North Flag Power Reserve has taught me something

[red.earth]

You might already know this, but I had always wondered just how much movement was required to keep the watch I'm wearing fully wound. Now, thanks to my new North Flag, it's evident that despite having a desk bound job just the general movement of the day is enough to keep the movement fully wound. I thought I might see some evidence of a drop off, but none at all. The power reserve has been showing fully wound all day.

Given that, it seems to me that fully winding a watch from "flat" isn't really necessary at all as even relatively limited movement seems more than enough to keep it wound.

It's the little things... ahem!

[fskywalker]

Yeah, little movements all they need to keep going!

[slipperman]

while your minimum movement may maintain your power reserve, a watch's accuracy will vary with the amount of power in the mainspring, so it's still best to wind before wearing if the watch reserve is completely dead.

[REFZ]

The amount of windings to keep the mainspring at full power reserve is something different than the amount of windings to get the mainspring to the level of full power reserve (the actual winding like doing it by hand).

[ColRam425]

2 things about the North Flag that I love that Rolex refuses to do. Sapphire crystal case back and a power reserve meter.

[pandrew6l]

Originally Posted by red.earth

You might already know this, but I had always wondered just how much movement was required to keep the watch I'm wearing fully wound. Now, thanks to my new North Flag, it's evident that despite having a desk bound job just the general movement of the day is enough to keep the movement fully wound. I thought I might see some evidence of a drop off, but none at all. The power reserve has been showing fully wound all day.

Given that, it seems to me that fully winding a watch from "flat" isn't really necessary at all as even relatively limited movement seems more than enough to keep it wound.

It's the little things... ahem!

But your North Flag has the new Tudor in-house 72 hours reserve movement ! Your observation may or may not apply to Rolex movements.

[Friar]

Adam, I have to agree with your observation. It seems that this movement winds very efficiently. I've only had it off my wrist once long enough for the power reserve to run out and it was accurate (lying face up) until near the very end.

[GradyPhilpott]

I have automatic watches that can't be wound, but for a Rolex or Tudor, I don't see anything wrong with giving them a full wind when after they've wound down.

With my North Flag, which I don't normally wear to bed, the gauge never showed less than about 80% reserve and it will top off after a couple of hours, especially when I bowl.

[gyro]

Some one should try letting it run out then see how long it takes if ever to get fully charged just with daily use or arm swinging activities like bowling or base ball :)

[red.earth]

Thanks for your thoughts, gents. I, too, have found that from 80% it takes easily less than 2 hours before it's back to 100% again, which impresses me no end!

I know the movement is distinctly different the most Rolex movements, but I assumed that their capacity to be wound would be similar enough. I could be wrong, of course.

I've not bothered to measure it's accuracy yet - I'm still too pleased to be wearing it to worry about that. I quite expect it to be fine.

Maybe it's just because it's new but if I really had to make a list of my watches in order of preference, it'd probably look like this:

1. Explorer 214270 - still my very clear favourite
2. North Flag - so many reasons to love it
3. Montblanc Ultra Slim - stunning piece, incredibly thin and such a very low price
4. Explorer II 16570 Black - classic
5. Explorer II 16570 Polar - classic with huge sentimental value
6. Ranger - a wonderful watch, which I can never quite adjust to fit properly (always a bit too loose, but not drastically so)

Perhaps I'll create a separate thread and expand my thoughts on each. I'd certainly be very interested to see other prioritised lists, with some notes on what you love about each watch

[997.2]

Originally Posted by slipperman

while your minimum movement may maintain your power reserve, a watch's accuracy will vary with the amount of power in the mainspring, so it's still best to wind before wearing if the watch reserve is completely dead.

^^

healthy to fully wind before use IMO

[Friar]

Originally Posted by red.earth

Thanks for your thoughts, gents. I, too, have found that from 80% it takes easily less than 2 hours before it's back to 100% again, which impresses me no end!

I know the movement is distinctly different the most Rolex movements, but I assumed that their capacity to be wound would be similar enough. I could be wrong, of course.

I've not bothered to measure it's accuracy yet - I'm still too pleased to be wearing it to worry about that. I quite expect it to be fine.

Maybe it's just because it's new but if I really had to make a list of my watches in order of preference, it'd probably look like this:

1. Explorer 214270 - still my very clear favourite
2. North Flag - so many reasons to love it
3. Montblanc Ultra Slim - stunning piece, incredibly thin and such a very low price
4. Explorer II 16570 Black - classic
5. Explorer II 16570 Polar - classic with huge sentimental value
6. Ranger - a wonderful watch, which I can never quite adjust to fit properly (always a bit too loose, but not drastically so)

Perhaps I'll create a separate thread and expand my thoughts on each. I'd certainly be very interested to see other prioritised lists, with some notes on what you love about each watch

OK Adam, here goes. Ranked in order of present popularity based on wrist time-


Tudor North Flag—high readability, power reserve complication, new, accurate and consistent movement. COSC

Tudor Ranger—high readability, vintage vibe, Top ETA movement

Rolex Explorer II polar 216570—high readability, GMT complication, white dial with blue lume, COSC

Ball Trainmaster Power Reserve—vintage vibe, power reserve complication, white enamel dial

Rolex Explorer 214270— adaptable for any dress or occasion, accuracy, low profile, COSC

Omega SMPc black—sporty elegance, accuracy, tough, COSC

Ball Trainmaster WorldTimer—true world time complication, COSC, elegant

Ball Engineer II Red Label GMT—COSC, elegant, GMT complication

Tourby Marine Silver Deck Watch—hand wound, vintage vibe, ETA Top movement

Bell & Ross Vintage Original 126—40’s vibe, cream dial, chronograph complication.

[red.earth]

Originally Posted by Friar

OK Adam, here goes. Ranked in order of present popularity based on wrist time-


Tudor North Flag—high readability, power reserve complication, new, accurate and consistent movement. COSC

Tudor Ranger—high readability, vintage vibe, Top ETA movement

Rolex Explorer II polar 216570—high readability, GMT complication, white dial with blue lume, COSC

Ball Trainmaster Power Reserve—vintage vibe, power reserve complication, white enamel dial

Rolex Explorer 214270— adaptable for any dress or occasion, accuracy, low profile, COSC

Omega SMPc black—sporty elegance, accuracy, tough, COSC

Ball Trainmaster WorldTimer—true world time complication, COSC, elegant

Ball Engineer II Red Label GMT—COSC, elegant, GMT complication

Tourby Marine Silver Deck Watch—hand wound, vintage vibe, ETA Top movement

Bell & Ross Vintage Original 126—40’s vibe, cream dial, chronograph complication.

Excellent!! Thanks Gary, very interesting indeed! How does your Explorer II compare to the Ranger, weight/balance/comfort wise?

[Friar]

Thanks Adam. Got my Ranger on the leather strap so it's considerably lighter. On the fabric camo, it's lighter still of course. I find the Explorer II comfortable on the bracelet and well balanced. There are times (like now) that I have it on a black 21mm Kuki Flex band with orange stitching. Goes well.

http://www.watch-band-center.com/wat...-21mm-bla.html

[dysondiver]

i find driving really tops up a wind very quickly ,,,

[KeithP]

Originally Posted by red.earth

Thanks for your thoughts, gents. I, too, have found that from 80% it takes easily less than 2 hours before it's back to 100% again, which impresses me no end!

I know the movement is distinctly different the most Rolex movements, but I assumed that their capacity to be wound would be similar enough. I could be wrong, of course.

I've not bothered to measure it's accuracy yet - I'm still too pleased to be wearing it to worry about that. I quite expect it to be fine.

Maybe it's just because it's new but if I really had to make a list of my watches in order of preference, it'd probably look like this:

1. Explorer 214270 - still my very clear favourite
2. North Flag - so many reasons to love it
3. Montblanc Ultra Slim - stunning piece, incredibly thin and such a very low price
4. Explorer II 16570 Black - classic
5. Explorer II 16570 Polar - classic with huge sentimental value
6. Ranger - a wonderful watch, which I can never quite adjust to fit properly (always a bit too loose, but not drastically so)

Perhaps I'll create a separate thread and expand my thoughts on each. I'd certainly be very interested to see other prioritised lists, with some notes on what you love about each watch

Please do this! EDIT- just saw the new thread