Settle in period....

[Hamilton Carvalho]

JP, the manager of the RSC in New York once told me that a watch needs at least 3 months to settle in. He told me that because I was not happy that my watch was loosing 3 to 4 seconds a day. Anyway, he just repeated what I've heard before, but, I just wanted my watch to be perfect. Like Bo once told me "nothing is perfect in this world but, Rolex is pretty close to that".

Originally Posted by JPP

An eight month "wear in" period...?

Come on guys - doesn't matter how experienced some members are here or not. Every watchmaker I have ever met in person or read on the net says the same thing: "the so called 'settle in' period is a fallacy".

That's not to say that the watch will not be affected by other factors however.

Why do people so want there to be a settle in period? I don't understand.

If someone can point me in the direction of a watchmaker who says that in his or her experience there is indeed a settle or wear in period then do send me a link or telephone number or post them here as would be intrigued to hear...

[JPP]

Originally Posted by Hamilton Carvalho

JP, the manager of the RSC in New York once told me that a watch needs at least 3 months to settle in. He told me that because I was not happy that my watch was loosing 3 to 4 seconds a day. Anyway, he just repeated what I've heard before, but, I just wanted my watch to be perfect. Like Bo once told me "nothing is perfect in this world but, Rolex is pretty close to that".

Hey Hamilton

Of course Rolex say that - some Rolex service centre guy told me that it would take 2 years to settle in. It is in Rolex interest not to be regulating every watch they sell for obvious reasons - hence the fact that they will tell you various times. And the Rolex service man who told me 2 years is extremely bad as at 2 years that's when the warranty ends and you have to pay to have your watch regulated...

JP

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Hamilton Carvalho

It is loosing about 4.3 seconds per day, so, it is within the COSC specifications. (...)

Well, strictly taken, it is indeed NOT within COSC specs. It is .3 secs. off specs since COSC specs are minus 4 to plus 6 secs./day.

About the "settling in" period: It's a matter of the watch adjusted to your personal wearing habits and not a question of the "oils being spread well" or "parts having to be broken in first" (and other myths like that).

Wear the watch for a month's time and see how the accuracy is after that. If the watch is consistantly losing or gaining too much (i.e.: beyond COSC specs), have it regulated to fit your wearing habits.

[dkpw]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

About the "settling in" period: It's a matter of the watch adjusted to your personal wearing habits and not a question of the "oils being spread well" or "parts having to be broken in first" (and other myths like that).

Wear the watch for a month's time and see how the accuracy is after that. If the watch is consistently losing or gaining too much (i.e.: beyond COSC specs), have it regulated to fit your wearing habits.

Thank you Bo for your confirmation and definition of the settling in period.

From this thread.

Originally Posted by Tools

And don't forget that raw machined pivot points and jewel bearings, pinions and gears need to 'wear-in' as they are mated surfaces..

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

I agree 100 % with every of your points! Those points are the exact reason as to there is indeed a settling in period. The most important point is "wearing habits", though, imho.

EDIT: Please note that the second quote from Bo is in relation to the OP in the above thread and not as a direct response to Tool's quote. I was merely attempting to show that two of the most respected members on the forum are in agreement.

[Hamilton Carvalho]

Ok Bo, if that's important I should've been more specific with my comments on my reply to his post. I just felt it was unnecessary to panic him over - .3 seconds. Frankly, I believe - .3 is too little to worry about. My SD is currently 7 seconds ahead of time and the manager at the RSC in New York adviced me NOT to service the watch at this time. I think he should give sometime and give his watch a chance to work better.

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Well, strictly taken, it is indeed NOT within COSC specs. It is .3 secs. off specs since COSC specs are minus 4 to plus 6 secs./day.

About the "settling in" period: It's a matter of the watch adjusted to your personal wearing habits and not a question of the "oils being spread well" or "parts having to be broken in first" (and other myths like that).

Wear the watch for a month's time and see how the accuracy is after that. If the watch is consistantly losing or gaining too much (i.e.: beyond COSC specs), have it regulated to fit your wearing habits.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Agreed, Hamilton!

.3 secs. aren't really much. I cannot even see how much figures out that a watch is precisely "x.3" secs. slow or fast a day.

[JPP]

Originally Posted by dkpw

Thank you Bo for your confirmation and definition of the settling in period.

From this thread.





EDIT: Please note that the second quote from Bo is in relation to the OP in the above thread and not as a direct response to Tool's quote. I was merely attempting to show that two of the most respected members on the forum are in agreement.

???

Don't both these posts you've quoted say that there IS a settling in period - one because of the gears etc and one with the proviso that wearing habits are a key factor...

And then the settling in period is denied in this thread...

No wonder there's so much confusion on the net! Even I'm confused.

Best piece of advice is - if the watch isn't telling the time to your satisfaction whether it's within COSC's specs or not then have it regulated. The only specs that matter are the ones you yourself set - you paid the moolah after all and it's your watch - you're the one who has to tell the time off of it. One man's specs is another man's missed train...hehehe

[Hamilton Carvalho]

Like religion and politics, we all have different opinion and interpretation and confusion attracts our curiosity. To know the truth is to know everything.

Originally Posted by JPP

???

Don't both these posts you've quoted say that there IS a settling in period - one because of the gears etc and one with the proviso that wearing habits are a key factor...

And then the settling in period is denied in this thread...

No wonder there's so much confusion on the net! Even I'm confused.

Best piece of advice is - if the watch isn't telling the time to your satisfaction whether it's within COSC's specs or not then have it regulated. The only specs that matter are the ones you yourself set - you paid the moolah after all and it's your watch - you're the one who has to tell the time off of it. One man's specs is another man's missed train...hehehe

[unclesallie]

Hamilton: it's under warranty; take it over to the NY RSC and get it regulated...have lunch, come back and your watch will run 'spot on' thereafter. If not, ask them to re-regulate it, until they get it right. No reason to be unhappy with your rolex...
best,
dan