Simple Regulation and Watch Accuracy

[Michaeli Paulo]

Hello everyone,

I realize this can be a (ahem) somewhat emotional subject, but please hold off on the torches and pitchforks until I can explain.



Though I’m new to the Rolex world, I’ve read numerous posts about “Rolex accuracy” and “Regulation,” as well as the inevitable (and true) replies such as, “Remember, there are 86,400 seconds in a day” and “These are mechanical marvels in being within +2/-2 seconds a day...” etc, etc.

So I totally understand all of this and fully appreciate the “mechanical marvel” on my wrist; I absolutely love my Rolex Submariner!



For background, my watch is a “new to me” 14060M, 2011 reference, recently serviced at the RSC. This is my one and only watch, and I wear it every day, only taking it off to shower and sleep.



Initially, after service, it was gaining about a second a day. This meant, of course, that unchecked, (were this “one second gain” to remain consistent,) after a month, I’d be around 30 seconds ahead. Not a problem.

Still, if someone had told me, “You have a choice: you can either own a watch that loses or gains no more than two seconds per day....or....by following a simple nightly procedure, your watch can remain close to accurate all the time,”...well, I would be interested in hearing about this simple procedure.

Turns out, as many of you know, this procedure actually exists and is called “Simple Regulation.” (I first saw this old Rolex Watch Care insert in a photo here posted, I believe, by GradyPhilpott. Thanks Grady!)



By simply storing the watch in a specified position each night, it is possible to keep the time wavering around “zero.”

When I say “zero,” I mean that I mentally view “accuracy” on a number line, with “zero” in the middle (representing the actual time) and the numbers to the negative (losing time) and to the positive (gaining time.)



My goal is to keep it as close to “zero” as possible.

So, I have adopted this pleasant routine:

Each night, before switching off the light, I open up “time.gov” on my phone and compare the actual time to my current time. Then, I slip the watch into its pouch, resting the watch in the appropriate position recommended to correct the minor deviation.



This simple routine has proven effective for weeks, with my Submariner wavering between -1, zero and +1 consistently.

The only weakness I’ve discovered with this method is when my watch is at “zero.” There is no recommended nightly position for when the watch is neither ahead or behind.

Anyhow, I hope this helps some other new guy who’s interested in Simple Regulation.

No obsession, no compulsion, no disorder; simply a small nightly routine that is fun and fascinating and which constantly reminds me what a remarkable mechanical timepiece I’ve been blessed with!



Loving my Rolex Submariner and really enjoying and appreciating it!

Michael

[trfChris]

Yep, I do this too! If it's a little fast, lay it crown up at night. If it's a little slow lay it dial down at night. Using this little ritual the watch remains between +/- 1 second off from atomic reference time indefinitely, way more accurate than any quartz watch.

[ROLEXster]

Most people will go through this phase of wanting their Rolex to be +/- 0.00
This phase usually don't last very long .... just enjoy your watch.

.
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[Pauln]

Originally Posted by ROLEXster

Most people will go through this phase of wanting their Rolex to be +/- 0.00
This phase usually don't last very long .... just enjoy your watch.

.
.

This was my personal experience. Now I check it every few weeks to make sure it’s close to what’s on my phone or what Sirius says in my car.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by ROLEXster

Most people will go through this phase of wanting their Rolex to be +/- 0.00
This phase usually don't last very long .... just enjoy your watch.

.
.

Have to agree the most important to me at the moment is when I wake up I can see the time it proves I am still alive, now thats far more important than worrying over a second or so.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree the most important to me at the moment is when I wake up I can see the time it proves I am still alive, now thats far more important than worrying over a second or so.

Same here. But I need a cup of caffeine before I trust myself to pick of a watch or any other item of significance.

[Michaeli Paulo]

Originally Posted by polaris72

Regulating watch might be fun for some people with lots of time on their hands. To each their own, I respect that.

Thanks, but one needn’t have “lots of time on their hands” to practice self regulation. It literally takes 15 to 20 seconds to open “time.gov.”, compare the time and then store the watch for the night.

But I’m not trying to sell this practice to anyone. I knew before I posted that Self Regulating was frowned upon by many here, despite the fact that it was Rolex that originally endorsed this method.

I had merely hoped that the post might be a helpful tutorial, if you will, to assist others like me, who are interested in both the opportunity to increase accuracy and the pleasure derived from successfully adopting this simple routine.

Michael

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Michaeli Paulo

Thanks, but one needn’t have “lots of time on their hands” to practice self regulation. It literally takes 15 to 20 seconds to open “time.gov.”, compare the time and then store the watch for the night.



