will running with your watch effect the accuracy?

[JCB62]

Last night I made my usual trek to the gym to put in some miles on the treadmill (since the sidewalks are still covered with snow and ice here in Michigan), and I forgot to leave my Sub I was wearing at home. No way I'm going to leave it in a 'locker' at the gym, so I kept it on my wrist during my time on the treadmill. I did about 6 miles.
This morning I checked my watch against USNO time, and see I was about +30 seconds. I had just checked it yesterday, and it was dead nuts on from when I set it against USNO time on Saturday. I had marveled at it's accuracy yesterday, vs. my GMT 16750, which is picking up about 10 sec a day. Now, it's suddenly off...what's changed? The only difference is the hour on the treadmill. Will that effect a loss in accuracy?

[ecsub44]

I'm interested to hear other opinions on this one.

I'd be surprised it it was affected...but I suppose it isn't impossible...

[JJL]

Interesting question. I'm not sure of the answer but I will say that my YM is running about 14-15 seconds fast per day but I am very active person and wear it to the gym almost every day. I'm wondering if that is effecting it's accuracy now that you mention it.

I look forward to hearing from the experts!

[drtooth73]

will walking with my watch affect the accuracy?
come on, watches dont belong on the wrist, Rolex belongs in the safe

[cdweller]

I play the bongo while wearing my sub and it never negatively affected the accuracy. I am surprised to hear that running had such an impact!

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by JCB62

Last night I made my usual trek to the gym to put in some miles on the treadmill (since the sidewalks are still covered with snow and ice here in Michigan), and I forgot to leave my Sub I was wearing at home. No way I'm going to leave it in a 'locker' at the gym, so I kept it on my wrist during my time on the treadmill. I did about 6 miles.
This morning I checked my watch against USNO time, and see I was about +30 seconds. I had just checked it yesterday, and it was dead nuts on from when I set it against USNO time on Saturday. I had marveled at it's accuracy yesterday, vs. my GMT 16750, which is picking up about 10 sec a day. Now, it's suddenly off...what's changed? The only difference is the hour on the treadmill. Will that effect a loss in accuracy?

A short answer: Intense movement of the watch will influence time keeping, and it might be as much as described.

There are several things that comes into consideration. The balance spring itself is influenced by the movements of your wrist, and as the rotor moves it will surely get your mainspring to operate at maximum torque.

In the same way the time keeping is influenced by low (or poor) power reserve making a watch deviate as much as 20-30 seconds the last hours of the power reserve.

But in the "normal" situation the very same watch can deliver spot on. It seems that this behaviour is more obvious on the Nivarox based balance springs, rather than the newer Parachrome Bleu. At least this is my observation.

Best,

A

[looking to buy]

I run or walk fast 3 to 5 miles a day. And I swim with my watches on. I have never noticed a problem with any of them. The time does not seem to change due to activity.

[esm]

wrong thread... sorry

[Paracentesis]

Originally Posted by acce1999

It seems that this behaviour is more obvious on the Nivarox based balance springs, rather than the newer Parachrome Bleu. At least this is my observation.

Good one!

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by Paracentesis

Good one!

Yes, it actually seems like Rolex knew what they did when they introduced the PB. The consistency is much better, regardless of activity, on my PB based Rolexes than the older. I am impressed (by consistency, not accuracy...)

[Paracentesis]

Maybe I'm lucky, then, with my P series sub. My activity doesn't affect its accuracy one iota. It's hard to see how it could, short of subjecting the watch to hard knocks, isn't it?

[jamesbondOO7]

Originally Posted by drtooth73

will walking with my watch affect the accuracy?
come on, watches dont belong on the wrist, Rolex belongs in the safe

[Brunotheboxer]

Try running 6 miles backwards today and see if this rectifies the problem.

[JasoninDenver]

I regularly run with my 3186 Explorer II and it always gains 2-4 seconds on a 1 hour run. I actually use this to regulate the watch!!!

When I ran with my Omega Seamaster (ca: 1120) I would experience up to a 30 second gain. Same thing with an ETA 2824 watch.

The times gains are always much worse with xc skiing because I am swinging my arms in a much wider arc.

[JCB62]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

I regularly run with my 3186 Explorer II and it always gains 2-4 seconds on a 1 hour run. I actually use this to regulate the watch!!!

When I ran with my Omega Seamaster (ca: 1120) I would experience up to a 30 second gain. Same thing with an ETA 2824 watch.

The times gains are always much worse with xc skiing because I am swinging my arms in a much wider arc.

Thanks! I figured it had to be the added motion. Currently it's back to dead on since I re-set it this morning.

[JCB62]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

Try running 6 miles backwards today and see if this rectifies the problem.

[z32turbo]

Interesting, I've never thought of this before.

[Z-Sub]

I notice that on mine as well, about 3 seconds after about 1 hr on the elliptical. obviously less motion than when one runs and it's normal.

[gettocard]

why would you go to the gym wearing a Rolex anyway ??

[Tools]

Originally Posted by JCB62

Thanks! I figured it had to be the added motion. Currently it's back to dead on since I re-set it this morning.

The correct answer is yes...

This is why... (caution, a physics lesson follows)

Your watch uses a balance (the hairspring is wrapped around it) that typically rotates (oscillates) about 300 degrees. This is the regulator of the tick-tock, and ideally it oscillates (ticks) 28,800 times per hour. When it does, your watch is absolutely accurate to the n'th degree...

When you vigorously swing your arms (wrist), then the external force you are applying affects the balance and it does not make it to the 300 degrees before it is forced back......... and your rotation (amplitude) is then only about 240 degrees as an example...

