Who's had their new watch regulated?

[delldeaton]

I'm still less than a week in on a new Rolex, but figure it will end up losing about half-a-second a day. Unfortunately, I'm one of those types who'd rather have it gain 3 seconds a day than have that.

So I was wondering if anyone else had had a relatively new watch regulated so soon?

Beyond that, how long does it take (will he need to keep it a while)? Can the AD do it? Is it something they'll likely get right the first time, or will I be back again w/ it? What should I be concerned about (eg, pressure testing the watch after it's re-sealed)?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Dell, I'd give it some more time to adjust to your wearing habits.

Some NEW Rolex watches tend to go just a tiny bit slow like yours and might just end being spot on later on. Give it a month's time, is my advice.

IF you decide to have it regulated, your AD watchmaker would normally be able to do this for you while you wait ½ an hour or so. He will also make sure that it's WR tested afterwards.

Here's a link about how the watch is regulated.

[Romi]

I have a DJ from 2006 still under warranty. I seldomly wear it. It was 7 sec/day faster. I had my AD send it to Dallas RSC to regulate. It just came back. Not only they regulated it, they also polished off all the scratces on the links and case. It is like a brand new watch. The total cost is $50 for the shipping and handling to and back.

[delldeaton]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

... IF you decide to have it regulated, your AD watchmaker would normally be able to do this for you while you wait ½ an hour or so. He will also make sure that it's WR tested afterwards.

Here's a link about how the watch is regulated.

Thanks, Bo; that is what I was looking for. Altho I'm relatively new to this Forum, I've actually owned an automatic or two, and some for many years. So I well understand the wait and see part of this. On the other hand, I'm always thinking ahead.

And I never relax when it comes to my passion for watches!

[oneillba]

Wait and see. You have two years to get it back for service under warranty. It most likely will settle in. Enjoy and relax.

[ottude]

I purchased a SS GMTIIc last summer, and was very upset that it was losing 2 seconds per day. After a few months it settled in. I have not reset the time or seconds since the 15th of March, and I am now fast by a total of 19 seconds since then - pretty good in my opinion. I think you just have to be patient with your new watch and see how fast or slow it is once it has had a chance to get used to you.

[ROLEX MAN]

I returned my wifes yachtmaster after 1 week, because it was running slow, and there is nothing worse than a watch that is running slow!

[delldeaton]

Originally Posted by ROLEX MAN

I returned my wifes yachtmaster after 1 week, because it was running slow, and there is nothing worse than a watch that is running slow!

Maybe it comes down to how often one wears a watch and its primary use.

I have an Omega "Casino Royale" limited which I wear all of once a year (well, twice, if you consider that "one day" to be New Year's Eve): Maybe 12 hours, tops. So what if it loses even a minute or two over that period of time?

On the other hand, in my opinion, a watch that I have to orient in a certain fashion when I sleep or otherwise have it off my wrist is not so much "regulated" as it is "compensated." The latter isn't a very attractive term in my book! Moreover, when I wear a watch camping and I'm out in the woods for a week, I'm not going to take it off for much of any reason (hence the reason I wear a Rolex, as opposed to another brand).

A couple of years ago, I actually tracked the precision accuracy on a Rolex 14060M Submariner. I'll have to pull that up and Post it as a link here for perspective.

Thanks to all of you who are weighing in on this Thread. Again, my original intent was to get to the technical aspects of this (done!). But the comments and different perspectives are interesting as well. Even those w/ which I respectfully disagree.

[vh_bu98]

When I bought the LV, it was running fast about 8 seconds a day. After a few months, I brought it into the Dallas RSC to have it regulated. It ended up being 3 seconds slow a day, which is within spec.

My YM is running fast as well, but I'm going to leave it alone. It's much easier to adjust a watch gaining time then losing time.

[Greg9999]

I got a new GMT Master II (the non-ceramic version) about 6 months ago. I check the time every couple of days. Originally it was 5-6 second slow every day, and now after breaking in, it's 1 sec fast each day. It's much easier to adjust a fast watch, you just pull out the crown and let the time catch up, you do not need to touch the hour hand.

So my strong suggestion is to wait for several months.

[delldeaton]

Maybe I should also have included as part of this Thread the question, "Do you believe there is such a thing as a 'break in period'?"

Over the past 5 days that I've been tracking the precision accuracy on my new latest latest, I've seen the same effect as w/ other mechanicals: That the watch can be off by as much as 3/4-of-a-second, depending on where the second-hand is in its sweep. I average the two extremes in my calculations, which still might not be the best way to weight those readings.

Bigger picture, what this means is that, as a percent of time measured, an error in a one day reading would be less likely to be accurate than a reading taken at the end of 5 days, then averaged over that time. In other words, when folks say their watches performed a certain way early on, then "settled in," I have to wonder if what they are really experiencing is the fact that their ability to read the time variation (average) is enhanced.

