Hand of the 30 minute subdial "jumps" on the Speedy

Lu.. · Sep 20, 2021

3861 Sandwich here.....got it 3 weeks ago.....just noticed this weekend that the 30 minute subdial register hand (@ 3 o'clock) can jump a few notches instantaneously (ie., from 17 to 12) if you tap the side of Speedy's case against your hand (without restarting the chronograph hand).....

Been using that counter as a date function so maybe the Speedy's movement can not withstand the sudden jolts and the force dislodges the subdial's gear from the arm in the movement that's keeping it in place (I'm not a watchmaker so I'm only guessing).....

I've been wearing my Moonwatch everyday since I got it and noticed it "jumped" after wrenching on my Harley (banged the Speedy a few times against the frame) and then a few days later after a long ride.....was able to duplicate the "effect" by tapping on the side of the case with the watch off against my hand....

I'm thinking of going to the OB where I got my Speedy, but I think they will just tell me it's not designed to take that kind of abuse.....I have noticed that when the chrono is reset it takes a really hard tap for the hand to "jump" vs when the chrono was stopped at a certain minute interval (for the date).....

The experience has gotten me to second guess my purchase, the robustness of the Speedy (although this is my first auto chronometer), and lessen the enjoyment of my first premium watch.....I am now thinking it should not be used as an everyday tool watch but rather for a nice night out with the wife or friends....

Looking forward to your replies and if anyone has had similar experience with the 3861 or prior generations....

Doc Olives · Sep 20, 2021

Can you give a little more info on what you mean by “tap”? If it’s just a little flick of the finger versus hammering on it with a hardcore pop with a wind-up, those sound like two different things.

I do tend to agree with you though that if your explanation/question to the OB begins with “after wrenching on my Harley” the response from the OB may be along the lines of “so sorry to hear that, we will gladly send the watch in for a repair estimate for you.”

Pazzo · Sep 20, 2021

Lu..
3861 Sandwich here.....got it 3 weeks ago.....just noticed this weekend that the 30 minute subdial register hand (@ 3 o'clock) can jump a few notches instantaneously (ie., from 17 to 12) if you tap the side of Speedy's case against your hand (without restarting the chronograph hand).....

...........................................................................................................(although this is my first auto chronometer),

........................................................................................................................

I'm not sure whether that's enough "abuse" for the watch to behave like that.
I would take it in.

toolr · Sep 20, 2021

Could never understand using the chrono seconds or sub dial hand for the date, it's a no date watch. With that said, I don't believe it should be jumping when tapped lightly.

Archer · Sep 20, 2021

There’s a small spring that acts on the minute counter jumper that keeps the minute counter in place when the chronograph hasn’t been reset (so when it’s running or stopped).

The minute counter hand shouldn’t move with a “tap” but it can certainly move from a shock in the right direction. Can’t say if what you are experiencing is normal or not without knowing how hard this “tap” is...but my guess is what you are calling a tap is not really just a tap.

The spring has a specific adjustment that is part of the chronograph controls that are defined so it would e unusual for it not to be adjusted properly on a new watch. The tension on the spring can be increased, but doing so means that it will take more torque to advance the minute counter, and this can cause the watch to stop as the minute counter is tripped.

Cheers, Al

j.jota · Sep 20, 2021

About 15 years ago I had an 1861 that exhibited a tendency for the chrono minute sub dial to occasionally lag and then 'jump' forward, but the behavior your describing almost sounds like the hand might be loose (?) Could be the vibrations from your motorcycle... it's under warranty, so send it in and describe the condition as well as how you use the watch (and under what conditions).

Archer · Sep 21, 2021

Just FYI - these are the adjustment parameters of the spring, which is located on the underside of the chronograph bridge:

Lu.. · Sep 21, 2021

Archer
There’s a small spring that acts on the minute counter jumper that keeps the minute counter in place when the chronograph hasn’t been reset (so when it’s running or stopped).

