Apparatus for winding a pliable strand-like element, preferably a cable, having: - a winding can, which is provided as a winding device and is designed to wind the pliable element, which is inserted into it, wherein the winding can consists of two parts (20, 22) which are able to be moved relative to one another, preferably so as to be pivoted about an axis, such that, between the two parts (20, 22), a gap through which the pliable element can be inserted is formed, wherein the two parts (20, 22), in a closed state of the winding can, in which the two parts of the winding can preferably bear against one another, enclose the pliable element, - a feed device for the pliable element, which is designed to insert the pliable element into the winding can at a fixed position in relation to the winding can, and - a fixing device for the pliable element, which is designed to hold one end of the pliable element, inserted into the winding can, at a fixed position in relation to the winding can, wherein the fixing device is preferably formed by cable gripper jaws, wherein the feed device, the winding can and the fixing device are arranged in this order along the path of the pliable element, with the result that one end of the pliable element can be held by the fixing device at a defined position, while, from the other side of the pliable element, the pliable element can be fed into the winding can by the feed device, in which winding can the pliable element is then wound, wherein the winding can has a substantially cylindrical shape, and wherein the pliable element can, from one of its ends, be inserted into the winding can from an axial end side of the winding can and, upon further insertion, is then automatically wound in an annular manner along the circumferential surface of the winding can, wherein the other end of the pliable element can exit the winding can at the other axial end side so as to be fixed by the fixing device, - characterized in that, on both parts (20, 22) of the winding can, in each case one cable gripper jaw is provided, wherein the cable gripper jaws, in the closed state of the winding can, guide the pliable element inserted into the winding can, wherein at least one of the cable gripper jaws is provided so as to be spring-loaded in relation to the respective part (20, 22) of the winding can such that, at least for some configurations of the winding can, for which the gap is present between the two parts (20, 22), the pliable element, in this state too, is guided through the cable gripper jaws. - a winding can, which is provided as a winding device and is designed to wind the pliable element, which is inserted into it, wherein the winding can consists of two parts (20, 22) which are able to be moved relative to one another, preferably so as to be pivoted about an axis, such that, between the two parts (20, 22), a gap through which the pliable element can be inserted is formed, wherein the two parts (20, 22), in a closed state of the winding can, in which the two parts of the winding can preferably bear against one another, enclose the pliable element, - a feed device for the pliable element, which is designed to insert the pliable element into the winding can at a fixed position in relation to the winding can, and - a fixing device for the pliable element, which is designed to hold one end of the pliable element, inserted into the winding can, at a fixed position in relation to the winding can, wherein the fixing device is preferably formed by cable gripper jaws, wherein the feed device, the winding can and the fixing device are arranged in this order along the path of the pliable element, with the result that one end of the pliable element can be held by the fixing device at a defined position, while, from the other side of the pliable element, the pliable element can be fed into the winding can by the feed device, in which winding can the pliable element is then wound, wherein the winding can has a substantially cylindrical shape, and wherein the pliable element can, from one of its ends, be inserted into the winding can from an axial end side of the winding can and, upon further insertion, is then automatically wound in an annular manner along the circumferential surface of the winding can, wherein the other end of the pliable element can exit the winding can at the other axial end side so as to be fixed by the fixing device, - characterized in that, on both parts (20, 22) of the winding can, in each case one cable gripper jaw is provided, wherein the cable gripper jaws, in the closed state of the winding can, guide the pliable element inserted into the winding can, wherein at least one of the cable gripper jaws is provided so as to be spring-loaded in relation to the respective part (20, 22) of the winding can such that, at least for some configurations of the winding can, for which the gap is present between the two parts (20, 22), the pliable element, in this state too, is guided through the cable gripper jaws.