Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Here you can post stuff that is not related to Christopher Ward
JAFO
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 4490
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:59 pm

Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by JAFO »

I have been considering a Weishi timegrapher, but they are all £160 plus on ebay now.
I saw a watch for sale on ebay with a timing report from a mobile phone app.

I downloaded a few from the play store to see how they worked. . The one they used on ebay (toolwatch) required you to login, but there was another one called "Watch Accuracy Meter" (actually, it might even have been our own @Fat-Sam in his Speedmaster for sale listing)

You put your watch dial near your phone mic, press start, and it over a minute, it draws a line showing the accuracy. I was a tracking a phone for 4pm yesterday. The app said +11 seconds, and the actual time was +10. I did notice that the accuracy of that watch declined as the power reserve went down. I found you had to put the watch around he phone so the dial lay flat on the phone.

I've checked all my watches at around lunchtime, and most were what I expected, so I will check the actual results tomorrow. I couldn't get a reading of one watch. I can only think the ticking isn't loud enough.

Screenshot below of a trace.
Screenshot_20210222-174553 (2).png
User avatar
Viognier
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 4611
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 8:16 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: Canada

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by Viognier »

I've always questioned mobile apps accuracy. Yours seems close. On another forum (from a watchmaker), he stated the apps using microphones are not terribly accurate. Your experience suggests that app might be more accurate.
Small collection of timepieces that I enjoy
User avatar
MiniMpi
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 37683
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:56 am
CW-watches: 17
Location: Cork, Ireland

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by MiniMpi »

I have used this app before, I found it very accurate.
Here is the readout for my C9 SS which is basically spot on with the COSC cert position.

Image
User avatar
Robotaz
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 1182
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:56 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Tennessee

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by Robotaz »

I can’t find anything for iPhone that uses a microphone. Anyone?
User avatar
ajax87
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3451
Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:47 am
CW-watches: 7
Location: West Michigan, USA

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by ajax87 »

Robotaz wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 12:06 am I can’t find anything for iPhone that uses a microphone. Anyone?
I couldn’t find this for iPhone either.
Alex
C5A Mk1|C65 316L LE|C63 36mm, GMT, Elite, 2023ish FLE|C1 Moonglow|Omega Seamaster DeVille|Speedmaster Racing|MoonSwatch Mercury|RZE Endeavor|Tudor BB58 925
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by jkbarnes »

How does this app work, exactly?
Drew
User avatar
tikkathree
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 7362
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:21 am
CW-watches: 1
Location: East Anglia - arr 'aas right buh

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by tikkathree »

ajax87 wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:12 am
Robotaz wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 12:06 am I can’t find anything for iPhone that uses a microphone. Anyone?
I couldn’t find this for iPhone either.
Sounds like it might be available in Android :thumbup:
C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
JAFO
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 4490
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:59 pm

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by JAFO »

jkbarnes wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:50 am How does this app work, exactly?
First, I have an android phone. It doesn't say on any of the apps I downloaded whether they are also available for I-phones. As FMs are not able to find versions of this for I-phones, I guess there aren't any.

I understand time-graphers work by listening to the tiny clicks made by the escapement as it changes direction and goes backwards and forwards, and measures the frequency of those clicks. A watch running at 28,800 should have 8 clicks per second (28,800 per hour/60/60), and at 21,600 should have 6. By measuring the actual time taken, the accuracy of the watch can be evaluated.

These time-graphers for phones use the phones microphone to listen and count the clicks, rather than an external device.

So, doing some maths, a watch that should tick 28,800 times per hour that gains 9 seconds per day is actually ticking at 28803 times per hour. That's 3 too many per hour. 24 hours by 3 extra ticks per hour is 72 ticks per day, which is 9 seconds, as there 8 ticks per second. 3 ticks in 28800 is about 1/100 of a percent wrong, so these errors are just tiny fractions.

I don't know which measurements yield the beat error and amplitude. I presume the beat error is the irregularity of ticks within the tick count, so that even ticks and odd ticks are not quite equally spaced, as they should be.

I was surprised it worked so well, but I guess I shouldn't be. We know mobile phone clocks are virtually completely accurate, and clearly the microphones are pretty sensitive.
RichM
Senior Guru
Senior Guru
Posts: 622
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 2:20 pm
CW-watches: 4

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by RichM »

It worked surprisingly well for 2 of mine insofar as it showed fast/slow correctly...

