COSC Accuracy - Are we beating ourselves up for no reason?

[douglasf13]

Rolex makes a great movement, and I think things like the full balance bridge do make it stable, but just about any mechanical movement these days can easily be regulated to within COSC.

If a higher end, off the shelf ETA costs a few hundred bucks, how much do we really think a Rolex movement is "worth." A hundred bucks more? Double? Paying $8K for a Rolex isn't buying a magic movement. Just a nice, dependable one.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by Punchthefatkid

Hi Chiboy - my comments were a generalisation in that some people may see the Rolex brand purely as a status symbol and have no regard for the history and craftsmanship that we appreciate as watch enthusiasts.

Please accept my apologies as I can see now that my stereo typical generalisation was both unfair and unnecessary.

Please also accept it was never my intension to offend anyone - it was just meant to be a bit of light hearted fun, but like I said I didn't anticipate that it could be interpreted as insulting to the many Daytona owners like yourself who do genuinely appreciate the brand.

Hope you will accept my apology - regards Max

I don't take anything here too seriously. I frequent this site to learn about watches and know that many here would make different choices than me. That's what makes the world go round! No offense taken, for sure.

[Rock]

The real issue is "What IS a reasonable standard of accuracy?"
I'm sure even the most laid-back owners have an "acceptable standard" in the back of their minds.
I'm only prepared to wind and adjust my watch at the beginning of each new month, and any more than 2-3 minutes a month would be unacceptable to me, so if my Rolex couldn't be regulated to do plus/minus 5 secs per day I would get rid of them.

[christo4]

OCD here and happy. I have found by purchase, monitoring and frustration that Myottas, Stellitas and ETAs do not have the capacity to maintain precision when worn during dynamic activities like a 5 mile run, or even walking the dog or running the hated lawn mower. Only my serviced 3135 chronometer movement is capable of maintaining +/- 2 second precision through these activities. Grand Seiko spring drives go above and beyond COSC and Rolex but they are inherently and disqualifyingly ...different.

[Bigsykedaddy]

Originally Posted by Punchthefatkid

Just a thought - when was the last time you arranged to meet anyone either on a personal or business level and that person turned around to you and said "Hey, where the hell have you been, your nearly 14 seconds late...?

This made me LOL

Originally Posted by Vinny 1966

To be honest i keep looking at my timepiece, But never look at the time.

Same here I do it constantly. I'll look at my watch maybe 20 times and still not know the time lmfao.

My new 116610LN (before I had to exchange it for a new one because of a foreign object IN the sapphire) lost only 0.3 seconds over the course of 5 days. I thought that was pretty awesome and I hope my new one coming in next week is close.

[Anthon]

double..

[Anthon]

Originally Posted by al503

Some people buy a Ferrari and they'll never take it to the track or hit the rev limiter. Some people buy a Ferrari specifically for the track. Neither group should 'beat themselves up' IMHO.

Says it all.
And here' a pic of my 'OCD' in action.

Almost perfect!

[regnant]

Back in days where steam engines ruled world as a primary source of transportation this would be a big deal, a fatal train crash made this accuracy out of necessity rather than arbitrary. However,main part of the watch is to know the time albeit we have got a lot of devices to do the job to perform less cheaper yet more accurate way but watches are beautiful instruments and mechanical marvels that's why nothing even a quartz movement sibling cannot replace a watch.
Rolex is even taking this a few steps further to claim more accuracy than COSC is another credit to the manufacturer. Today watches are accurate enough though to save you from getting late to date

[Punchthefatkid]

Originally Posted by Anthon

Says it all.
And here' a pic of my 'OCD' in action.

Almost perfect!

..about3seconds fast lol

[Anthon]

Originally Posted by Punchthefatkid

..about3seconds fast lol

Give it two days!

[Maximus84]

I have to be at a briefing at a particular time every day. I would actually get lambasted if I was even 1 second late. As such, the accuracy of my watches is important to me. My Speedy Pro runs at about +3-4spd, and my Exp. II 16570 about -0.5spd. Both excellent and well within there respective tolerances.

I check the accuracy once a day maybe, in the morning. I use it as a calibration of my own mind such that I know that if my watch is running a bit fast, I'll always be on time. Of slow, I try to keep ahead. I can't have my phone on my person at work, so the watch is very important.

At home, however, I tend to wear my SKX009 which runs about +15spd. I haven't even checked it in a while, and only reset it when I notice it's a couple of minutes off. Accuracy then is not so important.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by christo4

ETAs do not have the capacity to maintain precision when worn during dynamic activities like a 5 mile run, or even walking the dog or running the hated lawn mower. Only my serviced 3135 chronometer movement is capable of maintaining +/- 2 second precision through these activities.

Your joking right??? There are so many super accurate and consistent ETA movements that will half those standard all over the watch forums. I have owned more than a few that will hold less than a +1 second a day and one particular ETA movement that will hold less than a second for months with extreme high activities from large rifle recoil, diving and running.

[Mystro]

I do the same thing. I have a few that will outperform my quartz watch.

Originally Posted by Anthon

Says it all.
And here' a pic of my 'OCD' in action.

Almost perfect!

[TG3N]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

However, as others have said, the accuracy is an indicator of the quality of the watch. In that sense, I do appreciate that humans can design, engineer and build tiny little machines that run on springs and gears, and that can be accurate to a second or two a day. it's part of why I'm obsessed with these little things.

This is exactly my thoughts on the matter - a COSC certification is mostly of marketing application, and no-one realistically misses those few seconds daily (especially when rotating the collection), but I appreciate that someone can exert the time & expertise to make something so superbly accurate.

I don't stress about accuracy, but for me it's an hallmark of quality. Just like I'll never take my Sub for anything more strenuous than a swim, but I can appreciate the engineering that makes it a capable diving instrument.

It's just one more facet to be interested in/geek out about - let's face it, like most hobbies this obsession of ours is a little weird anyway!

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Mystro

I do the same thing. I have a few that will outperform my quartz watch.

One of my favorite watches. Forced me to wear mine!!!

[tomchicago]

A basic, well maintained and serviced quartz movement will be +/- 0.30 sec/day. Pretty cool when you think about it. Accuracy unattainable by the most expensive mechanical movements.

[saskmh]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Rolex makes a great movement, and I think things like the full balance bridge do make it stable, but just about any mechanical movement these days can easily be regulated to within COSC.

If a higher end, off the shelf ETA costs a few hundred bucks, how much do we really think a Rolex movement is "worth." A hundred bucks more? Double? Paying $8K for a Rolex isn't buying a magic movement. Just a nice, dependable one.

I have $20 Chinese movements that I have regulated to within 1 sec/week!

The reason we pay thousands for a Rolex is for those little mystical green pixies that live behind that mysterious solid caseback.