Ask BYC

[SunriseChickers]

I have a bracelet with a magnetic clasp, which we thought might be the issue so I have been placing them away from each other overnight. If that is whats causing it I would expect it to stop during the day when they are next to each other?

I'd expect that, too. Very strange indeed.
Perhaps an answer will surface if the issue continues to occur. I imagine it gets somewhat annoying. Sorry that I don't have any better ideas.

 

[notabitail]

The only things I can think of is it either hates me or it's confused about daylight saving time! I have no idea what kind it would be considered but it is one of the normal hands go around and it makes ticking noises ones

Maybe its battery is dying? I've dealt with a fair number of zombie electronics and weird stuff happens when it can't get proper power.

 

[SpotTheCat]

Maybe its battery is dying? I've dealt with a fair number of zombie electronics and weird stuff happens when it can't get proper power.

It started doing this after getting a new battery, we then went and got another new battery incase it was something to do with the first battery

 

[notabitail]

It started doing this after getting a new battery, we then went and got another new battery incase it was something to do with the first battery

Maybe the battery is too powerful for it?

The battery is supposed to supply a certain amount of power. Let's say 1.5V. If you put a battery that's off even by .1V (for example, 1.6V), it might cause the watch to go faster.

This is what can happen when you put more voltage than a device is expecting, especially in less "smart" devices like a watch:

I had a watch and it would either be behind or ahead. The battery in it is dead now.

 

[SpotTheCat]

Maybe the battery is too powerful for it?

The battery is supposed to supply a certain amount of power. Let's say 1.5V. If you put a battery that's off even by .1V (for example, 1.6V), it might cause the watch to go faster.

This is what can happen when you put more voltage than a device is expecting, especially in less "smart" devices like a watch:

I had a watch and it would either be behind or ahead. The battery in it is dead now.

We once just reset the time, nothing else and it worked fine for weeks. It would also mean 2 separate watch shop people both put the wrong battery in, which still could be possible but doesn't seem likely unless it is something that could easily happen?

 

[azurbanclucker]

QUESTION

My watch has suddenly lost 2 hours overnight 3 times now. It will be fine for weeks and then suddenly in the morning it will be 2 hours behind. I don't wear it overnight and it has had 2 new batteries. Any ideas why this could happen?

Do you have to wind this watch? I know you said it has a battery but depending on the watch maker, those may not actually drive the mainspring. What brand and model is it?

My instinct says it has nothing to do with DST if you are manually setting the time when it changes. It doesn't sound like it's got any programmable electronics, and it would have to be able to sync with some external time source to understand DST offsets.

 

[SpotTheCat]

Do you have to wind this watch? I know you said it has a battery but depending on the watch maker, those may not actually drive the mainspring.

No

What brand and model is it?

Seiko, not sure what model

My instinct says it has nothing to do with DST if you are manually setting the time when it changes. It doesn't sound like it's got any programmable electronics, and it would have to be able to sync with some external time source to understand DST offsets.

Yes, sorry, I should have made it more clear the daylight saving time was a joke. I forgot watch now includes ones that are capable of doing it automatically

 

[azurbanclucker]

Seiko, not sure what model

Seikos have a tendency to lose time when not worn, and often randomly. It happens more often as they age, but even in new watches you may have something binding up or sticking that will jiggle loose when handled enough to keep on going. If it has a manual winder at all, you might try giving it a couple winds before bed to keep it primed while not wearing it (automatics are wound by motion when worn). Depending on the model , it may not be worth the cost to have it repaired. Particularly since it seems like it's not a constant thing and the fix takes a few seconds (changing the time).

 

[SpotTheCat]

Seikos have a tendency to lose time when not worn, and often randomly. It happens more often as they age, but even in new watches you may have something binding up or sticking that will jiggle loose when handled enough to keep on going. If it has a manual winder at all, you might try giving it a couple winds before bed to keep it primed while not wearing it (automatics are wound by motion when worn). Depending on the model , it may not be worth the cost to have it repaired. Particularly since it seems like it's not a constant thing and the fix takes a few seconds (changing the time).

Thank you! I will try that . I can't remember when I got mine but its must be at least 7y old

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

QUESTION

My watch has suddenly lost 2 hours overnight 3 times now. It will be fine for weeks and then suddenly in the morning it will be 2 hours behind. I don't wear it overnight and it has had 2 new batteries. Any ideas why this could happen?

I think you've probably gotten your answer, but is this a digital, smart, or... (I can't think of what the other kind is called.)? I had a thermometer that was doing the same thing, and I was thinking when the time change came, it'd be more accurate but nope, it changed with the time change and still had the same issue. I'm not sure exactly what was the issue (this was a digital, not a smart thermometer), or when the issue started, but at some point, the rechargeable (Energizer AA) batteries eroded which resulted in them not being able to recharge, so eventually I replaced the thermometer because I didn't want to risk ruining other batteries by putting them in.