Perpetual Watches - Are they perpetual?

[dcpillai]

Hi folks! I have a query in relation to perpetual watches, i.e. are perpetual watches actually perpetual?

From my reading, I understand that perpetual watches do not need the date to be changed until March 1st 2100. What happens then? Is it just a case of it being readjusted by the owner (can it even be readjusted?) OR is must it be sent back to the manufacturer for them to reset (will they though nearly 90 years later?)? Or is it more likely that you just need to put it away as it cannot be readjusted?

Not that I expect to be alive in 2100, or my son for that matter (he would be 98 then, but then again, who knows with the wonders of technology?)! Just being curious ...

Appreciate your learned insights sifus. Thanks in advance!

[JOS2012]

The manual of my Glashutte Original Navigator Perpetual Calendar says that the watch needs to sent back to the manufactory for re-programming (re-setting of the gears) after 2100.
Like you said I'll be long dead and gone by then. Its not my problem anymore. So however inherits it (if I keep it that long ) has to hack it.
AFAIK perpetual watches of all makes and models are set till 2100.

[Godzillaz]

I only know of Svend Anderson make such perpetual that doesn't require resetting on the year 2100.

Regard
Tyler

[spacewalker]

Hi, I have no any perpetual watch even quartz or automatic. Happy to get one someday. If the auto perpetual watch had been set to a current date after its stop due normal out of power reserve, did the watch still show the perpetual day/date for the next in coming month? What about the quartz one?

[ck77]

Hi, I have no any perpetual watch even quartz or automatic. Happy to get one someday. If the auto perpetual watch had been set to a current date after its stop due normal out of power reserve, did the watch still show the perpetual day/date for the next in coming month? What about the quartz one?

No, you need to reset it.

[kevlee]

Hi, I have no any perpetual watch even quartz or automatic. Happy to get one someday. If the auto perpetual watch had been set to a current date after its stop due normal out of power reserve, did the watch still show the perpetual day/date for the next in coming month? What about the quartz one?

I own 2 quartz perpetual calendar, with solar cells. So there would be no problems of out of power. For automatic perpetual calendar watch would probably cost you sky high price, at least I am not afford to own one. If there is out of power reserve, even with quartz powered by solar cell or cells, you would need to reset the date, month and year again one the watch is recharge or regain the power. As far as I know, there is no watch that could remain its date after the power run flat. Unless it's like a computer, even you off the computer and pull off the cells, the date still keep on running. I own a Citizen and Casio with perpetual calendar function. Both with reasonable price, considered as poor man perpetual calendar watch.
 

[spacewalker]

Sky high price for mech perpetual  . Apparently I go for Seiko kinetic perpetual. Hope they could produce the sporty one. Not like seiko premier. The mech perpetual maybe have a very complex gear mechanism to be perpetual calender right. No wonder the price is sky high.

[dcpillai]

Hi Folks.

Bro JOS2012: Thanks for the explanation! Wonder what the cost would be to send the watch back to to the manufactory for re-programming? Would a manufactuere even entertain (e.g. PP, JLC,  VC)
Bro Godzillaz: That is interesting! Will need to have a look at his perpetual watches. In all probability will cost an arm and a leg 

In fact after the year 2100, would anyone in MWF know how long will mechanical perpetual watches have until they will need to be reprogrammed again?

And speaking of quartz perpetual watches, I remember in a manual that quartz perpetual watches will be accurate until 2100. I wonder why that is, bearing in mind that quartz perpetual watches do not run on gears? 

I personally think that what happens at the end of life of a perpetual watch seems to be one of the least discussed topics in the watch world!! Do correct me if I am wrong sifus ...

Thanks all!

[sshark]

On that note, year 2100, I read a Citizen watch instruction or article mentioned that their quartz watches are accurate up to year 2100. I wonder what if year 2100. is it just an arbitrary number chosen for simplicity sake.

[Godzillaz]

There's a flaw the Gregorian Calendar system. The leap year occur every 4 year except every 400th year starting from year 100.

Which means 500th, 900th, 1300th, 1700th, 2100, 2500th, 2900th, … etc

On these year therw is no leap year.

Contemporary perpetual watch aren't design to compensate that. Hence the manufacturer need to reset the watch on the year 2100

Regard
Tyler

On that note, year 2100, I read a Citizen watch instruction or article mentioned that their quartz watches are accurate up to year 2100. I wonder what if year 2100. is it just an arbitrary number chosen for simplicity sake.