Regulation: how good & how much?

[Robe]

Hello all,

Recently my GMT MasterII (16710, Blk/Red) fell from my bed mattress to the floor boards. I could tell this was not going to be good so I monitored it's accuracy.

Prior to the fall it consistently averaged -0.25sec/day/day (measured over numerous 30-31 day periods). It was better by around 10secs than two of my quartz movement watches and matched (in the opposite direction) a Ronda quartz movement watch I have.

Now it is gaining approximately 1sec/day/day (although I have only been able to measure it over 5 days). I always thought that +1 was excellent for a mechanical watch, but after being used to my 16710 running at -0.25 I'm in mourning.

I've tried laying it on its vertical side with winding crown uppermost, however this doesn't seem to slow it down.

I have read informative posts on the forum about regulation, but what I would like to know is:

1. What would be the probability of a Rolex Service Centre returning the same accuracy, +/-0.25 (preferably in the plus zone) before the fall?;

2. I've never had a watch regulated before; how much would this cost?

As an aside I always am concerned about sending my watches for service as I worry about how they will be looked after by the service centre.

Your advice is much appreciated.

Although I haven't posted much I appreciate the excellent work done by many people on this forum.

Regards,

Rob.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Robe

Hello all,

Recently my GMT MasterII (16710, Blk/Red) fell from my bed mattress to the floor boards. I could tell this was not going to be good so I monitored it's accuracy.

Prior to the fall it consistently averaged -0.25sec/day/day (measured over numerous 30-31 day periods). It was better by around 10secs than two of my quartz movement watches and matched (in the opposite direction) a Ronda quartz movement watch I have.

Now it is gaining approximately 1sec/day/day (although I have only been able to measure it over 5 days). I always thought that +1 was excellent for a mechanical watch, but after being used to my 16710 running at -0.25 I'm in mourning.

I've tried laying it on its vertical side with winding crown uppermost, however this doesn't seem to slow it down.

I have read informative posts on the forum about regulation, but what I would like to know is:

1. What would be the probability of a Rolex Service Centre returning the same accuracy, +/-0.25 (preferably in the plus zone) before the fall?;

2. I've never had a watch regulated before; how much would this cost?

As an aside I always am concerned about sending my watches for service as I worry about how they will be looked after by the service centre.

Your advice is much appreciated.

Although I haven't posted much I appreciate the excellent work done by many people on this forum.

Regards,

Rob.

Rob,
I'd be thrilled at +1 sec per day. Doubt even the best watchmaker can regulate to -.25 sec per day. Wear it, enjoy it, and smile cause that accuracy is great.
dP

[CPCC]

Is it due for a service?

[mike]

I'm with Dan. That's outstanding accuracy. I'd leave it alone.

[Gil F.]

Leave that puppy alone! That's incredible accuracy!

[abigsecret]

It's most likely knocked out of beat.... Go to an AD with a watchmaker, and have them put it on their timer, they can tell you in a minute what needs to be done. Shouldn't cost you a penny!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Rob, I wouldn't mess with your watch. The precision is amazing, and no RSC can guarantee you the results you want.

[copfish]

My GMT-II stabilized at +2 seconds a day. I can live with this...

[f16570]

Be content my friend this is great accuracy.

[Texsubmariner]

That is great accuracy! My GMT IIc, babied from the start, is -4.5 sec/day. Be happy with what you have.

[padi56]

Well don't know how you measured your accuracy that averaged -0.25sec/day/day .But any mechanical watch thats within the Swiss COSC spec is outstanding. And the most important thing with any mechanical watch is consistency.And even after regulation it don't necessary mean it will be accurate on your wrist.Whats accurate on one persons wrist maybe totally different on a others wrist leave it well alone.And just wear and enjoy your watch whats in say a second or two a day.After all since a day has 86,400 seconds if your watch looses or gains a few its still doing well, considering what a movement has to put up with in its daily life.And afraid most any quartz watch will be far more accurate than any mechanical watch.

[scottschoe]

Maybe try dropping it again

1 sec/day is excellent.

[crimscrem]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Rob, I wouldn't mess with your watch. The precision is amazing, and no RSC can guarantee you the results you want.

Is there a true break-in period? I think I saw in another post of yours that you wore your GMT-IIc for a month?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by crimscrem

Is there a true break-in period? I think I saw in another post of yours that you wore your GMT-IIc for a month?

Well, I for my part wear every new Rolex watch for a month, and then I flip it.

No, I wear it for a month to let it adjust to my wearing style and to get the oils inside well circulated in every corner of the movement. During this time, I don't mind too much about its timekeeping since the watch has still not adjusted to my wearing habits.

If the watch is showing bad timekeeping after that first month, I would take it to an AD and have it regulated.

[ohlins]

Originally Posted by padi56

And even after regulation it don't necessary mean it will be accurate on your wrist.

exactly....

the vibrograph readings can in no way tell us how the watch will behave when worn.....

[chuanlim]

can the Gurus of Time here enlighten me on exactly what is done to the watch in the AD to regulate it?

thanks

[BuffaloRolex]

Definitely leave her be. 1 second a day. That's great!

[crimscrem]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Well, I for my part wear every new Rolex watch for a month, and then I flip it.

No, I wear it for a month to let it adjust to my wearing style and to get the oils inside well circulated in every corner of the movement. During this time, I don't mind too much about its timekeeping since the watch has still not adjusted to my wearing habits.

If the watch is showing bad timekeeping after that first month, I would take it to an AD and have it regulated.

That makes sense. After I went to the AD to have my watch strap brought in, I did drop off my DJ to get it serviced. It'll be interesting to see if I did any damage to it by waiting for as long as I did. Hopefully not. I did find out that based on the serial number it's a 1977 DJ.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Maybe try dropping it again

1 sec/day is excellent.

Try placing it crown DOWN at night on the dresser. That usually negates the gained time.

JJ