The minute counter hand shouldn’t move with a “tap” but it can certainly move from a shock in the right direction. Can’t say if what you are experiencing is normal or not without knowing how hard this “tap” is...but my guess is what you are calling a tap is not really just a tap.

The spring has a specific adjustment that is part of the chronograph controls that are defined so it would e unusual for it not to be adjusted properly on a new watch. The tension on the spring can be increased, but doing so means that it will take more torque to advance the minute counter, and this can cause the watch to stop as the minute counter is tripped.

Cheers, Al

thanks for the info...I appreciate your expertise and taking the time to post on this topic.

to provide more detail, tap = the following:

1) remove wristwatch
2) hold Speedy with your hand
3) Approx 18"-24" away quickly swing the hand with Speedy towards the other free hand
4) the side of the Speedy case is slapped/tapped with the free hand abruptly stopping all acceleration.

When the hand was in the 17 mark in the minute counter, I only have to "tap" it once for the hand to jump to the 12 minute mark. When I reset the chrono it took 4-5 taps for the hand to move from the 30/0 mark to 12. Perhaps there is more tension in the spring when the chrono is reset to "lock-in" the hand at that position vs when the chrono is stopped?

Anyway, since it can certainly move from shock in the right direction, I'll just remove my Speedy when I'm working around the house/bike/cars. The "jumping" does not occur when I normally wear the watch, desk diving, self adjusting the watch on the wrist when you shake it, etc..

I don't have have any gouges or scratches (that I can see) and I'm very happy with how accurate the Speedy is...

Lu.. · Sep 21, 2021

T toolr
Could never understand using the chrono seconds or sub dial hand for the date, it's a no date watch. With that said, I don't believe it should be jumping when tapped lightly.

I need a date for work as I'm always signing documents....when researching the Speedy, I was balking at getting the Moonwatch as it lacked this complication......then I stumbled a thread in here that others use the minute register as a date and the 12 hour subdial as a GMT...thought it was a clever workaround for a reference I really wanted to get due to it's heritage and legacy......

I was considering the Racing Speedy as it has a date, but it is 44mm, has busy tick marks on the dial, and much thicker vs the 3861 Speedy.

Archer · Sep 21, 2021

Lu..
thanks for the info...I appreciate your expertise and taking the time to post on this topic.

to provide more detail, tap = the following:

1) remove wristwatch
2) hold Speedy with your hand
3) Approx 18"-24" away quickly swing the hand with Speedy towards the other free hand
4) the side of the Speedy case is slapped/tapped with the free hand abruptly stopping all acceleration.

When the hand was in the 17 mark in the minute counter, I only have to "tap" it once for the hand to jump to the 12 minute mark. When I reset the chrono it took 4-5 taps for the hand to move from the 30/0 mark to 12. Perhaps there is more tension in the spring when the chrono is reset to "lock-in" the hand at that position vs when the chrono is stopped?

Anyway, since it can certainly move from shock in the right direction, I'll just remove my Speedy when I'm working around the house/bike/cars. The "jumping" does not occur when I normally wear the watch, desk diving, self adjusting the watch on the wrist when you shake it, etc..

I don't have have any gouges or scratches (that I can see) and I'm very happy with how accurate the Speedy is...

So based on this, the watch is not behaving any differently then what I would expect, so I don't believe there is anything to fix here.

When the chronograph is running, or when it has been run and stopped (but not reset) the only thing holding the hand in location is the jumper and spring here:

It's a small finger that drops in between the teeth of the wheel. When the watch is fully reset the hammer is on the cam, so the minute counter cannot move:

Cheers, Al

blufinz52 · Sep 21, 2021

Lu..
I need a date for work as I'm always signing documents

If I understand correctly, to get to the next date, one must start the chrono and let it run for a minute till it moves over to the next 'date'. Wouldn't it be easier to check the date on a calendar, or smart phone each morning and commit it to memory?

