Quartz watches stopping only when you wear them?
As I think I've said elsewhere my "collection" at the moment is mainly quartz watches - a rag-tag bunch of old fashion watches plus one or two nicer pieces acquired more recently as I've started to think more consciously about my watch 'journey ' (🤢)
Two of these older watches, including the Rolf Cremer German fashion watch in the picture on this post have the peculiar problem of stopping when I wear them. They have new batteries and keep perfect time sitting in a watch box for weeks on end, yet lose up to 5 minutes in a 12 hour period when they're on my wrist.
I've read that it can be a common problem with the change in temperature (I'm so hot, haha!), but I've found this explanation a bit odd - when my husband or daughter have tried wearing them, they are fine.
Has anyone else experienced this?
My husband is really the one into watches - it was either "get divorced or get onboard". I thought onboard would be the cheaper option, but now I'm not so sure...
I've heard similar stories in the past. All with no explanation.
File under "unexplained mysteries"
I've heard similar stories in the past. All with no explanation.
File under "unexplained mysteries"
Yes, I guess so!
I have a friend, who for some inexplicable reason cannot wear quartz watches. The watches will either keep erratic time, or suffer rapid battery drain for no reason. The same watches keep great time when on someone else’s wrist. 😂
I believe the wearer is magnetized. I'm unsure if they can successfully be demagnetized. A lead shield perhaps?
I have a quartz Mondaine that does that. I had to quit wearing it.
I've had a couple of quartz watches with a very similar problem, they ended up needing new movements.
They were less expensive watches and luckily the replacement movements were inexpensive also; the watchmaker I use did each of them for less than $50.
I have a friend, who for some inexplicable reason cannot wear quartz watches. The watches will either keep erratic time, or suffer rapid battery drain for no reason. The same watches keep great time when on someone else’s wrist. 😂
At least I'm not the only one I suppose!
I believe the wearer is magnetized. I'm unsure if they can successfully be demagnetized. A lead shield perhaps?
I see a gap in the market - lead clothing. I'll make MILLIONS!
I have a quartz Mondaine that does that. I had to quit wearing it.
That's a real shame
I've had a couple of quartz watches with a very similar problem, they ended up needing new movements.
They were less expensive watches and luckily the replacement movements were inexpensive also; the watchmaker I use did each of them for less than $50.
Yeah, neither of these are ones that are expensive or I am particularly sentimental about so it's probably not worth it but I'm not really bothered thankfully.
Are you sure you’re not Jaime Summers the Bionic Woman?
Wife has this issue.
Put a quartz on her wrist and it'll stop in a couple of days or a couple of weeks. She's very electro-charged. If she pushes a shopping cart around the store and I reach for the cart, I get shocked pretty forcefully. But if I do the same, nothing happens
Are you sure you’re not Jaime Summers the Bionic Woman?
Shhhhh, don't tell everyone....
Wife has this issue.
Put a quartz on her wrist and it'll stop in a couple of days or a couple of weeks. She's very electro-charged. If she pushes a shopping cart around the store and I reach for the cart, I get shocked pretty forcefully. But if I do the same, nothing happens
Interesting. Does she have a similar issue with automatic at all? (Sorry if that's a stupid question!)
Interesting. Does she have a similar issue with automatic at all? (Sorry if that's a stupid question!)
Not a stupid question.
No, she can wear a mechanical and it runs fine. She just chooses to not wear a watch at all though.
At least I'm not the only one I suppose!
Don't listen to them, you are special.
It's definitely strange that your quartz watches only stop when you wear them, while working perfectly for others. While temperature changes can indeed affect watch accuracy, it's unlikely to cause such a significant and specific issue. Let's explore some potential explanations:
1. Battery Issues:
Battery quality: Even though the batteries are new, they might not be of high quality. Try replacing them with reputable brands like Renata or Maxell.
Battery fit: Ensure the battery fits snugly in the compartment. A loose fit can cause intermittent contact and stoppages.exclamation
Battery drain: Your body heat might be causing the batteries to drain faster than expected. Observe if the watches heat up significantly when you wear them.
2. Movement Issues:
Temperature sensitivity: Some older quartz movements might be more sensitive to temperature fluctuations. While unlikely to cause a 5-minute loss, it could be a contributing factor.
Internal friction: Wear and tear within the movement could cause increased friction when exposed to movement or body temperature.exclamation
Magnetic interference: If your work environment or hobbies involve strong magnets, they could temporarily disrupt the movement.exclamation
3. Other factors:
Impact or shock: A recent impact or shock to the watch could have caused internal damage, affecting its performance when worn.
Water damage: Even minimal water ingress can cause internal corrosion and malfunction, especially in older watches.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Replace batteries with high-quality brands.
Observe if the watches heat up significantly when worn.
Test the watches in different environments (e.g., at rest, during activity) to see if temperature plays a role.
Consider having the movements professionally inspected for internal issues.
Additional Tips:
Avoid exposing your watches to extreme temperatures or sudden changes.expand_more
Store them in a cool, dry place when not in use.expand_more
If the problem persists, consult a qualified watchmaker for diagnosis and repair.
It's definitely strange that your quartz watches only stop when you wear them, while working perfectly for others. While temperature changes can indeed affect watch accuracy, it's unlikely to cause such a significant and specific issue. Let's explore some potential explanations:
1. Battery Issues:
Battery quality: Even though the batteries are new, they might not be of high quality. Try replacing them with reputable brands like Renata or Maxell.
Battery fit: Ensure the battery fits snugly in the compartment. A loose fit can cause intermittent contact and stoppages.exclamation
Battery drain: Your body heat might be causing the batteries to drain faster than expected. Observe if the watches heat up significantly when you wear them.
2. Movement Issues:
Temperature sensitivity: Some older quartz movements might be more sensitive to temperature fluctuations. While unlikely to cause a 5-minute loss, it could be a contributing factor.
Internal friction: Wear and tear within the movement could cause increased friction when exposed to movement or body temperature.exclamation
Magnetic interference: If your work environment or hobbies involve strong magnets, they could temporarily disrupt the movement.exclamation
3. Other factors:
Impact or shock: A recent impact or shock to the watch could have caused internal damage, affecting its performance when worn.
Water damage: Even minimal water ingress can cause internal corrosion and malfunction, especially in older watches.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Replace batteries with high-quality brands.
Observe if the watches heat up significantly when worn.
Test the watches in different environments (e.g., at rest, during activity) to see if temperature plays a role.
Consider having the movements professionally inspected for internal issues.
Additional Tips:
Avoid exposing your watches to extreme temperatures or sudden changes.expand_more
Store them in a cool, dry place when not in use.expand_more
If the problem persists, consult a qualified watchmaker for diagnosis and repair.
Thank you - all that doesn't really explain why they work fine when my daughter wears them 🤷♀️
My mom always told me she never wore a watch because as a child no matter what they would die on her wrist. It always sounded silly to me. Is this a real thing?
My mom always told me she never wore a watch because as a child no matter what they would die on her wrist. It always sounded silly to me. Is this a real thing?
It definitely is for me! Although it's only certain watches (not even necessarily just the older ones) and only really a recent thing, having worn quartz for most of life without any problems.