It takes less time for the balance to rotate 240 degrees than the full 300 degrees and so as long as that external influence exists, your watch then "ticks" at 30,000 beats per hour... it speeds up..

Therefore, in theory, a watch that is worn will always beat slightly faster than one on the dresser (or a winder) because of the external forces... and vigorous external forces, such as the treadmill or jogging, will have much more affect than simply walking..

You're welcome.......

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by Tools

The correct answer is yes...

This is why... (caution, a physics lesson follows)

Your watch uses a balance (the hairspring is wrapped around it) that typically rotates (oscillates) about 300 degrees. This is the regulator of the tick-tock, and ideally it oscillates (ticks) 28,800 times per hour. When it does, your watch is absolutely accurate to the n'th degree...

When you vigorously swing your arms (wrist), then the external force you are applying affects the balance and it does not make it to the 300 degrees before it is forced back......... and your rotation (amplitude) is then only about 240 degrees as an example...

It takes less time for the balance to rotate 240 degrees than the full 300 degrees and so as long as that external influence exists, your watch then "ticks" at 30,000 beats per hour... it speeds up..

Therefore, in theory, a watch that is worn will always beat slightly faster than one on the dresser (or a winder) because of the external forces... and vigorous external forces, such as the treadmill or jogging, will have much more affect than simply walking..

You're welcome.......

I have found that my Sub runs approx. +1 sec. per day during the winter months but gets closer to an average of +2.5 sec. per day from April through November (checked monthly). It occurred to me that it might have something to do with it spending more time off my wrist (stored in the crown up position in my nightstand) during those "short day" months than in the more activity filled warmer months. Based on your analysis it sounds like that in fact could be, would you agree?

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

Try running 6 miles backwards today and see if this rectifies the problem.

Love it...

Seriously though, I put my Milgauss through the grinder, plus oftentimes it accompanies me to the gym. Never noticed any issues, truthfully.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

I have found that my Sub runs approx. +1 sec. per day during the winter months but gets closer to an average of +2.5 sec. per day from April through November (checked monthly). It occurred to me that it might have something to do with it spending more time off my wrist (stored in the crown up position in my nightstand) during those "short day" months than in the more activity filled warmer months. Based on your analysis it sounds like that in fact could be, would you agree?

It's possible. You may be a little less active in the winter too. There are a variety of things that affect a mechanical watch..

Temperature is also something that needs to be understood and also has an affect on timing - winter vs Summer.. Gravity is another and that is why resting your watch crown up, slows it down slightly; the balance is "hanging" on it's side and has maximum contact and maximum drag, so it slows, while laying flat, the pivots have minimal friction and it will slightly speed up.. The newest fast-beat movements and larger mainsprings do overcome this slightly, but gravity is still the law..

[Dan2010]

My watch is an hour slow.................................oh wait, it's because of day lights saving time........silly me.

[aero]

If they advertise that many of the watches are "Sport Watches", they are supposed to stand periods of high energy, so I don`t think that will be a problem. Sometimes I run with one of them to wind them somehow an I don`t notice any change.

[JCB62]

Originally Posted by Tools

The correct answer is yes...

This is why... (caution, a physics lesson follows)

Your watch uses a balance (the hairspring is wrapped around it) that typically rotates (oscillates) about 300 degrees. This is the regulator of the tick-tock, and ideally it oscillates (ticks) 28,800 times per hour. When it does, your watch is absolutely accurate to the n'th degree...

When you vigorously swing your arms (wrist), then the external force you are applying affects the balance and it does not make it to the 300 degrees before it is forced back......... and your rotation (amplitude) is then only about 240 degrees as an example...

It takes less time for the balance to rotate 240 degrees than the full 300 degrees and so as long as that external influence exists, your watch then "ticks" at 30,000 beats per hour... it speeds up..

Therefore, in theory, a watch that is worn will always beat slightly faster than one on the dresser (or a winder) because of the external forces... and vigorous external forces, such as the treadmill or jogging, will have much more affect than simply walking..

You're welcome.......

Thanks Larry! A very interesting lesson. I appreciate the schooling, indeed!

[JCB62]

Originally Posted by gettocard

why would you go to the gym wearing a Rolex anyway ??

As I mentioned in the opening post, I just forgot to take it off before I left home. I dont typically wear it to the gym. I When I realized it standing in the locker room, I was not about to trust it to the cheap lockers and locks provided, so I elected to just keep it on for my run.

[STEELINOX]

I am sending my N fitted 16610 to GENEVA for a PB refit when it comes time to service it !

[jnkay]

What a great, simple explaination, Larry. Thanks.

[Paracentesis]

Originally Posted by Tools

When you vigorously swing your arms (wrist), then the external force you are applying affects the balance and it does not make it to the 300 degrees before it is forced back......... and your rotation (amplitude) is then only about 240 degrees as an example...

It takes less time for the balance to rotate 240 degrees than the full 300 degrees and so as long as that external influence exists, your watch then "ticks" at 30,000 beats per hour... it speeds up..

I don't really see how this explanation works out in practice as the balance wheel is oscillating quite rapidly at, say, eight beats per second, and in both directions.

So if it were possible to apply a rotational force such that the amplitude of the balance wheel's rotation was reduced in one direction, what effect would this same force have on the amplitude in the other direction?

It seems to me that in order to reduce the amplitude in both directions, it would be necessary to swing your arm back and forth at the right frequency (4 Hz) for a considerable period of time to significantly affect the watch's timekeeping. And even then the effect would be unpredictable because the wearer would not be aware of the "phase" of the balance. Get it wrong, and you'd slow the watch by increasing the amplitude.