zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: One other question, I see that many people are
: posting that the automatics loose 2-3
: seconds a day. How is it that one is able to
: determine this and what is the loss of
: seconds being compared to?

One can determine this by comparing it an "automic clock" or a clock that gets a signal from one. A lot of people use http://www.time.gov to compare their watches. Others have radio controlled clocks in their house. You can also download programs for free that put an "atomic clock" on your desktop.

One should note that you will never really need the watch to be dead on accurate (unless for some reason time is a HUGE factor down to the seconds in your place of business). People (and I'm included) compare their watches for the fun of it and also to make sure it is operating up to par. When the watch begins to exceed what you would expect, you can send it in for service - that's a good way to tell if your watch is doing what it is supposed to.

Also, you should know every mechanical watch is different. I own an Aqua Terra and am generally running +2 seconds, while another AT owner may be at -2. That's part of the fun of the watch - it adds to the individuality and uniqueness of the timepiece. Also, the position you put it in at night determines how much the watch will gain/lose overnight, so you can pick a combination that will keep you pretty accurate.

If you have more questions, ask.

Robert