Best overnight position when not wearing?

[carl3150]

I have an older (2005) Yacht Master, recently overhauled. Before the service, the watch was gaining 2 minutes a week. Still runs a bit fast, gaining about 4-5 seconds per day. Overnight, I place the watch on edge, crown down. Is there a better position to slow it down a bit more?

[keepitsimple]

In the distant past, Rolex used to recommend "side on" resting would probably speed up a watch and horizontal slow it down.

I don't think that is necessarily applicable to modern movements though. The only reliable answer is to either test it yourself in different positions, or have it put on a timing machine.

Didn't the watchmaker who serviced it give you the timing results ?

[chris242]

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[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by keepitsimple

In the distant past, Rolex used to recommend "side on" resting would probably speed up a watch and horizontal slow it down.

I don't think that is necessarily applicable to modern movements though. The only reliable answer is to either test it yourself in different positions, or have it put on a timing machine.

Didn't the watchmaker who serviced it give you the timing results ?

You are spot on. The advice card (see above post) was supplied by Rolex in the 1960s - although it no doubt was around for a while after that. The wisdom that it imparts is not applicable to watches made since the 1980s.

If following the card does work then that’s great, but it’s also sheer chance. The positional error of a Rolex has a tolerance across five positions, but it does not state which positions should do what.

Incidentally, the Rolex advice card also teaches you how to set the time to the second - because it is from the pre hacking seconds era. (It also suggests you store your cigarettes in your watch box, because of course you smoke, it’s the 1960s )

[Nelson6]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You are spot on. The advice card (see above post) was supplied by Rolex in the 1960s - although it no doubt was around for a while after that. The wisdom that it imparts is not applicable to watches made since the 1980s.

If following the card does work then that’s great, but it’s also sheer chance. The positional error of a Rolex has a tolerance across five positions, but it does not state which positions should do what.

Incidentally, the Rolex advice card also teaches you how to set the time to the second - because it is from the pre hacking seconds era. (It also suggests you store your cigarettes in your watch box, because of course you smoke, it’s the 1960s )

Exactly right, including the cigarettes. Amazing that on watch forums people still peddle this resting protocol, but if you may have noticed watch forums are vast pits of bad information. Just wear it. In time it will settle in and probably be a bit more accurate. After a true service you're basically starting with a new movement.

[DanMdR]

If it’s lost a few seconds during the day I store dial up. If it’s gained a few seconds during the day I store 12oclock up. Luckily my watch seems to gain 1.5 seconds a day so I store it 12 up, which I like because I can see the time perfectly from bed.

[Rolexoman]

For my newer DJII resting positions seem not to matter as I have rested it in my static winder with the crown at the 3-6-9 & 12 position and it pretty much never gained or lost a second while resting for 12 hrs and laying flat seemed to be the same but when wearing it gains a solid +3 everyday which is weird to me but as stated by seasoned members here gravity and lots of other things play a huge roll in accuracy.

[Rolexoman]

Originally Posted by DanMdR

If it’s lost a few seconds during the day I store dial up. If it’s gained a few seconds during the day I store 12oclock up. Luckily my watch seems to gain 1.5 seconds a day so I store it 12 up, which I like because I can see the time perfectly from bed.

How do you store 12 up ?

[77T]

Originally Posted by Rolexoman

How do you store 12 up ?

On a watch holder




Also works 6 up...




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[Rolexoman]

Originally Posted by 77T

On a watch holder




Also works 6 up...




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Very classy stand and I love the 6 up position

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You are spot on. The advice card (see above post) was supplied by Rolex in the 1960s - although it no doubt was around for a while after that. The wisdom that it imparts is not applicable to watches made since the 1980s.

If following the card does work then that’s great, but it’s also sheer chance. The positional error of a Rolex has a tolerance across five positions, but it does not state which positions should do what.

Incidentally, the Rolex advice card also teaches you how to set the time to the second - because it is from the pre hacking seconds era. (It also suggests you store your cigarettes in your watch box, because of course you smoke, it’s the 1960s )

Isn't the least amount of friction on the pivots in the dial up position?
BTW, I do enjoy a fine Cuban cigar on occasion and pretty sure some of our friends over in London do the same. But I don't store cigars in my watch box nor use it as an ash tray.

[Desrochers]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Incidentally, the Rolex advice card also teaches you how to set the time to the second - because it is from the pre hacking seconds era. (It also suggests you store your cigarettes in your watch box, because of course you smoke, it’s the 1960s )

Just out of curiosity, what did Rolex suggest in order to set the time to the second?

Incidentally, my great uncle allegedly stored cigarettes in his watch box until his wife bought him a ceramic cigarette box for the coffee table.

[keepitsimple]

Originally Posted by Desrochers

Just out of curiosity, what did Rolex suggest in order to set the time to the second?

The normal method for a non-hacking watch is to stop the movement by slight "backwards" pressure on the crown when in the hand setting position, and releasing it at the correct point.

Works most easily if the watch is only slightly wound. It also depends on the cannon pinion being tight enough - if it isn't or if the mainspring has too much power in it, it won't work.

[carl3150]

Originally Posted by keepitsimple

In the distant past, Rolex used to recommend "side on" resting would probably speed up a watch and horizontal slow it down.

I don't think that is necessarily applicable to modern movements though. The only reliable answer is to either test it yourself in different positions, or have it put on a timing machine.

Didn't the watchmaker who serviced it give you the timing results ?

Yes, I have it on a small slip of paper the watchmaker gave me, conveniently stores about 5000 miles from where I have been for the past few months.

[carl3150]

Originally Posted by Desrochers

Just out of curiosity, what did Rolex suggest in order to set the time to the second?

Incidentally, my great uncle allegedly stored cigarettes in his watch box until his wife bought him a ceramic cigarette box for the coffee table.

I never asked how to set a watch to the second. I go to the Atomic Clock online and set my watch with that reference, not exactly brain surgery.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Desrochers

Just out of curiosity, what did Rolex suggest in order to set the time to the second?

Incidentally, my great uncle allegedly stored cigarettes in his watch box until his wife bought him a ceramic cigarette box for the coffee table.

Originally Posted by carl3150

I never asked how to set a watch to the second. I go to the Atomic Clock online and set my watch with that reference, not exactly brain surgery.

Desrochers was asking what the recommendation was for setting the time to the second on a watch with a seconds hand that does not stop when you pull the crown out.

Originally Posted by keepitsimple

The normal method for a non-hacking watch is to stop the movement by slight "backwards" pressure on the crown when in the hand setting position, and releasing it at the correct point.

Works most easily if the watch is only slightly wound. It also depends on the cannon pinion being tight enough - if it isn't or if the mainspring has too much power in it, it won't work.

This is what the instruction card says

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Isn't the least amount of friction on the pivots in the dial up position?
BTW, I do enjoy a fine Cuban cigar on occasion and pretty sure some of our friends over in London do the same. But I don't store cigars in my watch box nor use it as an ash tray.

Dial up or dial down should both have near as makes no difference amounts of friction.

You've given me a good idea. One of the new style XL boxes could be converted to a humidor

[007Sub]

each watch might be slightly different in terms of rate variation crown up or crown down... best to get a timegrapher and see what your watch is doing.

[Rolexoman]

Originally Posted by 007Sub

each watch might be slightly different in terms of rate variation crown up or crown down... best to get a timegrapher and see what your watch is doing.

Is there a particular one you would recommend that won’t break the bank

[Jostack]

Originally Posted by Rolexoman

Is there a particular one you would recommend that won’t break the bank

Search timegrapher on amazon. ~$135. I think those are pretty much the same. Pretty basic functions, but it works.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by Rolexoman

Is there a particular one you would recommend that won’t break the bank

You do not want a timegrapher.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by padi56

You do not want a timegrapher.

This.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by padi56

You do not want a timegrapher.

Originally Posted by SearChart

This.

I agree with Peter and Bas on this.

A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.

[Jostack]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

I agree with Peter and Bas on this.



A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.

How exactly is it that knowing a resting position could be “dangerous “?




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[Swede71]

My BB41 ETA runs -1 second per day lying face/dial down every night.
Other positions, up to -6 seconds per day.

My DJ II runs 0 to +1 second a day with dial facing forward/upright position at night.
Other positions +3 seconds per day.

That my results after some testing


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[Rolexoman]

The only reason I would like to think about getting one is to determine the best resting position, my DJII runs a tad fast and Tudor BB runs a tad slow and if I could figure out quickly the best rest positions it would help.

I’m sure I could accomplish the same thing by letting it rest the same way all week and then do another week in another position and calculate the loss or gain over the week

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Jostack

How exactly is it that knowing a resting position could be “dangerous “?




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Knowing what a watch is doing in a particular position is not in itself dangerous.

What I meant was buying a timegrapher without a proper understanding of what the numbers mean and how a watch is timed and judged, can lead to problems and headaches over nothing.

I’m not saying it’s rocket science, but a lot of people but these machines and complain that their watch isn’t performing well. When in fact the numbers are all good.

[Jostack]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Knowing what a watch is doing in a particular position is not in itself dangerous.



What I meant was buying a timegrapher without a proper understanding of what the numbers mean and how a watch is timed and judged, can lead to problems and headaches over nothing.



I’m not saying it’s rocket science, but a lot of people but these machines and complain that their watch isn’t performing well. When in fact the numbers are all good.

I get that, but for some people, half the enjoyment of toys is learning about them. I personally find it beneficial to see how the watch responds to different positions, and how it may vary over time, as well as comparing it with on wrist performance.

All due respect, you don’t have to be a watchmaker to gain an understanding of timing.

Next thing you know you’ll be telling me to get rid of my eye loupe ;)


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[1mlee0916]

Slightly buzzed after a few glasses of wine with the wifey...

Just realized...the title of this thread could be interpreted in a vastly different way


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[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Jostack

I get that, but for some people, half the enjoyment of toys is learning about them. I personally find it beneficial to see how the watch responds to different positions, and how it may vary over time, as well as comparing it with on wrist performance.

All due respect, you don’t have to be a watchmaker to gain an understanding of timing.

Next thing you know you’ll be telling me to get rid of my eye loupe ;)


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Of course you don't have to be a watchmaker to understand these readings.
Customers who 'know it all' are the biggest pain in the @ss, just because you can read a timegrapher doesn't mean you understand what is actually going on. Too much of that going on these days, customers that think they know more than the watchmaker.