zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: So, I have put it on a device to count the
: ticks. If I knew the true number of ticks
: the watch should produce (in different
: positions), then I could get closer to
: actually knowing what deviation I should be
: aiming for and make a correction.

Four ticks per second (remember, one "tick" is actually a "tick-tock"... so you'll count eight. If you have the back off, you'll see that the balance wheel will wiggle back and forth (back AND forth four times, and thus 8 ticks). Did I make that clear? Also, I doubt that any machine to which you have access has the precision to adjust a wrist watch on a second-to-second basis... and even if you could (before you refute that fact), you probably wouldn't want to, because these watches do vary in timekeeping precision, based on position, temperature, mainspring tension, etc). So, use a larger span of time to sample the timekeeping accuracy... like one week or more. These watches operate at far too low a frequency (4 Hertz) for you to think in terms of "ticks per second". No matter how mis-tuned a watch may be, I guarantee that you will always count 4 ticks per second. Whether that means 4.000001 ticks or 4.0001 ticks is the difference between accurate timekeeping and inaccurate timekeeping. Instead, think of "seconds per week", or (even better) "seconds per month".

: The question is then: "What is the number
: of ticks/day/hour/minute the action
: produces?"

per second: 4
per minute: 240
per hour: 14,400
per day: 345,600

so, keep a calculator handy.

: Thank you for the information and remarks,
: Mark. I really do not see a major problem
: here, as long as I have the correct tools
: and way to identify the actual pieces on the
: action to make the corrective adjustment.
: Guys on the Porsche web site take their
: motors apart every day. I am surprised no
: one has actually given me detailed
: instructions yet. I guess it is
: forthcomming.

I disassemble some part of my vehicle every weekend, engine block, transmission, steering gear, suspension... just take your pick. I think the key difference here is the tolerance for error; I do have the appropriate tools, and (even as a novice) can take apart nearly anything without much fear of damaging it. Many parts even REQUIRE banging with a sledge hammer at times... what mechanics call "finesse". Not so for swiss watches.