Why Do Watches Lose or Gain Time and How to Fix It

This blog reveals the science behind why watches go fast or slow, including how movement type, battery life, and even storage position affect timekeeping.

When your watch doesn’t tell the time as precisely as it should, it can feel frustrating. But before you assume it’s broken, know this, small variations are normal and can happen to any watch. Whether you’re wearing a classic mechanical timepiece, a modern quartz model, or even a hybrid design, each works differently and can be affected by a variety of factors. The good news is that most issues affecting watch time accuracy are understood and often fixable.

This guide explains why watches gain or lose seconds, the science behind different movements, and what you can do at home before considering professional watch repair.

The Science of Timekeeping

At its core, a watch is a device that counts consistent beats of time. How those beats are measured depends on the type of movement inside.

Mechanical watches rely on a balance wheel and hairspring oscillating back and forth. Think of it as a pendulum in miniature. The regularity of this motion determines the seconds, minutes, and hours.

Quartz watches use a battery to send electricity through a quartz crystal. The crystal vibrates at 32,768 times per second, an incredibly stable rhythm that makes quartz models highly accurate.

Hybrid or smartwatches combine digital circuits with either quartz or mechanical components, sometimes powered by solar energy. These often sync with digital systems, but they are not immune to accuracy issues either.

Understanding these foundations makes it easier to spot what’s causing your watch to drift from precise timekeeping.

Why Mechanical Watches Lose or Gain Time

If you wear a mechanical watch, including an automatic watch, it’s normal to notice small deviations. Here’s why:

• Magnetism: Everyday objects like laptops, phones, or magnetic clasps can magnetize the hairspring, causing the balance wheel to move unevenly. This can make your mechanical watch time accuracy drift by several seconds or more per day.
• Lubrication: Inside every mechanical movement are gears and pivots that rely on fine oils. Over time, these oils dry up, causing friction that slows or speeds up the mechanism.
• Shocks and bumps: Mechanical watches are delicate. Dropping or knocking them against hard surfaces can disturb their movement and throw off accuracy.
• Temperature changes: Sudden shifts from hot to cold can cause the tiny parts of the movement to expand or contract, leading to small but noticeable time variations.

On average, even the best mechanical watches can gain or lose anywhere from 5 to 20 seconds per day. Luxury chronometers often do better, but they still require care to maintain consistency.

Why Quartz Watches Drift

Quartz models are known for precision, but they aren’t perfect either. If you’ve noticed your quartz watch time accuracy changing, these are the likely reasons:

• Battery drain: As a watch battery weakens, the voltage drops, and the quartz oscillator becomes less reliable. This can cause seconds to be skipped or delayed.
• Circuit issues: Moisture or dust that enters the case can interfere with the electronics, leading to irregular performance.
• Temperature sensitivity: Although quartz is highly stable, extreme cold or heat can slightly alter the frequency of vibration, causing deviations of a few seconds per month.

Most quartz watches lose or gain only about 15 seconds in an entire month, which is why they’re often preferred for everyday wear. Still, replacing the battery regularly and keeping the watch clean is essential.

Accuracy in Hybrid and Solar Watches

Smartwatches, solar-powered models, and hybrids sit in between traditional quartz and mechanical pieces. While they often boast incredible accuracy by syncing with atomic clocks or GPS systems, they still face issues.

• Solar watches may show irregularities if the rechargeable cell is running low.
• Digital watch time accuracy depends on the stability of internal circuits, which can drift if the watch overheats or the software glitches.
• Smart hybrids that combine analog displays with digital modules may lose precision if sensors or syncing functions fail.

These watches are often marketed as maintenance-free, but keeping them fully charged and updated is key to long-term precision.

Quick Fixes You Can Try at Home

If your watch is running too fast or too slow, you don’t always need professional help right away. Some issues can be corrected with simple steps.

• For mechanical watches: Use a demagnetizer if you suspect magnetic exposure. These small devices are inexpensive and can restore balance wheel function. Regular winding also ensures even tension in the mainspring.
• For quartz watches: Replace the battery if it’s been more than two years. Always use quality batteries to avoid leakage.
• For hybrid or digital models: Reset the watch using the manufacturer’s recommended method. A hard reset often clears minor software or sensor errors.

Trying these at-home solutions can solve many common problems and restore better watch time accuracy without a service appointment.

When to Seek Professional Watch Repair

Some issues require expert care, especially for high-end watches. Here are signs that it’s time to book a service:

• Your automatic or mechanical watch is losing more than 30 seconds daily, even after winding.
• The second hand on a quartz watch jumps erratically or stalls.
• A digital display flickers, resets randomly, or stops despite a fresh battery.
• Water or condensation appears under the glass.

Professional servicing includes cleaning, re-lubricating, and calibrating the movement. Skilled technicians can also regulate mechanical watches to restore them to factory accuracy standards.

Preventing Future Accuracy Problems

Keeping your watch precise is easier when you build a few good habits into your routine.

• Store your watch away from magnets, electronics, and direct sunlight.
• For mechanical watches, wind them regularly and avoid letting them sit unused for months.
• Replace quartz batteries before they die completely to prevent acid leaks.
• Keep your watch clean, wiping away sweat or dust after wear.
• Service mechanical models every three to five years, depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines.

With the right care, you can enjoy stable performance and reliable timekeeping from any type of watch.

Every watch, whether mechanical, quartz, or hybrid, will eventually lose or gain time. It doesn’t mean the watch is faulty, it simply means the movement is responding to its environment, wear, and age. By understanding what affects watch time accuracy, you can take the right steps to protect your timepiece and keep it running smoothly. From simple at-home fixes like battery changes and demagnetizing, to knowing when it’s time for professional watch repair, the key is regular care.

If you found this guide helpful, follow VibenVenture for more insights, tips, and practical guides on watches and timekeeping.