Does your minute hand align correctly at the indexes when the seconds hand passes 12?

[dooder202]

Does your minute hand strike each indexes perfectly when the seconds hand comes at 12?

Have a sub-c and it seems like an extra 10 seconds past the 12 and then the minute hand strikes perfectly on the indexes...

Is this normal?

Is there a 'trick' to setting it so it hits right on? I know for sure when I set it a few days back I pulled out the crown when the seconds came to 12:00 then I perfectly set the minute hand and pushed it back in...

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

[cedargrove]

When I set my watch I stop the seconds hand right at the 12. Then I make sure my minute hand is right on the minute marker.

Stopping the seconds hand on anything other than the 12 will make it more difficult to ensure you set the minute had correctly.

Both my watches seem to remain accurate on the minutes.

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

When I set my watch I stop the seconds hand right at the 12. Then I make sure my minute hand is right on the minute marker.

Stopping the seconds hand on anything other than the 12 will make it more difficult to ensure you set the minute had correctly.

Both my watches seem to remain accurate on the minutes.

I definitely stopped the watch with the seconds hand dead on, and then correctly aligned the minute hand to dead on the minute marker on my sub-c..

Seems to be worse between 6 and 12 than between 12 and 6 (right side)..

Nothing too huge, just wanted to see if someone had any ideas, I do notice a bit of play with the crown (which I know is normal) when setting the watch..Maybe this needs to be turned in a particular direction of that 'play'?

[Denver Dick]

Originally Posted by dooder202

I definitely stopped the watch with the seconds hand dead on, and then correctly aligned the minute hand to dead on the minute marker on my sub-c..

Seems to be worse between 6 and 12 than between 12 and 6 (right side)..

Nothing too huge, just wanted to see if someone had any ideas, I do notice a bit of play with the crown (which I know is normal) when setting the watch..Maybe this needs to be turned in a particular direction of that 'play'?

Okay, there maybe two issues. The first issue concerns the actual setting of the time so that the second hand and minute hand are in sync. That's been pretty well discussed here.

The other thing you may be seeing is that as the minute hand exactly aligns with some of the minute markers, the second hand does not exactly aligned with the 12, i.e, it might be a couple of seconds ahead or behind. I have an Omega that appears to have areas where this happens. Since I'm obsessive compulsive about this kind of little stuff, I began closely observing (too much so) and discovered a couple of "sweet spots" such that if I set the watch while the minute hand is in those areas, it is dead on most of the minute markers and off only 2 or 3 seconds on a few others. The dial appears to be perfectly installed and it keeps great time, so I'm not going to mess with it.

I've only seen a couple of postings over the past year or so about this very, very minor issue. My guess is that most folks (lucky them) don't notice this kind of minor stuff. Good luck.

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by Denver Dick

Okay, there maybe two issues. The first issue concerns the actual setting of the time so that the second hand and minute hand are in sync. That's been pretty well discussed here.

The other thing you may be seeing is that as the minute hand exactly aligns with some of the minute markers, the second hand does not exactly aligned with the 12, i.e, it might be a couple of seconds ahead or behind. I have an Omega that appears to have areas where this happens. Since I'm obsessive compulsive about this kind of little stuff, I began closely observing (too much so) and discovered a couple of "sweet spots" such that if I set the watch while the minute hand is in those areas, it is dead on most of the minute markers and off only 2 or 3 seconds on a few others. The dial appears to be perfectly installed and it keeps great time, so I'm not going to mess with it.

I've only seen a couple of postings over the past year or so about this very, very minor issue. My guess is that most folks (lucky them) don't notice this kind of minor stuff. Good luck.

Great info you have here! Thanks alot, I took everyones advice and it seems to be dead on.

[gelshocker]

Originally Posted by Denver Dick

Okay, there maybe two issues. The first issue concerns the actual setting of the time so that the second hand and minute hand are in sync. That's been pretty well discussed here.

The other thing you may be seeing is that as the minute hand exactly aligns with some of the minute markers, the second hand does not exactly aligned with the 12, i.e, it might be a couple of seconds ahead or behind. I have an Omega that appears to have areas where this happens. Since I'm obsessive compulsive about this kind of little stuff, I began closely observing (too much so) and discovered a couple of "sweet spots" such that if I set the watch while the minute hand is in those areas, it is dead on most of the minute markers and off only 2 or 3 seconds on a few others. The dial appears to be perfectly installed and it keeps great time, so I'm not going to mess with it.

I've only seen a couple of postings over the past year or so about this very, very minor issue. My guess is that most folks (lucky them) don't notice this kind of minor stuff. Dead on all 60 minute markers. Good luck.

I experience the 'other thing' issue with my SD. My SD is the most accurate watch in my collection, dead on +/- 0 secs per day, date flips within 1 minute after midnight. However, it does experience the 'some minutes don't align, some do' at 12 symptoms.

The Sub and Explorer, I can get it to align pretty much for all 60 minute markers. It takes a few tries and yes you definately need to know your watch.

The Daytona does not show any slack which may be due to its (superior?) movement. Dead on all 60 minute markers. Cheers,

[tomallen]

Originally Posted by dooder202

I definitely stopped the watch with the seconds hand dead on, and then correctly aligned the minute hand to dead on the minute marker on my sub-c..

Seems to be worse between 6 and 12 than between 12 and 6 (right side)..

