As I've mentioned before, I can be a bit obsessive. Not cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs obsessive but certainly more than the average person. One way that this manifests itself is that when I get a new watch, I time it. Daily. For a few months. With results saved in a spreadsheet. I don't worry too much about the results, I just like to know that the watch's characteristics and that it is running well.
I've had my VC AT for almost a month. Since I last reset it to a reference time source (fhs.ch) on August 19, the net time deviation up to last night is a total of 0 seconds. That's a net figure -- there have been days when it has gained a second or two and days when it has lost a second or two but overall it's dead on. Not bad for a watch that probably isn't yet fully settled in. It seems that the calibre 80111 is an impressive piece.
I'm trying to train myself to accept larger daily variations so that when I get a Ref 5001 I don't get upset if it gains 8 or 9 seconds/day. I love the look of that watch (and of the movement) and want to be able to enjoy it. This darn 80111 isn't helping to lower my expectations. :)
35 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 20, 2009
I took my two-year old 5001 to the service centre for a quick inspection recently. Thirty minutes later, it was determined that maintenance wasn't due for a while longer. And while the case was opened, the technician took the opportunity to adjust the rate to +0.5s a day, or so they asserted.
So I got curious and decided to ascertain the claim myself. And after some 40 days of meticulous time-keeping, empirical evidence emphatically invalidated that statement.
It wasn't gaining 0.5s a day, it was 0.6s. :)
Don't put too much faith in those horror stories. The 5001 has a brilliant movement which is capable of great precision. In the right hands and with the right equipment, it can be easily fine-tuned to deliver the results you're looking for.
Thanks JL, that's very encouraging. I wasn't trying to knock the 7-day movement, rather I was poking fun at my own behavior. I know it's silly to invest energy in constantly time-checking watches. I don't expect that I'll stop doing it any time soon but at least I recognize the lunacy of doing so. :)
35 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 20, 2009
Don't worry about it, that's normal behaviour. It's a typical journey that watch owners go through, and it totally squares with the Kübler-Ross hypothesis on how humans cope with setbacks.
Denial: No!! It can't be out by THAT much!? *refresh browser and verify another ten times*
Anger: Damn it, why is this happening?? I hate my watch!
Bargaining: Maybe it's the weather. Things will be good again when I check back tomorrow.
Depression: I've got a lemon. :(
Acceptance: Ahh well, 99.99% rate of accuracy isn't bad at all. I love my watch!
926 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 8, 2011
Hi David,
WOW...how impressive is 0 variance after one month. Between you and me, the only thing more impressive than that is you've had your VC-AT already for a month while I am still "not so patiently" waiting for mine to arrive. Right now, I'd be happy having my order fulfilled even if it came with a "hour" a day variance (lol).
I predict that 5001 will be on your wrist sooner than you think.
196 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 1, 2011
Australia
dmath Wrote:As I've mentioned before, I can be a bit obsessive. Not cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs obsessive but certainly more than the average person. One way that this manifests itself is that when I get a new watch, I time it. Daily. For a few months. With results saved in a spreadsheet. I don't worry too much about the results, I just like to know that the watch's characteristics and that it is running well.
I've had my VC AT for almost a month. Since I last reset it to a reference time source (fhs.ch) on August 19, the net time deviation up to last night is a total of 0 seconds. That's a net figure -- there have been days when it has gained a second or two and days when it has lost a second or two but overall it's dead on. Not bad for a watch that probably isn't yet fully settled in. It seems that the calibre 80111 is an impressive piece.
I'm trying to train myself to accept larger daily variations so that when I get a Ref 5001 I don't get upset if it gains 8 or 9 seconds/day. I love the look of that watch (and of the movement) and want to be able to enjoy it. This darn 80111 isn't helping to lower my expectations. :)
A reference time source? I checked out fhs.ch and can't find any reference time source there. I would like to check out the accuracy of my watch too.
226 Discussions and CommentsMember since June 7, 2011Mumbai,
India
Wow David, Thanks for sharing. I have always thought of timing my watch, never done it. Thought I might be crazy to think that. i think we all should time our watches & post the results. It would be fun. Any suggestions on the common reference on timing the watch? Any suggestions on how to time watches? I was thinking of using my kids stop watch as a ref., if they are accurate. MK
Everything you need for a Happy Life is within yourself...