But I’m not trying to sell this practice to anyone. I knew before I posted that Self Regulating was frowned upon by many here, despite the fact that it was Rolex that originally endorsed this method.



I had merely hoped that the post might be a helpful tutorial, if you will, to assist others like me, who are interested in both the opportunity to increase accuracy and the pleasure derived from successfully adopting this simple routine.



Michael

Thanks for sharing Michael. I don’t have a problem with this method of regulation nor do I have a problem with people being obsessive about regulation. I think most people are just advising that it’s honestly not worth the effort to stress over accuracy considering the amount of seconds in a day. They are just unable to articulate themselves as courteously as you do. Enjoy your watch and the routine you have set up for yourself. I myself watched my own father in law go through his own routine meticulously maintaining his watches growing up which inadvertently sparked my fascination for timepieces!

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree the most important to me at the moment is when I wake up I can see the time it proves I am still alive, now thats far more important than worrying over a second or so.

Exactly why I'm wearing tritium lumed watches at night. My luminovas leave me in doubt.

[Michaeli Paulo]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Perfect
That's the way to do it

Originally Posted by Yess

This is really interesting. Thanks for the detailed post, OP.

Originally Posted by directioneng

Yes, the precision of a a Rolex movement is amazing.

It makes accuracy easy to accomplish and is fun if I can overcome my OCD Peter.

Thank you, Dirt, Yess and directioneng! It’s a pleasure to be understood!

[Jona]

I have the AD give me the +/- in the 6 positions on their timing machine and use those for a week or so, after which I neither care any longer or forgot where I put the printout from their machine. I find Rolexes remarkably consistent. Some brands are more than a few seconds different positionally.

[Rolexoman]

My DJII gains 3-4 secs everyday and at first it was gaining 7 so I sent it off to RSC in Dallas for regulation and it came back at +/- 0 in any resting position but when I wear it the watch gains the 3-4 so by weeks end it approx 30 secs fast and to fix this if I continue to wear past a week ( my normal rotation is after 1 week ) I just pop the crown or not worry.

I have read several horror stories of watches coming back scratched up so to me it’s not worth the hassle.

[Michaeli Paulo]

Originally Posted by trfChris

Yep, I do this too! If it's a little fast, lay it crown up at night. If it's a little slow lay it dial down at night. Using this little ritual the watch remains between +/- 1 second off from atomic reference time indefinitely, way more accurate than any quartz watch.

Yeah, Chris, we’re definitely in the minority here, at least among the more vocal members. Another consideration, which I failed to mention above, is that Simple Regulation probably isn’t feasible for folks who wear multiple watches in rotation. But for a “one watch guy” like me, it’s great. I haven’t needed to wind, set or adjust my watch and by following this simple (and pleasant) routine, my watch has remained pretty darn accurate.

Originally Posted by ROLEXster

Most people will go through this phase of wanting their Rolex to be +/- 0.00
This phase usually don't last very long .... just enjoy your watch.

I don’t think I’ve been told I’m going through a “phase” since I was a teenager, and I turn 60 this month! Thought I’d long grown out of phases, but I guess not! :)

As for enjoying my watch, I thought I’d said it enough in my original post that I am, quite thoroughly!!! Simple Regulation is just one facet of that pleasure. But if I do grow out of it, I’ll be sure to say so on this thread!

Thanks for the replies,

Michael

[Chewbacca]

1950’s English makes no sense today.

[polaris72]

Regulating watch might be fun for some people with lots of time on their hands. To each their own, I respect that. As far as sending watch to RSC for few seconds adjustment, I do not recommend it. More often than not, RSC put more damage/scratches on my watches (IWC, Breitling, and Rolex) than I caused. Either they are all overwhelmed or simply just do not care, but it is a shame.

[Seibei]

Originally Posted by Michaeli Paulo

The only weakness I’ve discovered with this method is when my watch is at “zero.” There is no recommended nightly position for when the watch is neither ahead or behind.

Michael

Ah, you have come across the "zero" paradox. Entire books have been written on this without a definitive answer.

Feel free to change positions a few times, enjoy the process, and you will find a way that brings satisfaction to you and your watch. As so often is this case, this is more about the journey than the destination.

[strafer_kid]

Would agree... a few seconds here or there is not that much of a concern in the bigger scheme of things.

[gunhose]

That was printed along time ago for older movements. New Rolexes usually can't be regulated that way. Guess your lucky ! My slow beat 21,600 patek will be influenced by position !

[nda]

Originally Posted by gunhose

That was printed along time ago for older movements. New Rolexes usually can't be regulated that way. Guess your lucky ! My slow beat 21,600 patek will be influenced by position !

