iW Magazine Winter 2017/18 | Page 125

Winding Up By Steve Lundin 2017 WATCH WINDER ROUNDUP Swiss Kubik Startbox THE KUBIK BRINGS THE CUTE FACTOR INTO THE EQUATION in a big, but delightfully little way. This hardy winder has a decidedly 60s-inf luenced look and was operationally the simplest of this year’s crop. The small 4 ½ X 4 ½ inch plastic cube holds one watch and is powered by two C batteries, claimed to deliver power for three years. It’s operated by a single touch of a rear-located button: press it once and the winder will forward and reverse cycle 1,800 times every 24 hours. The winder is available in thirteen colors and can be stacked to form a colorful watch winding wall. Upgraded models are USB programmable and feature protective windows and a frame for holding multiple units as a set. The Kubik is a colorful unit that allows for a little fun for serious and not so serious automatic watch collectors. CONS: For the money we’d like to see a protective window and a little more technology. Cut the price by two thirds and the mainstream consumer market would come running. PROS: Neat throwback design; robust ca