Due to the structural problems of mechanical watches, affected by the gravity of the earth, the deviation between the horizontal position and the vertical position will be different, the spring will change from tight to loose, the torque will be unbalanced, and it will also be affected by the external temperature, magnetic field, vibration, etc. Even if the mechanical watch increases the vibration frequency, it is impossible to achieve the accuracy of quartz electronic watches. In fact, there is no watch that is always accurate. Whether it is a mechanical watch or a stone watch, there is an error range, and this range varies from country to country. Generally speaking, as long as the mechanical watch (including automatic mechanical watch) is fully wound, the travel error does not exceed 30 seconds/day, which basically meets the standard.
Common reasons for slow mechanical watches:
1. Insufficient kinetic energy: Mechanical watches are divided into manual winding and automatic winding. Insufficient power is often an important reason for the slow or even stopped watch. Manually wound mechanical watches can solve the problem by winding, while automatic winding watches are mostly worn by people who do not wear them enough (less than 8-10 hours a day) or do less exercise. Generally, office friends or the elderly often encounter the situation where the mechanical watch is underpowered, causing the watch to run slowly.
2. Impact: No matter what brand of watch, do not hit it hard, even if some watches have good shock resistance. When playing golf, tennis, boxing and other sports, you should also take off your watch and do not swing it hard. If the watch is hit, some internal parts may loosen, causing the watch to run slowly or not run. Due to the complex structure of mechanical watches and the tight connection of various parts, it is more likely to fail when hit.
3. Lack of maintenance: Mechanical watches need regular maintenance, usually every 2-3 years. If not maintained regularly, the sludge in the watch movement will accumulate too much and dry up, gradually increasing the friction between the gear trains. When these faults occur in the stepper motor and gear train, they should be cleaned, foreign matter removed and refueled. Some parts in the watch movement are damaged and need to be replaced. Lack of maintenance of the watch will not only accelerate the wear of the parts, but also cause the watch to run slowly, which brings inconvenience to our use.
4. Gear train failure: This situation is mostly related to the watch maintenance mentioned in the third point. In most cases, there is dust, foreign matter, etc. between the gear teeth, causing the gear train teeth to get stuck to each other. In some cases, it is caused by too much or too little lubricant. Too much lubricant can cause adhesion between the gear teeth and between the gear teeth and the splint. Too little lubricant will cause too much resistance to the rotating gear train, causing the watch to run poorly. When the stepper motor and gear train encounter these faults, they should be cleaned, foreign matter should be removed, and re-oiled.
5. Watch magnetization: Watch magnetization is one of the common reasons why watches run slower. Even anti-magnetic watches cannot be placed next to certain electrical appliances, because some parts of electrical appliances are not anti-magnetic parts and will still be magnetized after long-term use. If the watch is magnetized, it is necessary to go to a professional watch repair agency for demagnetization.
How to prevent the watch from running slow:
To prevent the watch from running slow, take corresponding measures mainly according to the reasons that cause the watch to run slow. Pay attention to winding the mechanical watch. Automatic mechanical watches need to be worn for a long time and exercise every day. The watch should be maintained as required, and repair and maintenance must be carried out when it runs slow. Of course, there are some problems, such as the speed regulating clip, which will also affect the watch’s running time. In this regard, it is important to pay attention to the shock resistance of the watch, and if there is a running fault, it should be repaired in time.
How to repair a slow watch:
In the case of insufficient kinetic energy, we need to solve the energy supply problem. Mechanical watches must be fully wound, and if the speed regulating clip fails, it must be adjusted in time. If your watch runs slowly after being subjected to severe vibrations, you should go to a professional watch repair agency for repair, adjust the inaccurate parts and replace the damaged parts. If the watch runs slowly due to lack of maintenance, it must also be maintained in time. The problem of slow watch running should not be underestimated. Not only does it fail to provide us with accurate time indication, but if it is allowed to run slowly, it often causes great wear and tear on the parts in the watch movement.
In short, both mechanical and quartz watches will occasionally run slowly. If the mechanical watch is not fully wound up and runs slowly or stops, we can solve the problem by winding it. Other reasons for irregular running must be sent to the repair center for adjustment.
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