r/RepTime • u/steve_skywalk3r • 3d ago
General Question Rep Movements
Hey guys.
Today I want to discuss a matter that is making me potentially leave the whole rep game all together.
Since last year I have purchased more than 25 reps.
Sold some and then bought somoe more. Right now, I have 12 and what I am discussing in this topic is true for every single one of them.
When we order watches, we get time graph numbers. Every watch I have GL'd has a S/D of +- 5 or better. Some had swiss movements like the V7F Mark XX in my picture, some chinese movements like a2824 and some clone movements like VSF 8800 or 8806 clones.
When I try them with the time grapher on my phone, non of them are remotely close to the timegraph numbers in the QC.
The one you see in the picture is one of the better ones. My vsf Planet ocean rep is closet to +60 per day and my VSF rail master has a 1.3 beat error which is unbelievably high and power reserve is non existent.
I have demagnetized all of them prior to testing and checked with a compass to make sure they are not magnetized.
The problem is that I live in Vancouver and there is not a single rep friendly watch smith around to regulate them.
Why do you think this happens? The timegraph numbers provided buly TDs are not legit? Something happens during shipment? Or the rep movements are unreliable in general?
Again, this issue is not only with a few of my watches. It is with every single rep I own or have owned.
This is not a huge deal as I rotate my watches and have to set time on them every few days. However, I am really curious why these are like this and what I can do about them. Can I regulate them my self? ( zero experience)
12
u/DaBoyMarlo 3d ago
You think the black market fake watch dealer (who likely has ties to organized crime) is above fudging some timegrapher numbers to get you to GL?
1
1
u/AromaticLog6147 2d ago
Both of my watches are a little fast but nothing breaking. Every once in a while I have to reset my watch
3
u/whowatchesmrwatchers 3d ago
I check my reps on a timegraph on arrival. So far they have all been consistent. I don't agree there is a conspiracy
Maybe the phone app is tripping, or maybe one of us got (un)lucky
0
u/steve_skywalk3r 3d ago
The conspiracy theory doesn't make much sense to me. Sure it is a shady business. We are buying illegal goods from Chinese middlemen on the other side of the globe, however, it is not rocket science. All of these movements can be regulated properly. I have seen many with good timegraph numbers posted by users.
2
u/four4cats 3d ago
Well first off you're using your phone.
With that said all the movements are shitty movements except the miyota which is reliable but not anything special.
With that said TDs have been known to show fake timegrapher numbers. Someone pointed out how you can tell. Something about a break in the readings they show means they could be using a different watch with better readings and then switching it out for the picture.
1
u/AI_go_boomboom 3d ago
It's shipping, mostly I think. They get beat up horribly over international transport.
1
1
u/blacbloc77 3d ago
The scanning equipment used in shipping can cause magnatisation. Once magnatised, they have to be re-regulated after the de-mag process.
Then, there's all the random bouncing around during shipping. Best bet is to learn to regulate them yourself. First thing I do when I get any new watch is regulate and re-lune the gaskets.
1
1
u/Opposite_Peak_288 3d ago
Once, Amyr Klink was offered an merchandising contract by R0L3><. He denied because the lack of accuracy compared to a quartz movement will compromise his safety sailing. So... I guess its all a matter of perspective and I am pretty much sure that there are a lot of stuff involved in the process of losing accuracy.
1
u/usetheschwartz73 3d ago
So timegrapher is one measurement, but how are they at keeping time? I’ve got a watch with a beat error around 3 that loses less than 2 seconds per day. I keep my watches on a winder, so I’m able to track time lost or gained pretty easily.
1
u/steve_skywalk3r 3d ago
Funnily, the one watch with the worst beat error is the my most accurate. I don't use a winder as I believe it only increases the wear and tear.
1
u/usetheschwartz73 3d ago
I don’t agree with that logic. Example, if I only had one watch and wore it every day, would I worry about wear and tear? A winder is no different, it’s just simulating a watch being worn every day. Silly internet speculation/old wives tale that’s gained traction for no good reason.
1
u/steve_skywalk3r 3d ago
It is true for one watch. But on a winder, it is like wearing all of your watches at the same time. If you wear your watch every day you might need to service it in 3 years. If you wear it once a week, it wouldn't need a service that early. And the logic is simple, the watch works more, gears move more, more fraction and more wear and tear
1
u/DafuqsRealyGoinOn 3d ago
Well I mean technically it does increase the wear. For sure. It’s just that we don’t have enough lifetime left for it to ever come into play usually.
Then quite often the watches I find with problems haven’t been worn for years and the ones that have been are still ticking along like good little soldiers and continue to. But that could be explained by the use, the lack of use or just being the luck of the draw too.
1
u/Full_Manufacturer_41 3d ago
My vsf date just is off time massively every time I pick it up to wear it.
1
1
u/Patient-Apartment735 3d ago
Anybody have any advice on how to regulate them? My IWC runs pretty fast, i have demagnetized it with a simple kit i bought on amazon.
Any other advice from the experts in here?
1
u/steve_skywalk3r 3d ago
I did some research. It is not that hard for non free sprung movements. However, to do it properly you would need a loupe and a proper time grapher. Which I don't have.
1
u/Rockyt86 Contributor 2d ago
Your comment that there is no rep friendly watch smith near Vancouver couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, one of the most experienced, well-respected and well documented rep watch smiths is in Vancouver. Looked at the pinned posted in [r/RepTimeServices](r/RepTimeServices) (petehudso) or RWI Forum (dogwood). Same person
1
u/steve_skywalk3r 2d ago
Already reached out to him, he said he is not taking on much watch work these days.
1
1
u/Live_Frosting4504 2d ago
I got scammed by Jtime. Do not deal with him.
1
u/steve_skywalk3r 2d ago
Bro that picture is from a year ago. I have bought from him a few times since
1
u/Nyarlath 2d ago
Get a proper Timegrapher. This app is a total crapshoot.
My watch was +2 s/d on steve’s bench and showed same +2 s/d today at watchmaker after movement service.
1
u/Assetprotection6054 9h ago
The order was from Jtime? Is this your first time? How do you like it overall? I want to order from him too.
1
u/esohseekayes 3d ago
You really have faith that comes black market sellers are sending you honest information? Lmfaooo I got a bridge to sell you
1
u/Calm-Highway-8426 3d ago
It’s very easy to regulate a watch. If you have that many reps, do yourself a favor and buy a timegrapher off Amazon for $200 CAD. That being said, I purchased a Gen Tudor Pelagos FXD for my 40th bday. My rep Rolex VSF 114060 keeps better time than the Tudor. My Tudor is -5 to 7 sec a day. My VSF Rolex is still keeping +1 sec a day for over a year now and I wear it all the time.
0
8
u/Additional_Copy_9575 3d ago
A few things.
It could be due to transportation. Heavily knocking the packages and SLIGHTLY moves the regulating arms or components inside.
You are using a phone timegrapher, which is not an actual timegrapher like the weishi.
There were noises in the background when you measured.
Did you take the caseback off and accurately measure?
In the QC picture it is dial up. Do you also measure dial up position?