Hi Marc, thanks for posting this. About a year ago I bought my beloved Orient Bambino (from Long Island Watch, of course!), one of my first mechanical watches. It has consistently run about +23 s/d. It never bothered me too much, but after viewing your video I decided to try regulating it. I don't own a timegrapher, so I did an iterative process combined with some good old fashioned trial and error. My watch is now running at -1 s/d! I would never have attempted this without your video. Thanks again!
I enjoy your work Mark.. I'm a guy born in Astoria.. grew up in Flusing, went to St. John's and NYIT.. now live in Boulder, Colorado.. saving my watch budget to pick up an Islander.. did lots of field work on the North Shore for my undergraduate degree, and that is in my heart! Thanks for all you do! Frank in Colorado
Hi Mark. I just wanted to come back and thank you for making this video. I got a Seiko Alpinist a year ago that had HORRIBLE accuracy from the factory at -40 seconds per day.. I do not have a time graph machine so I was prepared to spend a few days regulating it back and forth to get it right, but after watching how you did this, I got my watch to -40 per day to +1.5 seconds per day on the first try. And finally, I can wear my Alpinist with setting it minutes ahead or having to reset it every other day.
Mark, thanks for these instructive videos. I got into automatic watches during the pandemic shutdown of summer 2020. I must have watched over a hundred of videos on watch reviews and watch repair/ maintenance. This is by far my favorite channel. No BS, no spin, straight forward. ✌️ Peace!
You are exceptional at these watch and learn videos. I've learned quite a bit from you that I can't and don't get from anywhere else. You do things at the level that a truly enthusiastic hobbyist enjoys, but also works for someone getting into the hobby as well. Not so horribly bogged down by professional level details that I couldn't do at home if I were really looking to make alterations. Keep up this tremendously good work.
Recently took the plunge and regulated my beloved SKX 007 (bought from long Island watches btw)...and took it from -11seconds a day to +3 a day....all thanks to this video, Thanks Marc
This video gives the best watch regulation instructions on the web, IMHO. I just managed to regulate my NH35a movement (Yep, the Invicta Pro Diver). When Marc says move the lever tiny amounts, he's not kidding. If you saw it move, say 1/4 mm, it's too much. Firm but TINY nudges are best. Even so, mine bounced back and forth several times between -14 s/d and +18 s/d. I finally settled on -3 s/d. We'll see in a couple of days how well I really did.
Super video Mark! I regulated my NH35A Seiko (housed in the 8926 Invicta) without the timegraph. Gotta tell ya, the lever is nano sensitive! Now I know why the spec on the NH35A is +35/-25 sec/day: So they can ship them without the extra expense of fine regulation! Anyway, you have become one of my most trusted sources of information in this complex hobby, so a big THANKS.
I own an SKX007, and I check it every night before taking it off, if its running slow or fast. If its fast, I place it dial up or down. If its slow, I place it on its side, crown up or down. With this method the watch is running very precisely, very close to 0 s/d. :)
Thank you for the never ending knowledge!! I'll be regulating an nh36 that's been acting up, and feel more confident because you teach us something every day! Thanks again!!
Searching on TH-cam and I found your old video. I decided to regulate a 3 years old Seiko that is about 45sec per day. Thank you for the explanation. Definitely, a lesson to learn.
I have 3 watches with NH35 movement. Two of them was running late a few seconds, so I adjusted them with a mobile phone app (not too pro, I know). But it worked! I keep them on a winder, when not worn. One runs +3 sec per day, but the other ... well the lever stuck at one point, I used force, the spring got deformed, so I messed up the whole thing. Fortunately it was a cheap Chinese watch. So I approve that this operation requires very delicate movements and high precision. Super informative video btw! Thank You, Sir!
I appreciate these necessary essentials that you video for the hobbyist/novice. This video helped me better understand the timegrapher and its importance or moderate importance (one on order). Lift angle is still a bit ambiguous but... Thanks for this concise look-in.
I used a phone app that uses the built in mic to pick up the ticking of my Seiko SARB. The app told me that it was running at about 21601.5 bph, or 1.5 bph fast. I extrapolated that over 24 hours and it works out to be about 6 seconds fast per day. This is very consistent with what I'm actually getting, and as it's much better than spec, and consistent with what everyone seems to get with this movement, I'm happy with it. Considering I get different times on and off wrist, I don't feel it's worth trying to get 0.0 seconds per day, it's just not realistic even with the most expensive movements.