ShaneIwc Wrote: A reference time source? I checked out fhs.ch and can't find any reference time source there. I would like to check out the accuracy of my watch too.
This one is also quite popular: Official US Time but it shows only US time zones (not that it's difficult to adjust).
Andy Wrote:Between you and me, the only thing more impressive than that is you've had your VC-AT already for a month while I am still "not so patiently" waiting for mine to arrive. Right now, I'd be happy having my order fulfilled even if it came with a "hour" a day variance (lol).
Andy - I say it's time we hit IWC where it hurts. I think the best way to do that is to implore Kevin to actually mean it the next time he says, "It's my last one this year." That's sure to get some attention in Shaffhausen. :)
Manishkuki Wrote:Any suggestions on how to time watches?
Compare your watch to a reference time source (see above) and record the difference. You can also choose to set your watch to that reference which isn't a bad idea and gives you an initial difference of 0. Then at some determined interval (a day, a week, as you wish) compare again and record the difference. This tells you the variation of your watch over that interval. Repeat until your demons have been exorcised.
I've had my VC AT for almost a month. Since I last reset it to a reference time source (fhs.ch) on August 19, the net time deviation up to last night is a total of 0 seconds. That's a net figure -- there have been days when it has gained a second or two and days when it has lost a second or two but overall it's dead on. Not bad for a watch that probably isn't yet fully settled in. It seems that the calibre 80111 is an impressive piece.
I'm trying to train myself to accept larger daily variations so that when I get a Ref 5001 I don't get upset if it gains 8 or 9 seconds/day. I love the look of that watch (and of the movement) and want to be able to enjoy it. This darn 80111 isn't helping to lower my expectations. :)
Best regards,
David
Last edited: 8 January, 2013 - 17:49
So I got curious and decided to ascertain the claim myself. And after some 40 days of meticulous time-keeping, empirical evidence emphatically invalidated that statement.
It wasn't gaining 0.5s a day, it was 0.6s. :)
Don't put too much faith in those horror stories. The 5001 has a brilliant movement which is capable of great precision. In the right hands and with the right equipment, it can be easily fine-tuned to deliver the results you're looking for.
Bill
Best regards,
David
Last edited: 8 January, 2013 - 17:49
Denial: No!! It can't be out by THAT much!? *refresh browser and verify another ten times*
Anger: Damn it, why is this happening?? I hate my watch!
Bargaining: Maybe it's the weather. Things will be good again when I check back tomorrow.
Depression: I've got a lemon. :(
Acceptance: Ahh well, 99.99% rate of accuracy isn't bad at all. I love my watch!
WOW...how impressive is 0 variance after one month. Between you and me, the only thing more impressive than that is you've had your VC-AT already for a month while I am still "not so patiently" waiting for mine to arrive. Right now, I'd be happy having my order fulfilled even if it came with a "hour" a day variance (lol).
I predict that 5001 will be on your wrist sooner than you think.
Andy
Last edited: 1 October, 2012 - 09:55
A reference time source? I checked out fhs.ch and can't find any reference time source there. I would like to check out the accuracy of my watch too.
Last edited: 6 January, 2013 - 12:42
Thanks for sharing. I have always thought of timing my watch, never done it. Thought I might be crazy to think that. i think we all should time our watches & post the results. It would be fun.
Any suggestions on the common reference on timing the watch?
Any suggestions on how to time watches?
I was thinking of using my kids stop watch as a ref., if they are accurate.
MK
Everything you need for a Happy Life is within yourself...
Here is one website with world time zones: http://timeticker.com/
Bill
This is the one I use: FHS World Clock
This one is also quite popular: Official US Time but it shows only US time zones (not that it's difficult to adjust).
Andy - I say it's time we hit IWC where it hurts. I think the best way to do that is to implore Kevin to actually mean it the next time he says, "It's my last one this year." That's sure to get some attention in Shaffhausen. :)
Compare your watch to a reference time source (see above) and record the difference. You can also choose to set your watch to that reference which isn't a bad idea and gives you an initial difference of 0. Then at some determined interval (a day, a week, as you wish) compare again and record the difference. This tells you the variation of your watch over that interval. Repeat until your demons have been exorcised.
Best regards,
David
Last edited: 8 January, 2013 - 17:49