Watch running fast when worn

[Watchguy69]

Some additional info:

All 5 APs were purchased new around 2 months ago, all within a period of a month.

As many of you know, the 15202 uses an older movement (ref 2121), co-developed by JLC. Thus, I can understand if it behaves differently from the ROO movements.

The 42 FC Diver uses the Calibre 3120 movement. The 42 Navy, 44 FC Chrono, and Ti Schumacher use the Calibre 3126 movement, which is based on the 3120.

While I am trying to find plausible reasons why 3 out of 5 new watches are running fast, I don't think inaccuracy is acceptable for any watch at this price level (or even at half of it).

One out of 5 would suggest an occasional unit that got past QC. 3 out of 5 within a one month period would suggest a design or manufacturing issue.

Within (what is for me) a large watch collection that includes pieces from Rolex, PP, Panerai, IWC, and Tag, these 3 APs are the only ones that run fast over a brief timeframe (easily noticeable over one week), when maintained on watch winders. I am currently observing how they behave when not maintained on winders, and cycled between full power/dead stop.

When worn on the wrist, I don't subject my watches to significant activity. They remain on my wrist all day as I perform typical day-to-day activities, unless I play a sport.

[dpkong]

Watchguy69,

Your posts provide very interesting information. This is pointing more towards a problem with the mainspring and rebanking issue. Letting the watch stop and just having enough power to start plus minimal activity while wearing the watch would imply the mainspring is not fully wound and not rebanking.

A watch should keep reasonable accuracy regardless whether the mainspring is fully wound or not. Am really looking forward to more results from you. I will also try let my ROO wind down by not wearing it. That's a really hard thing to do without a spare AP...

[Hanz079]

Originally Posted by dpkong

Watchguy69,

Your posts provide very interesting information. This is pointing more towards a problem with the mainspring and rebanking issue. Letting the watch stop and just having enough power to start plus minimal activity while wearing the watch would imply the mainspring is not fully wound and not rebanking.

A watch should keep reasonable accuracy regardless whether the mainspring is fully wound or not. Am really looking forward to more results from you. I will also try let my ROO wind down by not wearing it. That's a really hard thing to do without a spare AP...

Time to get a spare AP then...

[Aarcher@McDGA]

I dug up this old thread because I just purchased a I serial 15400ST and it is running fast on my wrist. I will let the reserve run out, wind it and wear it and it always picks back up to running fast. Goes on the night stand over night and does not gain as much time. It will begin to pickup seconds after about an hour. It gains up to 2 minutes over 24 hours. I am going to log time for a week and then i will send it to Clearwater.

Does anyone have advice for how particularly I should explain the problem so AP is sure to make the proper adjustments.

Thank you,

AA

[Royalex]

This is really 3120 well known issue.

[VICI]

Tell them that it runs ___ seconds fast / day and to check it out

[bzabodyn]

I'm probably jinxing myself here, but my AP 15400 is my most accurate mechanical watch I currently own and that's including Breitling/Rolex/Panerai COSC watches - +1 sec over the course of 6 days being fully wound on day one and worn twice throughout the week for prob 12hrs/time. Next closest was Breitling +6 sec.

BZ

[Aarcher@McDGA]

So Alex it sounds like I'm right on with my plan. I will log it for a few days and use my results to report the time gained to APSC. How should I initiate the service, through the internet?

And Royalex you are saying that they should easily figure out what's going on since it is a common problem.

And bzabodyn you are just rubbing it in. Lol.

Thanks guys.

AA

[leisen]

The 3120 caliber is very nice but it seems to be fragile. My "F" series RO was running very fast (about 30 minutes every day) only when it was on my wrist. Once on the table or in the box it was accurate. Sent to AP it was fixed but the cost was 1100 EUR. Now everything goes smoothly.

[Aarcher@McDGA]

Whoa Leisen. Mine is under warranty. I hope they will cover it without a charge. Surely they will.

Originally Posted by leisen

The 3120 caliber is very nice but it seems to be fragile. My "F" series RO was running very fast (about 30 minutes every day) only when it was on my wrist. Once on the table or in the box it was accurate. Sent to AP it was fixed but the cost was 1100 EUR. Now everything goes smoothly.

[descartes]

A little update. Several months ago I reported in this thread that my new 15300 was running about 45 secs per day. The watch appears to have "broken in" and its now running only about 8 secs fast per day which appears to be within AP spec (though still alittle off from COSC spec). It's possible that it sat on a shelf at the AD for some period of time before I purchased it and it needed to be worn. At this point, I'm happy I didn't send it in for servicing.

[JorgeCCW]

Originally Posted by dpkong

What causes a 3126/3840 movement to run faster when worn?

From my timing, I found that my ROO gained 94s when worn between 9am till 6.45pm. When left off the wrist, it gained about 14s between 6.45pm to 9am the next morning.

Is this the 'rebanking' issue that some have spoken about? Is it a simple case of minor adjustment needed or is a major service required?

The watch is about 1.5 years old and still under warranty but the nearest APSC is Singapore.

Thanks all!

Wow, sorry I am late to the thread. I used to own a 15300 H series (now gone) and I had a similar problem. Mine was running 22 secs fast on the wrist (12 hrs) and 2 secs fast on the safe (12 hrs) what makes a total of 24 secs fast. Send it to Clearwater FL, it took them like 4 -5 weeks to fix it (not bad). And yes they said the movement is rebanking and all they did was change the main spring. It worked, because after that, it gained 11 secs on the wrist and about 1 sec on the safe , that's 12 secs/day. Don't think that's great but at that point you can't do nothing because 12 sec is with in range for this movement.
I deal with Betsy, very nice lady, always courteous

Originally Posted by benlee

I have been wearing my RO15400 for 10 days continuously now and although I did not time it exactly, I think it has gained about 2 mins so far. This is the first time I am wearing my RO as a daily watch and also the first time I notice this.

Well Ben, 10 days 2 mins fast means 12 secs fast a day. And according to AP that is with in range, so I don't think they consider that a problem.

Originally Posted by Royalex

This is really 3120 well known issue.

Yes but I thought that ended with the H series right ? My assumption is that I series is fine, right ?

Originally Posted by descartes

A little update. Several months ago I reported in this thread that my new 15300 was running about 45 secs per day. The watch appears to have "broken in" and its now running only about 8 secs fast per day which appears to be within AP spec (though still alittle off from COSC spec). It's possible that it sat on a shelf at the AD for some period of time before I purchased it and it needed to be worn. At this point, I'm happy I didn't send it in for servicing.

Happy for you ! Enjoy

[dpkong]

Just logged back in after a really long break and noticed this thread bump. I should have updated it earlier.

It wasn't an issue of the watch not being worn for a long time. I wore it regularly for about 4 months and it was consistently giving the same results. Finally, around November 2013, I sent the watch to APSC in Singapore and after explaining the issue to them, they agreed it needed a service and it was covered under warranty. They were apparently aware of what needs to be changed. Then 4 weeks later, the watch was ready and I've been using it since then. It runs virtually spot on regardless whether it's on the wrist on off and I haven't needed to make any adjustments except when I needed to flip the date.

So if anyone else is having the same issue, do explain the problem and have the watch fixed. I don't know if the 3126/3840 movement is COSC certified but it sure runs like it is after the service.

Hope this helps someone.