Movement/Winding Questions

[BlueIn2Red]

Hi all, I have a couple of perhaps naive questions, not really specific to any particular brand or watch, but the context is my AP RO 15400:

1. Does the accuracy of a watch depend on how wound up it is? I've been assuming that a (good quality) watch will, when running at all, keep consistent time. But is it instead the case that being fully wound makes it more accurate than if, for example, it is hardly wound at all?

2. Can wearing the watch "top up" the winding? If for example I wound my 15400 only 20 turns from it being stopped (I never would, but for the sake of a simple example!), but then wore it for several days, would it get topped up to fully wound, or just maintain that initial level? I have a reasonably active life style (plenty of fast walking for instance).

[PJ S]

1) Yes.
The relationship between power reserve and accuracy is isochronism – hence why many of the higher end brands are devising new designs to achieve constant torque across the whole of the PR range.

2) Yes.
If sufficiently active enough, you’ll wind the mainspring – which is the whole point of an automatic winding bridge having been fitted.
The spring will slip in the barrel once it’s fully wound, so you can’t overwind it.

[beer]

Originally Posted by AndyGarton

1. Does the accuracy of a watch depend on how wound up it is? I've been assuming that a (good quality) watch will, when running at all, keep consistent time. But is it instead the case that being fully wound makes it more accurate than if, for example, it is hardly wound at all?

as long as it has enough wind to run properly (when the reserve is approaching empty it can run slowly/on and off before not running at all) it will not make a difference

Originally Posted by AndyGarton

2. Can wearing the watch "top up" the winding? If for example I wound my 15400 only 20 turns from it being stopped (I never would, but for the sake of a simple example!), but then wore it for several days, would it get topped up to fully wound, or just maintain that initial level? I have a reasonably active life style (plenty of fast walking for instance).

yes this is true if your arms are active enough, in fact you can put a dead watch on your wrist and the seconds hand will begin moving

[BlueIn2Red]

Thanks guys, interesting that you disagree on point 1 - any other input please?

[PJ S]

We're not really — what beer is highlighting, is isochronism.
Where movements fall out of being isochronal varies — yours could be with say 20 hours of PR left, whereas another design would be 16 hours out.
Unfortunately, bar Pequignet, none (or very few) of the brands divulge this information in their specs.

[BlueIn2Red]

Understood, thanks!

[BlueIn2Red]

Another question sorry! My 15400 continues to wind (I can hear it making the you're-winding-it sound) when I'm screwing the crown back in. Is that normal? My non-AP screw crown watches don't do that.

[Dolor Doc]

Originally Posted by AndyGarton

Another question sorry! My 15400 continues to wind (I can hear it making the you're-winding-it sound) when I'm screwing the crown back in. Is that normal? My non-AP screw crown watches don't do that.

Ha. Had to take mine off and try. Mine does the same, so think it's normal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by Dolor Doc

Ha. Had to take mine off and try. Mine does the same, so think it's normal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mine does also. I noticed it when I first got it and never thought much of it but I don't remember ever hearing this with any other watches.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[csquared317]

Yep mine does that too. I was kinda worried about it because none of my other watches does this. But I guess it's normal haha.

[BlueIn2Red]

Thanks guys, funny the things you worry about being wrong with something new and very special!

[kneedeep]

Yes normal to wind while screwing in the crown. Same for several sports Pateks.

[salvadorsantana]

Does your 15400 makes noise when wearing it? Like when you swing your arm...do you hear the griiggriiigriii or the winding noise from the rotor I I guess (thats how it sounds) basically do you hear the movement wind and wind and wind?

PD: I think I found the answer http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=332044