zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Though it is normal for a watch (mechanical) to run fast from the factory, and gradually slow, a "sudden" change is not so normal, and may indicate that something has moved inside.

Mechanical watches are really "small machines". As such, they are oiled and lubricated. Over time, the oil breaks down, small amounts of metal are worn from the gear train and this "sludge" can slow the motion of the parts. This is very typical, and the reason these watches need service every 4-5 years.

Typically though, this means the watch will run fast just after service (oil is fresh, gears are clean etc.), slowing gradually over time until it is slow enough that you decide to service it. (in fact, there should even be a period of time when the watch keeps near perfect time!)

: It's been almost two years since I have bought
: my Seamaster automatic, which I wear daily.

: The watch has been running fast (about plus 4
: seconds per day for the first six months and
: about plus 3 seconds per day for the year
: afterwards).

: Now, all of a sudden (for the past month
: approximately), the watch runs 2 seconds
: slow per day, which I find more
: disconcerting that the 4 seconds fast it
: used to run.

: What gives? What can cause the watch to have
: slowed down this much in so little time???
: All of a sudden, a watch that was running
: fast is running not only "not as
: fast", but slow...

: Thanks for advice on this.

: Best,

: Claude