Is there a way to improve the accuracy of a mechanical watch without adjustment? / Mainspring Q&A - Answering your watch questions

Q: Is there a way to improve the accuracy of a mechanical watch without adjustment?

Daily deviation is inevitable when using a mechanical watch, but it can be improved by storing it in a smart way.

A: You can adjust it to some extent by changing the orientation of the watch when storing it.

Mechanical watches are said to be more accurate than older models. However, they are not as accurate as quartz watches, and individual differences can still be seen depending on the watch. Generally, if you want to improve accuracy, you explain your usual usage patterns to the manufacturer and have them re-adjust the rate. For example, if you do a lot of desk work, the rate will tend to be fast, and if you go out a lot, the rate will tend to be slow. However, even if you re-adjust, the rate will not necessarily be improved.

So, is there a way to improve accuracy without having the watch readjusted? The most effective way is to change the orientation of the watch when storing it. The accuracy of a mechanical watch can change significantly depending on how it is placed. This is called "positional error." Positional error can be troublesome, but depending on how you use it, it can be a useful way to adjust the accuracy throughout the day.

For example, if a watch gains speed after a day of use, storing it in the direction that it loses speed will allow you to properly adjust the angle of the loss. This was a fairly common technique in the past, and it remains useful even today.

If you want to adjust the accuracy of your watch without adjusting it, try storing it in the right direction. You may be surprised at how satisfactory the results are.