zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Much is written about shock and vibration tolerances, but what are the real consequences of exceeding the limits of proper handling ?

My 5-year old Seamaster has been dropped many times from a desk or dresser onto a hardwood floor, with no apparent ill consequences. It has been shaken violently (by a lunatic friend, who thought it needed "winding"), left sitting on the patio in direct sunlight for hours, and soaked in hot tubs with me. It runs about +8 per day, although I've never regulated it.

A watchmaker once told me that a severe shock may break the balance staff. He said something about temporary vibration upsetting the amplitude, but seemed to imply that was less of a concern.

But is it reasonable to worry about such inadvertant abuse, if the watch shows no obvious signs of malfunction, and still keeps good time ?

Just a thought.