I would like to add a comment about the 4R36 caliber in My new Turtle. I have had my watch now from new for around 3 months. I wear it every day and I love It. When I received the watch it was keeping good time up until around a week after, then started losing a few seconds a day, which then stayed very consistent in its settled state. I then after this wonderful review decided to calibrate it myself as I live in the UK and it wasn't calibrated for the UK and for the way I wear this watch. My first attempt was a slightly bigger nudge on the main spring tension lever than I wished for and the watch then was gaining 3 mins a day lol. I then with far more of a delicate touch over days and weeks found what I consider to be the perfect adjustment for me. Now during the day it will gain between 1 second to 4 seconds a day, depending on my activities, I'm a builder by trade. And at night I sit it face down whilst I'm asleep, I wake up check the watch with my preferred atomic clock, and it is back to perfect time, give or take a minus second or 2. then during the day again it catches up and so on. It is in a state of self regulation depending on how I rest it at night. My movement for a mass produced product is far more accurate than my brietling ever has been. I take my hat off and give a bow to Seiko. They certainly know how to create a time piece that keeps amazingly consistent and reliable time. Thank you all 😊 over and out 👍
I really like your Videos. Very educational. Finally found a video who explains easy how this adjustment works. Have a friend who has a Rolex GMT and he told me that it's normal for Rolex that they go after 48h +5min just like his. Did not beloved him and you showed how precise this watcher are. Hope to see more from you, please don't stop!
Great info. Some youtubers will say never to regulate a watch. But then again, I only paid $45 for the watch I'm wearing. I'd like it to run on time without constantly having to take it to a watchmaker. Vintage watches have a hard time keeping the same rate over the years.
Marc, you have a good knowledge base for not being a watchmaker. A note here is the timegrapher is set at a default lift angle of 52°, making your Rolex show it's actual amplitude but not other watches which do not have the same lift angle. The beat error and rate displays will be true for all mechanical watches regardless of lift angle.
Excellent tutorial and presentation. Many thanks for taking the time to educate us lesser knowledgeable out there and promoting the hobby of collecting timepieces and caring for them.
Marc, just stumbled to this video. And because of it, I've decided that an automatic watch is NOT for me. At my age, I don't have the patience needed for this kind of watch movement care/maintenance. I grew up in the 1960's and from back then I've had nothing but automatic and mechanical watches. With those watches, it was the norm to have them periodically cleaned, regulated, and adjusted. Time marches on so to speak, and quartz became the mainstream. I appreciated the relative accuracy, ruggedness, and minimal maintenance that quartz watches offered. Lately however, I was feeling nostalgic for the " good old days "and thought of getting an automatic. This video convinced me to stay with quartz. Thank you for this video, you've spared me some serious money.
Definitely understand, but there is just something very special when I put on one of my automatic watches-Breitling Skyracer raven, Colt Chronograph, etc. A watch person would understand what I mean.
Great video! I just purchased my first automatic watch today (orient tristar) that i got a really good deal on btw after wearing a quartz (fossil diver) for 15 years. Im learning more about watches now and Im excited for my new piece to be delivered and timing its performance. I really like the orient blue ray 2 also and it may just be my next purchase. Im an oilfield electronics technician and an ex auto mechanic so the mechanical watch movement is fascinating to me. Your videos are very informative and explained in a way that is easily understood. Thank you!
chris doyle, I was really impressed with that watch when I did a hands modification to make it look like an Omega for a friend’s birthday. Very nice fit and finish, handsome movement. Go for it.
Thanks Mark! My Mako XL was running anywhere from +12 to +15, but thanks to your, and just blue fish's video, I decided to regulate it for the first time. According to the app I've downloaded it's now running around -1 sec/day. I know this is not an accurate representation, but at least I have a baseline to compare and might help me tune it over time. Thanks again, cheers!
Hi Mark, I am in the process of searching/liking a watch for myself to wear it every day and your videos helped me a lot to understand the inner workings of a mechanical watch and what to look for. Thank you so very, very much for your effort and sharing your knowledge with the world!
Regulating a watch always sounded intimidating but your helpful videos like this one takes the mystery away. I didn't know I needed a timegrapher but I do want one now!
Thanks for another fantastic video!! I have questions to ask regarding watch movement regulations: 1) How do you regulate in multiple positions having already done (setup) in one position? 2) Is there a timegrapher app that actually works / displays the result accurately? 3) Is it true that a cheaper timegrapher might not necessarily measure cheaper movements? 4) If so, how does these cheaper movements cloud the timegrapher's result? 5) There are timegraphers priced from $150 and up. What would be the optimal one if you are just starting to learn how to regulate? Thank you 🍎
Thank you so much Marc for this great video! As a end user, I only knew how to adjust my Jaeger-LeCoultre ATMOS clocks which have the same system of time adjustment that are so big that they cannot be missed. As we know, we have - as "mechanical watch aficionados" - to show some tolerance. Because those who are looking for a "atomic" precision should buy quartz or radio controlled watches. I give my mechanical watches as my dogs the possibility to sometimes not be so perfect but very much alive.
It's very interesting video, well explained and pleasant... 👍 I'm a noob in automatic watches and I'm learning many interesting things with your videos so thank you and bravo for your channel!
Excellent information and well presented! This is exactly what I was looking for. That timegrapher is nifty! Geez, that's a huge amount of adjustment! 9 minutes!?!?😮 Don't flinch..😂😂
thanks...excellent lesson in adjusting and regulating . ... and how the adjusting separates the high end from the low end cost watches . My wife is saying " " are you watching about watches again ?".... usually at the most interesting bit !
