Rolex and Motorbike

[PhillVR6]

I've had my basic Rolex Oyster for about 8 years. During this time its always lost a bit of time (nothing unusual there). However since I've been riding a motorbike I've found its been going fast. Is this just a coincidence?

Thank,

Phill

[tomtom]

Increased heart-rate causing it to overwind?

[rsvmilly]

Vibey bars?

[Carrera2]

Probably a coincidence but are you aware that you can make it slower/faster depending on how you leave it at night?

[tomtom]

Carrera2 said:

Probably a coincidence but are you aware that you can make it slower/faster depending on how you leave it at night?

Go on...

[rsvmilly]

Carrera2 said:

Probably a coincidence but are you aware that you can make it slower/faster depending on how you leave it at night?

I know nothing of these old fashined mechanical watches. The last one I owned featured Mickey Mouse.

[gingerpaul]

I think how fast the mechanism is changes depending on how much vibration it is subjected to. My guess would therefore be that it is getting wound up more than it was previously, making it faster than usual. All assuming an automatic winding mechanism of course. (Educated guess, not gospel).

[KITT]

tomtom said:

Carrera2 said: Probably a coincidence but are you aware that you can make it slower/faster depending on how you leave it at night? Go on...

And does this apply to any mechanical watch? Mine's always run fast and I'd love to find a way to get it to run slower.

[Carrera2]

I can't remember which way it is but if you leave it on one side (lets say with the crown down) then the watch will gain fractionally overnight and vice versa....

Have a google - iirc Rolex even acknowledge this fact and promote the use of it.

[Carrera2]

KITT said:

tomtom said: Carrera2 said: Probably a coincidence but are you aware that you can make it slower/faster depending on how you leave it at night? Go on... And does this apply to any mechanical watch? Mine's always run fast and I'd love to find a way to get it to run slower.

I believe so yes - it certainly works on one of mine.

[KITT]

Carrera2 said:

I believe so yes - it certainly works on one of mine.

So could you enlighten us?

Edit: must read all replies before posting!!!

>> Edited by KITT on Friday 6th January 09:17

[james_j]

I expect there is quite a bit of high frequency vibration through the bars which you may not notice. That would probably cause the watch to behave that way.

[Carrera2]

I've never noticed any change in my watch through riding a bike to be honest. I guess it may have loosened something but I wouldn't have thought so.......

[_VTEC_]

I often notice my Omega gains a bit of time during exercise. - Pretty normal and nothing to worry about as far as I can tell. Although, have you had it serviced in its lifetime? If not you might want to look into it.

re: overnight time gain/loss: it is true that leaving it in a certain position overnight can make it variate favourably or unfavouably but it varies from watch to watch as they are adjusted internally. Try leaving it in a different position every night then measure the variance against an accurate time source in the morning.

[theaxe]

I find that my (manual) Omega Speedmaster runs fast if I wind it every day. If I wind it fully and then let it run for 48 hours it's spot on. I guess when the spring is tight it's slightly fast and then when it's slack it's slightly slow.

The same probably applies with automatics and riding a motorbike may well be classed as vigerous winding!

[PhillVR6]

Its about 5 years since it was serviced and to be honest it was more accurate before they touched it so I'm loath to spend in the region of £300 again.

With regards to leaving it in a different position overnight, I don't take it off, never have.

Phill

[rsvmilly]

I don't even wear a watch any more - not for more than 15 years. I would struggle to fit one under my bike leathers.

I have a clock on my phone, video, computer, car and even bike so just don't bother any more.

[Carrera2]

rsvmilly said:

I don't even wear a watch any more - not for more than 15 years. I would struggle to fit one under my bike leathers.

After all that xmas eating I'm worried about that too.

[mybrainhurts]

Will someone explain why it's worth paying an arm and a leg for a mechanical device that's inaccurate when £15 buys a device that's near perfect....?

[sleep envy]

mybrainhurts said:

Will someone explain why it's worth paying an arm and a leg for a mechanical device that's inaccurate when £15 buys a device that's near perfect....?

The same could be said of a TVR and a Toyota Corolla...