Many people who are new to mechanical watches go through a similar psychological phase: when they receive their new watch, the first thing they do is set the time. The next day, they check it and find it’s 8 seconds fast; the third day, it’s 5 seconds slow. Then doubts start creeping in: “Is there something wrong with this watch?”
Don’t panic yet. In most cases, an inaccurate timekeeping of a mechanical watch doesn’t mean it’s broken—it simply works that way. The key is knowing the difference between normal variations and genuine signs of malfunction.
No watch can have “zero error”
Many people have a misconception about watches: they believe that a good watch must be perfectly accurate to the second. However, in reality, watches are precision mechanical/electronic timing devices. They are affected by materials, craftsmanship, environment, and wearing conditions, and reasonable errors are inherent normal attributes of the products.
For different types of movements, the error standards are completely different. The same standard cannot be used to judge them. Below, we will explain them by type to make it clear for everyone. Ordinary people can directly compare and judge based on this.
The normal error range for various watches, please check against this for yourself.
Quartz watch: The least error, the most stable.
The quartz watch uses quartz crystal oscillation to keep time, and its accuracy is much higher than that of mechanical watches. It is also the most convenient type of wristwatch for daily use.
Industry standard normal error: within ±15 seconds per day
In simple terms: the difference between fast and slow does not exceed 15 seconds in a day, and the error within one month is within 7-8 minutes. Both fall within the completely qualified normal range.
The advantage is that the error is very stable and does not fluctuate between fast and slow. If your quartz watch only runs a few seconds slower or faster each day, it is definitely not broken and does not require any handling.
Ordinary mechanical watches: Errors are normal occurrences.
Mechanical watches operate based on mechanical structures such as gears, springs, and balance wheels, relying entirely on physical power. They are greatly influenced by factors like gravity, temperature, and the way they are worn. Errors are inevitable.
National standard normal error: -30 seconds to +45 seconds per day
That is to say: If it is 30 seconds slow or 45 seconds fast within a day, it is within the normal accuracy range of the factory. Even for entry-level mechanical watches from major brands, they cannot escape this rule.
High-end observatory-certified mechanical watch
The COSC-certified wristwatches that many people pursue have higher accuracy, but they are still not error-free.Astronomical watch standard error: -4 seconds to +6 seconds per day
Their accuracy is far superior to that of ordinary mechanical watches, but there will still be minor deviations. If you pay a high price for an astronomical watch and find that it gains a few seconds each day, don’t worry. This is a perfect state.
Summary: Any time deviation within the above error range is normal and not a fault. There is no need to repair or adjust. Frequent adjustments are more likely to damage the movement.
Which of these “forbidden” actions are indicative of a malfunction?
The following situations cannot be explained by “normal errors”:
- The error suddenly changed significantly. For example, a normally stable watch suddenly changed from being fast by 5 seconds per day to fast by 1 minute, or slow by several minutes. This “sudden change” is a typical abnormality.
- Magnetism. This is the most common cause. Once the hairspring is magnetized, the timekeeping will change drastically, possibly becoming faster or slower, or even stopping. Common magnet sources include mobile phones, audio equipment, refrigerator doors, and leather bag clasps. The method of judgment is simple: place a compass near the watch. If the pointer shakes, it indicates that the watch is magnetized. The demagnetization process is quick, and it can be resolved in just a few seconds.
- The power cannot be fully stored. After manual winding, the watch stops after a short period of time, or the automatic watch stops the next day even after being worn all day. This may be due to problems with the spring or the automatic winding system.
- The timekeeping is extremely unstable, changing rapidly between fast and slow. Today it is fast by 20 seconds, tomorrow it is slow by 30 seconds, and the day after tomorrow it is fast by 10 seconds. This “unpredictable” fluctuation may indicate wear of internal components or the need for maintenance of the movement.
- Accompanied by other abnormalities. For example, the dial fogging, the second hand shaking, the abnormal date jump, etc. These timekeeping problems are often related to the entry of moisture or damage to the movement.
Common Misconception: These operations will deliberately “cause” the clock to lose or gain accuracy.
Often, the timekeeping of a watch is inaccurate. It’s not because the watch is broken; it’s because we wear and store it in the wrong way, thus causing unnecessary errors.
Long-term idleness without wearing: If a mechanical watch is left idle for a long time, its power will be insufficient and the movement will not be lubricated smoothly. When worn again, it may show time deviation, which is a normal phenomenon. Replenishing the chain and wearing it normally for a few days can restore it.
Long-term exposure to magnetic fields: Mechanical watches are most afraid of magnetic fields. If you place your phone, headphones, or power bank beside the watch casually, it will be magnetized within a few days and the time will run very fast. Regular demagnetization is a necessary maintenance tip for mechanical watches.
Severe vibrations and impacts: If you vigorously bump your hand or engage in intense physical activities while wearing the watch, it will cause the balance wheel and hairspring to shift out of position, directly resulting in a permanent time deviation.
Large temperature differences and moisture ingress: Exposing the watch to high temperatures, freezing temperatures, or getting water inside and fogging up will all affect the accuracy of the movement and damage the internal parts.
Final summary: Stop blindly repairing your watches and stop worrying about the time discrepancies.
Mechanical watches often fail to keep accurate time. Most of the time, it’s not because they are “broken”, but because they just are. What really needs to be guarded against is change – the sudden alteration of errors, the sudden loss of regularity in timekeeping.
If you are constantly anxious about the second hand every day, you might have chosen the wrong watch. The beauty of mechanical watches does not lie in their perfect accuracy. It is a miniature machine with its own temper and character, susceptible to temperature, magnetic fields, and the amplitude of your wrist movement.
