Not Rolex...ancient history...

Any watch runs at slightly different "speeds" in the six possible positions: dial up/down, crown left/right/up/down. This has been known for centuries, and certainly before Mr. Wilsdorf's grandparents were born. This is one of the basic errors that Breguet wanted to fix with the tourbillon, as the difference between horizontal and vertical in a pocketwatch of the period could be huge.

Adjusting a watch means tweaking the balance assembly to even the errors out over as many positions as possible or to "put the errors" into little-used positions (John can give infinitely more expert info here).

The difference in rate in the different positions can be used to correct errors over a 24-hour period by leaving it in the appropriate position overnight to compensate for the day's accumulated errors. Which leads to my favourite watch accuracy anomaly: a watch that gains 8 seconds in 16 hours when worn then loses 8 seconds in 8 hours on the bedside table has a rate of +/-0s over a 24-hour period - a seriously accurate watch!!

nick

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TIMING ADJUSTMENT question

By: Mostel : April 9th, 2012-14:11

Hi guys, I have been wearing a 7750 based chrono (IWC 3705, a huge favorite) for a while and it's kept great time. A week ago, my beloved wife placed my beloved IWC on its crown, and there it stayed for about 8 hours. The next day, it was 25 minutes slow....

Time for a service, my friend.

By: amanico : April 9th, 2012-14:17

First check it has not been magnetized, but it seems that your watch needs a good service. Keep us updated! Best, Nicolas.

I agree with Nicolas ...

By: nilomis : April 9th, 2012-14:37

Time for a full service. It can be a simple matter, like a small piece of dirt on the balance spring or something worst. Good news is that the 7750 is quite common and any good watchmaker can take care of it. Cheers, Nilo

Waaaaaaa..... it was serviced only 2 years ago

By: Mostel : April 9th, 2012-16:44

Isn't this strange? It was serviced by Superior to the tune of 650 dollars. I wonder if it did get magnetized? Can a hotel room television do that? It sat on its crown by a TV overnight. That's all. Well, I emailed Superior. Let you guys know what happens...

They may take care of it gratis after only two years

By: ei8htohms : April 9th, 2012-17:03

Magnetism is unlikely to cause it to misbehave so dramatically, but perhaps it is something simple that they can address without a complete service. _john

thanks John

By: Mostel : April 9th, 2012-17:10

I was looking forward to your opinion. isn't this strange? Or is it not? I'm sure Superior will treat me right. They have a great reputation. Well, the upside is, I really love this IWC--it may be my all time favorite watch, in the sense of an everyday we...

By the way, this is why I love Rolex

By: Mostel : April 9th, 2012-19:07

No issues! My LV (black dial) is another supreme favorite for everyday--and almost 5 years later--she's running very well. I did have the date stick once, after a long period of no wear... but manually changed the date, going round and round, and it was f...

not so strange

By: ei8htohms : April 10th, 2012-04:01

Watches work fine until they stop working fine, but the transition can be gradual, dramatic or anywhere in between. _john

Do What the Professionals Do.

By: stephenleslie123 : April 10th, 2012-04:33

You can always try the watch repairer/maker's remedy and give it a bloody good shake. You'd be amazed how many times it's fixed the problem. A bit like switching your computer off then on again, or a mechanic flogging the living daylights out of you car t...

:-)

By: BDLJ : April 10th, 2012-05:13

The equivalent of the old Alfa tune-up? Cane the hell out of a car that has been pussyfooted around?

Rolex taught us this..

By: KC74 : April 10th, 2012-08:50

To gain faster timing, lay watch flat with dial upwards To slow down timing, lay watch vertical position, crown facing downwards To slow down timing even more, lay watch vertical position crown facing upwards Some Kamasutra lessons here.. Get it serviced....

Horological Meandering