My Patek is Keeping Great Time...I Think?

[DukeDevil]

I bought a new 5320 this summer. I set the time precisely to NIST on July 3rd. Exactly 4 months later, after 123 days, my watch is only 40 seconds fast, or 0.3 seconds/day.

That sounds pretty incredible to me. This is far superior to any other watch I have ever owned, which include several Rolex's, IWC's, GP's, even a Grand Seiko I owned recently.

But maybe other brands are as good or better? Are Patek's higher complications even more accurate?

[Partekular]

How did you manage to set it to the exact second?

[MilesB]

Originally Posted by Partekular

How did you manage to set it to the exact second?

You can 'hold' the second hand by turning the winding stem back when setting the time.

[0xalate]

Originally Posted by MilesB

You can 'hold' the second hand by turning the winding stem back when setting the time.

Yup, this is called back hacking. I get a little worried whenever I do so, but I pinged Patek, and they said it's fine to do it since it doesn't permanently damage the movement.

Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evSrQa5tQUM&t=1s

[Partekular]

Thank you MilesB and Oxalate for the reassurance!

I am finding though that when I synchronise the hour and wind back the seconds the hour hand shifts too. I will persevere!

Thanks again!

[kneedeep]

Thank goodness they put hacking movements in the newer 324s. Was about time (pun intended).

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by MilesB

You can 'hold' the second hand by turning the winding stem back when setting the time.

I have seen a couple of posts on here about people breaking their watches doing this. On was a JLC for sure I can’t remember the other. Maybe it’s fine on your watch however I would defiantly do some research before you use this method again.

[kaiserphoenix]

My patek 5167 also keeps incredible time as well. The patek seal is solid.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by JSolution

I have seen a couple of posts on here about people breaking their watches doing this. On was a JLC for sure I can’t remember the other. Maybe it’s fine on your watch however I would defiantly do some research before you use this method again.

It is a Patek approved method of setting the seconds accurately.

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by Russell996

It is a Patek approved method of setting the seconds accurately.

Thank you. Have wondered if it was a good technique.

[DukeDevil]

Would love to hear from anybody with a grand complication, comparing their level of accuracy to mine. I have begun lusting after a 5370 split chrono. Would I be disappointed if it kept poorer time than my lowly PC?

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Russell996

It is a Patek approved method of setting the seconds accurately.

Ah I see thanks for clarifying just didn’t want anybody doing damage to their watches!

[dchang81]

Hah my 3 year old 5711 is -10s a day so much for the seal for mine.

[martinr]

Originally Posted by JSolution

I have seen a couple of posts on here about people breaking their watches doing this. On was a JLC for sure I can’t remember the other. Maybe it’s fine on your watch however I would defiantly do some research before you use this method again.

Defiantly or definitely? I done it on multiple Patek watches. No problem whatsoever.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by martinr

Defiantly or definitely? I done it on multiple Patek watches. No problem whatsoever.

Definitely - spell check smart arse

[Arcticsub]

Originally Posted by 0xalate

Yup, this is called back hacking. I get a little worried whenever I do so, but I pinged Patek, and they said it's fine to do it since it doesn't permanently damage the movement.

It only temporarily damages the movement?