My Dad was a watchmaker thanks to the GI bill after ww2. He did everything with NO electronics. He used his skills as a side line since he got a civil service job as a cop. I was fascinated with his work. You reminded of those days. Yep, I would never touch the back, no way.
Mark what an awesome Lear I got video. Thanks. I am going to pick up a time graph to monitor my watches every so often but have a watch maker do any adjustments. I’m just afraid to screw up the movements if I did it myself LOL. Thanks again for the great information. Good luck with the business.
Thanks a lot Mark, for another very informative and interesting presentation. I doubt I’ll ever try this (I tried replacing the battery in my iPhone last year, and ended up taking it to a repair man) so I think I’ll leave this to the experts. Still, it’s very good to know how it’s done and to be more informed about how these mysterious mechanical masterpieces that reside on my wrist function. 👍
Very knowledgeable presentation! I am a layman regarding watches but you clearly have a mastery (even as a hobbyist) of the terms associated with watches and the process of Regulating a watch. Thanks for posting!
Very informative, Mark. Thanks... I wouldn’t dare opening a watch myself but it’s surely nice to know what’s going on when a watch is regulated. I think especially the advice concerning regulating the watch to your personal wearing habits are valuable. Now I can say to my watchmaker: “I want it to go 5 seconds slower pr. day. I don’t really care what your time grapher says. What I know is that when I check it out once every day, it’s 5 seconds fast...” Service aimed at the user - what more could you want😆
I've had 4 Rolexes over the last 40 years, (last one was stolen), but you're absolutely right. Even if I'd seen this video, I'd never have taken the backs off!
New to this. Now i know why my seiko 5 isnt a happy camper after i played with the funny levers inside 😝. Have observed my prodiver running faster when i leave it off overnight. Now i understand why. Good vid. Thanks.
I will be getting my first ever Automatic watch today. It will be the SK007 Diver has it is all I can justify money wise. Also I have wanted a diver like this. Ever since I was a little boy and I saw one on my Sisters rist. As she at that time was and I guess still is a Certified Diver. I have to say that my bread and butter watches are Digital. The reson they are my favorite kind of watches is very simple. I do not have to worry about having to count to get the right time. I can just look down at my Digital watch and there's the time. I have a learning disability and trying and figure out what time it is. On a regular time piece is to me a real hassle. Now I can probably guess what You mybe thinking. Why on earth am I buying a watch type that. I really have a hard time telling the time on. The best I can say about this is one I really do not know. Other then to say I am trying to do things to better myself. Win or fail.. But I really do not feel confident enough to take a watch apart and regulate it. I am also one that does not take my watch off at bedtime. Is that something that you have to do with a watch like this as to not have it on as You sleep. But back on the topic of regulating this watch. Do I have to do this. Also to be onest I really do not understand what regulating even means. I mean unless what You mean by regulated. Is how to get the hours and min or the seconds or both to match what the actual time really is. I am sorry about my spelling and my grammar. But that's just one of many learning disabilities that I have like with telling time. On a regular time peace. Welcome to my nightmare.Great Video by the way.
No, normally you do not need to regulate your automatic watch, unless it deviates from the right time too much. In that case, you leave the job to a watch maker/jeweler. That's what most people do. Before that, just wear and enjoy your watch with no worry.
Hi Marc A good way to protect your backs from scratching,after being removed. On a screw back and using a clamp use a glass clean one cloth,, just place over the back before attaching clamp. If it has screws rather than using tweezer and having them ping away,use a bit of blu tac to hold screw and start turning. When using a clam knife just put a bit of clear plastic bag over the knife.
absolutely new to the hobby but a adjusted my nh35 movement today after 2 weeks of wearing. i dit however hack(pull out the stem and stop the watch) before pushing the lever. it seems that i went from -7 to -1 a day. we will see in a weeks time
I found this video very informative.i I didn't think it was so easy to regulate a watch. Can you use any time grapher or is there a certain brand you prefer. Two watches I have are running seagull movements which I don't like and want to try and improve them.
Please could you put a Seiko Spring Drive onto your Timegrapher? It might be interesting to see how consistent it is in all the different positions, with the way it works I would assume there'd be little difference. I dream of owning a Seiko Spring Drive - I'll never get one, so I suppose if you do a video of the above it will be like watching a video reminding me how much I want one more....lol
I don't think it will show anything because the spring drive doesn't tik it glides and it's regulated by a quarts crystal inside. Imagine a spinner that has a magnetic brake on it to keep it at a steady rate. That's pretty much it ;)
I just got one of your hex bracelets, I was thinking it might be a bit blingy for me, it absolutely isnt, its perfect. I would call it impossible to make it look better. Imo, anyway. I love it
Hi Mark! While I was regulating my vintage Certina 919-1 automatic, I briefly touched the BALANCE, not the hairspring, just like you did in the clip. Now, I'm scared shitless...did I mess it up?