Has anyone actually run daily trackings on this?

[Nick Stenov]

Originally Posted by delldeaton

I'm still less than a week in on a new Rolex, but figure it will end up losing about half-a-second a day. Unfortunately, I'm one of those types who'd rather have it gain 3 seconds a day than have that.

So I was wondering if anyone else had had a relatively new watch regulated so soon?

Beyond that, how long does it take (will he need to keep it a while)? Can the AD do it? Is it something they'll likely get right the first time, or will I be back again w/ it? What should I be concerned about (eg, pressure testing the watch after it's re-sealed)?

Hi there.

It´s only a loss of 15 sec. a mounths. Put it 30 sec. to 1 miniut ahead, and you will only have to set time and date every secound mounths .


It is a shame to opend up a new watch when thinks are the way they are. See have it acts in 1 moutths. If still the same, I´d would not tough it. A regulation could get a littke worse if you are unlucky.

Regards

Nick

[Mort]

When I bought my TT DJ a few years ago, it ran fast. I waited a couple of months and it never slowed. I took it back to the AD and they regulated it. It then ran +3 or -3 seconds a day which is pretty good.

I have not really checked to see if it is still running under the same specs, but it still seems very accurate when I check it aginst the U.S. Time.gov.

As long as my watches do not gain or loose heavy minutes I am pretty happy.

[Perdu]

I really don't think you can complain about 1/2 second. Just set it 15 seconds fast at the start of the month. Does a few seconds a month matter that much? If it does, quartz is a better option because mechanical watches will always vary regulation over time.

[delldeaton]

The implication here seems to be that we're talking rocket science! My goodness, what do you all think happens to your watches when you send them into Rolex for service?

At any rate, I'm glad I'm inquiring early. Based on the responses here, I'm inclined to have the watch re-regulated just to go through the experience and to be able to speak from that perspective. Just got off the phone w/ Rolex USA and was told they do this at no charge, that the watch will be in house there for maybe five days, and that I should add shipping on either side of that to calculate "away from Dell" time.

By the way, this will also include a pressure test to ensure water resistance integrity. That has some value to me in addition to other aspects of this Thread, since I don't know for sure how long this watch was w/ my AD.

Again-- I hope I haven't offended anyone by asking these questions. I certainly don't think there is anything "wrong" w/ this watch or w/ any piece that performed as this one appears to be. We are simply talking about a matter of preference here, and options for optimizing that.

PS: Nothing I've written here should be interpreted as "complaining." If one of you came to me and said the OEM bracelet on your Rolex cut off circulation and inquired about adding a link, I would never presume to tell you not to complain, or that you should go to a leather strap.

[Welshman]

I had same problem with mine, losing about 2-3 secs a day. Sent it back within the warranty period, came back like new. The Jeweller said that it was always an idea once in a while (6-8 weeks) to manually hand wind the watch about 20-25 turns. I have done so ever since and it keeps perfect time

[delldeaton]

Originally Posted by Welshman

I had same problem with mine, losing about 2-3 secs a day. Sent it back within the warranty period, came back like new. The Jeweller said that it was always an idea once in a while (6-8 weeks) to manually hand wind the watch about 20-25 turns. I have done so ever since and it keeps perfect time

Fascinating information! I'd never heard this before, and certainly have never done it w/ any of my automatics so far (either Omega or Rolex).

On the other hand, my Sub Date is the one that's gotten the most wrist time over the last couple of years; every so often, I've had it off-wrist for a day and wound it as a good housekeeping measure then. My observation (when I've been attentive to note it) is that the clutch has slipped w/in a handful of windings. To me that suggests it has never needed winding on a periodic basis if worn pretty much daily.

[Mort]

Originally Posted by Welshman

I had same problem with mine, losing about 2-3 secs a day. Sent it back within the warranty period, came back like new. The Jeweller said that it was always an idea once in a while (6-8 weeks) to manually hand wind the watch about 20-25 turns. I have done so ever since and it keeps perfect time

Its funny you mention that. When I bought my Longines at Tourneau, the sales person I always deal with, told me the same thing. I always felt since I have a winder,why bother.

[delldeaton]

Although it's w/in COSC specifications, my Explorer I continues to lose time and will be going in to be regulated this Friday.

Anyone here have experience w/ Rolex New York? Other alternatives you prefer?

Thanks.

[Russ1974]

I guess it depends what you use your watch for ... personally, I look at my watch and think "it's 2pm" if it's 1.55 or 2.05. If somebody asks me the time I will not say "It is 3 minutes and 17 seconds past 2" ... I say "it's 2".

