How to tell if watch is running fast or slow

[Fencer28]

I see a lot of posts talking about how a watch is running more than 15 sec fast per day and gaining time. How are you able you tell that precisely?

[amanbra]

there are apps like watchtracker or timegraphers or just comparing your watch to a reliable source on the internet.

[IamJacky]

Originally Posted by Fencer28

I see a lot of posts talking about how a watch is running more than 15 sec fast per day and gaining time. How are you able you tell that precisely?

I use an App called Toolwatch. It's quite easy and simple to use.

[Old Expat Beast]

Just compare it to the clock on your phone. Or use a website like time.is. It won't be dead on, but will let you know a second or so either way.

[77T]

Some people use Apps, some use a website like Time.is to access an atomic clock source via their PC. Others purchase a timegrapher for ultimate precision.

But all must follow some good practices to ensure consistent readings. For example, establishing a routine to ensure the movement is observed with some consistency.

If one is only interested in average real-world accuracy, then wind-up your mainspring to full capacity (for example 30-40 full crown turns). This won’t harm anything as the slipping mainspring can’t be over-wound.

Next, hack the movement to a zero seconds setting. Wait for the time reference like Time.is to reach that setting and restart your movement.

Then go about your daily routine for a week, or a month or whatever period of time you wish.

At the end of the observation period, return to the time reference and observe the variance for your watch.

If it was one week and your watch is fast by 30 seconds, then 30/7=4.28 sec. fast (very good considering COSC).

One might restart the observation process again and note a different variance for subsequent weeks. That is how you might note if the rate is either stable, or running faster or slower, than previous readings.

Of course those with timegraphers that have memory settings have a lot more data like amplitude and rate. Very useful if you are trained to go into the movement and regulate it. Or very vexing for your watchmaker if you are running down to the shop every week to complain about his skills.


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[Frits1980]

Easy, you just count 1,2,3,4,5,6,60,600,6000 etc for 24H and compare that with your watch.

Sync with https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ and check back a day(s) later to see how many seconds you gained or lost.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Fencer28

I see a lot of posts talking about how a watch is running more than 15 sec fast per day and gaining time. How are you able you tell that precisely?

Well just check with any reliable time source even your phone thats accurate enough, no need for any of these phone apps. Been wearing Rolex watches for over 50 years and check my wearing watch once a week or so now by my kitchen quartz clock. And thats accurate enough for me thank god my life was never run to the exact second.

[Andad]

How to tell if watch is running fast or slow.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by 77T

Some people use Apps, some use a website like Time.is to access an atomic clock source via their PC. Others purchase a timegrapher for ultimate precision.

But all must follow some good practices to ensure consistent readings. For example, establishing a routine to ensure the movement is observed with some consistency.

If one is only interested in average real-world accuracy, then wind-up your mainspring to full capacity (for example 30-40 full crown turns). This won’t harm anything as the slipping mainspring can’t be over-wound.

Next, hack the movement to a zero seconds setting. Wait for the time reference like Time.is to reach that setting and restart your movement.

Then go about your daily routine for a week, or a month or whatever period of time you wish.

At the end of the observation period, return to the time reference and observe the variance for your watch.

If it was one week and your watch is fast by 30 seconds, then 30/7=4.28 sec. fast (very good considering COSC).

One might restart the observation process again and note a different variance for subsequent weeks. That is how you might note if the rate is either stable, or running faster or slower, than previous readings.

Of course those with timegraphers that have memory settings have a lot more data like amplitude and rate. Very useful if you are trained to go into the movement and regulate it. Or very vexing for your watchmaker if you are running down to the shop every week to complain about his skills.


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OP was just kidding Paul.:cheers

[77T]

Originally Posted by Andad

OP was just kidding Paul.:cheers

How so? I couldn’t tell.

But if so, at least newbies who didn’t know can have a simple answer


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[ROLEX MAN]

oh dear, look at my signature.

[el3ctronick]

I have Twixt for iOS.. works fine with my rolex, doesn't work with panerais due to the placement of seconds arm.. By the way, anyone has a way(app probably) to test Panerais accuracy?
thanks

[beshannon]

I hack it against an app on my phone and check it the next day

[Soultime]

Wait till second hand on Rolex is at 12.
Close eyes.
Start counting....one elephant, two elephant, three elephant etc to sixty elephants.

Open eyes and look at Rolex.

Phone dealer and book it in for a service as it seems to be gaining/losing time.

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by Soultime

Wait till second hand on Rolex is at 12.
Close eyes.
Start counting....one elephant, two elephant, three elephant etc to sixty elephants.

Open eyes and look at Rolex.

Phone dealer and book it in for a service as it seems to be gaining/losing time.

[Ganymede]

Originally Posted by IamJacky

I use an App called Toolwatch. It's quite easy and simple to use.

Don’t take this personally (I’m not directing this at you), but Toolwatch is one of the most ridiculously bad apps I’ve ever downloaded to my phone. It’s essentially a stopwatch, for your watch. You manually time your watch. And actually using it is an utter pain in the backside. You have to enter a watch into the record, enter your email, etc etc. It is beyond ridiculous.

There is an actually timegrapher app. You simply put your earbuds to the back of the watch (and make sure there is no ambient noise) and it’ll function just like any other timegrapher. Simple to use. No email to enter, no watch to enter, just the data you want for your watch.

[Mystro]

My master reference time clock I have used for years is a iOS app called “Emerald Sequoia”.