Sub running 8 seconds fast

[Dennisoul]

Hey folks....acquired a Sub no date from 2007 about 2 weeks ago, I've no idea when it last had a service, it runs consistently at 8 seconds fast per 24 hours..I've use the atomic clock for setting it..I know the cesc is -4 / +6 per 24 hours.....I've done the crown up & down regulating when it's taken off at night and this keeps it to the 8 seconds per 24 hours...does it mean there's anything wrong and needs a service or just be content, which I'm happy to be if you guys reckon 8secs per 24 hours is acceptable.....I gave it a full 40 turns wind a couple of days ago and it still keeps it a 8 seconds fast...your thoughts please folks...

Cheers, Andy

[Bigsykedaddy]

8 seconds fast is normal from everything I have seen. The most important part is that it is consistent, which you said it is. If it being 8 seconds fast bothers you, since your watch is out of warranty you can take it to your local AD or watchmaker and have them adjust it for you. It is a quick job, you should be in and out quickly.

That said even if they do adjust it it may not run exactly what they adjusted it to on the timegrapher, because watches run differently on everyone due to levels of activity etc.

Congratulations on your new pickup and wear it in the best of health.

(P.S. sorry for run on sentences , bad grammar, it's late)

[Uhtred59]

My OCD would make me bring it in.

[arcadelt]

Wouldn't be a problem for me.

[MonBK]

Keep it as it is or have it regulated.

Either way is fine.

[sensui]

If it's consistent, you probably just need regulation. Any decent watchmaker can check the amplitude for you as well to make sure.

[al503]

Do you wear it every day or rotate and let it run down?

My first 16610 purchased new from an AD was about ~16 seconds fast per day. I sent it back to RSC twice. Each time they charged me for a new bezel even though it was new, I never used it and I know the second time, I couldn't have damaged it. Regardless, it came back running ~16 seconds fast per day after both visits. I gave up and used it as-is. Since I didn't wear it every day and had to reset it about once a week anyway (usually after the weekend), it didn't bother me too much.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Dennisoul

Hey folks....acquired a Sub no date from 2007 about 2 weeks ago, I've no idea when it last had a service, it runs consistently at 8 seconds fast per 24 hours..I've use the atomic clock for setting it..I know the cesc is -4 / +6 per 24 hours.....I've done the crown up & down regulating when it's taken off at night and this keeps it to the 8 seconds per 24 hours...does it mean there's anything wrong and needs a service or just be content, which I'm happy to be if you guys reckon 8secs per 24 hours is acceptable.....I gave it a full 40 turns wind a couple of days ago and it still keeps it a 8 seconds fast...your thoughts please folks...

Cheers, Andy

I would doubt if 8 seconds difference out of 86400 in a day would make a lot of difference only if you were OCD about it.Consistency is the most important element in any mechanical watch,it could be regulated on timing machine to around -2+2 seconds,but this dont always mean it will perform exactly the same on the wrist.Many factors effect accuracy while on the wrist such as by the earth's gravity, metal expansion and contraction,mainspring-power-reserve,different temperature variations, subtle changes in lubrication and friction, shocks, and so on.The fact is that no mechanical watch made will keep perfect time, very close yes but perfect no.And the COSC spec is a AVERAGE of -4+6 seconds over any 24 hour period, and in the first 10 of testing the bare uncased movement could vary by 10 seconds either way over a single 24 hour period and still pass the test.

[ejvette]

It wouldn't bother me because I change watches almost daily

[Mick P]

Sorry +8secs a day is unacceptably fast. You do not pay a lot of money for a watch with lousy performance like that.

The fact that the fastness is consistent is good news and it just needs regulating.

Having said that, you bought it in 2007 and a service may be in order.

Regards

Mick

[The Libertine]

I would leave it. Not a fan of having my watches opened unless absolutely necessary.

Better to run fast than slow, and even at 8 seconds, your watch is still under a minute fast each week. That is very good accuracy.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Sorry +8secs a day is unacceptably fast. You do not pay a lot of money for a watch with lousy performance like that.

The fact that the fastness is consistent is good news and it just needs regulating.

Having said that, you bought it in 2007 and a service may be in order.

Regards

Mick

He bought it a couple weeks ago.

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

He bought it a couple weeks ago.

Fair point, however unless the watch has a known service history, I would still put it in for a service.

Mick

[1William]

I would take it to a watch maker that I trust locally. If no one, I would then look to the TRF as we have several on here that could help. I don't believe in servicing watches before needed but some trusted professional advice could help you make an informed decision. If the watch is a keeper I might go ahead and have a complete service.

[Dennisoul]

Thanks everyone for your advice and help, after reading your comments I'm happy to let it run as it is for the moment....I think not knowing when it was last serviced is worth me keeping in mind, should it start gaining significantly more time than the 8 seconds I'll then consider putting it in for a service.

Cheers
Andy

[Tigerjeebs]

I recall a watch repair specially had said you need to measure the time over a week and average out the total, one day is too short.

He also stated that as a watch nears its need for service, as the lubricants begin to dry up, the watch will speed up. As the lubrication dries, the arch the balance wheel makes begins to get shorter, due to the higher friction, and the watch gains time.

I believe your watch is when Rolex used COSC and not the +/- 2 second standard, you are not far off in terms of accuracy. Do you know when the watch was last serviced?

[THC]

If mine were running 30 seconds fast, I doubt I would ever know... and I love it that way

[uansari1]

I'd take it to a trusted watchmaker for a spin on the timegrapher. Those three magic numbers will tell you if it needs a service or just a regulation. That being said, if there's no service history, can't hurt to get a 10 year old watch serviced.

[116500LN]

Originally Posted by Tigerjeebs

He also stated that as a watch nears its need for service, as the lubricants begin to dry up, the watch will speed up. As the lubrication dries, the arch the balance wheel makes begins to get shorter, due to the higher friction, and the watch gains time.

Watch actually slows down when it starts needing service. What do you know in the universe that goes faster with less lubricant? Watch will still continue its complete arch. The friction will slow it down.

[locutus49]

This is me. I limit the times the back is taken of my watches, because that is where things can go wrong. Why thake the chance for only 8 seconds a day???

Originally Posted by The Libertine

I would leave it. Not a fan of having my watches opened unless absolutely necessary.

Better to run fast than slow, and even at 8 seconds, your watch is still under a minute fast each week. That is very good accuracy.

[Mystro]

X2. You don't know how the watch was cared for the last 10 years, I would want it serviced regardless.
If it kept COSC then maybe delay a routine service but at this point you have 2 good reasons to get it serviced.

Originally Posted by uansari1

I'd take it to a trusted watchmaker for a spin on the timegrapher. Those three magic numbers will tell you if it needs a service or just a regulation. That being said, if there's no service history, can't hurt to get a 10 year old watch serviced.

[Tigerjeebs]

Originally Posted by 116500LN

Watch actually slows down when it starts needing service. What do you know in the universe that goes faster with less lubricant? Watch will still continue its complete arch. The friction will slow it down.

Source? As it can be read from watch makers online, anything that effectively shortens the hairspring or the gear train, due to stray lubrication or dirt/friction, can cause the watch to run fast. Just because a watch needs service does not mean it slows down.