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1952 Seamaster accuracy?

Dug
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My 1952 seamaster, birth year watch with a 266 movement and which I wear in rotation, now loses about 75 seconds a day. Just wondering if that is acceptable or if I need to be looking to have it serviced?
Grateful for any advice. Thanks.

20250522_104954.webp
 
JimInOz
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Dug Dug
I need to be looking to have it serviced


Your answer above.
 
Donn Chambers
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Ditto. I wouldn’t expect a vintage non-chronometer movement to be keeping +1 sec a day, but -1 minute plus means it needs a service.
 
Davidt
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Obviously it depends on the condition of the movement but generally I expect a serviced vintage watch to be between 0-20 sec per day.
I’m currently wearing a 60’s seamaster that’s about +3 per day. Ok it’s in great condition but it’s not out of the ordinary.
 
ErichKeane
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Davidt Davidt
Obviously it depends on the condition of the movement but generally I expect a serviced vintage watch to be between 0-20 sec per day.
I’m currently wearing a 60’s seamaster that’s about +3 per day. Ok it’s in great condition but it’s not out of the ordinary.
Yeah, this to me is the realistic expectation. MOST Swiss watches should be able to be +/-20 a day. Some Seikos advertise as much as +/-40/day, but that I suspect is just a bit of CYA, as they are capable of much better.

But -75/day is a lot. That might even be outside of the adjustment range, which to me says that there is likely either damage, or just really dirty jewels.

I did a movement a while back that had FILTHY jewels (Seiko 7S26) to the point that it didn't initially run. It started while I was working on it, and IT did better than 70s on the timegrapher.
 
Dug
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Thanks guys, I thought that might be the case. I'll have to save up the pennies, then find someone capable of doing it properly, probably the most difficult part. Having read, literally, 100s of reviews of UK-based watchmakers, skilled ones appear to be a rare breed. Ho-hum.
 
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