Questions about automatic movement watches

[MommyArchitect]

Hi,
I realize this thread is old but I have a similar question. I have a Cartier BB automatic. It seems to run fast, a minute a day. Is that normal? I don't mind winding my watch if it stopped. However, if I wear it 3 days straight I expect it to be within the minute. It's just over a month old straight from the boutique. Can I still exchange it for a quartz? Thanks ahead and any insights would be much appreciated!

 

[Christofle]

Hi,
I realize this thread is old but I have a similar question. I have a Cartier BB automatic. It seems to run fast, a minute a day. Is that normal? I don't mind winding my watch if it stopped. However, if I wear it 3 days straight I expect it to be within the minute. It's just over a month old straight from the boutique. Can I still exchange it for a quartz? Thanks ahead and any insights would be much appreciated!

I doubt you can exchange an already used watch. As for the accuracy of your watch, Cartier uses ETA ebauches in the BB automatic. I forgot whether they use a top grade or an elabore grade movement. But a elabore grade is rate to ~20 seconds a day so over 3 days that is 60seconds...so the specs seem consistent with your watch.

One thing that I think I should add is that a watch is most accurate when its power reserve is above 75%, therefore wearing it often or placing it on a winder should help with accuracy.

 

[Docjeun]

I bought a new Cartier watch last Friday night, the salesperson set the time and on Saturday afternoon when I took it out to wear it, it was completely off. I thought this was perfectly normal as I had not actually worn the watch after leaving the store and it sat overnight w/o being worn.

Wore it some on Saturday, wore it all day Sunday, put it away Sunday night and didn't break it out again until today (Tuesday).

Again, the time was completely off.

Is this normal of automatic watches? Are they that reliant on wrist movement that one day of non-use will stop them? Is it just because my watch is new and sat for who knows how long in a display case, and will get better with age, or this is the regular way automatic watches work?

thanks for any info!

Yes it is normal. I have only one watch which is an Omega that is automatic.
I can't say that I love that but it is nice not to have to worry about putting in new batteries.

 

[Christofle]

Yes it is normal. I have only one watch which is an Omega that is automatic.
I can't say that I love that but it is nice not to have to worry about putting in new batteries.

The new FP Journe only needs to have its batteries replaced every 18 years so there's always that as an option.

 

[mundodabolsa]

Yes it is normal. I have only one watch which is an Omega that is automatic.
I can't say that I love that but it is nice not to have to worry about putting in new batteries.

Thanks That post is from 2009 when I first bought the watch, it was interesting to read now that the watch is practically an extension of my arm, it has been and continues to be very loved.

 

[Docjeun]

Thanks That post is from 2009 when I first bought the watch, it was interesting to read now that the watch is practically an extension of my arm, it has been and continues to be very loved.

Glad to hear you are enjoying it!

 

[ClassicTwist]

I find the same issue with my Cartier BB. Also have a Rolex, which I think has a better power reserve. I bought a watch-winder and put the watch I'm not wearing onto that. Seems to work!

 

[gracekelly]

Hi,
I realize this thread is old but I have a similar question. I have a Cartier BB automatic. It seems to run fast, a minute a day. Is that normal? I don't mind winding my watch if it stopped. However, if I wear it 3 days straight I expect it to be within the minute. It's just over a month old straight from the boutique. Can I still exchange it for a quartz? Thanks ahead and any insights would be much appreciated!

I think I would take it back and have them look at it as it is a new watch. I have an Ebel automatic and after I had if for several years of constant wearing, it started to lose time. I was told by a watchmaker that it was going to need a costly fix eventually. I waited until it died and then fixed it. All of my other watches are quartz. I still haven't decided which is better auto or quartz

 

[LVtingting]

I own several automatic movement watches from Rolex, Cartier, AP, and Hublot. To achieve the maximum power reserve of an automatic movement watch, you must manually wind the watch first. Manually wind the watch about 35-40 revolutions. Automatic watches cannot be overwound, however, manual movement watches can be damaged if over wound. I believe by wearing the watch, wrist movements help power the watch but will not achieve the maximum power reserve level unless you manually wind the watch first to build up the power reserve first. If you don't wear the watch for some time just remember to manually wind it first to build up the power reserve. In my experience, if my automatic movement watch stops overnight or runs slow it is because I let the power reserve drain down or I worn it without manually winding first. I prefer automatic movement watches since they last. Have heard of and experienced issues after I take my quartz movement watch in for battery replacement. Issues from broken or damaged seal which allowed moisture in to leaking acid from the battery.

 

[HermesNovice]

I own several automatic movement watches from Rolex, Cartier, AP, and Hublot. To achieve the maximum power reserve of an automatic movement watch, you must manually wind the watch first. Manually wind the watch about 35-40 revolutions. Automatic watches cannot be overwound, however, manual movement watches can be damaged if over wound. I believe by wearing the watch, wrist movements help power the watch but will not achieve the maximum power reserve level unless you manually wind the watch first to build up the power reserve first. If you don't wear the watch for some time just remember to manually wind it first to build up the power reserve. In my experience, if my automatic movement watch stops overnight or runs slow it is because I let the power reserve drain down or I worn it without manually winding first. I prefer automatic movement watches since they last. Have heard of and experienced issues after I take my quartz movement watch in for battery replacement. Issues from broken or damaged seal which allowed moisture in to leaking acid from the battery.

So we can wind our automatic Cartier watch? And if so, how often should I wind it? I assume there is no point winding the watch when the watch is running, right?

 

[LVtingting]

So we can wind our automatic Cartier watch? And if so, how often should I wind it? I assume there is no point winding the watch when the watch is running, right?

Recommend you follow the owners manual first. For my Cartier model I keep it on a bidirectional watch winder when I’m not using it. This way I do not need to wind it every day. My husband does not use a watch winder so he manually winds his watch about 10-25 revolutions each morning before wearing it.

 

[HermesNovice]

Recommend you follow the owners manual first. For my Cartier model I keep it on a bidirectional watch winder when I’m not using it. This way I do not need to wind it every day. My husband does not use a watch winder so he manually winds his watch about 10-25 revolutions each morning before wearing it.

Thanks for your quick response. Does your husband wind his watch when it is idle or is still running? I recently moved and cannot find my owner’s manual. Mine is Cartier Pasha automatic. Do you have such watch? I don’t know how many revolutions I need to wind.