My automatic 1956 Seamaster runs just fine on my wrist. However, off my wrist (i.e., left untouched), it'll gain about 1 minute every 12 hours. How can this be? Is this a cry for a service? Is it its attempt to run away from me? If it runs any faster, I may have to tie it to a chair...
Watches will run at different rates in different positions, but your situation is extreme, suggesting that the watch should be looked at. If you leave it off of your wrist face-up vs. face-down vs. crown-up, etc., you will probably find it runs at different rates. On your wrist, you are changing the position and averaging out these errors. As @Canuck suggested, a competent watchmaker should be able to advise you how to deal with this problem.
Sounds like the word of a true statistician. Makes a lot of sense though. Oh no, just when I thought time slowed down when we're together. Regardless, I'll get to the bottom of this. Does anyone know a reasonable watch doctor in the NYC or New Haven area? I suspect there might be a few.