Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

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Seraphial
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Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by Seraphial »

I'm wanting to adjust an automatic, non hacking movement to as close to atomic as possible (even though I know they'll be deviation in a few days!) and have seen different sources talk of 'back-hacking'. There seems to be quite a few opinions on whether this damages a movement or not. Does anyone have any knowledge/real-life experiences on back hacking, good or bad?
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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by tonyhg »

I have an Orient Ray and can back hack when it is low on power reserve, or when setting it for the first time after not wearing it for a while. It doesn't seem to have caused any damage so far, it just becomes more difficult to hack the second hand the more it is worn/wound.
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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by jimmbob »

I also have an Orient (Symphony) that works the same way. When the power reserve is low it will back hack. It's never had any effect. But then again, it's not a particularly expensive watch. I wouldn't recommend it on a Patek, or any other hugely expensive watch with no hacking function! :-"
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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

I have tried this, though my feeling is that doing it too often is probably not great for the watch. My method with a non-hacker is simply to know whether it gains or loses overall, and set it accordingly to the nearest minute fast or slow.
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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by vikingdrvr »

I always set my watches to the second and I've never had an issue doing this.
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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by reggie747 »

I only wind watches forward (don't ask me why, I read it somewhere) :)
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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by nbg »

Omega don't seem to think so, as I believe they even explain how to do it in the manual for a Speedy Moon.

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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by gbbird »

I try to do forward as a rule, but then there is always a bit of backward hacking involved to be accurate. Not done my watches any harm
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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by Kip »

As long as you are only gently (very slight pressure) holding the crown back, you are only holding things in check. No harm done.
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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by Richard B »

I've been adjusting my 3 Seikos by exactly this method for some time. No problems experienced.
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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by Boydesian »

The Omega manual specifically recommends gently "back-hacking" the movement in order to synchronize the second hand on my cal. 1861 Speedmaster. Apparently it does no harm.
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Re: Back hacking - does it damage the watch?

Post by mibby »

Doesn't seem to bother the Speedmaster or any of my Vostoks.
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