You're not missing anything. Wind up & wind down both work to obtain solutions. It's just that it's usually considered easier to use wind down for most of the problems.
I prefer wind up if all I wish to do is find HDG & GS. No reason other than not having to jiggle the ring a bit. I have no problem with wind down either and switch to that method without fuss.
Of course that's if I use a slide type (rare. Very). I choose to use CR types if I have to use whiz wheel. That was the case for my Australian IR & ATPL, US ATP, & UK ATPL. Last time I needed to use a slide type for anything much was my Oz CPL & when I used to instruct if a student wanted to use a slide.