VERY IMPORTANT - on a Seiko movement such as this, the rate adjustment arm has a brass carrier in it which guides the hairspring. It's clearly visible in this video. When regulating the watch, DO NOT touch this brass piece or you can accidentally rotate it, which will change the angle of the hairspring by distorting it, and make the watch run completely screwy. Unless you know how to adjust an oscillator correctly, this mistake will take a watchmaker to repair! It is extremely easy to move that part unintentionally, so be careful!
What an excellent video you put together. I don’t think you’re too chicken to open up the Rolex, so much as you’re smart not to. I am a little less clueless about the insides of a watch now, and for this, I thank you.
I have a brand new Seco five, how much would a service like that cost if I brought it to a watch shop in my neighborhood providing he has the tools you do
Its gotten to the point that my wife has also become enthralled with my hobby. She's even taken to wearing some of mine. Now if I can just get my graf zeppelin back from her. I know,I'll tell her to keep it and buy something else
Great video Mark and I've always wanted to know how an automatic watch is adjusted/regulated. Vi recently bought my first Seiko automatic, after years of owning Hamilton/Ball and Squale automatic watches and this is the first time that I've had a watch that loses approx 35 secs per day, so I wanted to understand the mechanics of it. My watch (Seiko SPB147J1) is under warranty and I can send it back to Seiko UK and they said they would regulate it, but I'm just debating whether it's worth sending back or whether I should just put up with a 35 sec loss per day and adjust the time more frequently. What I didn't realise is the cheaper the watch the less positions the manufacturer will regulate/adjust it to, so for a £900 Seiko, only 1 position. So if I work a desk job 9-5 and most of my wrist movement is just to move the mouse around at my desk, then maybe I'm not moving my Seiko enough? Anyway would be interesting to hear your thoughts on whether you think I should return it under warranty to be adjusted. Cheers
You may never see this, but...my Seiko is quite sensitive to state of winding...if i don't do much, it runs really slowly, so i sometimes give it a bunch of turns by hand to get the winding cranked up a bit
Hi Marc, thanks for posting this. About a year ago I bought my beloved Orient Bambino (from Long Island Watch, of course!), one of my first mechanical watches. It has consistently run about +23 s/d. It never bothered me too much, but after viewing your video I decided to try regulating it. I don't own a timegrapher, so I did an iterative process combined with some good old fashioned trial and error. My watch is now running at -1 s/d! I would never have attempted this without your video. Thanks again!
Good to hear that it's easily doable without a timegrapher. It just takes a bit longer. I'm going to give it a shot on my Orient Kamasu!
@@tristandauod Good luck! Just take your time and be careful. 😉
6
@@tristandauod There is an app from Play Store that does the same thing. Just place your watch near your phone mic and it really works !
I enjoy your work Mark.. I'm a guy born in Astoria.. grew up in Flusing, went to St. John's and NYIT.. now live in Boulder, Colorado.. saving my watch budget to pick up an Islander.. did lots of field work on the North Shore for my undergraduate degree, and that is in my heart! Thanks for all you do!
Frank in Colorado
Hi Mark. I just wanted to come back and thank you for making this video. I got a Seiko Alpinist a year ago that had HORRIBLE accuracy from the factory at -40 seconds per day.. I do not have a time graph machine so I was prepared to spend a few days regulating it back and forth to get it right, but after watching how you did this, I got my watch to -40 per day to +1.5 seconds per day on the first try. And finally, I can wear my Alpinist with setting it minutes ahead or having to reset it every other day.
I just got into watches mid 2024 and your videos from 7 years ago have been life savers
Becoming one of my favourite "Real World"' pragmatic and "middle class oriented" watch channel 😊👌
If we could have less talk at the beguining it should be perfect
Thank you!
I get carried away at times, but try to keep the banter pertinent.
@@tutututu81 I wonder why so many watch channel videos here have 2 to 6 minutes of pointless intro and banter that waste time . Ironic
Merci Marc, from Paris. I just regulated my Alpinist thanks to you. What an amazing youtube channel... I've learned so much 😱
im 22 but you made me get into watches, my dads been a mechanical engineer at parker hannifin for over 20 years, you made us buy 2 j model skx's
Mark, thanks for these instructive videos. I got into automatic watches during the pandemic shutdown of summer 2020. I must have watched over a hundred of videos on watch reviews and watch repair/ maintenance. This is by far my favorite channel. No BS, no spin, straight forward. ✌️ Peace!
Great video Mark. I regulated my SW200-1 from 12 seconds fast to 1 second a day fast. Thanks a bunch!
You are exceptional at these watch and learn videos. I've learned quite a bit from you that I can't and don't get from anywhere else. You do things at the level that a truly enthusiastic hobbyist enjoys, but also works for someone getting into the hobby as well. Not so horribly bogged down by professional level details that I couldn't do at home if I were really looking to make alterations. Keep up this tremendously good work.
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it, and are enjoying the series!
