Why Your Automatic Watch Is Running Inaccurately – and How to Fix It

If you’ve ever looked down at your wrist and realized your automatic watch is a few minutes off, you’re not alone. Even the finest mechanical watches – including those stored in a high-quality single watch winder box – are prone to small inaccuracies over time. For some owners, this comes as a surprise, especially when the timepiece carries a luxury price tag or a respected brand name.

The reality is that automatic watches, while masterfully engineered, are still mechanical devices. They rely on intricate components working in harmony, and even minor shifts in condition or environment can influence performance.

In this article, we’ll explore why automatic watches sometimes run fast or slow. We’ll break down what level of inaccuracy is considered normal, highlight the most common causes of timekeeping issues, and offer practical advice on how to restore and maintain your watch’s precision.

For watch owners who want to maintain accuracy while their timepieces are off the wrist, Barrington Watch Winders offers a range of elegant and quiet solutions – including the ideal single watch winder for daily or long-term use.

What’s Considered Normal Accuracy for an Automatic Watch?

Before assuming there’s a problem with your watch, it’s important to understand what “accurate” really means for a mechanical timepiece. Unlike quartz watches, which are powered by batteries and known for near-perfect precision, automatic watches operate through a series of finely tuned gears, springs, and balance wheels. As a result, a small amount of daily variation is not only expected but perfectly normal.

Watchmaking institutions around the world have developed official standards to define acceptable levels of deviation. Here are three of the most widely recognized:

• COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) – The Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute certifies a watch as a chronometer if it maintains a daily accuracy between -4 and +6 seconds per day, tested in five different positions and at multiple temperatures.
• METAS (Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology) – METAS-certified watches must run within 0 to +5 seconds per day and must also demonstrate resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss.
• Superlative Chronometer (Rolex Standard) – Rolex applies even stricter criteria to its movements, requiring an accuracy of -2 to +2 seconds per day after casing.

Here is a quick reference table for daily deviation limits:

Certification	Daily Deviation Range	Additional Criteria
COSC	-4 to +6 seconds	Tested in 5 positions, temperature variations
METAS	0 to +5 seconds	Includes magnetic resistance and power reserve
Superlative Chronometer	-2 to +2 seconds	Rolex internal standard, after casing

If your automatic watch is gaining or losing time within these ranges, it is generally considered to be performing as intended. However, if the deviation becomes more noticeable – say, more than 10 or 15 seconds a day – it may be time to investigate further.

Why Your Watch Might Be Gaining or Losing Time

Even if your automatic watch was keeping time perfectly when it left the factory, several factors can cause it to speed up or slow down over time. These shifts in accuracy are usually the result of physical or environmental influences – some minor, others more serious.

Here are the most common reasons your watch might be running inaccurately:

1. Thickened or dried lubrication: Mechanical watches rely on special oils to reduce friction between moving parts. Over time, especially if the watch is not worn regularly or has not been serviced in years, these oils can dry out or become sticky. This can slow down or unevenly affect the movement, leading to noticeable timing errors.
2. Impacts and shocks: Even a minor drop or an unexpected jolt can affect the balance spring or disrupt internal alignment. Since many components inside a mechanical watch are incredibly delicate, any sharp physical force can cause the mechanism to run fast, slow, or inconsistently.
3. Magnetic exposure: Automatic watches are particularly sensitive to magnetism. Everyday objects like speakers, phones, tablets, or even handbag clasps can produce magnetic fields strong enough to affect the hairspring – the part responsible for regulating time. When magnetized, the hairspring can stick or contract, causing the watch to speed up significantly.
4. Temperature changes: Extreme heat or cold can affect the elasticity of metal parts within the movement. High temperatures can cause parts to expand slightly, while cold conditions may make oils thicken and resist motion. Both situations can interfere with accurate timekeeping.
5. Factory regulation: Not all watches are regulated to the same level of precision before leaving the manufacturer. While high-end brands often fine-tune their movements to tight tolerances, some mass-produced models may show a wider range of deviation simply due to looser factory regulation.

In many cases, these issues are easy to correct with proper servicing or professional adjustment. The key is identifying the source and responding promptly to avoid long-term wear or damage.

How to Fix It – and When to Seek Help

If your automatic watch isn’t keeping time as accurately as it used to, there are a few steps you can take on your own before turning to a professional. In many cases, minor deviations can be corrected through simple adjustments or observation.

Try these self-check steps first:

• Manually wind the watch. If your watch has been sitting still for a while, its power reserve may be low. Give it a full manual wind and wear it for a day to see if performance improves.
• Change the resting position. Some watches behave differently depending on how they are stored. For example, resting your watch crown-up overnight may slow it down slightly, while crown-down can speed it up. Experiment with positions and observe changes over a few days.
• Track the time deviation. Compare your watch to a reliable time source (such as an atomic clock or smartphone) for several days in a row. Keep notes to determine if the gain or loss is consistent or fluctuating.

If you notice that the watch continues to gain or lose more than 15 to 20 seconds per day, or if the deviation becomes erratic, it’s time to consult a watchmaker.

Professional service may include:

• Demagnetization. A simple and non-invasive process that can restore normal function if magnetic exposure is the cause of inaccuracy.
• Regulation. The watchmaker can fine-tune the movement to bring timekeeping closer to expected standards. This is done using specialized tools and under controlled conditions.
• Complete overhaul (full service). If the watch hasn’t been serviced in five years or more, or if lubrication has broken down, a full disassembly and cleaning may be necessary. During this process, worn parts are replaced, and fresh oils are applied throughout the movement.

Trying to adjust the movement yourself is not recommended unless you have professional training and the right tools. Modern automatic watches are precise, delicate devices – and improper handling can cause more harm than good.

