Easy Guide To Regulate An Automatic Wristwatch

A wristwatch is important in your daily activity. It tells time if you’re late for work and school. Furthermore, it adds aesthetic to your fashion and reflects your personality. But what if it doesn’t read the time accurately? It either becomes late or advanced for a few minutes. It typically occurs with an automatic wristwatch. If this happened, regulate the watch.

Wristwatch regulation is quite easy, especially if you’re brave enough. You’ll be working near the balance and balance spring, so the possibility of damage is there. Don’t fret. This is a simple procedure once you know what you’re doing. Let this article be your guide to regulate an automatic wristwatch.

 

Tools Needed To Regulate An Automatic Wristwatch

Get the job done right with the following tools.

 

Gloves

Wear gloves to avoid direct contact with any internal Seiko mod parts. It protects the watch from any fingerprints.

 

Snapback Case Opener

Opens the back of the watch case. Be careful not to slip to avoid case damage.

 

Toothpick

Moves the regulator forward and backward to speed or slow time. A matchstick or metal pusher can also do the trick. Handle it with care since it can scratch the movement or bump to the balance spring.

 

Watch Timegrapher

An instrument that tells the watch accuracy. It checks the beat rate, amplitude, and beat error.

 

Beat rate tells the rate of the movement. It shows the number of seconds per day your watch is running ahead or behind.

 

Amplitude informs the health of the movement. It tells how much rotation there is in the balance wheel swing.

 

Beat error tells how varied or consistent the balance wheel swing timing is.

 

Basically, Timegrapher makes watch calibration easy. Weishi 1000 Timegrapher is the brand commonly used. If you don’t have this device, you can just time your watch daily. However, this method takes days to finish. Mobile apps can also be used, but it is not that reliable.

 

Got all the tools set up? Be ready to regulate an automatic wristwatch.

 

Steps To Regulate An Automatic Wristwatch

Watch regulation is different from adjustment. Watchmakers and manufacturers adjust watches. Meanwhile, watch collectors like you can regulate a wristwatch.

 

Step 1. Open The Back Of The Watch

Cover the back case of the watch first. Use masking tapes to avoid scratches. Wear gloves for you and your watch’s protection. Use the snap back case opener.

 

Step 2. Use The Timegrapher

Place the watch at the stand –A little microphone picks up the noises of the movement. These are relayed to the processor and determine the watch rate, amplitude, and beat error.

 

Adjust the Settings –Review the settings. Look for the Beat Rate and Lift Angle. Afterward, start the testing period. As it gathers readings, it displays results on the screen. Remember, the more time you give it, the more data it can take into account.

 

The Beat Rate makes 2 lines: the tick and tock of the watch. Each line should be parallel on top of each other.

 

The Lift Angle gets an accurate reading of the watch’s amplitude. If you don’t know it, run a quick search for “movement reference + lift angle” to find the most accurate number.

 

Flip the clamp to various positions –Watches don’t sit in one position all day. It moves around the way you do. To get an accurate reading, rotate the watch stand to different orientations. Place it on:

 

  • Dial up
  • Dial down
  • Crown up
  • Crown down
  • Crown left
  • Crown right

 

Generally, watches run slower when in a vertical position. Gravity pulls on the balance wheel and friction points.

 

Record the watch performance –Wait for a few moments before looking at the readings. It needs to sit still for a while to get accurate readings. A Timegrapher is very sensitive. Every noise detected is seen at the screen. Stay quiet while it runs.

 

Interpret the readings –If the Beat Rate falls within +/- 7 seconds per day, the watch is running ahead or behind by no more than 7 seconds each day. The best rate must be 0 or as close to as possible.

 

A good amplitude reading falls between 270 and 310. If it goes outside the range, the watch needs winding – a service for the movement.

 

Beat Error reading is the same as the Beat Rate. A great condition has 0.5 milliseconds or less. More than that is too shabby.

 

Step 3. Move The Regulator Bar

With an opened back of the watch, rotate the wheel to see the balance. An etching of a (+) or (-) sign is at the balance bridge. Sometimes it’s A and R, advancing and retarding the movement. Move the regulator bar to speed or slow the watch based on the Timegrapher’s readings.

 

The regulator bar is very sensitive. A small movement causes a huge impact on the watch’s accuracy. Move only a fractional distance – barely perceptible. Use either a toothpick or matchstick.

 

Step 4. Observe The Watch

 

With the regulated watch, let it run for a certain period. See how fast or slow it runs. Test it again at the Timegrapher and check for any changes. Repeat the procedure until you reach a satisfactory result.

 

Everybody is different, the same as the watches and watch parts such as Seiko SKX ceramic bezel insert.The use of Timegrapher is flat preference to lower or raise the rate of an automatic wristwatch.

 

A watch doesn’t sit still in just one position all day. It always moves around. Know how accurate your watch is before regulating it. Get the precise measurement with a Timegrapher. Follow this guide to regulate an automatic wristwatch properly.

 

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