Submariner Z Serial - Calibration

[lch6257]

My new Z serial 16610 Submariner is absolutely awesome. I have had it less than a week and have a general question for those veteran and watchmakers out there. It is currently running +4.5-5 secs a day. Which is within COSC and OK. I am just curious though as the watch runs over time will it slow down or speed up? Since it is on the edge of COSC, should I look into service in a year or two, or will it naturally calibrate down. I guess I am spoiled as I have a Explorer II polar 16570 that runs +1.5 (just serviced by RSC in Aug 2010) and an old Oyster date (vintage 1987) serviced in March 2010 that runs -1.5 secs/ day. I am not worried about the Sub at + 4.5 - 5 secs, just was wondering what I might expect with it over time?? I mean there are 86,400 + secs a day so +5 is not that big a deal, imho. Thanks for any info.

Lee

[padi56]

Accuracy is dependant on a quite few different variables,such as gravity the main one to over come, some watches might gain or loose more time if laid to rest in a single position. The Rolex balance wheel has been adjusted to compensate for losses and gains in different positions. An adjusted Rolex watch should perform overall within the cosc specification when worn throughout the day too a AVERAGE -4 to + 6 over 24 hours. If you remove your watch at night you may want to find the best position that will compensate for any beat drift while at rest.Temperature plus the working environment may have an impact on how accurate any watch operates. Temperature changes expand and contract many of the movement parts, changing the dimension and shapes - especially the balance wheel and hairspring. Today in modern Rolex watches most materials are designed to compensate for the changes and maintain a consistent beat rate.

It is important to understand that a new watch off the shelf may need a break-in period of a month or so to settle in to your wearing habits.Now this allows the watch to find its true beat rate and distribute the oils evenly around the moving parts. If you find your watch not to be as accurate as you would expect after the break-in period, there are generally two courses of action to take to increase the accuracy, both very minor in nature,but require any good competent watchmaker to do it.Now if your watch runs consistently too fast or too slow remember the keyword being consistent. The solution for the watchmaker would be to regulate the true beat rate accordingly plus or minus.Now this is a very simple and quick procedure achieved by turning Microstella adjustment nuts.And with the use of a time-measuring machinery a good watchmaker can accomplish this in a matter of minutes I just cannot understand why they send watches back to the RSC for such a simple task. Regulating is most probably one of the most common tasks for any watchmaker to do.Now when a watch is fast or slow or does not have a consistent rate, especially in different positions.Then the balance wheel needs to be adjusted further to compensate for the different positions. Although this too is a simple procedure, it does require a little more time to correct as each position needs to be monitored and adjusted carefully.But don't be in a hurry to get the back off for a few seconds either way its not life threatening to be a few seconds off COSC spec.

[lch6257]

Awesome information. That is outstanding info to have. I figured as much and want to let some time go buy for a burn in period. I rotate the watches on my wrist, but may wear the Sub daily for the next 3-4 weeks to make sure I get "consistent" readings and will try different positions (I have been going crown down on its side at night) to see which position achieves the most consistency. If after a month or so, it seems like an adjustment is in order, I will see my qualified watchmaker to make the Microstella adjustments you mention. Wow, thank you again for giving me a very clear direction and understanding. I see no reason that it would need to go to RSC and rather not spend that kind of money for a tweak.

Big thumbs Up!!

Lee

[ac719]

Originally Posted by padi56

Accuracy is dependant on a quite few different variables,such as gravity the main one to over come, some watches might gain or loose more time if laid to rest in a single position. The Rolex balance wheel has been adjusted to compensate for losses and gains in different positions. An adjusted Rolex watch should perform overall within the cosc specification when worn throughout the day too a AVERAGE -4 to + 6 over 24 hours. If you remove your watch at night you may want to find the best position that will compensate for any beat drift while at rest.Temperature plus the working environment may have an impact on how accurate any watch operates. Temperature changes expand and contract many of the movement parts, changing the dimension and shapes - especially the balance wheel and hairspring. Today in modern Rolex watches most materials are designed to compensate for the changes and maintain a consistent beat rate.

It is important to understand that a new watch off the shelf may need a break-in period of a month or so to settle in to your wearing habits.Now this allows the watch to find its true beat rate and distribute the oils evenly around the moving parts. If you find your watch not to be as accurate as you would expect after the break-in period, there are generally two courses of action to take to increase the accuracy, both very minor in nature,but require any good competent watchmaker to do it.Now if your watch runs consistently too fast or too slow remember the keyword being consistent. The solution for the watchmaker would be to regulate the true beat rate accordingly plus or minus.Now this is a very simple and quick procedure achieved by turning Microstella adjustment nuts.And with the use of a time-measuring machinery a good watchmaker can accomplish this in a matter of minutes I just cannot understand why they send watches back to the RSC for such a simple task. Regulating is most probably one of the most common tasks for any watchmaker to do.Now when a watch is fast or slow or does not have a consistent rate, especially in different positions.Then the balance wheel needs to be adjusted further to compensate for the different positions. Although this too is a simple procedure, it does require a little more time to correct as each position needs to be monitored and adjusted carefully.But don't be in a hurry to get the back off for a few seconds either way its not life threatening to be a few seconds off COSC spec.

Absoloutly amazing info!!!

[ParisDakarBmw]

Padi........

That was what I like to see!

Although the topic has been entertained before, I read your response 3 times.

This is the type of professional knowledge we enjoy!

Thanks for taking your time to explain this in depth. I'm going to do some homework, and look up pictures of the parts for a visual.

I loved reading that!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by lch6257

Awesome information. That is outstanding info to have. I figured as much and want to let some time go buy for a burn in period. I rotate the watches on my wrist, but may wear the Sub daily for the next 3-4 weeks to make sure I get "consistent" readings and will try different positions (I have been going crown down on its side at night) to see which position achieves the most consistency. If after a month or so, it seems like an adjustment is in order, I will see my qualified watchmaker to make the Microstella adjustments you mention. Wow, thank you again for giving me a very clear direction and understanding. I see no reason that it would need to go to RSC and rather not spend that kind of money for a tweak.

Big thumbs Up!!

Lee

Not a problem Lee hope your watch works out, but dont be in a big hurry to get the back off, you have plenty of time to get it regulated if needed.

[Tools]

It has been my experience that a Rolex will speed up slightly after a few weeks or months of use..

Personally, if one of mine is off by 5 seconds Ihave it regulated. To me it doesn't make any sense not to..