How Daily Storage Affects Accuracy

The way you store your automatic watch when you’re not wearing it can have a subtle but measurable impact on its accuracy. Mechanical movements respond to gravity, and the position in which a watch rests during downtime can either improve or slightly disturb its rate of timekeeping.

Resting position mattersWhen a watch is off your wrist, the pull of gravity affects the balance wheel and hairspring differently depending on the watch’s position. Common resting positions include:

• Dial up – Watch lies flat with the face pointing upward
• Dial down – Face downward, often used in padded boxes
• Crown up – Watch placed vertically with the crown pointing up
• Crown down – Vertical position with crown facing downward
• Crown left/right – Less common but also used in controlled tests

Depending on your watch’s design and regulation, each of these positions may cause the movement to gain or lose a small number of seconds overnight.

Try experimenting at homeIf your watch is consistently gaining or losing time, try changing its resting position at night for several days at a time. Note the rate of change in each position. Some owners discover that placing the watch crown down slows it slightly, while crown up may speed it up. Each movement behaves a bit differently, so trial and error is the best approach.

Movement helps maintain stabilityIn addition to positioning, keeping your watch in motion helps preserve timekeeping consistency. Regular movement keeps the lubricants distributed evenly and maintains spring tension. This is especially useful for watches with longer power reserves or complex complications.

If you do not wear your watch daily, rotating it between storage positions or using a method that provides gentle, consistent movement can help reduce small variations and improve overall accuracy.

Long-Term Storage and the Role of Watch Winders

When an automatic watch is left unworn for an extended period, it eventually stops running. While this is expected, prolonged inactivity can lead to issues that affect both accuracy and the overall health of the movement.

Why long-term stillness can be a problemMechanical movements rely on lubricating oils to reduce friction between tiny moving parts. If the watch remains motionless for too long, these oils can begin to settle, dry out, or thicken unevenly. This may lead to increased wear, sluggish performance, and more noticeable timing errors once the watch is back in use.

The value of keeping the mechanism in motionKeeping a watch gently moving during storage helps maintain the consistency of lubrication and prevents internal parts from locking up or shifting out of alignment. This is especially important for watches with complex features such as perpetual calendars, moon phases, or GMT functions, which can take time and precision to reset after stopping.

What is a watch winder?

A watch winder is a device that holds and rotates your automatic watch at regular intervals. It mimics the natural motion of the wrist by spinning the watch on a motorized axis. The goal is not to keep the watch spinning constantly, but to provide just enough movement to keep the mainspring wound and the mechanism active.

When to consider using a watch winder

• If you own multiple watches and rotate them rather than wearing the same one daily
• If your watch includes calendar or astronomical functions that are tedious to reset
• If you want your watch to always be ready to wear with the correct time and date

Choosing the right watch winder

Not all watch winders are created equal. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting one:

• Turns per day (TPD) – Choose a winder that allows you to adjust the number of daily rotations to match your watch’s needs
• Rotation direction – Some watches require clockwise, counterclockwise, or alternating movement
• Noise level – A quiet motor is important, especially if the winder will be used in a bedroom or office
• Build and cushioning – Ensure the holder fits your watch securely without applying pressure to the strap or case
• Compatibility – Look for a model that supports a wide range of case sizes and movement types

When used appropriately, a watch winder can help preserve accuracy, reduce wear, and extend the life of your automatic watch – making it a useful tool for long-term care and convenience.

Best Practices for Long-Term Accuracy

Keeping your automatic watch accurate over time is not just a matter of luck – it requires regular care and a few simple habits. Whether you wear your watch daily or rotate through a collection, following best practices can help maintain precision and prevent avoidable issues.

1. Schedule regular servicing. Most watchmakers recommend a full service every 4 to 6 years. During this process, the movement is cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted to restore optimal performance. Skipping regular maintenance can lead to dried oils, worn components, and reduced accuracy.
2. Avoid exposure to magnets and moisture. Automatic watches are sensitive to magnetic fields and humidity. Keep your watch away from speakers, phones, induction cooktops, and devices with strong magnets. Store it in a dry place, and if the watch is not rated for water resistance, avoid wearing it in damp environments.
3. Maintain stable temperatures. Rapid temperature shifts can affect the metal components inside your watch. Avoid placing it near windows, heaters, or air conditioners. Try to store your watch in a room with moderate, stable conditions to preserve both accuracy and lubrication.
4. Keep the movement active. Even if you are not wearing your watch regularly, it is beneficial to wind it from time to time. Manual winding helps circulate oils and prevents parts from seizing. If winding manually is not practical, a watch winder can serve as a reliable alternative to keep the mechanism gently moving.

By incorporating these habits into your routine, you can help ensure that your automatic watch remains precise, dependable, and in excellent condition for years to come.

Conclusion

Owning a mechanical watch means embracing a small but rewarding responsibility. These intricate instruments reflect the art of traditional craftsmanship and respond best to consistent care and attention.

Understanding why your watch may be running inaccurately is the first step toward maintaining its performance. Whether the issue lies in magnetism, dried lubrication, or something as simple as resting position, small corrections and routine practices can make a noticeable difference.

Having a reliable care system in place is key to long-term accuracy. Regular servicing, thoughtful storage, and keeping the movement active are all part of preserving precision. Using a watch winder box is one effective way to maintain motion and avoid unnecessary resets – especially for watches with complex functions.

For those looking to integrate convenience into this process, Barrington Watch Winders offers thoughtfully engineered solutions that support the function, longevity, and display of automatic watches – helping collectors and enthusiasts keep time with confidence.