When to wind?

[bil2054]

I tried to set this up as a poll, but the mechanics of it have baffled me :confused:
Please see Kent's post from another thread;
When to wind a watch (http://www.knology.net/~ksinger/watch_winding.jpg)
..and give your thoughts!

Bill Miller
NAWCC Member #157710

[bil2054]

I tried to set this up as a poll, but the mechanics of it have baffled me :confused:
Please see Kent's post from another thread;
When to wind a watch (http://www.knology.net/~ksinger/watch_winding.jpg)
..and give your thoughts!

Bill Miller
NAWCC Member #157710

[Steve Maddox]

Bill,

It is generally recommended to wind a watch once each day, and only once, preferably at the beginning of the day. The reason is that the more consistently one treats a watch, the more consistent time it will keep. If one winds a watch half a dozen times one day, but only two or three times the next, chances are it'll produce different rates on those days due to isochronal error. Even with watches that are adjusted for isochronism, a small amount of error will always exist, it'll just be less than with typical non-adjusted watches.

The reason it's generally recommended to wind a watch at the beginning of a day rather than the end is so that it'll have maximum power during the day's activities. A watch that's running is capable of withstanding more shock than one that's not, and the more motion a balance is taking, the more shock it'll be capable of withstanding without suffering any permanent damage.

Another thing to consider is that a balance running in a watch that's carried in a pocket (vertically) will take less motion than one running horizontally (as in a watch lying on a table), and if a watch has any tendency to take too much motion and knock the banking, it will be more likely to do that when lying flat. In other words, when one winds a watch fully, it's more likely to knock the banking and gain time when it's not worn, than when it is.

When it comes to time keeping, consistency of rate is the name of the game. Obviously, the more variables the wearer can eliminate, the better the consistency of rate will be that can be expected to result.
-----------------------------

Steve Maddox
President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas