Malaysia Watch Forum
Main Forums => General Discussion - Modern Watches => Topic started by: bergkamp10 on December 02, 2011, 08:09:12 PM
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Was looking up for info whether should I leave the chronograph of my watch on or off and I came across this site which I like to share: http://www.europastar.com/watch-knowledge/1004082685-inside-the-chronograph.html (http://www.europastar.com/watch-knowledge/1004082685-inside-the-chronograph.html) (Very good article and it did clear my doubt!)
Some believe letting it run all the time is better, some believe not letting it run is better while there's also others who believe both way is ok, make no different.
My View: To let it run or not run really depend on one preference whether is it auto or quartz. For me, I choose not to have the chrono running on my quartz chrono watch since it's operated by battery and running it might cause depletion in the battery life and moreover, I believe just like any battery operated appliances, leaving it on all the time will eventually cause wear and tear. Only use when necessary! To sum up, I guess the choice of not letting the chrono run have more benefits. :Dancing_banana:
Any other views on this?? ::)
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i left it running all the time...sometimes reset it and let it run again...just feeling comfortable seeing it running....would like to know oso PROs and CONs letting it running all the time...any experts??
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I don't have any chrono watches but from what I heard it is good to have it run a few times, maybe once a month just to let the gear and mechanism to work out and let the oil inside the movement to circulate.
Something like your car, you don't have to race it but at least you got to start it up once a while for the engine to run smoothly.
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my sinn chrono i dont let it run since i bought it this year, last month i went jogging so i time my run, the chrono second at 59 up and down. i stop the chrono back to zero start again, same thing happen. i on and off the chrono now it ok. i will sent to hourglass
service center next week see what they(technician) say whether on or off the chrono is better i will update.
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I personally like to let it run. I am not a big fan of a 'dead' chrono. Whether this is good or bad i dont know.
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I don't run my chrono. Only use it when it is needed.
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sometimes i keep mine running. i did read posts about it wearing out the movement parts but that's what a service is supposed to fix.
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i used to keep mine running, but battery life depleted much quicker. At one point i thought my chrono was malfunctioning as the 1/10th second counter seemed jammed...turns out what it needed was a fresh load of battery power...
now i just run it every once in a while - the rationale as mentioned above, just to let the movements have some 'exercise'...
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I only use it when i need it
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I heard that it will worn up the gear inside for long run. If just a few days should be ok.
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Something like your car, you don't have to race it but at least you got to start it up once a while for the engine to run smoothly
Godzilla,
Gd example u used on the car engine.
Totally agree! Guess my perception on this is same as yours :)
my sinn chrono i dont let it run since i bought it this year, last month i went jogging so i time my run, the chrono second at 59 up and down. i stop the chrono back to zero start again, same thing happen. i on and off the chrono now it ok. i will sent to hourglass
service center next week see what they(technician) say whether on or off the chrono is better i will update.
engkow,
Looking forward for your feedback from the 'expert'.... :Praying:
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I used chrono function alot but I only used when necessary. Not till the level of letting it run all the time. For sure unnecessary wear and tear will be happen if let it run ALL the time. Kinda like rev the car all the time when the car is stationary :HammerHead:
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bergkamp10, talk to hourglass technician regarding my sinn chronograph, he said it could be the power reserve not enough power as i seldom wear it and ask me to wear more often so the power reserve will be enough.
'the chronograph' to him it better to let it RUN if you dont use it, better buy a non chronograph one.
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This sounded fishy. I alwiz thought if there is enuf power reserve to move the usual hour and minute hands, it should be able to power the chronograph too. Is my assumption flawed?
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sshark, i think what he said is true as i dont wind my watch as i seldom wear but now i wind the watch even i dont wear it.
now i use the watch chronograph for my morning jog everyday, so far so good for the past few weeks.
my watch it still under warranty till may next year, i will let the chrono run everyday non shop see what happen.
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If there is enuf power to run the watch usual hour and minute hands then the chrono shld works as well. Both draw from the same power reserve barrel. Also whether to run the chrono comtinously is a moot point
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If there is enuf power to run the watch usual hour and minute hands then the chrono shld works as well. Both draw from the same power reserve barrel. Also whether to run the chrono comtinously is a moot point
Agree with sshark on this!
The hands and the chrono should come from the same source of power.
Maybe the movement oil inside a bit stuck cos you too long never use.
But after continual use, the clot is removed and everything back to normal.
Just my guess. ???
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Good sharing bro. I never run my chrono watch. Will start the chrono shortly to let the engine run :thumbsup:
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No expert but have read a number of publications from IW,QP and others on this issue. Most articles mentioned that the amplitude is in fact affected and its to a matter of degree when the chrono is activated.
