When we look for a watch, we have certain criteria that need to be met. Some of them are to be a model that we like and that suits us, to be comfortable and to fit within our budget. But after all one of the major requirements is for it to be functional and accurate. In the past, watches would frequently stop, run too fast or too slow. Nowadays, most models, no matter their brand or price, are fairly reliable.
However, mechanical watches are still infamous for the fact that they run too fast. Why does this happen? You will find the answer in this article.
What are mechanical watches?
In order to find out why they run fast, let’s first see what exactly mechanical watches are. The special thing about this type of watch is that they do not need batteries. They measure time thanks to a special movement that creates energy and makes the arrows move. This movement can be two types – hand and automatic. Nowadays, watches with hand-wound movement are usually vintage or collectibles. They are also the ones that you need to manually wind in order to work. In order to wind automatic mechanical watches, you simply have to wear them. This by itself is a huge improvement in the world of watches. But still, automatic mechanical watches often show inaccuracy.
Reasons for the inaccuracy of mechanical watches
- Shock
You have probably experienced or at least heard of a case when a watch stops working after being dropped. Strong impacts can damage the components even if the watch stays perfectly whole. Nowadays, there are models that are shockproof.
- Gravity and magnetic fields
This may sound weird to you but gravity and magnetic powers can influence watches, especially the mechanical ones. They are also some of the reasons why mechanical models run too fast or too slow. The influence that constant gravity has on all of the tiny particles responsible for the watch’s accuracy can damage the mechanism and can make it stop. And if your watch runs way too fast, then that is probably caused by the magnetic fields.
- Temperature
The changes in temperature can also influence the quality of your watch’s accuracy. High temperatures are capable of expanding some particles in the mechanism while low temperatures can make them shrink. Logically, this can lead to changes in the time that the watch measures. Most mechanical models nowadays, though, are made so that they can resist the temperature changes and so that is not such an important factor for their accuracy anymore.
- Time
As with everything else, watches can get old and “exhausted”. Their components get worn off or get misplaced and even the frequent visits to a watchmaker do not help. If you want to prolong the life and accuracy of your watch, you have to take care of it. Always put it down gently and always in the same position, do not wear it in extreme temperatures and regulate it frequently. And if you want a watch that will be with you for years, then invest in a high-quality model from a good brand and you can enjoy it for a long time.
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