tudor watch losing time | tudor accuracy review

The world of mechanical watch ownership is a fascinating blend of artistry, engineering, and, sometimes, perplexing idiosyncrasies. One common concern among enthusiasts is the accuracy of their timepieces, and the discovery that a watch gains or loses time depending on its resting position can be particularly unsettling. If you’re a Tudor watch owner experiencing this phenomenon, you’re not alone. This article will delve deep into the potential reasons behind a Tudor watch losing time, specifically focusing on the impact of different resting positions and exploring the broader context of Tudor accuracy. We’ll also touch on the related issue of watches losing time on winders and provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing these concerns.

The anecdote that serves as the basis for this exploration is intriguing: "If I leave the watch crown up or crown down at night, I neither lose nor gain any time. If I leave the watch face up overnight, I lose an additional second overnight. All of this is..." This observation highlights a clear positional variance in the watch's accuracy, suggesting that gravity and the internal mechanics interact in a specific way depending on the watch's orientation.

Understanding Positional Variance in Mechanical Watches

Before we dive into Tudor-specific considerations, it's crucial to understand the inherent nature of mechanical watches and the concept of positional variance. Mechanical watches, unlike their quartz counterparts, rely on intricate systems of gears, springs, and levers to keep time. The heart of this system is the balance wheel, which oscillates back and forth at a specific frequency, regulated by the hairspring.

The accuracy of this system is affected by various factors, including:

* Gravity: Gravity exerts a constant force on the balance wheel, hairspring, and other moving parts. The effect of gravity changes depending on the watch's position.

* Friction: Friction between the various components of the movement can also vary depending on the watch's orientation.

* Lubrication: The distribution of lubricants within the movement can shift depending on the position, potentially affecting friction and accuracy.

* Wear and Tear: Over time, wear and tear on the movement's components can exacerbate positional variance.

* Temperature: Temperature changes can affect the elasticity of the hairspring and the viscosity of lubricants, impacting accuracy.

* Magnetism: Exposure to magnetic fields can disrupt the balance wheel and hairspring, leading to inaccurate timekeeping.

Therefore, it's perfectly normal for a mechanical watch to exhibit slight variations in accuracy depending on its resting position. This is a characteristic of the mechanical design and not necessarily a sign of a malfunction. However, significant variations or consistent time loss in specific positions warrants further investigation.

Tudor Accuracy Review: Setting Expectations

Tudor watches are renowned for their robustness, reliability, and value proposition. They typically utilize movements sourced from ETA (now owned by Swatch Group) or Sellita, both reputable Swiss movement manufacturers. In recent years, Tudor has also developed in-house movements, further enhancing their reputation for quality.tudor watch losing time

The accuracy of a Tudor watch depends on several factors, including the specific movement used, its regulation, and its overall condition. Tudor officially aims for accuracy within COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) specifications for their watches equipped with COSC-certified movements. COSC certification requires a movement to maintain an average accuracy of -4 to +6 seconds per day in various positions and temperatures.

However, even non-COSC certified Tudor watches are generally expected to perform within a reasonable range of accuracy. A well-regulated Tudor watch should ideally maintain accuracy within +/- 10-15 seconds per day. It's important to note that this is a general guideline, and individual results may vary.

Analyzing the Case: Face Up Time Loss

The specific scenario presented – losing an additional second overnight when the watch is left face up – requires careful consideration. The fact that crown up and crown down positions don't exhibit this time loss suggests that the issue is specifically related to the interaction of gravity and the movement's components when the watch is in the face-up position.

Here are some potential explanations for this phenomenon:

1. Hairspring Sag: In the face-up position, the hairspring might be experiencing slight sag due to gravity. This sag could affect its oscillation frequency, causing the watch to lose time. While modern hairsprings are designed to minimize this effect, slight variations in manufacturing or wear and tear could make it more pronounced.

2. Balance Wheel Imbalance: A slight imbalance in the balance wheel could be exacerbated in the face-up position. The imbalance might cause the balance wheel to oscillate slightly slower, leading to time loss.

3. Lubrication Issues: The distribution of lubricants within the movement might be uneven, and the face-up position could be causing the lubricant to pool in a way that affects the balance wheel or other critical components.

4. Worn Components: If the watch is older or has seen heavy use, wear and tear on the pivots and bearings of the balance wheel could be contributing to the time loss in the face-up position.

5. Regulation: The movement might be slightly out of regulation, and the face-up position is simply revealing this inaccuracy. A skilled watchmaker can adjust the regulator to compensate for this.