Break-in period is a total fallacy

[JPP]

Sorry guys but my recent posts about accuracy and seeing recent posts from others about accuracy and break-in periods have got me to do some real research into this and it seems that there is no such thing as a break-in for a mechanical watch - at least not after a few hours anyway. It all depends on how you wear the watch not on how the watch "breaks-in". Why are people who are enthusiasts have an obsession with breaking things in??? Hi-fi afficianados insist that esoteric cables need breaking in and so on.

It's nonsensical. And perpetuating this myth does nobody any good.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Yes. The breaking in is about the mechanical watch adapting to the owner's wearing habits.

[frostie]

I agree with what Bo said. If the watch fail to adapt you just regulate it according to your wearing habits

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by frostie

I agree with what Bo said. If the watch fail to adapt you just regulate it according to your wearing habits

Who here wants to know about my "break-in" habits?







I thought NOT!!!

[gha]

"BAAAAAAAAAAA", are you "breaking in" those new gumboots on the flock?...gha

[frostie]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Who here wants to know about my "break-in" habits?







I thought NOT!!!

[Perdu]

Originally Posted by gha

"BAAAAAAAAAAA", are you "breaking in" those new gumboots on the flock?...gha

CLASSIC!

[Welshwatchman]

JPP.

You have posted your recent threads word for word on at least two different watch forums.

Is it just a social experiment to compare the responses of different forum's members?

I notice that the responses are generally the same across forums.

Along the lines of : "Chill out JPP".

[nsolga]

If the watch is broken in..... Then what about the COSC and the time they take with it? Not to mention prior to and after being sent to them? Moving in the box...

[StanGMT]

Hey, JJ - I didn't know that your sheep were so wild that they had to be broken-in!! Go easy with those shears . . . . !

As for mechanical watches - or mechanical anything, for that matter - it takes at least one or two full operating cycles for the oils to become evenly distributed around the various bearing surfaces and for any set-up variances to bed-in. Ask any F1 engineer - the engines rarely run to peak performance immediately following a rebuild; this is only achieved (usually) following a bed-in period. Similarly for road cars, power station turbines, aero-engines, etc. In principle a mechanical watch movement is no different and in a watch with a date wheel the first full cycle takes a month . . . .

Stan.

[Tools]

Pivot points on the jewels, and axle bushings are still rough from initial machining when brand spanken' new..

Meshing gears and mating surfaces are also exposed to new rough edges and sharp corners until they spend a bit of time rubbing together..

You can call it whatever you want....or not..

[Wildwing]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

JPP.

You have posted your recent threads word for word on at least two different watch forums.

Is it just a social experiment to compare the responses of different forum's members?

I notice that the responses are generally the same across forums.

Along the lines of : "Chill out JPP".

Not only that, JPP, but if you don't think the "breaking in' of audiophile cables makes a difference, I would suggest you try a complete set top line Transparent Cable, Nordost, Kimber, or similar make on truly revealing hi fi equipment. Oh, by the way, such cables will set you back about the same as a Rolex President. Yep, it does make a difference, which is why good advice is to stick to that which you've proven with you own hands, eyes, or ears.

[CPCC]

I believe in the breakin period

[CPCC]

And the yeti

[East Bay Rider]

My watch lost 1-1/2 to 2 seconds/day for the first 2-1/2 months. Now on February 19 (re-set on Feb 1) it's +2 seconds in 19 days. I believe in the break in.

[badsmac]

So maybe I should wait to call Rolex about my Sub being -13. Guess I'll give it another month before I call. Thanks for the info guys!

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by badsmac

So maybe I should wait to call Rolex about my Sub being -13. Guess I'll give it another month before I call. Thanks for the info guys!

Actually I'd call it right away for -13.

[Tombstone]

I went to high school with a boy who acquired some "break-in" habits. He is doing 5 years in the state prison. He should have found a job?????

[Andad]

JPP

After due consideration.....

IMO your conclusion is incorrect.

All mechanical movements will eventually wear out. In the case of a watch movement this wear will probably begin from the first winding. Tolerances will vary at all points where the movements, bearings, escapements etc. touch and this will have an affect on the efficiency. In the case of a watch movement wear will cause it to run either fast or slow or a combination of both depending on the area of wear. The end result will vary the accuracy.
If the conditions are right for corrosion then wear will begin when the watch is in its box. In my experience, initial wear occurs quite quickly on any 'high spots' especially in a micro environment but this 'break-in 'timeline' can not be easily defined.

You really should research more carefully IMO.

[f16570]

There can be no harm in allowing the watch to bed in. The same applies to a car.

[GoldenBear]

Is the break-in referring to the period after buying a new watch, which has been tested extensively or to a watch that has a new parts after servicing? FWIW-I just had mine (2) serviced and got a new springs in both. They are both running spot on, just as before. Now they are lubed and good to go for another 5-7 years.

[JPP]

So many diverse views here - it's kinda funny.

But just to come back on a couple - yep am a member here and on Timezone and have posted the same on both forums. Basically because they're both watch forums and I'm a member of both.

As for hi-fi cables and breaking in - I used to review hi-fi equipment as a freelancer for various publication here in the UK. After having reviewed countless systems in blind tests I can safely say that the "break in" period is a load of old bunkum. Just like green pens make cds sound better and other esoteric bunk promoted by various people. I use chord cables in my system but have also used Nordost, Van den Hul and so on.

And as for comparing a watch to a F1 car? What's with the penchant for consistently comparing Rolex watches to cars? Because they're both mechanical? Doesn't one have a combustion engine and the other not? Isn't one powered by fuel and the other by a spring? Granted they might both have oil in them but I think that's where the similarity ends.

I guess if you all are happy with watches that don't tell the time very well then that's good - keep breaking it in. I wasn't and took mine for regulating and I'm pretty glad I did because it's now gained just over 1sec in 48 hours.

Now that I'm happy with!

J

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by JPP

As for hi-fi cables and breaking in - I used to review hi-fi equipment as a freelancer for various publication here in the UK. After having reviewed countless systems in blind tests I can safely say that the "break in" period is a load of old bunkum.
J

Funny how we all seem to gravitate to the same hobbies. Have reviewed hi-fi gear myself. I semi-agree with you on the cables. I think they "grow on you" and you sense changes. This isn't to say that there isn't a different form think gauge wire and good speaker wire. Swapped out some lamp cord for Kimber 8TC once and it was like lifted a blanket away from the front of the speaker. Even friends cynical of audio snake-oil agreed.

Your assertion on watch break-in is interesting. Don't know enough to challenge or support you though.

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by JPP

Sorry guys but my recent posts about accuracy and seeing recent posts from others about accuracy and break-in periods have got me to do some real research into this and it seems that there is no such thing as a break-in for a mechanical watch - at least not after a few hours anyway. It all depends on how you wear the watch not on how the watch "breaks-in". Why are people who are enthusiasts have an obsession with breaking things in??? Hi-fi afficianados insist that esoteric cables need breaking in and so on.

It's nonsensical. And perpetuating this myth does nobody any good.

How do the various oils, with differing viscocities, become the bearings that reduce friction. If the watch is brand new; the only way I know for that to happen is for the watch to run. Maybe I should just stay on the General Forum because I would call that a "break in period"!

[buz-lh]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

How do the various oils, with differing viscocities, become the bearings that reduce friction. If the watch is brand new; the only way I know for that to happen is for the watch to run. Maybe I should just stay on the General Forum because I would call that a "break in period"!

What he said.

[StanGMT]

Originally Posted by JPP

So many diverse views here - it's kinda funny.

And as for comparing a watch to a F1 car? What's with the penchant for consistently comparing Rolex watches to cars? Because they're both mechanical? Doesn't one have a combustion engine and the other not? Isn't one powered by fuel and the other by a spring? Granted they might both have oil in them but I think that's where the similarity ends.

I guess if you all are happy with watches that don't tell the time very well then that's good - keep breaking it in. I wasn't and took mine for regulating and I'm pretty glad I did because it's now gained just over 1sec in 48 hours.

J

Believe me, the comparison with cars - or any other complex mechanical device (I also quoted aero engines, turbines, etc) - is perfectly valid. There are many design and maintenance concepts common to all mechanical devices, irrespective of the size or type of device, operating conditions, energy source, etc.

As for bedding-in watch movements, I can vouch from forty years experience of getting my GMT regularly serviced that it always seems to need up to a month to settle down following a rebuild. Immediately following every service it is slightly erratic for about a week or so and it simply isn't worth getting it regulated at that stage. After a couple of weeks to a month it becomes very consistent and that's the time to get it accurately regulated to within +/- 1 sec/day. Currently it's doing a consistent +/- 1 sec/week.

Stan.

[Gil F.]

Originally Posted by JPP

So many diverse views here - it's kinda funny.

But just to come back on a couple - yep am a member here and on Timezone and have posted the same on both forums. Basically because they're both watch forums and I'm a member of both.

As for hi-fi cables and breaking in - I used to review hi-fi equipment as a freelancer for various publication here in the UK. After having reviewed countless systems in blind tests I can safely say that the "break in" period is a load of old bunkum. Just like green pens make cds sound better and other esoteric bunk promoted by various people. I use chord cables in my system but have also used Nordost, Van den Hul and so on.

And as for comparing a watch to a F1 car? What's with the penchant for consistently comparing Rolex watches to cars? Because they're both mechanical? Doesn't one have a combustion engine and the other not? Isn't one powered by fuel and the other by a spring? Granted they might both have oil in them but I think that's where the similarity ends.

I guess if you all are happy with watches that don't tell the time very well then that's good - keep breaking it in. I wasn't and took mine for regulating and I'm pretty glad I did because it's now gained just over 1sec in 48 hours.

Now that I'm happy with!

J

Not sure about anyone else, but the bitchy, whiney factor measures F10 on the Fujita scale. I've followed a few posts, and there's a line between asking for help and just being a genuine pain in the ol' sack.

[buz-lh]

I guess if you all are happy with watches that don't tell the time very well then that's good - keep breaking it in. I wasn't and took mine for regulating and I'm pretty glad I did because it's now gained just over 1sec in 48 hours.

Super. My watch can't tell time. It shows the time and I can tell.

[Orchi]

Err buddies...Orchi would like to believe that...ALL mechanical devices...gadgets...instruments...components... transmissions...power-trains...n machinery for general or specific applications...including mechanical time keeping pieces...n whether or not they are of absolutely built from minimal to ZERO tolerances...would require to observe "break in" period...when new n after rebuilt...where servicing n parts replacement are prescribed.

n from little hands on experience that Orchi has over relatively short period of time...Orchi can safely say that...there's NO other alternative or excuses...to avoid or disregard such practice n observation of the "break in" requirement.

[Wayno]

What's with the "Err Buddies" and Orchie says I personally love it (and your jokes) but what's up with that?