Lu.. · Sep 21, 2021

blufinz52
If I understand correctly, to get to the next date, one must start the chrono and let it run for a minute till it moves over to the next 'date'. Wouldn't it be easier to check the date on a calendar, or smart phone each morning and commit it to memory?

That is correct, every morning, I wake up, get my Speedy from it's stand, wind it, and run the chrono for a minute...in addition, I stop the chrono hand at the 30 second mark (6 o'clock) so I can view the markings and applied Omega logo unobstructed....see pic below for today’s setting…..

Printed wall calendars are rare nowadays and there are none hanging around in the lab where I work.....yeah I can use the phone, but it is in my pocket so I would have to get it (and maneuver it between the slit of my labcoat), turn it on, etc... with the watch (you know the drill) it is just easier.....

Besides.....it makes me feel good to have that old school experience....before electronics took over the world and our lives....I mean I could use my Apple watch (which I use to track my sleep metrics), but Iove that I have a mechanical watch on my wrist to reminisce of the good old days, simpler times, etc.....

Rawb15 · Nov 25, 2021

Lu..
I've been wearing my Moonwatch everyday since I got it and noticed it "jumped" after wrenching on my Harley (banged the Speedy a few times against the frame) and then a few days later after a long ride.....was able to duplicate the "effect" by tapping on the side of the case with the watch off against my hand....

I’ve had my 3861 sandwich for a month now, and I’ve experienced the same 30-minute sub dial “jump” that you described.

I also keep the chrono band stopped at 37 seconds (so the omega logo is unobstructed), and after tossing around a football with friends, I noticed that the 30-min subdial had jumped to the 10-min mark.

This was routine pitch-and-catch with a nerf ball, seemingly less jarring than what you described. This has only happened once, and I haven’t been able to replicate the issue. Also worth mentioning that I’ve had no other problems with the piece - it’s been incredibly accurate both before and after the incident.

I love my speedy, but I’m concerned (like you) that routine vibrations may cause that subdial hand to lurch forward…

Archer · Nov 25, 2021

R Rawb15
I love my speedy, but I’m concerned (like you) that routine vibrations may cause that subdial hand to lurch forward…

Then press the rest button, and the problem is solved.

Lu.. · Nov 26, 2021

R Rawb15
I’ve had my 3861 sandwich for a month now, and I’ve experienced the same 30-minute sub dial “jump” that you described.

I also keep the chrono band stopped at 37 seconds (so the omega logo is unobstructed), and after tossing around a football with friends, I noticed that the 30-min subdial had jumped to the 10-min mark.

This was routine pitch-and-catch with a nerf ball, seemingly less jarring than what you described. This has only happened once, and I haven’t been able to replicate the issue. Also worth mentioning that I’ve had no other problems with the piece - it’s been incredibly accurate both before and after the incident.

I love my speedy, but I’m concerned (like you) that routine vibrations may cause that subdial hand to lurch forward…

I would not be too worried.....it's basically a limitation to the architecture of the Speedy when the chrono function has been halted and has not been reset......

Archer explains it in detail on this post (link below)....

https://omegaforums.net/threads/han...dial-jumps-on-the-speedy.136689/#post-1858380

The jumping has occurred to me about a half dozen times since I've had the Speedy but it does not bother me anymore since I know why it does that......bottom line......the chrono is not designed to take that much shock/g-force when it is stopped....if you reset it, it will not occur......

I've altered how I wear my Speedy now and take it off when I do certain harsh activities....still it has not deter me from using the 30 minute subdial to register the date, but I can tell you, like you, I love my Speedy and it is my favorite from my entire collection.....

Hope this helps.....wear it in good heath and enjoy....

Hand of the 30 minute subdial "jumps" on the Speedy

Lu..

Doc Olives

Pazzo

toolr

Archer

j.jota

Archer

Lu..

Lu..

Archer

blufinz52

Lu..

Rawb15

Archer

Lu..

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