Watchlords

One week on the wrist and not happy with the accuracy of the 4r36 movement. Loses around 6 to 7 sec a day and when left dial up idle all day, it will lose 9 seconds. This movement is all over the map, when active, the numbers tighten up a bit. When the movement is wound up and left dial up overnite, there is around a 2 sec loss. Over 5 days of use there was an average of - 6 to 8 sec.
Now I'm no stranger to seiko and the 4r36 movement. I have had several seiko models that use the 4r36 and a microbrand who also uses them. Usually out of the box they have been 2 to 5 + a day and settle to - 2 to 5 a day. I also know the specs of the 4r36 and they are not great -35to +45sec a day.
I set the watch a minute ahead and wait for it to get gmt time and reset it again. This is more of a rant and I have an idea what the responses will be. It's just difficult to be satisfied when previous experience with these movements have been much better with respect to the accuracy.

I've had the same experience with the Sports 5 GMT, using the 4R34 movement. I've owned previous low-price Seikos with the ancient 7S36 movement, and while those were never particularly accurate, they were at least relatively stable. The GMT, like Mr. majt's, is so inaccurate and unstable that, on the rare days I wear it, I don't even bother trying to hack it to a reference time.

While our two watches are a tiny sample, it bodes ill for Seiko, particularly if they're aiming this stuff at the younger buyers whose previous timekeeping came from cell phones.

It's a piss off for sure.

If a mechanical watch accuracy is that important to you Lord majt, save up your $$$ and purchase sumthing COSC/Superlative/Master Chronometer.

My <$ 500 BASM keeps within ± one or two minutes accuracy in a 24 hour period------ I guess.

codguy wrote: ↑

August 22nd 2023, 9:59am

My <$ 500 BASM keeps within ± one or two minutes accuracy in a 24 hour period------ I guess.

You might need to whack it again.

So minus 9 seconds at worst and the movement only expects -35to +45. Seems like it's running well within it's specifications. Perhaps it could be regulated a bit. One way to determine that is if any watches using the movement are COSC. Aside from the issue it's a nice looking watch.

I’m taking it in to have regulated. I know these movements are unregulated from the factory and I know that it’s a bit of a crapshoot. It’s just ironic that I’ve had better luck with all other seiko’s with the 7S 26 or the 4t35 or the 4r36. This thing is just all over the map . Will advise later. Thanks.

Y'all are Haters. Say-ko is the bestest wartch in the world!!!

9 seconds is fine. What does it matter?

If I was really concerned about accuracy, I'd buy a quartz Casio at Wal-mart and tell Rolex where to stick their COSC certification.

When I get up in the morning, I check my calendar, not my watch.

Who wears the same watch for more than one day, anyways?

(full disclosure: I have one Seiko 4R35 and one 6R15. Can you believe SARBs are going for over $1,700 these days?)

No, seriously, it does kinda suck that you lay all this green down for a watch that has the accuracy of a sundial in Seattle.

I wouldn't see under 10 secs a day as a problem in a cheap auto TBH. Especially if you wear different watches every few days.

If it really is a bother then you are gonna need to spend more on the calibre, or go quartz. Or do both...my GS spring drive gains a second a month.

I’ve regulated a couple of Seiko 7s26 autos in the past with reasonable results - and, also, one movement I impatiently jacked up to an unrecoverable point.

But, like the others, I find 9 seconds to be a whole lotta ‘meh’ since it won’t impact your reentry onto the freeway or anything. Still, it’s annoying because far better accuracy potential exits - but isn’t typically executed at the factory.

It could be worse! My Gruen Precision is ready for a COA service but I haven’t have a chance to take it to the watchmaker. As a result, if I choose to wear it I’ve gotta start off 5 minutes ahead in the morning so that it’s spot on later that afternoon - you know, for Happy Hour.

thx all ,

codguy wrote: ↑

August 22nd 2023, 9:59am

If a mechanical watch accuracy is that important to you Lord majt, save up your $$$ and purchase sumthing COSC/Superlative/Master Chronometer.

My <$ 500 BASM keeps within ± one or two minutes accuracy in a 24 hour period------ I guess.

I like to track the accuracy of my watches but agree the price of the pursuit of isochronism moves farther north on a perpetual basis.

That said, good regulation does certainly make a big difference at all levels — look forward to hearing how a trip to the watchmaker effects your 4r's timekeeping.

3Flushes wrote: ↑

August 29th 2023, 5:11pm

codguy wrote: ↑

August 22nd 2023, 9:59am

If a mechanical watch accuracy is that important to you Lord majt, save up your $$$ and purchase sumthing COSC/Superlative/Master Chronometer.

My <$ 500 BASM keeps within ± one or two minutes accuracy in a 24 hour period------ I guess.

I like to track the accuracy of my watches but agree the price of the pursuit of isochronism moves farther north on a perpetual basis.

That said, good regulation does certainly make a big difference at all levels — look forward to hearing how a trip to the watchmaker effects your 4r's timekeeping.

Had to look it up:
isochronism
1. the characteristic of having a uniform period of vibration.
2. the condition of occurring at the same time as another event.

Isochronous timing
A sequence of events is isochronous if the events occur regularly, or at equal time intervals. The term isochronous is used in several technical contexts, but usually refers to the primary subject maintaining a constant period or interval, despite variations in other measurable factors in the same system. Isochronous timing is a characteristic of a repeating event whereas synchronous timing refers to the relationship between two or more events.