One of my earliest chronos was a Vj7750 Sinn Chrono (sliding pinion) and later I had a Cal 3133 with Co-Axial (supposed to be based on the FP 1185- lets not go into this) Omega PO (vertical clutch/column wheel).
I had run tests on both watches for a month and the accuracy monitored 1 mth on and 1 mth off.
In my case the watches ran marginally slower (if I remember correctly approx < -2 secs a month diff) when the chrono was on. Of course there could be other factors but these tests were run whilst the watches were not worn and left on Orbita winders.
Again this was the experience of the 2 watches I had at that time and need not necessarily be true for all other watches.
Lange had an article on chronos and Lange's solution on the deviation on the amplitude but you would need to google that.
This refers to accuracy and not wear & tear which was not my concern at that time.
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I do wonder...on the Nicolas Rieussec Chrono GMT, it was said that the chrono module can be run perpetually as a seconds hand disc/hand/module. Also it could hack when the crown is pulled out to set the time correctly by the manufacturer.
the chrono is based on both a vertical clutch and column wheel to achieve this. so how would this affect it's power reserve and accuracy in a day to day running?
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If there is enuf power to run the watch usual hour and minute hands then the chrono shld works as well. Both draw from the same power reserve barrel. Also whether to run the chrono comtinously is a moot point
Agree with sshark on this!
The hands and the chrono should come from the same source of power.
Maybe the movement oil inside a bit stuck cos you too long never use.
But after continual use, the clot is removed and everything back to normal.
Just my guess. ???
I agreed, in most of the Automatic Chrono, it should be operated from same source, the only impact it will slow down the accuracy of time keeping, where you will see is - minute incremental from time to time as compare to Chrono not running at all.
As for the quartz, I always turn the chrono running, cause no point for it sitting idle at 12 when all the others are working hard :Laughing_on_floor:
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u pay extra for chrono function...let it run....if it broke down, get it repaired...at least utilized rather than it broke down for not being used
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Yeah...used instead of wasted of mechanism..
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Been following the trend - important question, does one actually need a mechanical chrono? In my humble opinion, this is one function in a mechanical watch that is way down in importance.
If you need to measure time accurately, a digital fits in nicely.
If you still like to have a mechanical chrono, problems highlighted (in the various postings) should be accepted and tolerated.
:angel:
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i stop mine when not in use, but i'll play with it at least few times a day~ it's something like a game console to me now :laugh:
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Well, my agent told me not to let it run when i am not using it. Servicing chrono especially automatic chrono is quite costly. also, it will affect the accuracy of the time if you let it runs no stop.
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Well, my agent told me not to let it run when i am not using it. Servicing chrono especially automatic chrono is quite costly. also, it will affect the accuracy of the time if you let it runs no stop.
Whether you use the chrono or not, it still needs service at regular intervals, even if you never used the chrono. i disagree that running the chrono affects the accuracy of the time. it might reduce the power reserve a little.
i think you need another agent... :Cheers:
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+1. There is so far no indication that the accuracy of the watch will be altered when the chronograph is running and kept running. There is also no clear indication the keeping The chronograph running causes extra wear and tear to the watch. In terms of power reserve, Omega claims the keeping the chronograph running on their watches will reduce the power reserve by a maximum of 2%.
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Guys, apparently there is no conclusive views on this issue. Breitling seems to say that its fine to keep it running. Tag H says no. Patek Philippe says it depends on the models. So, it will just goes either way. I will not let it running non stop due to simple wear and tear theory. Running it non stop is merely for aesthestic reason for me. I guess i am better off with a center sweeping second instead of chronograph.
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i never seem to use the chronograph function in my watch. but i always get chronograph watches for its design. catches the eye
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this been discussed over n over.... but most watchmakers agreed to me
1. running the chrono will slow down the watch by a second or 2 or 3 or 4 a day.... bcoz u need more force from the barrel to push it.... but jus a fraction....
2. the wear n tear on the chrono part and especially when u keep pressing sure u wear the pusher and its mechanism...
3. not using the chrono for too long laso not good for the intact part.... oil distribute more evenly when it run...
4. same on the power reserve, the extra force need to power the chrono will make the watch stop slightly earlier....
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my sinn chronograph sent for repair chrono on february, under warranty (expire may), at HG after two months, they called to collect
the watch.
went there in april to collect, they did not repair the watch, they just test it, said nothing wrong with it.
the warranty still has one month left, cut the story short sent to singapore for the service the chrono,
just got the watch today after four months and hopefully it will give no problem next few years.
i agree with dpkong to run or not to run, it need regular service with it.