FIGS. 11-12 , as illustrated, the rocker device  200  includes an actuation mechanism  220  arranged between the first block  202  and the second block  204 . The actuation mechanism  220  is configured to cause rocking of the first block  202 , with respect to the second block  204 . In particular, the actuation mechanism  220  includes an actuator  222  fixed to a top side of the second block  204  from one end thereof and to a bottom side of the first block  202  from other end thereof. Herein, the actuator  222  is a linear actuator. The actuator  222  is configured to extend and retract to cause rocking of the first block  202  with respect to the second block  204 . Such linear actuators and their working may easily be contemplated by a person skilled in the art and thus have not been described herein for the brevity of the present disclosure. Further, it may be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that similar results could be achieved with alternate actuator implementations such as cams and followers, rack and pinion mechanisms, etc. In some examples, the actuation mechanism  220  may optionally include rubber pieces  224  arranged on top of the actuator  222  by means of a horizontal arm  226 . The rubber pieces  224  may support the bottom side of the first block  202  thereon, and may help to prevent audible noise due to rocking movement and force acting against the bottom side of the first block  202  when the actuator  222  extends and retracts. 
     Further, as illustrated, the actuation mechanism  220  also includes at least one limit switch  228  (also illustrated in  FIG. 10 ) provided on the top side of the second block  204 . Specifically, the actuation mechanism  220  includes two limit switches  228  provided proximal to longitudinal ends of the top side of the second block  204 . The limit switch  228  is located so as to be depressed when the bottom side of the first block  202  comes in contact with the top side of the second block  204  while rocking. The limit switch  228  is configured to generate a signal on depression thereof. The limit switch  228  is communicably coupled to the actuator  222  so as to cause the actuator to switch from extension thereof to retraction and vice-versa, when the signal is generated. This way the actuation mechanism  220  sustains the rocking motion of the first block  202  with respect to the second block  204 , in the rocker device  200 . 
     As better illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the rocker device  200  includes a mounting arrangement  230  for providing the pivotal connection between the first block  202  and the second block  204 . The mounting arrangement  230  includes two supports  232  between which a spindle  234  is supported by means of bearings  236  (only one labelled) and collars  238  (only one labelled). It may be appreciated that such mounting arrangement  230 , using bearings  236  and collars  234 , may provide smooth relative movement, such as rocking movement, between the first block  202  and the second block  204 . 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10-13 , the rocker device  200  includes a control dial  240 . The control dial  240  can be implemented by a user to define user-configurable settings for the rocker device  200 . The user-configurable settings may include rate of rocking of the first block  202  with respect to the second block  204 , which may be controlled by controlling extension and retraction of the actuator  222 . For this purpose, the rocker device  200  may include a controller  242  which may be located inside any one of multiple empty spaces  244  in the bottom side of the second block  204 . The rotation of the control dial  240  defines the user-configurable setting which, in turn, set the rate of rocking motion of the first block  202 , as controlled by the controller  242 . The controller  242  may implement one or more of a digital encoder, a switch and a display or lights that allows the user to click, turn and get visual feedback about the user settings. With those options, the user can turn the rocker device  200  ON and OFF, and control how many turns-per-day the wrist watch  10  may get, and how those turns should be distributed along the day, which are commonly available settings in watch winders. It may be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that similar results could be achieved with multiple switches, digital displays, a potentiometer instead of an encoder, etc. 
       FIGS. 14-15  illustrate front planar views of the rocker device  200  in operation. In particular, in  FIGS. 14-15 , the rocker device  200  is depicted in extreme stages of the rocking motion thereof. As may be contemplated, the first block  202  of the rocker device  200  provides the rocking motion due to extension and retraction of the actuator  222  and switching thereof due to the use of limit switches  228 . It may be appreciated that the electrical energy for powering the extension and retraction of the actuator  222 , as well as for powering the electrical circuits of the controller  242 , may be provided by a variety of different energy sources, such as a battery or direct power supply (not shown). 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of a watch winding apparatus  20  having the carrier  100  with the wrist watch  10  placed on the rocker device  200  in operation. The rocker device  200  is adapted to allow placement of the carrier  100  thereon. The chamfered transitional edges  114  of the carrier  100  engages with the guide rails  208  of the rolling surface  206  to prevent the carrier  100  from rolling off from the lateral sides  210  thereof. The chamfered transitional edges  114  helps to reduce friction and noise when the carrier  100  rolls against the guide rails  208 . The rocker device  200  is configured to rotate the carrier  100 , based on user-configurable setting, to activate the mechanical self-winding eccentrics for winding of the wrist watch  10  mounted therein. Specifically, the actuation mechanism  220  is configured to cause rocking of the first block  202 , with respect to the second block  204 , such that the carrier  200  placed on the rolling surface  206  is rolled between two longitudinal ends  212  thereof and rotate thereby. The user-configurable setting may be set based on the mechanical self-winding eccentrics of the wrist watch  10 . 
     The present disclosure further provides a method for winding the wrist watch  10  with mechanical self-winding eccentrics and having a bracelet. The method includes mounting the wrist watch  10  in the carrier  100 . The method further includes placing the carrier  100 , with the wrist watch  10 , on the rolling surface  206  of the rocker device  200 . The method further includes actuating the rocker device  200 , based on user-configurable setting, to cause rolling, and thereby rotation, of the carrier  100  on the rolling surface  206 , to activate the mechanical self-winding eccentrics for winding of the wrist watch  10  mounted therein. Mounting the wrist watch  10  in the carrier  100  involves resting the wrist watch  10  on the pillar  120  in the carrier  100  with the bracelet extending from sides of the pillar  120  to be engaged by the bracelet holding mechanism  140 . The method may also include adjusting user-configurable setting of the rocker device  200  to change rate of rolling of the carrier  100  on the rolling surface  206  of the rocker device  200 . 
     Self-winding watches operate as long as there is sufficient physical movement, of the proper form, to actuate internal winding mechanisms contained therein. Oftentimes a watch wearer may not wear the watch, for one reason or the other, and the winding mechanism is not actuated, resulting in the running down and stopping of the watch. During such periods of inactivity, the watch winding apparatus  20  for such automatic watches would be valuable. The watch winding apparatus  20  helps to keep the watch  10  in a constantly wound and functional condition over an extended period of time. The watch winding apparatus  20  may also be used as an ornamental or decorative pieces to be placed on a work table or the like. 
     In the present watch winding apparatus  20 , the bracelet holding mechanism  140  allows the user to place the watch  10  in the carrier  100  with minimal effort, without the need to close the bracelet, in contrast to all commercial winders out there. The user may simply untie/unlock the watch  10 , slide the bracelet in the bracelet holding mechanism  140  while in open position, subsequently engage the bracelet holding mechanism  140  to be disposed in closed position thereof, and then place the carrier  100  with the wrist watch  10 , on the rolling surface  206  of the rocker device  200 ; without the need of fiddling around to lock/close the bracelet when positioned in the carrier  100 . 
     In light of the above, the present disclosure provides, a watch winding apparatus and a method for winding a wrist watch with mechanical self-winding eccentrics and having a bracelet. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The detailed description set forth herein in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments in which the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. 
     This detailed description of illustrative embodiments includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed subject matter. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the presently disclosed method and system. 
     The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and subject matter disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. The claimed subject matter set forth in the claims is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed subject matter.