If I have to check the time every week or so and adjust it slightly, it's hardly physically or psychologically challenging. As somebody said in their signature (misquoted I'm sure); "Buy a casio because you have to be on time. Buy a Rolex because you don't".

[Caps4444]

My Sub LV (5 weeks old) gains about 5 to 6 seconds a day......I have just re-synced it, but a minute slow so that at worst it will be a minute fast by the time I have to change the date. I'm not going to get it regulated unless it gets faster...I'm not bothered so much by being exact as I prefer a watch to run fast...sure I would have prefereed 2-4 seconds a day, but perhaps it will improve..but don't see the point of opening up a brand new watch....I put 2 little scratches in the watch within the first week and I was distraught...now I don't even think about them......I'll update people at the end of the month....

[Haole]

My Submariner is about three weeks old and is apparently 2.5 to 3 seconds fast per day. I leave it in the box dial up overnight which is purported to speed it up slightly, correct? If what I've gathered so far is accurate my watch sounds alright and certainly within spec. So much great info on my new piece in these forums, glad everyone is here! Oh and I'd hate to have think of getting my oyster shucked because it was really fast or slow. Self-regulating and playing with a couple of seconds per day either way potentially is a very cool concept.

[ZROLEX]

If I self regulate my GMTIIC it will be spot on for months. How? Leaving it dial down at night makes it no deviation at all. If I leave it dial down at 10 pm and will take it at 10am next day the watch will be spot on! During the day watch losing about 1,5-2 secs, so a couple of gentle shakes brigs it back. So this self regulation is fun but the problem is that I don;t like taking off the watches. I'm wearing it 24/7. So if I wear my GMTIIC and won't shake it it will lose about 4 secs in 24 hours. I think enough self regulation and time for the real one, although I'm not too much happy opening spanking new watch (2 months old) so i may also leave it as is and put it couple minutes ahead s I don't have to tocuh it for 2-3 months and then redo again.... just my 2 cents

[f16570]

Sent my Exp II in for regulation twice and as from August 07 the watch is consistently +1 second a day. Outstanding

[Texsubmariner]

I know my AD can regulate a Rolex, but I feel better if MY Rolex is regulated by RSC, even though I have to put up with the wait and postage cost.

I recently sent my GMTc for regulation to Dallas RSC. It was 5-6sec. slow per day, and after a 3 week wait, I got it back. It is now about -0.5 sec per day, well within COSC.

[mike]

Dell, I can only give you my experiences. Yes, I've had a new watch regulated. In fact I've had several regulated. My GMT-II was 9 seconds fast right out of the chute.
For me most Rolex run fast (though not that fast). I think it has much to do with the way you wear the watch, how long you wear the watch etc....
I check the time keeping of any new (or new to me) watch for a month. I note not only it's rate of gain (or loss), but also the consistency of the timekeeping so I can tell my watchmaker what it's doing for me.
My watchmaker, when regulating one for me, notes the fact I wear the watch on my right wrist and takes that into consideration.
He adjusts the watch and tells me to check it for a few weeks and bring it back if it needs a little tweak (never has--he's a magician).

I'm one that does not subscribe to the "break in period", but I do think each watch is different and varies depending on the owner's habits. I like to think the watch adapts to your habits.

Can a watchmaker for an AD do this? Absolutely. But, I would insure he has the training and the equipment to check the WR rating to it's proper depth.

[delldeaton]

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by mike

... I do think each watch is different and varies depending on the owner's habits. I like to think the watch adapts to your habits.

Mike, this sounds like "Voo-Doo Watchonomics" to me.

What energy source does the watch run off of, the power reserve or the energy created by the motion of your wrist? See where I'm going with this? Maybe Vanessa could tell us the more technical side.

P.S. In my experience, RSC likes to make the watches run a tiny bit fast, so you can use the at-home regulation method (see your owners manual, y'all) if need be.

[Caps4444]

was re-synced at 4pm...I wore it until 6.30pm and then left it unworn until the morning, I even left it crown down and it has picked up 6-7 seconds overnight....it basically appears to pick up more seconds when unworn, is this normal?

[mike]

Originally Posted by Marrk

Mike, this sounds like "Voo-Doo Watchonomics" to me.

What energy source does the watch run off of, the power reserve or the energy created by the motion of your wrist? See where I'm going with this? Maybe Vanessa could tell us the more technical side.

P.S. In my experience, RSC likes to make the watches run a tiny bit fast, so you can use the at-home regulation method (see your owners manual, y'all) if need be.

Ha! That's a great description. My own experience has always been a watch that is worn a lot tends to be more consistent (fast or slow).

I've also heard that Rolex sets them a tad fast, but of course I having no way of knowing for sure. My experience has been the "self-regulation" method has more of an affect on older pieces than modern.