... and did show what I already knew that my C65 SH21 LE runs 9 secs fast!!
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by jkbarnes »

JAFO wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 10:52 am
jkbarnes wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:50 am How does this app work, exactly?
First, I have an android phone. It doesn't say on any of the apps I downloaded whether they are also available for I-phones. As FMs are not able to find versions of this for I-phones, I guess there aren't any.

I understand time-graphers work by listening to the tiny clicks made by the escapement as it changes direction and goes backwards and forwards, and measures the frequency of those clicks. A watch running at 28,800 should have 8 clicks per second (28,800 per hour/60/60), and at 21,600 should have 6. By measuring the actual time taken, the accuracy of the watch can be evaluated.

These time-graphers for phones use the phones microphone to listen and count the clicks, rather than an external device.

So, doing some maths, a watch that should tick 28,800 times per hour that gains 9 seconds per day is actually ticking at 28003 times per hour. That's 3 too many per hour. 24 hours by 3 extra ticks per hour is 72 ticks per day, which is 9 seconds, as there 8 ticks per second. 3 ticks in 28800 is about 1/100 of a percent wrong, so these errors are just tiny fractions.

I don't know which measurements yield the beat error and amplitude. I presume the beat error is the irregularity of ticks within the tick count, so that even ticks and odd ticks are not quite equally spaced, as they should be.

I was surprised it worked so well, but I guess I shouldn't be. We know mobile phone clocks are virtually completely accurate, and clearly the microphones are pretty sensitive.
Thank you. That’s a very clear explanation.
Drew
User avatar
rkovars
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3253
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2020 7:56 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: New England, US

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by rkovars »

That first plot isn't great. MiniMpi's is good but he also didn't have the app calculate the beat rate. He entered it manually. I'm guessing that the noise reduction algorithm in the app (they need this to distinguish the ticks from all of the other noise around) has a better time if the beat rate is known.

I would hesitate to use it often as there a magnets all over the iPhone and iPad. Some of them are rare earth magnets and very strong. Probably best to use the microphone in a set of headphones that you can keep the watch away from the phone.

This would be good for a quick spot check but I wouldn't use it for any diagnostics. If all you are after is an accuracy measurement a timing app like WatchTracker or Toolwatch would be all you need.
Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.
Jack London
JAFO
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 4490
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:59 pm

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by JAFO »

My first plot wasn't taken in an ideal position. The phone was actually on charge, and I just wanted to get something I could upload. When I take more care, mine are denser, and more like the plot MiniMpi posted. I take the point you are making about magnets though.

I think on the back of this, I will open up the cases of a few watches and see how easy it looks to tweak the regulation.
User avatar
Amor Vincit Omnia
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 33784
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:34 pm
CW-watches: 4
Location: Norfolk, UK

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

I have always felt that these machines and apps are best suited to the serious tinkerer.

I tend to set my watch, then wear it, leave it on the winder or leave it in the box for 24 hours, check it again and so on. If, over several days or weeks, a pattern emerges then I have a fair idea of the rate of my watch and whether I should set it a bit slow or a bit fast accordingly.

As I’m not immensely bothered about split-second accuracy that’s fine for me.
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)
User avatar
Robotaz
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 1182
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:56 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Tennessee

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by Robotaz »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote:I have always felt that these machines and apps are best suited to the serious tinkerer.

I tend to set my watch, then wear it, leave it on the winder or leave it in the box for 24 hours, check it again and so on. If, over several days or weeks, a pattern emerges then I have a fair idea of the rate of my watch and whether I should set it a bit slow or a bit fast accordingly.

As I’m not immensely bothered about split-second accuracy that’s fine for me.
It’s good habit twice a year or so to note timekeeping over 24 hours just to have a sense of service needs. This is why I’d like an app. I could check it really just once during the day and not have as much work put into checking, and probably have better results anyway since I’m getting lazier and lazier about taking care of my watches.
User avatar
rkovars
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3253
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2020 7:56 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: New England, US

Re: Watch Accuracy Meter - Timegrapher App

Post by rkovars »

The two apps I mentioned above are handy because you don't have to be religious about checking it at a certain time. It will do all of the math for you. You just need to keep the watch wound. I do a check over a week wearing the same watch checking the time once a day or so (you can also check multiple times a day if you want). You can also have different runs so if you let it run down you can start a new run from where you set it back to 0.
Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.
Jack London
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post