My Sky Dweller responds positively to being left dial up overnight. It takes no effort on my part and it picks up the 2 seconds it loses during the day.

It hasn't needed any adjustment from me in a month and is on 'zero' on Michael's scale! :)

I have several watches that don't hack (Breguet, Patek etc) and I never check for second hand accuracy. But if a watch hacks, it tempts the owner to keep it accurate... well, does in my case.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by nda

My Sky Dweller responds positively to being left dial up overnight. It takes no effort on my part and it picks up the 2 seconds it loses during the day.

It hasn't needed any adjustment from me in a month and is on 'zero' on Michael's scale! :)

I have several watches that don't hack (Breguet, Patek etc) and I never check for second hand accuracy. But if a watch hacks, it tempts the owner to keep it accurate... well, does in my case.

For my watches that don’t hack I just take the pressure off the winding crown and they usually stop.

Some will run backwards if the PR is low.

[springer]

Some guys have wayyyy toooo much time on their hands to worry about a few seconds a day. Wow!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by springer

Some guys have wayyyy toooo much time on their hands to worry about a few seconds a day. Wow!

There are those who have enough spare time to complain about posters who have too much spare time John.

I have a Rolex (14060] I wear to work 5 days/week from 7AM to 4:30PM.

It runs one second/day fast on my wrist.

On my Timegrapher there is only on position where it runs slow and that is 6 down.

If I leave it in this position overnight it stays pretty well spot on and I will give it a wind on Saturday to keep it ticking until a Monday.

Just a bit of fun really and it is ‘what some do’.

Not worth getting wound up about.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by directioneng

There are those who have enough spare time to complain about posters who have too much spare time John.

I have a Rolex (14060] I wear to work 5 days/week from 7AM to 4:30PM.

It runs one second/day fast on my wrist.

On my Timegrapher there is only on position where it runs slow and that is 6 down.

If I leave it in this position overnight it stays pretty well spot on and I will give it a wind on Saturday to keep it ticking until a Monday.

Just a bit of fun really and it is ‘what some do’.

Not worth getting wound up about.

What is the “on” position on a 14060?

[Michaeli Paulo]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

What is the “on” position on a 14060?

I believe he meant to say “one position.” :)

[springer]

Originally Posted by directioneng

There are those who have enough spare time to complain about posters who have too much spare time John.

I have a Rolex (14060] I wear to work 5 days/week from 7AM to 4:30PM.

It runs one second/day fast on my wrist.

On my Timegrapher there is only on position where it runs slow and that is 6 down.

If I leave it in this position overnight it stays pretty well spot on and I will give it a wind on Saturday to keep it ticking until a Monday.

Just a bit of fun really and it is ‘what some do’.

Not worth getting wound up about.

Oh, OK.. Like you complaining about me. Give me a break!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by springer

Oh, OK.. Like you complaining about me. Give me a break!

[Michaeli Paulo]

Originally Posted by Rolex-istanbul

my first post, hope you like me in this forum.
Hello
I did buy a submariner no date new in 2018 exactly today cause it was one day before my sons birthday.
I did synch my watch to atomic clock on that day. Now after 1 year, my watch is plus 0.7 seconds.

How did I manage this? First of all you should know me

I woke up at 6 and wear my watch at 7 and go out to catch the train about 1km walk. Than arrive at office work till 18 00 no hand moving desktop job. Than again walk 1 km to train come home. than I just lay down the watch at 1900 to its side. and go to gym.
After gym I wash up and go out for a 5km walking. arrive home play with my son.
and sleep ay 22:00. Before bad I check watch if its running plus on the synch I just crown up so it looses 1 second a night. İf I am so stationary that day my watch tent to run slow. ın order to speed up I lay it dial up. Overall this works for me. Now a days I don't even look at the atomic clock anymore. I just lay it crown up 3 days and rest of the week I lay it dial up.

and its almost perfect. I love this watch.

Thank you for the very interesting and entertaining first post! You made me feel like I was there with you, experiencing your day!

Your routine, similar to mine, is definitely a tale of a “one watch guy!”

A relationship develops and is enjoyed.

Thank you for sharing your story,

Michael

[Tlon]

Originally Posted by directioneng

On my Timegrapher there is only on position where it runs slow and that is 6 down.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I am curious if there are any good timegraphers for non-professionals? I have a growing collection of automatic watches and would be interested in this kind of device if one could be had at a reasonable price.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by springer

Some guys have wayyyy toooo much time on their hands to worry about a few seconds a day. Wow!

I agree.

[Andad]

[QUOTE=The Libertine;10294551]I agree. [/QUOTE

Like a splinter in the mind?