Nothing too huge, just wanted to see if someone had any ideas, I do notice a bit of play with the crown (which I know is normal) when setting the watch..Maybe this needs to be turned in a particular direction of that 'play'?

The difference you see between 6 to 12 and 12 to 6 is the parallax of the crystal.

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

When I set my watch I stop the seconds hand right at the 12. Then I make sure my minute hand is right on the minute marker.

Stopping the seconds hand on anything other than the 12 will make it more difficult to ensure you set the minute had correctly.

Both my watches seem to remain accurate on the minutes.

X2 ..... as near as my naked eye can tell its right on.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by dooder202

Does your minute hand strike each indexes perfectly when the seconds hand comes at 12?

Have a sub-c and it seems like an extra 10 seconds past the 12 and then the minute hand strikes perfectly on the indexes...

Is this normal?

Is there a 'trick' to setting it so it hits right on? I know for sure when I set it a few days back I pulled out the crown when the seconds came to 12:00 then I perfectly set the minute hand and pushed it back in...

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

I guess you need a new battery. When the power is low at the battery a minute have only 50 seconds.

[karmatp]

Originally Posted by Jocke

I guess you need a new battery. When the power is low at the battery a minute have only 50 seconds.

You crazy Jocke........

I think it's just a matter of how it was set, don't lose sleep over such a minor thing.

[mc1010]

Originally Posted by Jocke

I guess you need a new battery. When the power is low at the battery a minute have only 50 seconds.

I heard Rolex batteries don't come cheap.

[MortgageGuy]

Nope mine is off too... never noticed that before, Thanks alot I also would not worry about it, have been wearing Rolex for over 10 years now and have yet to be late

[dooder202]

Alright alright...

Serious answers only please!

[mc1010]

Originally Posted by dooder202

Alright alright...

Serious answers only please!

Just do what Rich (post #2) said and you'll be good to go.

[Dan Pierce]

It's gear slack.
1-Hack the second hand @ 12.
2-Move the minute hand past the time you want to set by about 15 minutes, then move it counter clockwise back to the exact time you want to set.
3-When it's time, push the stem back in to sync w/ a reliable timing source.
Each watch has it's own personality and it might take you a few attempts to get it perfect.
dP

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

It's gear slack.
1-Hack the second hand @ 12.
2-Move the minute hand past the time you want to set by about 15 minutes, then move it counter clockwise back to the exact time you want to set.
3-When it's time, push the stem back in to sync w/ a reliable timing source.
Each watch has it's own personality and it might take you a few attempts to get it perfect.
dP

Good explanation Dan!

I just tried it and when I moved it 15 seconds past then brought the minute hand back to the time you can actually feel the slack and then the tension comes back, it's funny because this tension released the minute hand a bit once I let go of the crown.

I'll report back the results later..

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by dooder202

Good explanation Dan!

I just tried it and when I moved it 15 seconds past then brought the minute hand back to the time you can actually feel the slack and then the tension comes back, it's funny because this tension released the minute hand a bit once I let go of the crown.

I'll report back the results later..

Setting precise hand alignment can be an art [or a brutal effort in futulity] but you'll learn more about your watch's individuality.
dP

[Gagebuilder]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

It's gear slack.
1-Hack the second hand @ 12.
2-Move the minute hand past the time you want to set by about 15 minutes, then move it counter clockwise back to the exact time you want to set.
3-When it's time, push the stem back in to sync w/ a reliable timing source.
Each watch has it's own personality and it might take you a few attempts to get it perfect.
dP

FYI, correct term is "backlash"

[Annan]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

It's gear slack.
1-Hack the second hand @ 12.
2-Move the minute hand past the time you want to set by about 15 minutes, then move it counter clockwise back to the exact time you want to set.
3-When it's time, push the stem back in to sync w/ a reliable timing source.
Each watch has it's own personality and it might take you a few attempts to get it perfect.
dP

Right on, Dan! I learned this trick shortly after joining TRF, probably from you. Works like a charm.

[JBat]

Originally Posted by dooder202

Alright alright...

Serious answers only please!

You want serious answers, post serious questions!

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by JBat

You want serious answers, post serious questions!

X2

BTW, what socks are you wearing when it passes by?

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Nicko

X2

BTW, what socks are you wearing when it passes by?

Yours wasn't nice.

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by JBat

You want serious answers, post serious questions!

Really can't see how you believe this question is not a serious one?

Maybe that's your cover when you just don't know the answer???

[Grissom]

Once set, mine remains dead on.....as Rich said, it all depends on how you initially set it.

[esm]

Originally Posted by dooder202

Is this normal?

no, but it is not end of the world (yet)

[Rags]

Wow it seems like entirely too much trouble. Just set it & forget it...

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Rags

Wow it seems like entirely too much trouble. Just set it & forget it...

Nah, once you get the hang of it, no harder than rocket surgery.
dP

[darthmouse]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Nah, once you get the hang of it, no harder than rocket surgery.
dP

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Rags

Wow it seems like entirely too much trouble. Just set it & forget it...

Have to agree what in a few seconds either way anyway.

[AndersB]

I've noticed this phenomenon on a number of Rolexes. Minute hand dead on, then after a while it hits the index anywhere between ten seconds to and 15 seconds past. Then dead on. Etc etc. As Dan says, it's gear slack and the method he describes is the method generally advised. Difficult to get it perfect though. When you turn the minute hand counterclockwise, try stop precisely at the index. If you move it slightly too far and have to turn the hand clock-wise again, you might not get rid of the slack (some people say).