Recently took the plunge and regulated my beloved SKX 007 (bought from long Island watches btw)...and took it from -11seconds a day to +3 a day....all thanks to this video,
Thanks Marc
This video gives the best watch regulation instructions on the web, IMHO. I just managed to regulate my NH35a movement (Yep, the Invicta Pro Diver). When Marc says move the lever tiny amounts, he's not kidding. If you saw it move, say 1/4 mm, it's too much. Firm but TINY nudges are best. Even so, mine bounced back and forth several times between -14 s/d and +18 s/d. I finally settled on -3 s/d. We'll see in a couple of days how well I really did.
It seems to have settled down to 0 sec per day. Sheer unadulterated luck, of course, but how nice!
Awesome. A simple answer to a simple question. Makes me wonder why it took me so long to find this information. Thank you!
Super video Mark! I regulated my NH35A Seiko (housed in the 8926 Invicta) without the timegraph. Gotta tell ya, the lever is nano sensitive! Now I know why the spec on the NH35A is +35/-25 sec/day: So they can ship them without the extra expense of fine regulation! Anyway, you have become one of my most trusted sources of information in this complex hobby, so a big THANKS.
LOL, thank you!
I own an SKX007, and I check it every night before taking it off, if its running slow or fast. If its fast, I place it dial up or down. If its slow, I place it on its side, crown up or down. With this method the watch is running very precisely, very close to 0 s/d. :)
Great idea! "free" regulation!
Does there ever come a point where I should have my SKX007 over hauled by a watch maker or is that even worth it?
mrgoldindex If you wear it everyday then every 5-6 years .If you wear it very little then when its not keeping time anymore
Marc you're the best! Been thinking about having my SKX regulated lately. Just purchased your Ray II yesterday as it's such a great deal!
It should be the other way around
Thank you for the never ending knowledge!! I'll be regulating an nh36 that's been acting up, and feel more confident because you teach us something every day! Thanks again!!
Hey Mark. Such a treat, both informative and concise. A video with out the, and ums, ahs, ahs, uh, umm.... etc. etc. Most enjoyable!
This was an excellent basic tutorial on regulating. Gonna give it a try on my SKX031J running too fast tomorrow.
Searching on TH-cam and I found your old video. I decided to regulate a 3 years old Seiko that is about 45sec per day. Thank you for the explanation. Definitely, a lesson to learn.
I have 3 watches with NH35 movement. Two of them was running late a few seconds, so I adjusted them with a mobile phone app (not too pro, I know).
But it worked! I keep them on a winder, when not worn. One runs +3 sec per day, but the other ... well the lever stuck at one point, I used force, the spring got deformed, so I messed up the whole thing.
Fortunately it was a cheap Chinese watch.
So I approve that this operation requires very delicate movements and high precision.
Super informative video btw! Thank You, Sir!
I appreciate these necessary essentials that you video for the hobbyist/novice. This video helped me better understand the timegrapher
and its importance or moderate importance (one on order). Lift angle is still a bit ambiguous but... Thanks for this concise look-in.
Thanks for watching!!
Excellent explanation. Good teacher for those of us willing to learn. Thanks for your video.
I used a phone app that uses the built in mic to pick up the ticking of my Seiko SARB. The app told me that it was running at about 21601.5 bph, or 1.5 bph fast. I extrapolated that over 24 hours and it works out to be about 6 seconds fast per day. This is very consistent with what I'm actually getting, and as it's much better than spec, and consistent with what everyone seems to get with this movement, I'm happy with it. Considering I get different times on and off wrist, I don't feel it's worth trying to get 0.0 seconds per day, it's just not realistic even with the most expensive movements.
Do you remember the name of the app?
Thanks Mark! My ball was about 30 seconds slow per day so I'm working on getting my time regulated thanks to your video! :)
I would like to add a comment about the 4R36 caliber in My new Turtle.
I have had my watch now from new for around 3 months.
I wear it every day and I love It.
When I received the watch it was keeping good time up until around a week after, then started losing a few seconds a day, which then stayed very consistent in its settled state.
I then after this wonderful review decided to calibrate it myself as I live in the UK and it wasn't calibrated for the UK and for the way I wear this watch.
My first attempt was a slightly bigger nudge on the main spring tension lever than I wished for and the watch then was gaining 3 mins a day lol.
I then with far more of a delicate touch over days and weeks found what I consider to be the perfect adjustment for me.
Now during the day it will gain between 1 second to 4 seconds a day, depending on my activities, I'm a builder by trade.
And at night I sit it face down whilst I'm asleep, I wake up check the watch with my preferred atomic clock, and it is back to perfect time, give or take a minus second or 2. then during the day again it catches up and so on.
It is in a state of self regulation depending on how I rest it at night.
My movement for a mass produced product is far more accurate than my brietling ever has been.
I take my hat off and give a bow to Seiko.
They certainly know how to create a time piece that keeps amazingly consistent and reliable time.
