What is the accuracy of common automatic watches? - Watch and Learn #31

In today's episode of watch and learn, we discuss the accuracy of some common affordable automatic (self winding) watches. Newcomers to the hobby of automatic watches might be surprised at how the accuracy differs from quartz (battery) operated watches.

Mechanical watch movements are extremely sensitive pieces of machinery, and we collect them for reasons far beyond their accuracy. Appreciation of the technology inside is part of what makes them so special.

[nukemanmd]

I have to admit that a watch's accuracy is of paramount importance to me. I had a Jaeger-LeCoultre that was gifted to me when I graduated from law school. While it was a beautiful watch, I had to routinely sync it to the phone company time service. I bought an Accutron which was much more accurate. I then became a fan of Casio G-Shocks which were even more accurate. I migrated to the versions which sync'd to the atomic clock, but the signal was problematic. Now I have a Casio Edifice which can synchronize with my cell phone via Bluetooth multiple times each day. It has proven to be the most accurate watch I've ever owned. It is also quite a beautiful watch.

[BenBen-thph]

Just for a bit of historical perspective, I have a verge fusee pocket watch, made in...wait for it....1695. After a decent service it is accurate to 30 seconds per day, and I am full of wonder at the skill of the watchmaker who built this watch by hand without the benefit of any modern technology, a watch which 320 years later is able to keep up with one built yesterday.

[ouzaloid]

I never had an automatic watch and was about to purchase one. Thanks to this honest video I knew what I should expect and I can't live with these ranges of inaccuracy. I will remain at the quartz side.

[oes]

I've had 3 Seikos with the entry level 7s26. The first ran +0.5 out of the box and after regulation the others ran +1.3 and +1.8 s/day respectively. This is average over several days. There was larger variations on single days, but when well wound (aka. worn in a regular fashion, not being on rotation) these entry level automatics are quite stable at those rates. Accurate enough!

[geckobros]

and again we learned something valuable for our hobby, thank you Mark

[lidijabacic]

refreshing to see an actual honest person from ny

[gabrielM]

Accuracy is very relevant to position and it varies from watch to watch. factoring movement design and quality, it is more or less effected by gravity and resulting changes in the friction of various points and the axis of the balance wheel. Magnetism will effect accuracy regardless, and usually results in a fast watch.

[ussling]

Good video.
I have an early 2000s Breitling SuperOcean blue dial. I set it eleven days ago when I had to adjust it for the end of November, a 30 day month. I just checked it against the atomic clock and in those days it is 37 seconds ahead. That means the watch is gaining 3.5 seconds in 24 hours.
Pretty darned accurate for an automatic watch.

[curtisclegg]

Thank you for this video! I was one of those people who panicked when my first automatic watch was losing 10 seconds a day. Your video was very reassuring.

[JuanPerez-svqs]

It is fascinating how your experiences affect your perspective. I grew up wearing quartz watches. When I had some money I purchase a brand new Omega Seamaster. It was my daily watch for 15 years. It’s accuracy was within the spec of an automatic watch. Which made it, by a huge margin, the worst watch I have ever owned. I have since rediscovered the Casio’s of my youth. I now have a Casio collection. All are radio controlled. It is awesome to wake up in the morning, look at your watch box, and all these watches that you haven’t wore in a month are all telling exactly the same and correct time. I would kindly recommend to my fellow watch enthusiast to broaden you horizons.

[gladiator]

Great explanation! Thank you Mark because you explained questions that were not well answered by others. At last someone who understands the realistic behaviours of mechanical watches. Some expect Quartz accuracy which is totally impossible.

[John..]

I've recently bought my first automatic watch, and I was a bit disappointed with the accuracy, , it gains around 4 seconds a day, .. After watching this video, I'm much happier, !! Thank you so much, ,

[henryharle]

I set my Alpinist yesterday using wwv time tick and checked it after work today . It's running -2sec. I really didn't expect it to run that well. Nice job Seiko!

[Wootguy]

As soon as you pulled out that Aplinist I said out loud, "Oh my God that's gorgeous", and then you proceeded to say you don't care for it. Haha. I love that everyone has different tastes.

[tayyabpirzada]

Thank you for this. The best watch information channel on Youtube by a mechanical engineer who knows what he's talking about.

[walkenhorst]

Every 4hz seiko can be regulated incredibly well. I have skx009 with 4r36 movement. The escapement system changed to 6r20's escapement and the mainspring too to spron 510. My friend did it. He is watchmaker at the seiko ad. This skx gain 12s/day dial up and dial down. In every vertical position 0s/day. On my wrist 0.5-1s/day gain. Amazing i think. My another 28.800 watxh is sarw009 6r27. Came from factory on wrist +1-1.5 s/day, rest in vertical +2s/day dial up and down 14s/day. I think it is more than expected. I love them. Cheers

[paulstark]

The most amazing time keeper in my collection is a circa 1955 Certina automatic. It has a 17 Jewel 21-0114 movement, it is in original condition, and it is only about +20 seconds per day. I love old watches for their history and style, but holy cow, this one is almost an iPhone killer! Love the videos, Mark...always learn so much. Thank you!

[danr]

I have a 101 year Elgin railroad grade pocket watch. A coupe of seconds a day consistently. A fun watch and a fun history.

[JimboMidge]

I have a Heimdallr 6105 homage with a Seiko NH35 in it. After a few weeks of ownership it seems to be running - 2 seconds per day. I'm pretty darn pleased with that.

[safroncoriander]

every time i watch your Watch and Learn series, i learn something new even i thought i already knew