tolerance of accuracy of automatic watches
Discussion
p1tse said:
just reset my time with checking the time online on a website
think i used it a week or two ago, and the time is a bit quicker i think
does my watch need calibrating?
Congratulations. That is the most vague post I have ever read on here. 'I think I did something to something at sometime. Maybe'. think i used it a week or two ago, and the time is a bit quicker i think
does my watch need calibrating?
When did you set it? How much quicker is the time? What kind of watch is it?
Oh come on

OP - I don't know if this helps (although it's probably more helpful than most of the posts on here), but I have 2 automatic watches, an Omega Seamaster and a TAG (which I can't remember the model of). The Omega was always losing time, and it spent more time in Switzerland than it did on my wrist for a time. In the end it had a completely new movement put in, only for it to gain time. At least I don't miss trains anymore.
The TAG loses time, it's probably just under a minute a fortnight perhaps.
Before I bought the TAG, I was really annoyed at the Omega, but now I guess that having two auto watches that aren't 100% accurate even if they're not cheap indicates it's somewhat par for the course.
The TAG loses time, it's probably just under a minute a fortnight perhaps.
Before I bought the TAG, I was really annoyed at the Omega, but now I guess that having two auto watches that aren't 100% accurate even if they're not cheap indicates it's somewhat par for the course.
My first decent watch was a TAG Heuer 400 automatic, which I bought in 1991. At its best it was within a couple of seconds between the clocks going forward and going back!
This was after it was timed by Duval during a small bezel warranty repair and I realise that it was fortunate that my particular pattern of use and storage position suited it absolutely, but nothing else has ever come close.
This was after it was timed by Duval during a small bezel warranty repair and I realise that it was fortunate that my particular pattern of use and storage position suited it absolutely, but nothing else has ever come close.
The short answer is:
If it's chronometer rated then (as ExplorerII says) it should be within -4 and +6 seconds per day
If it's not chronometer rated then the spec is up to the manufacturer, but will typically be quoted as up to +/- 30 seconds per day. Even non-chronometer should be capable of much better than this (around 10 sec / day should be easy) but the makers rarely guarantee it.
If it's chronometer rated then (as ExplorerII says) it should be within -4 and +6 seconds per day
If it's not chronometer rated then the spec is up to the manufacturer, but will typically be quoted as up to +/- 30 seconds per day. Even non-chronometer should be capable of much better than this (around 10 sec / day should be easy) but the makers rarely guarantee it.
Watch accuracy is usually measured is seconds per day fast/slow, so really we'd need to know how much time your watch has lost/gained and over how many days. The manual for your watch should say what is acceptable - if it is massively out it will need to go back to Switzerland for calibration.
FWIW - My Oris is 8s fast per day which is well within the tolerance.
FWIW - My Oris is 8s fast per day which is well within the tolerance.
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