Thank you all 😊 over and out 👍
I really like your Videos. Very educational. Finally found a video who explains easy how this adjustment works. Have a friend who has a Rolex GMT and he told me that it's normal for Rolex that they go after 48h +5min just like his. Did not beloved him and you showed how precise this watcher are.
Hope to see more from you, please don't stop!
Great info. Some youtubers will say never to regulate a watch. But then again, I only paid $45 for the watch I'm wearing. I'd like it to run on time without constantly having to take it to a watchmaker. Vintage watches have a hard time keeping the same rate over the years.
Marc, you have a good knowledge base for not being a watchmaker. A note here is the timegrapher is set at a default lift angle of 52°, making your Rolex show it's actual amplitude but not other watches which do not have the same lift angle. The beat error and rate displays will be true for all mechanical watches regardless of lift angle.
Excellent tutorial and presentation. Many thanks for taking the time to educate us lesser knowledgeable out there and promoting the hobby of collecting timepieces and caring for them.
Marc, just stumbled to this video. And because of it, I've decided that an automatic watch is NOT for me. At my age, I don't have the patience needed for this kind of watch movement care/maintenance. I grew up in the 1960's and from back then I've had nothing but automatic and mechanical watches. With those watches, it was the norm to have them periodically cleaned, regulated, and adjusted. Time marches on so to speak, and quartz became the mainstream. I appreciated the relative accuracy, ruggedness, and minimal maintenance that quartz watches offered. Lately however, I was feeling nostalgic for the " good old days "and thought of getting an automatic. This video convinced me to stay with quartz. Thank you for this video, you've spared me some serious money.
Definitely understand, but there is just something very special when I put on one of my automatic watches-Breitling Skyracer raven, Colt Chronograph, etc. A watch person would understand what I mean.
Great video! I just purchased my first automatic watch today (orient tristar) that i got a really good deal on btw after wearing a quartz (fossil diver) for 15 years. Im learning more about watches now and Im excited for my new piece to be delivered and timing its performance. I really like the orient blue ray 2 also and it may just be my next purchase. Im an oilfield electronics technician and an ex auto mechanic so the mechanical watch movement is fascinating to me. Your videos are very informative and explained in a way that is easily understood. Thank you!
chris doyle, I was really impressed with that watch when I did a hands modification to make it look like an Omega for a friend’s birthday. Very nice fit and finish, handsome movement. Go for it.
Hi. I have two Orient watches, an Explorer and a World Timer, and they both keep _really_ good time. I'm very happy with them.
Thanks Mark! My Mako XL was running anywhere from +12 to +15, but thanks to your, and just blue fish's video, I decided to regulate it for the first time. According to the app I've downloaded it's now running around -1 sec/day. I know this is not an accurate representation, but at least I have a baseline to compare and might help me tune it over time. Thanks again, cheers!
Nice work and congrats!
Hi Mark, I am in the process of searching/liking a watch for myself to wear it every day and your videos helped me a lot to understand the inner workings of a mechanical watch and what to look for. Thank you so very, very much for your effort and sharing your knowledge with the world!
Regulating a watch always sounded intimidating but your helpful videos like this one takes the mystery away. I didn't know I needed a timegrapher but I do want one now!
Haha, its a nifty tool.
Thanks for another fantastic video!!
I have questions to ask regarding watch movement regulations:
1) How do you regulate in multiple positions having already done (setup) in one position?
2) Is there a timegrapher app that actually works / displays the result accurately?
3) Is it true that a cheaper timegrapher might not necessarily measure cheaper movements?
4) If so, how does these cheaper movements cloud the timegrapher's result?
5) There are timegraphers priced from $150 and up. What would be the optimal one if you are just starting to learn how to regulate?
Thank you 🍎
Watch & learn, SO informative & helpful!
Couldn’t agree more with Nino MC 👌
Terrific tutorial. Your videos are informative and also very interesting. I’ve learned so much from watching your channel. Thanks again.
Thank to this video I successfully regulated a couple of watches. Thank you!!!
Nice work.
Thank you so much Marc for this great video! As a end user, I only knew how to adjust my Jaeger-LeCoultre ATMOS clocks which have the same system of time adjustment that are so big that they cannot be missed. As we know, we have - as "mechanical watch aficionados" - to show some tolerance. Because those who are looking for a "atomic" precision should buy quartz or radio controlled watches. I give my mechanical watches as my dogs the possibility to sometimes not be so perfect but very much alive.
Extremely clear to follow - thanks. I’m new to automatic watches so didn’t understand the difference between position adjustment and regulation.
Long Island Watch Yes I do.... at last - thank you! Love your vids
It's very interesting video, well explained and pleasant... 👍 I'm a noob in automatic watches and I'm learning many interesting things with your videos so thank you and bravo for your channel!
Excellent information and well presented! This is exactly what I was looking for. That timegrapher is nifty! Geez, that's a huge amount of adjustment! 9 minutes!?!?😮 Don't flinch..😂😂
Can tell you how much I love, enjoy and appreciate all of your videos. I have learned sooo much from you. Thank you immensely Mark.
thanks...excellent lesson in adjusting and regulating . ... and how the adjusting separates the high end from the low end cost watches . My wife is saying " " are you watching about watches again ?".... usually at the most interesting bit !
