Comments:
Panerai Quaranta
Hey folks, I am thinking about a Quaranta as the size fits my wrist. Does anyone know why the P900 movement doesn’t have a hacking second hand? Seems very strange to me.
That is strange
I have a 973, the 42mm Submersible. It has what I thought was that same movement but mine definitely hacks.
Apparently there was a change made at some point
And the newer P900's do not have hacking seconds.
Hacking is actually not that common anymore...
The only brand that I've noticed where all their watches hack is Breguet. I haven't met a Breguet that doesn't hack yet. Many Patek Philippes don't hack too - it's actually annoying.
Why is it annoying?
Personally, I stopped caring years ago but why do you find it annoying? Is there another reason other than synchronizing the time with something else?
P.S. While I am not familiar with the entire Breguet line but my 7147 does "not" hack
Sometimes you want to set the watch to the exact second...
Sometimes if you want to set the watch to an exact second (if you're trying to time it to a reference time down to the second) it's just not possible without a hacking second. So then you have to wait for the whole watch to lose power. And then try from there. Overall, a lot of these big brands used to compete in 1950s and 1960s observatory trials. Back then all expensive brands had hacking seconds as this was a requirement for some tests.
A hacking seconds was kind of a requirement for a high end watch back in the day. A quick adjust DATE was another requirement for a high end watch back in the day. Kind of like how we've been programmed that there should be some wood flavors in any expensive wine. And now Harlan makes Promontory, a $1000 bottle of wine with zero % new oak barrels - it's a beautiful wine, but it really caught me off guard to not have a lot of wood notes. Then I started asking some questions and I realized it's made with 0% new oak. A generous friend had promised to pour a very expensive bottle of wine, and I was drinking it and not realizing it had been poured since I was expecting some wood notes.
Good to know the Breguet 7147 does not hack. THAT is a beautiful watch. I don't think my Patek Philippe hacks neither. I like my Patek Philippe, it's a beautiful watch - even if it doesn't hack. But still wished it hacked!
So, it's mildly annoying to not have a hacking seconds. Not a huge big deal. Not a deal breaker. But slightly annoyed if I'm trying to do some accuracy/performance test. Oh! My Octo Finissimo doesn't hack! If I ever get too annoyed by that in the Octo Finissimo, I'll let you know!!! Wink wink!
Our member, BluNotte, the Lange-Lover, he gets REALLY ANNOYED when watches don't hack. And he actively avoids buying watches that don't hack now. It's one of his first questions when he buys a watch - does it hack? If not, that's major negative points!
I would also always like to have hacking seconds.
I mean why would I want a general idea of what time it is when there is a very intricate watch on my wrist which supposedly can measure time to the exact second. Also I would definitely want to know how many seconds gains or looses my watch in a day, and it’s much easier to do that with a hacking second. For me it’s one of those minutiae that separates the thing on my wrist between bijouterie and tool. It wouldn’t be a deal breaker if the watch does not have a hacking seconds but if it doesn’t the watch ( to me ) seems a bit carelessly done. Do you agree?
I think it's a bit of an oversight.
Watch companies are making things based on what consumers request AT THE TIME OF SALE. At the time of sale, most customers want three things; automatic, date, and maybe a second hand (not even everyone wants a second hand). The consumers aren't necessarily thinking they want a HACKING SECOND HAND. In fact, many consumers assume that most watches have a hacking second hand. It's not until AFTER THE SALE IS COMPLETED, do consumers realize they want a HACKING SECOND HAND.
Well I hope those who realize express their desire to their appropriate watch companies
And the watch companies start producing again hacking seconds as it is one of those things that I would like to take it for granted and never have to ask when buying a new watch
Watch Adviser says that going forward decoration and hacking will return to the P900
https://youtu.be/kQuIwEf7_88?si=2Zg60kOYaIQtUTb7
Click the header to reveal the link
6 mins he talks about it and how reliable this Val Fleurier movement is. The movement is shared throughout the Richemont group.