Automatic Watches
How Environmental Factors Affect Your Watch (Temperature, Humidity, and More)
By Argos Watches
Watches are truly fascinating objects. We often collect them for specific reasons. Sometimes, it's the design that captures our attention, whether it's a beautifully detailed face or a unique case shape. Other times, it's the clever engineering inside that interests us, like a complex feature or, in some cases, how precisely the movement works.
Talking about watch accuracy can be a long and sometimes involved discussion, as so much plays a part in how precise a watch is. Any watch wearer knows that even the most expensive and attractive watches aren't always perfectly on time.
Sure, some are close enough that you'll rarely notice any difference. But there will always be a few seconds, or even a few minutes, gained or lost, depending on the watch itself and, very importantly, the conditions it has been in.
Talking about watch accuracy can be a long and sometimes involved discussion, as so much plays a part in how precise a watch is. Any watch wearer knows that even the most expensive and attractive watches aren't always perfectly on time.
Sure, some are close enough that you'll rarely notice any difference. But there will always be a few seconds, or even a few minutes, gained or lost, depending on the watch itself and, very importantly, the conditions it has been in.
Do All Watches Lose or Gain Time?
Let's clear up a common misunderstanding right away. No matter what anyone tells you, all watches will eventually drift from the exact time. It doesn't matter if you're wearing the world's most expensive piece from Switzerland or a simple battery-powered watch from your childhood; they will all show a slight difference from perfect time, just in different ways and amounts.
Quartz watches are typically among the most accurate. These timepieces are powered by batteries, and, on average, they only lose or gain about 15 to 30 seconds in a whole month. Thanks to their quartz crystal, they are very resistant to many outside influences, making them a popular choice for people who want something reliable and easy to maintain.
Quartz watches are typically among the most accurate. These timepieces are powered by batteries, and, on average, they only lose or gain about 15 to 30 seconds in a whole month. Thanks to their quartz crystal, they are very resistant to many outside influences, making them a popular choice for people who want something reliable and easy to maintain.
Then you have mechanical watches. These are incredible, highly engineered watches with movements made up of many tiny gears, springs, and wheels. All these small parts work together smoothly to keep time. However, despite being more technically impressive than quartz watches, mechanical timepieces tend to gain or lose time more easily due to their complex nature. It's common for a mechanical watch to gain or lose about 5 to 10 seconds a day. High-end, well-cared-for ones might only gain or lose a few seconds.
So, while all watches will show some deviation, how much they do so largely depends on the type of watch and its internal mechanism. But of course, there are other reasons why your watch will gain or lose time. Here are some of the main reasons even the world's most accurate timepiece may start to gain or lose more time than it promised.
So, while all watches will show some deviation, how much they do so largely depends on the type of watch and its internal mechanism. But of course, there are other reasons why your watch will gain or lose time. Here are some of the main reasons even the world's most accurate timepiece may start to gain or lose more time than it promised.
Reasons Why Watches Lose or Gain Time
No matter the type of watch, several outside factors can cause even the best timepiece to stray from perfect accuracy. And while we may not think about these factors every day, they are constantly at work. The good news? By knowing the most common reasons, you can take simple steps to help your watch stay as precise as possible.
1. Magnetism: It's surprising how much magnetic fields can interfere with your watch's accuracy. We are always surrounded by magnetic fields without realizing it. Devices like phones, computers, speakers, and even refrigerator magnets all have a magnetic charge.
When a mechanical watch encounters a magnetic field, it can cause parts like the balance spring to stick together, which disrupts its regular movement and makes the watch run faster or slower. Most modern watches come with some protection against magnetism, but even so, it's a good idea to keep them away from strong magnetic sources such as industrial magnets.
1. Magnetism: It's surprising how much magnetic fields can interfere with your watch's accuracy. We are always surrounded by magnetic fields without realizing it. Devices like phones, computers, speakers, and even refrigerator magnets all have a magnetic charge.
When a mechanical watch encounters a magnetic field, it can cause parts like the balance spring to stick together, which disrupts its regular movement and makes the watch run faster or slower. Most modern watches come with some protection against magnetism, but even so, it's a good idea to keep them away from strong magnetic sources such as industrial magnets.
2. Water Damage: Water damage might just be the most common enemy of watch accuracy, even for watches called "water-resistant." If moisture gets inside a watch, it can corrode the delicate metal parts, which can throw off the timekeeping. Not all water-resistant watches are equally capable; some can handle a splash, while others can be used for deep diving.
Always check your watch’s specific water resistance rating and understand exactly what that means. Just because your watch says "100 meters water resistant" on the face doesn't mean it can survive 100 meters of actual depth. This rating relates to the pressure it can withstand rather than a specific distance. So, it's good to know exactly what your watch can handle when it comes to water before jumping into a pool. If you think your watch has water damage, it's best to take it in for a check-up to prevent any long-term harm.
Always check your watch’s specific water resistance rating and understand exactly what that means. Just because your watch says "100 meters water resistant" on the face doesn't mean it can survive 100 meters of actual depth. This rating relates to the pressure it can withstand rather than a specific distance. So, it's good to know exactly what your watch can handle when it comes to water before jumping into a pool. If you think your watch has water damage, it's best to take it in for a check-up to prevent any long-term harm.
