Hour hand jumping/stuttering when setting the time

Nipson · Sep 12, 2022

Hi guys,

I have a weird thing happening on my brand new speedmaster 3861.
The hour hand is "jumpy" and seems to stutter when I set the time clockwise. What i mean is when i turn the crown and make the minute hand rotate smoothly, the hour hand rotates, then jumps a bit, rotates, jumps, etc.

This doesn't happen when setting the time counter-clockwise.

Despite that the watch keeps time correctly.

Any feedback or opinion on that?
I'd be very interested to know what's the technical reason behind this hand behavior and if it is necessary to send it to service (which would bother me VERY much as it is brand new, not even sized and worn yet)

Omegafanman · Sep 12, 2022

That is incorrect - sounds like something is faulty. I would return it under warranty.
It may not need a service as it is a new watch - just to be checked and maybe repaired under warranty.
Out of interest does it make any difference if the watch is running or stopped. Also does it make any difference if the chronograph is running.
Even if the fault resolves itself I would get it checked out under warranty. Also take a short video to demonstrate the issue. Lastly if you return it take photos to show the watch has no scratches or marks.

Nipson · Sep 19, 2022

Omegafanman
That is incorrect - sounds like something is faulty. I would return it under warranty.
It may not need a service as it is a new watch - just to be checked and maybe repaired under warranty.
Out of interest does it make any difference if the watch is running or stopped. Also does it make any difference if the chronograph is running.
Even if the fault resolves itself I would get it checked out under warranty. Also take a short video to demonstrate the issue. Lastly if you return it take photos to show the watch has no scratches or marks.

Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IOiSqrllOWE
Check the hour hand when time on the watch passes 2:00, 2:15 and 3:00. It jumps a little bit. This happens randomly around the dial when i set the time.
I showed it to the watchmakers of Bucherer Paris, they said there is no problem.
I compared it to my 1861 and actually discovered that it is doing it too.
Finally i went to an OB to try another 3861, it was doing it too.
I filmed the watch running in timelapse for 2h and in "normal" mode the hand is rotating smoothly.

So I guess i'll consider it normal and live with it ^^
I'd be interested on having @Archer opinion though, especially on what is causing these stutters 😀

Archer · Sep 19, 2022

As you have found out, this is very common. There is a dial washer between the dial and the hour wheel, which provides some tension to hold back the hour wheel from jumping ahead as you move the hands. The spring is not providing perfectly even friction, so you will see this small jump on occasion. As you note, the hand sweeps smoothly when the watch is actually running, since it turns slower - this really isn't a "problem" in the way some may think - it's just the nature of the watch.

Nipson · Sep 19, 2022

Archer
As you have found out, this is very common. There is a dial washer between the dial and the hour wheel, which provides some tension to hold back the hour wheel from jumping ahead as you move the hands. The spring is not providing perfectly even friction, so you will see this small jump on occasion. As you note, the hand sweeps smoothly when the watch is actually running, since it turns slower - this really isn't a "problem" in the way some may think - it's just the nature of the watch.

There you go!
Thank you very much 😀

I found an explicit picture showing it:

Motion work with centre seconds colour.jpg

AggieOmega · Sep 19, 2022

Thank you @Nipson for starting this discussion. I have noticed this with my caliber 3861 Speedmaster from new (purchased March 2022), and I was also wondering if it was cause for concern. Was about to post the same question here as I went to the Omega Boutique and they weren't sure whether I should send it for service or not. Thank you @Archer for the valuable insight! We can always count on you.

Hour hand jumping/stuttering when setting the time

Nipson

Omegafanman

Nipson

Archer

Nipson

AggieOmega

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