Performance on and off the winder.

[Gugnunc]

I don't want to enter the debate about whether or not it is a good idea to use a watch winder, I know that opinions about this tend to be very polarised - the fact is I do use one so that the watch which I am not wearing is always fully wound.
Now I own two Explorers, a vintage 5500 and a modern 114270; in wear both of these tend to gain a few seconds every day, however when they are on the winder I have noticed that each of them gains significantly less than when on the wrist - in both cases the weekly gain is reduced to less than half the "normal" rate.
I am not obsessive about accuracy and these observations do not concern me other than to understand why this should be so. Has anybody else observed this and, if so, can you offer any explanation?

[reecester]

Hi Gugnunc,

I hope this helps, I have never tried it but please let me know if it works.

Q. Is there anyway that I can self regulate my Rolex?

A. Yes you can self regulate your Rolex. The following information is from Rolex. It is interesting and might help correct for a few seconds of error in your watches timekeeping ability.

If your watch loses or gains a few seconds per day (remember there are 86,400 seconds in 24 hours!), you can correct it without expert aid. The rate of a watch varies slightly depending upon its position. Take it off at night and place it as follows:

1. To gain a few seconds: Lay the watch flat with the dial uppermost.

2. To lose a few seconds: Lay the watch vertically with the winding-button downwards.

3. To lose rather more seconds: Lay the watch vertically with the winding-button uppermost.

[Gugnunc]

Hello reecester,
Yes, I have tried this "regulation by position" technique - In my experience it does work but it is very marginal yielding about 1 or 2sec. change in a 12 hour period max.
Have you observed this on and off winder phenomenon?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Gugnunc

I don't want to enter the debate about whether or not it is a good idea to use a watch winder, I know that opinions about this tend to be very polarised - the fact is I do use one so that the watch which I am not wearing is always fully wound.
Now I own two Explorers, a vintage 5500 and a modern 114270; in wear both of these tend to gain a few seconds every day, however when they are on the winder I have noticed that each of them gains significantly less than when on the wrist - in both cases the weekly gain is reduced to less than half the "normal" rate.
I am not obsessive about accuracy and these observations do not concern me other than to understand why this should be so. Has anybody else observed this and, if so, can you offer any explanation?

Very simple its all down to gravity thats why on the COSC test all chronometers are tested in 5 different positions. While on a winder in general same position 24/7 WITH just movement back and throe on same plane and axis.