Community Stories

Is it better to give an automatic movement a rest now and then?

gbesq
Posts
8,925
Likes
45,768
I alternate between wearing two Omegas with automatic movements. Generally I wear each watch every other day. Since both have power reserves in excess of 48 hours, both are running constantly. I’m wondering if it would be better to alternate weekly so that each watch has a period of rest after the movement runs down and stops. Seems like this would result in less wear to the movement, but would it really lengthen the service intervals since the lubrication would probably dry out anyway within a five to seven year span?
 
Bimmerman77
Posts
261
Likes
199
gbesq gbesq
I alternate between wearing two Omegas with automatic movements. Generally I wear each watch every other day. Since both have power reserves in excess of 48 hours, both are running constantly. I’m wondering if it would be better to alternate weekly so that each watch has a period of rest after the movement runs down and stops. Seems like this would result in less wear to the movement, but would it really lengthen the service intervals since the lubrication would probably dry out anyway within a five to seven year span?
It’s fine to keep them running. I use winders bc I alternate between 2-3 watches per week. Then after about a month I’ll go to different ones, and the ones in the last rotation will go in the watch box and I’ll let them stop.
 
R
Posts
360
Likes
242
Back in the day, people had one watch they wore all the time. Watches are meant to run imho
 
mmpass
Posts
64
Likes
443
I have not purchased a winder yet. I have an annual calendar that I have owned for a little more than a year. I either wear it, or wind it in the am to keep from having to set it frequently. Same with my Tudor Date/Day. Guess a winder would be a good idea for Christmas this year....
 
jsducote
Posts
959
Likes
1,488
I thought I was going to ask Santa for a winder, but both of my automatics are probably a bit overdue for service so I don't want them running any longer than necessary. I'm still rotating them through once a week, just not winding them on off-days.
 
Deltatango
Posts
106
Likes
103
If you are planning to have it serviced according to Omega specs it really shouldnt matter. if anything needs servicing it will be taken care of when you send it in.
 
Claven2
Posts
349
Likes
227
Omega servicing is among the most thorough in the industry. If you send it in, you'll note they replace things an independent would judge good enough for another 5 years because the slightest of wear is present. Your movement is effectively new again when they are done with it. At least for recent calibers in the last 20 or so years where parts are abundant.
 
ArchTimepieces
Posts
8
Likes
1
I would say not really, Wear it daily it won't really make a difference, that's kind of link giving a car a rest because you've been driving it a lot...
 
jcz5
Posts
39
Likes
45
I don’t think so, a watch is designed to run and there are people, regular people who wear it as their only watch. I think us watch nerds sometimes over analyze
 
Archer
Posts
27,241
Likes
69,445
Claven2 Claven2
Omega servicing is among the most thorough in the industry. If you send it in, you'll note they replace things an independent would judge good enough for another 5 years because the slightest of wear is present. Your movement is effectively new again when they are done with it. At least for recent calibers in the last 20 or so years where parts are abundant.

What do you base these claims on?
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

MikiJ

Is it better to sell a watch before or after a complete service?

MikiJ Open Discussion
Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
Posts
11
Views
1K
MaiLollo

Stupid question: is it better to have a redial or a dial without tritium?

MaiLollo Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
MaiLollo
MaiLollo
Posts
22
Views
2K