Horological Meandering - some technical explanations

some technical explanations

Hi Joehank,

I've been asked by a colleague watchmaker to chime in on the questions you raised here.

The problem you describe is not exclusive to any one brand. In fact, there has been much diiscussion about this subject on many watch forums.

There is a small amount of play in the gearing of the minute hand which doesn't follow the precise movements of the small second hand. Even when there exists a 'stop hack' it is not guaranteed that every time the second hand comes up to the top at 60 will the minute hand follow in unison. One way to compensate for the 'play' in the gears is to advance the minute hand by a few minutes and the slowly turn the minute hand BACKWARDS to the precise time with the second hand.

With reference to the technical explanation you received from the company about the 'length' of the minute hand, what they meant is the length of time it takes for the minute hand to make a complete revolution compounds the above mentioned 'play' in the gears which results in a short term lack of precise synchronization between the minute and second hands. This explains why after time, as the differential play works in reverse, the synchronization takes effect until the next cycle.

I've attempted to assure you that with mechanical timepieces this problem does not represent a major deficiency with a given brand but rather demonstrates some limitations commonly found throughout many of even luxury brands.

Regards,
Jack Freedman

Minute Hand and Second Hand Do Not Sync Through the Hour

By: Joehank : July 23rd, 2012-13:54

Following is a post I made today to the Help Desk Forum. I am repeating it here because I was uncertain of the proper forum to raise this question. I apologize for the duplication. ************************************************************* I have encou...

Hi Joehank,

By: mkt33 : July 24th, 2012-02:30

I don't have the technical answers you are seeking but I think the manufacture was trying to relate the fact that imperfections in the teeth of the gears can translate into slight changes on the rotation of the seconds hand pinion. This change in rotation...

+1 GO Senator Chronometer

By: amerix : July 24th, 2012-04:55

It is making life SO much easier for me.

Thanks

By: Joehank : July 24th, 2012-10:05

Thank you. Your response is helpful. Joehank

Thanks Mike

By: Joehank : July 24th, 2012-10:28

Thanks, Mike. Your response is far more intelligible than that of the manufacturer. I appreciate the input. I looked up the Volker Vyskocil V-30; a very impressive watch. Had I known of it before my last purchase I might have considered it and saved some ...

This is more thinking aloud than an opinion...

By: aditya : July 24th, 2012-03:11

... First of all, we must understand that in most watches the minute hand is fixed to the cannon, which in turn is snapped on to a wheel in the power train. Therefore I can see no reason for any slop here, since the centre wheel (on which the cannon is sn...

Thanks Aditya

By: Joehank : July 24th, 2012-10:09

Aditya: Thank you for your response. I don't believe that the first part is applicable since the second hand is not attached to the center post but is contained in a offset subsidiary dial. I will try the dial test you suggested. Joehank

some technical explanations

By: jfsuperior : July 24th, 2012-11:10

Is your watch always horizontal when testing?

By: Wees : July 24th, 2012-12:20

I don't know of the mechanics, but I wonder if the play in the gearing will mean that the watch minute hand will appear ahead in the first half of the hour (eg at 15 past the hour) and behind in the second half of the hour (eg at 45 minutes) if you do you...

Can you take photos demonstrating what you are seeing?

By: AndrewD : July 24th, 2012-18:56

While my experience agrees with Jack's explanation - some watches have more 'play' in the minute hand and after setting the watch it takes a few seconds (let's say 15-25 seconds) for the minute hand to start moving - I think you are describing something d...

Hi..

By: W72 : July 24th, 2012-22:20

I have several watches which exhibit the same "problems" as you have mentioned. My watches include those with central second hand and those with small second hand at six o'clock position. Once the second hand and the minute hand are synchronized, it will ...

Thanks to all for the responses

By: Joehank : July 25th, 2012-09:06

Sorry I have not sooner respond to your posts. Life sometimes interferes with our other "distractive" activities. In this case, it was spending time with my grandchildren that took precedence over getting an answer to my watch question. That normally will...

[Please Type Something Here]

By: Watchnoob : August 2nd, 2025-15:32

I’m experiencing a similar issue with a newly acquired very high end Swiss watch. This watch doesn’t have a second hand, only minute hand. And I’ve noticed in the last few weeks that it would be 15-30second fast on the right hand side of the dial (first h...

You may not have noticed this thread is 13 years old and there will be few people looking at it

By: cazalea : August 7th, 2025-00:15

But the answers above should give you a clue as to the reason for the seemingly odd behavior. The big question is does the watch keep good time over the day or week?