Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
- Paul Drawmer
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Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
Now I realise that the whole point of a timepiece is that it should keep time. However; examination of the performance of a particular watch can highlight inconstancy and inaccuracy which can lead to fear and apprehension in the observer.
As a way of mitigating these unfortunate symptoms, may I suggest the following course of action.
1. Buy plenty of watches.
2. Do not get a winder for the automatics.
3. Wear them in a daily rotation.
In this way, each time you return to a watch, it will be run down. It will need the care and attention you give it by re-setting the date/time, and giving it a wind.
Since the only time to actually check the setting of a watch is from a stop, you never find out how much it varies over the day.
In this way you get to examine each watch in the collection on a regular basis (note that for Kip regular might only mean once a year!) , and relieve yourself of stress brought on by worries about performance.
Problem solved.
As a way of mitigating these unfortunate symptoms, may I suggest the following course of action.
1. Buy plenty of watches.
2. Do not get a winder for the automatics.
3. Wear them in a daily rotation.
In this way, each time you return to a watch, it will be run down. It will need the care and attention you give it by re-setting the date/time, and giving it a wind.
Since the only time to actually check the setting of a watch is from a stop, you never find out how much it varies over the day.
In this way you get to examine each watch in the collection on a regular basis (note that for Kip regular might only mean once a year!) , and relieve yourself of stress brought on by worries about performance.
Problem solved.
There's always time for one more.
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
Not really drivel, Paul. There is something in what you say. The more watches I collect, the less frequently I wear any particular watch, the less I worry about it being completely spot-on. If it points to the right minute after a day, I'm fine.
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
I agree with Steve, it's not drivel. You have described my habits and my collection.
- welshlad
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Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
Paul, that makes perfect sense to me.
Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future. - Niels Bohr
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- Senior Forumgod
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Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
I agree completely. I do use a winder though and I have just come to accept that my autos are going to need to be adjusted when I put them on.
Fred
C60 COSC, Orient Mako XL, Raymond Weil Traditions Auto, Daniel JeanRichard Grand TV, Vintage Omega Seamaster, Baume & Mercier Riveria Auto, Citizen Eco Drive, 121 Time Custom Chrono, Invicta Speedway, vintage Seiko Business A, the one I built
C60 COSC, Orient Mako XL, Raymond Weil Traditions Auto, Daniel JeanRichard Grand TV, Vintage Omega Seamaster, Baume & Mercier Riveria Auto, Citizen Eco Drive, 121 Time Custom Chrono, Invicta Speedway, vintage Seiko Business A, the one I built
Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
Spot on, in my opinion. I stopped using my watch winder and eventually sold it because I found it easier to let the watches run down and their accuracy was better than when they were on the winder. Now I have fewer watches and tend to wear one for considerable periods, I find the accuracy is much better.
- magicman
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Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
I imagine a watch winder is very useful for watches that need a bit of setting up, say a moonphase or similar.
But i like the whole process of re-powering/setting a watch, although i do just shake mine gently rather than wind it, is that incorrect ?
Steve
But i like the whole process of re-powering/setting a watch, although i do just shake mine gently rather than wind it, is that incorrect ?
Steve
Selling Tudor Pelagos 39
- Helix Von Smelix
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- MiniMpi
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Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
Because I have my watches on rotation they always run down. I enjoy the whole resetting the time and date and winding. It something that I enjoy, getting some life into them again
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Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
I absolutely agree with you Paul. I check the timekeeping on all my watches when I buy them, to make sure they are running ok and don't require regulating or service, and to get an idea of which watches are less accurate if I wear them for more than a couple of days. After that I don't bother setting them to the second. I set them to the minute and put them on. Good enough for me. I do check timekeeping occasionally as a 'health check', but that's it. By doing this I identified one of my vintages watches recently as in need of service, when it went from -40 seconds/day to -90.
I think the turning point for me was buying the Magrette Bronze, which didn't have a second hand. It helped me realize that to the second accuracy was mostly irrelevant. Very cathartic.
Having said all that, I still really enjoyed seeing my new-to-me Seamaster maintain -2 seconds over the first 24 hours, so I'm not completely cured.
I think the turning point for me was buying the Magrette Bronze, which didn't have a second hand. It helped me realize that to the second accuracy was mostly irrelevant. Very cathartic.
Having said all that, I still really enjoyed seeing my new-to-me Seamaster maintain -2 seconds over the first 24 hours, so I'm not completely cured.
2017 CW Forum "Darwin Award" winner.
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
Interesting notion about the lack of seconds hand being cathartic. Makes me want to try a single hander!
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
I agree with this completely. I find I don't even bother checking the seconds variation anymore which I used to check zealously when my watch collection was smaller.Amor Vincit Omnia wrote:Not really drivel, Paul. There is something in what you say. The more watches I collect, the less frequently I wear any particular watch, the less I worry about it being completely spot-on. If it points to the right minute after a day, I'm fine.
- malvern_man
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Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
I always let my autos run down, and, rightly or wrongly I also pull the crowns out on my quartz ones.
Chris.
Chris.
CWL - C60 Trident Pro ~ Orange Bezel - C60-TRI-SKCSI
CWL - C60 Trident Pro 600 ~ C60-42-AUTO-SKRT
CWL - C11 Makaira Pro 500 ~ C11-MAK-SKOSI
CWL - C11 Titanium Extreme 1000 Limited Edition ~ C11-COSC-EXT-TKV-SI
CWL - C60 Trident Pro 600 ~ C60-42-AUTO-SKRT
CWL - C11 Makaira Pro 500 ~ C11-MAK-SKOSI
CWL - C11 Titanium Extreme 1000 Limited Edition ~ C11-COSC-EXT-TKV-SI
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
When I was 18 I got my first quartz digital and got a **** from my Dad for ringing the speaking clock about 5 times a day to check if my watch was right!
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Re: Some thoughts on timekeeping. (drivel)
I might be wrong, but I'm sure someone once told me that leaving the crown out for long periods of time was a bad idea as the seal is 'open' potentially letting moisture in the air inside the watch.malvern_man wrote:I always let my autos run down, and, rightly or wrongly I also pull the crowns out on my quartz ones.
Chris.
---
Rolex Submariner 14060
Tudor Heritage Black Bay Red
Seiko FlightMaster
Tissot 1853
Rolex Submariner 14060
Tudor Heritage Black Bay Red
Seiko FlightMaster
Tissot 1853
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