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  1. 250scr Jan 7, 2015

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    Hi, I was wondering on a manual watch, is it necessary to keep the chrono seconds hand moving to keep that part of the watch lubricated or will it be ok as long as you just wind the watch every other day, as the seconds hand can either be running or at a stop. Thank you
     
  2. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Jan 8, 2015

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    No - lubrication is held in place by capillary action in most jewels. There really is no need to regularly wind a watch unless you are wearing it.

    Cheers, Al
     
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  3. 250scr Jan 8, 2015

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    Ok, so the watchmakers that say you need to wind your watch regularly to keep the oil circulating on your gears are wrong? And I take it there really is no need for a watch winder then? Thank you
     
  4. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Jan 8, 2015

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    What watchmakers are saying this? Keep in mind, anyone can buy a set of screwdrivers from the local pharmacy for eyeglass repairs, and call themselves a watchmaker...

    The only reason to use a watch winder is for convenience, or if you have a perpetual calendar watch (or other complication) that would require extensive resetting if it stopped.

    By the way, if you have oil on the gears, you have a problem...

    Cheers, Al
     
  5. 250scr Jan 8, 2015

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    OK, I definitely need to read up on how a watch works. I assumed when it was like a car where all moving parts need lubrication.
     
  6. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Jan 8, 2015

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    Operates at slower RPMs
     
  7. 250scr Jan 8, 2015

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    Ok, makes sense
     
  8. rogart ray it again, Ram. Jan 8, 2015

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    Is there any difference between today's synthetic oil and the oil that watchmakers used in the good old days ? .
     
  9. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Jan 8, 2015

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    rogart likes this.
  10. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Jan 8, 2015

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    Al's probably received watches where he needed to put them on the hi-lift and drain the oil out
     
  11. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Jan 9, 2015

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    Yes, and forces are much lower also. The added drag from the lubircant on most gear teeth in a watch would reduce the power transmitted, and therefore the balance amplitude.

    There are some gears (for some reason in the watch world they are called wheels instead of gears) that do get oiled, primarily the teeth of the escape wheel, but these are not what you would normally think of when you imagine gear teeth.

    Also, co-axial watches have teeth of some wheels oiled, more on 2 level co-axial than 3 level designs.

    Cheers, Al
     
  12. 250scr Jan 9, 2015

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    Very good to know. Thank you