My Dad was a watchmaker thanks to the GI bill after ww2. He did everything with NO electronics. He used his skills as a side line since he got a civil service job as a cop. I was fascinated with his work. You reminded of those days. Yep, I would never touch the back, no way.
Mark what an awesome Lear I got video. Thanks. I am going to pick up a time graph to monitor my watches every so often but have a watch maker do any adjustments. I’m just afraid to screw up the movements if I did it myself LOL. Thanks again for the great information. Good luck with the business.
Great info, you explained so that even an old fart like me feels confident enough to regulate the timing on a watch, just ordered a time grapher.
Great video, and a valid reason why many people prefer a quartz movement.
Awesome instruction. Very educative!
Thanks a lot Mark, for another very informative and interesting presentation. I doubt I’ll ever try this (I tried replacing the battery in my iPhone last year, and ended up taking it to a repair man) so I think I’ll leave this to the experts. Still, it’s very good to know how it’s done and to be more informed about how these mysterious mechanical masterpieces that reside on my wrist function. 👍
Another great video, Marc. Thanks. You have a talent for explaining things well
Thank you.
Learning a lot from you didn't realise there was so much to a mechanism do many variables but interesting thanks! I will subscribe 👍
Thanks Marc. Awesome as always.
Very knowledgeable presentation! I am a layman regarding watches but you clearly have a mastery (even as a hobbyist) of the terms associated with watches and the process of Regulating a watch. Thanks for posting!
Does this have to be done in a specialist dust free room or can it be done at home?
Very informative, Mark. Thanks...
I wouldn’t dare opening a watch myself but it’s surely nice to know what’s going on when a watch is regulated.
I think especially the advice concerning regulating the watch to your personal wearing habits are valuable.
Now I can say to my watchmaker:
“I want it to go 5 seconds slower pr. day. I don’t really care what your time grapher says. What I know is that when I check it out once every day, it’s 5 seconds fast...”
Service aimed at the user - what more could you want😆
Great walk thru of the timegrapher features and what they mean! Thank you
I've had 4 Rolexes over the last 40 years, (last one was stolen), but you're absolutely right. Even if I'd seen this video, I'd never have taken the backs off!
Yes, know your limits!
What a great teacher.
Wow, great compliment, thank you.
New to this.
Now i know why my seiko 5 isnt a happy camper after i played with the funny levers inside 😝.
Have observed my prodiver running faster when i leave it off overnight. Now i understand why.
Good vid. Thanks.
This video is very highly valuable ... Thanks alot
I will be getting my first ever Automatic watch today. It will be the SK007 Diver has it is all I can justify money wise. Also I have wanted a diver like this. Ever since I was a little boy and I saw one on my Sisters rist. As she at that time was and I guess still is a Certified Diver.
I have to say that my bread and butter watches are Digital. The reson they are my favorite kind of watches is very simple. I do not have to worry about having to count to get the right time. I can just look down at my Digital watch and there's the time. I have a learning disability and trying and figure out what time it is. On a regular time piece is to me a real hassle. Now I can probably guess what You mybe thinking. Why on earth am I buying a watch type that. I really have a hard time telling the time on. The best I can say about this is one I really do not know. Other then to say I am trying to do things to better myself. Win or fail.. But I really do not feel confident enough to take a watch apart and regulate it. I am also one that does not take my watch off at bedtime. Is that something that you have to do with a watch like this as to not have it on as You sleep. But back on the topic of regulating this watch. Do I have to do this. Also to be onest I really do not understand what regulating even means. I mean unless what You mean by regulated. Is how to get the hours and min or the seconds or both to match what the actual time really is. I am sorry about my spelling and my grammar. But that's just one of many learning disabilities that I have like with telling time. On a regular time peace. Welcome to my nightmare.Great Video by the way.
No, normally you do not need to regulate your automatic watch, unless it deviates from the right time too much. In that case, you leave the job to a watch maker/jeweler. That's what most people do. Before that, just wear and enjoy your watch with no worry.
Hi Marc
A good way to protect your backs from scratching,after being removed.
On a screw back and using a clamp use a glass clean one cloth,, just place over the back before attaching clamp.
If it has screws rather than using tweezer and having them ping away,use a bit of blu tac to hold screw and start turning.
When using a clam knife just put a bit of clear plastic bag over the knife.
Thank you for sharing!
absolutely new to the hobby but a adjusted my nh35 movement today after 2 weeks of wearing. i dit however hack(pull out the stem and stop the watch) before pushing the lever. it seems that i went from -7 to -1 a day. we will see in a weeks time
"... unless you know what you are doing. but if you know what you are doing - you are probably not watching this video anyway" :))
Great info, Mark. I absolutely value your opinion on all things horological!
