Yes, to unwind the mainspring before disassembling the movement. To do so, you put a key like this on the winding arbor, hold it tightly with one hand and release the click spring. Then you release your hold on the key slightly so it starts to slip in your hand and the spring unwinds in a controlled manner. The cylindrical shape of the handle allows this controlled slippage -- something you couldn't do with a regular winding key.
Posts: 331 | Location: Camarillo, California USA | Registered: May 03, 2005