New to WatchCrunch/Timex Northern Expedition Post Mechanical Accuracy
Hi, everyone. I'm new to WatchCrunch (just heard of it a couple of days ago!). I've been into watches since I was a kid, but I just got "serious" about it within the past year. I'm wearing a DressKX as I write this.
My collection ranges from Casio to Concord, Timex to Tag, and Swatch to Seiko. I'm looking forward to getting to know the WatchCrunch community and maybe learning a thing or two (or much more!).
I'm going to jump in with a question. Since most of my watches are quartz, I'm still learning about automatic and mechanical movements. I recently bought a Timex Expedition North Post Mechanical 38mm because I wanted a field watch but didn't want to splurge on a Hamilton. Understanding you get what you pay for, I'm questioning the accuracy of the movement.
I've been tracking it at +12 seconds/day while I'm wearing it, but today it gained about 28 seconds compared to the time on my phone. Is that even remotely normal, or should I lower my expectations for a watch at this price point? Are there better ways to test accuracy?
Thanks everyone!
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Welcome to Crunchland. I live in the value end of the neighborhood as well so I’m not concerned about accuracy. Some Seikos have accuracy in the +/-20 seconds per day.
There are watches that are rated as chronometers (COSC) that have lower accuracy variations.
Long story short, I wouldn’t worry about it, but if you want piece of mind, bring it to a shop to get it looked at.
👍🏼
I am pretty sure the movement in the mechanical Expedition is a Miyota 8215, and I believe the stated factory tolerances are -20 to +40 seconds per day for the Miyota 8000 series movements.
Welcome.
Thank you!
I am pretty sure the movement in the mechanical Expedition is a Miyota 8215, and I believe the stated factory tolerances are -20 to +40 seconds per day for the Miyota 8000 series movements.
It's a Chinese movement, si it might be a Sea Gull (?).
Welcome!
Welcome to WC. I’d also say not to worry about that type of fluctuation. Maybe you spent more time in a certain position or the environment was different. Lots of things can have an effect. Bottom line, accuracy isn’t the main strength of mechanical watches, so they require some leeway. That said, I think they make up for that with their other attributes.
Welcome 👍
Welcome to the Crunch! Can't wait to see pics of the collection!
I haven’t met a Concord owner since 1989, what model do you own? Welcome.
Do you know if your watch has the Miyota 8xxx series movement or the Chinese Sea-Gull TY6DSK-1 movement?
Both will have a pretty wide variance daily, but you can check the specific tolerances once you know exactly which movement is in the watch.
Welcome to WatchCrunch! Love Timex!
Welcome! I believe the movement in the Expedition North mechanical is the same as the one used in the Marlin handwound, a Chinese movement probably made by Seagull.
Far from the most accurate watch in my collection, but also not horrible. It’s on par with some of my less accurate Seikos.
+28 seems to be OK, there’s variance in accuracy that can be caused by watch position (were you active or was the wartch sitting on your nightstand).
I think there is still a special sale on these or the MK1 mechanical. Might buy one.
Welcome!
Welcome to WC.
Accuracy is very important but if you have enough watch you rotate them anyways and reset the time!
🤝
So very, very true!
I have the Timex MK1 Mechanical with the same Seagull movement. When I first got it, it was about 10 spd fast. After a month, it settled around 5-7.5 spd fast and I was happy with the accuracy. A few months later it got kicked by my 3-year-old grand-nephew and started running about 20 spd fast. Someday, I'll get around to regulating it, but for now I use the poor accuracy as an excuse to interact with the watch - I set it 10s slow each day when winding it.
Overall, your movement is within spec, but I know mine runs faster when stored face up and (relatively) slower 12-up or crown-up
That's good to know, because I had it face up for an entire day... hence the 28 second gain. Appreciate the info!
All, many thanks for the great comments and helpful suggestions. And, of course, the warm welcomes! I'm new to the automatic/mechanical world of watches, and you've all taught me a lot... thank you. It seems that my storing it in its case for a day is probably why it gained so much time. After wearing it for the past 11 hours it has gained about 2 seconds. Also, I didn't wind it as much this morning, so it seems that may play a role too.
It's the Sea-Gull.
Here is what I could find for you on the movement accuracy. Hope that helps.
I haven’t met a Concord owner since 1989, what model do you own? Welcome.
Thanks. I picked up the Concord in 1994, I believe. Sorry for the pic quality.
Welcome to the Crunch! Can't wait to see pics of the collection!
Here you go! Nothing fancy, but I will be looking to build. I'll also take some better pictures when I get some time since it's hard to tell what some of these are. (I'll play the new-guy card for a little longer!)
Here is what I could find for you on the movement accuracy. Hope that helps.
Very helpful... thank you!
Thanks. I picked up the Concord in 1994, I believe. Sorry for the pic quality.
Thx Concord made nice looking watches, I bought one in the early 1990s seem to recall it had a Brequet appearance to it. I sold my watch to a fella who was relocating his buy and sell business from Canada to Miami. Some later I received a message from him that Concord watches were being bought by weight and used as “melt”! He might have been joking.
Thx for the image. Brings back a few memories.
Cheers,
J
Here you go! Nothing fancy, but I will be looking to build. I'll also take some better pictures when I get some time since it's hard to tell what some of these are. (I'll play the new-guy card for a little longer!)
Nice man, looking good!
Welcome to the club!
I believe that most lower cost mechanical movements have factory specs in the +/- 30 seconds per day range. So your experience is fairly normal.
Welcome sir 🤙🏼luckily scrolled to see your collection, like the variety and have a dressKX myself.
Welcome sir 🤙🏼luckily scrolled to see your collection, like the variety and have a dressKX myself.
Many thanks!
I recently got an expedition and love it. Wears well and does what it needs to do.
Welcome!
I recently got an expedition and love it. Wears well and does what it needs to do.
Welcome!
Thank you! It's quickly become one of my favorites.
Welcome to WatchCrunch