Tried this on a SKX 007 a couple of years ago. Trashed it and ended up getting a whole new movement!
Excelent! It is great to learn something new every time I check your channel. I definitely need one of those time graphers.
Thanks for watching.
This is the most informative video on this subject I've found yet. Many thanks! (Subscribed as of watching this)
I found this video very informative.i I didn't think it was so easy to regulate a watch. Can you use any time grapher or is there a certain brand you prefer. Two watches I have are running seagull movements which I don't like and want to try and improve them.
Please could you put a Seiko Spring Drive onto your Timegrapher? It might be interesting to see how consistent it is in all the different positions, with the way it works I would assume there'd be little difference.
I dream of owning a Seiko Spring Drive - I'll never get one, so I suppose if you do a video of the above it will be like watching a video reminding me how much I want one more....lol
I don't think it will show anything because the spring drive doesn't tik it glides and it's regulated by a quarts crystal inside. Imagine a spinner that has a magnetic brake on it to keep it at a steady rate. That's pretty much it ;)
Very informative!! I love these videos where u share ur extensive knowledge on watches. Keep em comin!! 👍👍👍
Thx for the vid. Great source of info.
I don’t need a timegrapher. But it would be fun to have. Ah, toys.
It is pretty cool.
Great stuff Mark !😊
Excellent video. Thanks.
Very well explained and thank you.
Great Video. But, how can I be sure that the timegrapher itself is properly calibrated??
Really interesting video Marc, many thanks...
Thanks for these videos Mark! You got me as a customer for sure.
Thank you.
This is what I like... Of course would like to regulate a watch myself and hopefully will do it some time.
Thanks for taking the time!
Wanted you to do this video for a long time. Thanks!
Thanks for your patience.
I just got one of your hex bracelets, I was thinking it might be a bit blingy for me, it absolutely isnt, its perfect. I would call it impossible to make it look better. Imo, anyway. I love it
Nice video. Thanks. My Seiko (7s26) is +30 mins per day...
You do a great job on these vids. Thanks for your enthusiasm and hard work.
Good informative video! Thanks 🙏
Mark, you are the MAN!
Thank you.
Oakland, CA represent. Jack London Square/Otto Frei. Just bought some tools from them....
Hi Mark! While I was regulating my vintage Certina 919-1 automatic, I briefly touched the BALANCE, not the hairspring, just like you did in the clip. Now, I'm scared shitless...did I mess it up?
Thanks Marc, such a great video. Learned alot about regulation.
Great video. Thanks for the info! It impressed upon me the import of doing this yourself over a period of time. I guess I need a timegrapher now
VERY IMPORTANT - on a Seiko movement such as this, the rate adjustment arm has a brass carrier in it which guides the hairspring. It's clearly visible in this video. When regulating the watch, DO NOT touch this brass piece or you can accidentally rotate it, which will change the angle of the hairspring by distorting it, and make the watch run completely screwy. Unless you know how to adjust an oscillator correctly, this mistake will take a watchmaker to repair! It is extremely easy to move that part unintentionally, so be careful!
Do you mean the brass-colored piece he touches (or almost touches) at 12:02?
I read somewhere that this brass piece is for isochronism
Many thanks😊
Hi Marc, your video's are great! Keep them coming!
Thanks for watching!
Really enjoy your videos. Thanks for doing them.
Thank you so much again Mark (or is it Marc?). Anyway, always informative!
Excellent vid. I’ll just reset every so often using my atomic watch
What an excellent video you put together. I don’t think you’re too chicken to open up the Rolex, so much as you’re smart not to. I am a little less clueless about the insides of a watch now, and for this, I thank you.
I have a brand new Seco five, how much would a service like that cost if I brought it to a watch shop in my neighborhood providing he has the tools you do
Its gotten to the point that my wife has also become enthralled with my hobby. She's even taken to wearing some of mine. Now if I can just get my graf zeppelin back from her.
I know,I'll tell her to keep it and buy something else
Great video Mark and I've always wanted to know how an automatic watch is adjusted/regulated. Vi recently bought my first Seiko automatic, after years of owning Hamilton/Ball and Squale automatic watches and this is the first time that I've had a watch that loses approx 35 secs per day, so I wanted to understand the mechanics of it. My watch (Seiko SPB147J1) is under warranty and I can send it back to Seiko UK and they said they would regulate it, but I'm just debating whether it's worth sending back or whether I should just put up with a 35 sec loss per day and adjust the time more frequently. What I didn't realise is the cheaper the watch the less positions the manufacturer will regulate/adjust it to, so for a £900 Seiko, only 1 position. So if I work a desk job 9-5 and most of my wrist movement is just to move the mouse around at my desk, then maybe I'm not moving my Seiko enough? Anyway would be interesting to hear your thoughts on whether you think I should return it under warranty to be adjusted. Cheers
You may never see this, but...my Seiko is quite sensitive to state of winding...if i don't do much, it runs really slowly, so i sometimes give it a bunch of turns by hand to get the winding cranked up a bit