Daytona 116509 - can you leave big second hand running all the time?

[Porsche91101]

I have heard conflicting things here. Some say it will wear down the watch faster, others say it’s fine. Curious what is the truth. Thanks!

[WatchGuy1966]

First, can we agree it's called the "chrono second hand"?

[Robison347]

Running the Chrono second hand uses more energy, so the watch has less reserve. As for wear - it does not make any difference to the main movement, and the chrono movement is surely made to a similar standard. I doubt if either will wear in our lives, with occasional cleaning and lube service.

[996marty]

It’s going to use more energy that’s for sure

[PenDelicate]

Vertical clutch, baaabeee!

"This offers significant advantages: precise starting and stopping of the seconds hand and the ability to use the chronograph function for long periods without affecting the watch’s accuracy due to minimal wear."

https://revolutionwatch.com/rules-ch...ph-engagement/

[Calatrava r]

The Daytona has a vertical clutch where one gear drops into another. This design results in minimal wear to the gears and the chrono seconds hand can be left running with little or no wear to the gears. The other design is a horizontal clutch where the gear teeth mesh and increased wear will occur if the chrono seconds hand runs continuously.

[ratty]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

The Daytona has a vertical clutch where one gear drops into another. This design results in minimal wear to the gears and the chrono seconds hand can be left running with little or no wear to the gears. The other design is a horizontal clutch where the gear teeth mesh and increased wear will occur if the chrono seconds hand runs continuously.

I'm also interested in this, can you / someone explain why different clutches result in different wear please?

Thanks.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by ratty

I'm also interested in this, can you / someone explain why different clutches result in different wear please?

Thanks.

It is all about the engineering (which I am not). When the drive train drops directly down into the chrono drive there is more metal against metal making more a much stronger and perfectly aligned engagement with very little unwanted movement. With a lateral clutch you have two thin gears which much travel sideways and mesh into each other gear's teeth. To enable smooth meshing the gears are frequently ground down (beveled) on the tips so the gear marry easier with less pressure. This results in thinner metals and less metal against metal but with a snugger fit for the engagement. Patek's new horizontal chronographs are touted as being able to run constantly without undue wear because they were able to make the gears without the beveling and still get a good pressure feel mesh.

So why do they even make horizontal clutches? You can observe the action, and they make for a much prettier movement and have a long tradition. They are also easier to service than a vertical clutch.

[Mystro]

Actually leaving the Chrono run on a Daytona doesn’t use as much power reserve as you think it would. In my power reserve test with my Daytona running and then another test not running……….. The running Daytona though the entire power reserve test only used an extra 1 hour and 32 minutes of power reserve. That’s practically nominal in the 70+ hour power reserve of the 4130 Daytona movement.

You may safely run any vertical clutch chronograph without causing any harm or significant wear to the movement.

[subtona]

5 digit Zenith movements no you should not for increased wear and tear on some of the gears

In house modern Daytona movement can be run continuously without concern.

[Bxtek]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

Vertical clutch, baaabeee!

"This offers significant advantages: precise starting and stopping of the seconds hand and the ability to use the chronograph function for long periods without affecting the watch’s accuracy due to minimal wear."

https://revolutionwatch.com/rules-ch...ph-engagement/

Interesting read! Thank you!

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Actually leaving the Chrono run on a Daytona doesn’t use as much power reserve as you think it would. In my power reserve test with my Daytona running and then another test not running……….. The running Daytona though the entire power reserve test only used an extra 1 hour and 32 minutes of power reserve. That’s practically nominal in the 70+ hour power reserve of the 4130 Daytona movement.

You may safely run any vertical clutch chronograph without causing any harm or significant wear to the movement.

Fantastic info! That is why I love this forum.