How to test the accuracy of German watches?

　　Today, the demand for German watches goes beyond mere timekeeping; they are a blend of functionality, fashion, value, and status. German watches satisfy these diverse consumer requirements. Let's look at the issue of accuracy in German watches.

　　All watches have an acceptable tolerance range. For mechanical watches, a deviation of 20 seconds per day is within the acceptable range for German watches, while for quartz watches, a deviation of 8 seconds per month is acceptable. It is important to note that the deviation of a German watch is not cumulative.

　　New owners may notice their German watch running slightly fast. This can happen with any brand or model. Generally, a new watch should not have issues; as long as the deviation is within a reasonable range, there is no need to open the case back.

　　Testing German watch accuracy

　　If the deviation is excessive, it may be due to a low battery or an issue with the quartz oscillator, in which case it should be serviced.

　　German watches maintain the best timekeeping precision when the mainspring is fully wound. To ensure accuracy, keep the mainspring fully wound, which is particularly important for automatic German watches. The winding level of an automatic watch depends on how long it is worn and the wearer's activity level, provided there is sufficient movement.

　　German watches exhibit different levels of precision in different positions. This is known as positional error. High-quality German watches are tested at three temperatures and in five positions before leaving the factory. The five positions are: dial up, dial down, crown down (3 o'clock down), crown left (12 o'clock down), and crown up (9 o'clock down). The only position not commonly used is crown right (6 o'clock down), unless the watch is worn on the inside of the wrist or on the right hand.

　　Statistics show that for most people, the dial-up position of a German watch is used for about 35% of the day, the crown-left position for 30%, the crown-down position for 25%, and other positions for 10%. Therefore, by using the different accuracy errors of a German watch in various positions, you can correct its tendency to run fast or slow. First, conduct an observation test and record the results. The testing method is very simple: fully wind the watch, synchronise the hour, minute, and second hands of the German watch with a standard time source, and place it flat for 24 hours of actual running. Then, compare the error against the standard time and record it. Repeat this process sequentially to test the running errors for the dial-down, crown-down, crown-left, and crown-up positions of the German watch, recording each result.

　　German watch running error range

　　The officially stipulated error range is plus or minus 30 seconds per day. Please note that due to the requirements of their power systems, mechanical watches will stop running if left unworn for a prolonged period; this does not indicate a fault with the watch itself. A so-called automatic mechanical watch will not run indefinitely just by being set aside, nor does simply wearing it guarantee power generation—it requires sufficient arm movement and adequate rotation of the oscillating weight to wind the mainspring. Additionally, please manually wind your German watch when using it for the first time!

　　The permissible error for standard mechanical watches is approximately 60 seconds per day, with the exact variance depending on the movement used in the watch. If the instruction manual of the German watch specifies an error standard, that should be taken as the basis; if no specific error standard is provided, the national (Chinese) standard should apply.