Device for winding a cable on a drum in such manner as to form turns each comprising a circular portion extending over the major part of its circumference and connected to an adjacent turn by a short oblique portion, wherein the cable in the course of winding is guided by a cable guide member, means being provided to displace this member step-by-step along the drum in rotation, in such manner as to keep it stationary during the major part of each revolution of the drum and to displace it by one step over a distance equal to the diameter of the cable while the drum is completing its revolution.