3. Shocks: Accidental bumps, drops, or any kind of physical jolt can disrupt your watch’s timekeeping. Quartz watches generally handle impacts better, as they have fewer moving parts. However, mechanical watches have intricate and sensitive mechanisms, making them more vulnerable.
Sometimes, even a small bump against a door frame or a fall to the floor can affect your watch’s accuracy. Fortunately, many higher-end brands build shock-resistant features into their watches to help with this. Even so, avoiding any hard knocks is the safest approach.
Sometimes, even a small bump against a door frame or a fall to the floor can affect your watch’s accuracy. Fortunately, many higher-end brands build shock-resistant features into their watches to help with this. Even so, avoiding any hard knocks is the safest approach.
4. Watch Position: Even experienced watch collectors sometimes don't realize that the position your watch is placed in can affect its accuracy. Gravity can influence the movement, especially if a watch sits in one position for long periods. The pull of gravity can cause some of the smaller components of the movement to shift slightly, which in turn can disrupt the movement and cause problems with precision.
5. Temperature: Finally, there is temperature. The temperature your watch is exposed to can seriously impact its accuracy. It's one of those quiet influences that we don't always notice, but it's constantly at work. This is an outside factor we want to look at in more detail because it can significantly affect how well your watch keeps time.
5. Temperature: Finally, there is temperature. The temperature your watch is exposed to can seriously impact its accuracy. It's one of those quiet influences that we don't always notice, but it's constantly at work. This is an outside factor we want to look at in more detail because it can significantly affect how well your watch keeps time.
How Temperature Affects Your Watch’s Accuracy
Among environmental factors, temperature is arguably the most significant, as it directly influences the physical properties of a watch's delicate internal parts. Temperature plays a big role in how precisely a watch keeps time, especially for mechanical watches. For example, heat can cause the tiny metal components inside the movement to expand. Even the smallest expansion in the balance spring or gears can throw off the timekeeping mechanism.
Take the balance. spring, for instance; if this expands, it can slow down its swing, which will make the watch lose time. For this reason, if you're heading to the beach or a warm climate, be aware that your watch might lose a few seconds if exposed to high temperatures for a long time.
Take the balance. spring, for instance; if this expands, it can slow down its swing, which will make the watch lose time. For this reason, if you're heading to the beach or a warm climate, be aware that your watch might lose a few seconds if exposed to high temperatures for a long time.
Similarly, cold weather can have the opposite effect. Metal shrinks in low temperatures, and this can cause certain components to tighten or even get smaller, potentially making the watch run faster. Some high-end watches are specifically made to handle extreme temperatures and can work well within a particular range, but most everyday watches will show slight changes in very cold weather.
So yes, temperature does affect a watch's performance, but how much it does so varies greatly depending on the type of watch and how it is built. While modern watches are more resistant to temperature changes than ever before, they are not completely unaffected. If you plan to wear a watch in extreme conditions, it's worth choosing one specifically designed for such situations or at least knowing what to expect.
So yes, temperature does affect a watch's performance, but how much it does so varies greatly depending on the type of watch and how it is built. While modern watches are more resistant to temperature changes than ever before, they are not completely unaffected. If you plan to wear a watch in extreme conditions, it's worth choosing one specifically designed for such situations or at least knowing what to expect.
Conclusion
In the end, no watch keeps perfect time forever. Whether it’s a mechanical wonder or a dependable quartz watch, timepieces are bound to lose or gain a little time over the years. Everything from magnetism and bumps to temperature can play a role in a watch’s accuracy, sometimes in ways we barely notice.
But understanding why watches gain or lose time can give you a greater appreciation for the skill and complexity of watchmaking. And if precise timekeeping is what you’re after, consider looking for COSC-certified or temperature-compensated watches. These clever designs are as close to perfect as you can get in the world of telling time.
If you’re truly concerned about how accurate your watch is and notice it’s gaining or losing more time than usual, visit your local jeweler. They can check for any hidden problems, like magnetization, wear inside the movement, or water damage, and make adjustments to bring your watch back to its best performance.
But understanding why watches gain or lose time can give you a greater appreciation for the skill and complexity of watchmaking. And if precise timekeeping is what you’re after, consider looking for COSC-certified or temperature-compensated watches. These clever designs are as close to perfect as you can get in the world of telling time.
If you’re truly concerned about how accurate your watch is and notice it’s gaining or losing more time than usual, visit your local jeweler. They can check for any hidden problems, like magnetization, wear inside the movement, or water damage, and make adjustments to bring your watch back to its best performance.
Effortless Power: The Argos Olympus with Power Reserve Indicator
The Argos Olympus watch is designed for those who appreciate a classic look with modern reliability. It typically features a clear and easy-to-read dial, often paired with a durable case material like stainless steel. This model aims to offer a refined appearance that can suit various everyday situations, providing a dependable way to keep time while maintaining a clean and tasteful style. A helpful addition is its power reserve indicator, a small display on the dial that shows how much winding power the watch has left. This means you won't have to guess when it's time to wind your watch again, adding a layer of convenience to your daily wear.
