Automatic Watch Stopping

[jazzybee]

I bought my first Automatic Watch about a year ago direct from the brand's shop. I was told by them that the watch should keep its time for 48hrs without wearing. It never did this, barely lasting 8hrs.

I sent it back for repairs last year (for over 6 weeks!!) and was told they changed some bits. 3-4 months later and it is stopping after about 10hrs - even after I had fully wound it recently. Now, I am not the most active person, but surely there is something wrong here.

Last night, I dropped it off at Westfield again to be sent off (for another 3-4 weeks) - they asked me if I keep my watch near any magnets at night, and I thought about it and said its next to my Phone that is on charge. I was told that this could be the reason for the problem. Could this be right? I have not heard of this before. I wonder if they are spinning me a line.

Any thoughts? Advice? Given the unreliablity (stopping overnight) of the watch since new, I think I would rather get my money back and buy something else instead. Is that reasonable?

[sb-1]

What make & model is it?

[jazzybee]

Its a TAG Carrera

[LukeBird]

They're stringing you a line with the iPhone nonsense. If watches were that sensitive you wouldn't be able to wear them in an office for fear of electromagnetic interference!

I would try and get my money back (even a credit note for that shop, which in this case seems likely) and buy something else.

[Zod]

It's faulty. It should last for 42 hours fully wound.

[anonymous-user]

Zod said:

It's faulty. It should last for 42 hours fully wound.

My TAG Carrera lasts for a couple of days if not worn, so the 42hrs seems about right
Definitely something wrong with it if it's only lasting 8-10 hours!

[sb-1]

NeMiSiS said:

Automatic watches have the capability of winding themselves, as you know. They also need protection against overwinding, so all automatic watches are equipped with a gear that disengages when the spring reaches a certain torque indicating that it is fully wound.

The advantage is that it makes it impossible to manually overwind any automatic watch. The disadvantage is that the mechanism can fail or become faulty. Therefore not fully winding the mainspring to it's full torque and release potential, thus giving less than specified off the wrist running times.

Your watch is not fit for purpose demand a replacement pref without TAG written on it.

Spot on IMO.

[toohuge]

Some companies are just useless when it comes to automatic watches. I have a citizen meccanico that gains time over a 24 hour period. I sent it back to citizen who assured me they were capable of dealing with the problem and it came back exactly the same. I have left it for now but will send it back when I have some more time/start wearing a different one from the collection.

Chris

[bry1975]

Imo get the Citizen auto movement swapped as the 82** calibers generally keep very good time that's my experience any ways.

[pokethepope]

So this is not just for high-end brands, my Seiko mini monster should last for a day or two after I put it down?

[toohuge]

bry1975 said:

Imo get the Citizen auto movement swapped as the 82** calibers generally keep very good time that's my experience any ways.

Thanks Bry1975, it is a 4166, any experience of that particular calibre?

Chris

[tickious]

magnetism is a problem for most mechanical watches. But it usually just makes them gain e.g. An extra minute per minute. It does this because the coils of the hairspring (balance spring) stick together, effectively shortening the spring. Not running for 40 hours plus is more likely to be an automatic fault. Or if not even working when manually wound, perhaps a broken mainspring. They will try to do as the minimum poss to sort it out. So if it was me, having sent it back once, I'd just demand a full refund.