2-month old Hamilton Khaki Auto runs -5sec/day - worth regulating?

[jcatl]

Hi, my first automatic watch is a Hamilton Khaki Auto 42mm with the brown leather strap.

I've had it for a couple of months and am pretty happy with it.

That said, the watch runs about -5 seconds or slower per day, which as I've read is fully within expected range of accuracy for the movement in this watch. On the other hand, I'd be willing to pay a bit if it can be regulated to be more accurate (I'd prefer it run slightly fast rather than slow as well).

I'm thinking of visiting a highly rated shop this weekend to see if they can improve the accuracy a bit - their prices are very reasonable. Is this worth my time and efforts or should I just leave it alone as the watch is relatively new? I've also acquired the steel bracelet for this watch as I'm finding leather a bit uncomfortable in the scorching summer heat and would probably have it sized at the same time (I broke my pin tool trying to resize it myself and will order a better one next time).

Any thoughts or advice are appreciated.

[accurate]

If it's running a consistent -5 sec per day, then yes it could probably be regulated. Wouldn't hurt to stop in and ask.

[accurate]

Come to think of it maybe you should pose the same question I'm the main forum,. The Hamilton section on this site is relatively sleepy.

[por44]

+5/-5 is better than most out of the box

Most prefer running fast (Do you want to be late or early?)

[jcatl]

I'd definitely rather be early! :)

I'm used to wearing an Oceanus (atomic/solar) so it was always right on the money since it synched with Fort Collins every night (usually).

OTOH, the Hamilton is a much classier watch and the idea of a mechanical watch intrigues me. Today it is yet 5 seconds more behind "correct" time so over the past 4 days it has run -5 each day (now -20sec). I've experimented with leaving the watch at night in different positions (face up, crown up, crown down, etc) and that hasn't made much difference.

I do work at a computer all day so I'm not sure the auto-winding mechanism gets the movement it needs to stay well wound but then it's never died over night (but won't go 24 hours without a manual wind or wearing).

At any rate I need to get the bracelet sized so I'll just get the opinion of the shop I'm going to and if they feel they can make it more accurate then I'll let them have a go at it.

+5/-5 is better than most out of the box

Most prefer running fast (Do you want to be late or early?)

[jcatl]

Long story short, the guys at the shop were not interested in attempting to regulate the watch. He basically said that with the cheap movement in the Hamilton that "you're not going to get what you want out of this watch" and "it's life expectancy is 4-5 years, and too expensive to service when needed". I think he was saying that the cost to service the watch in a few years would not be cost effective based on the original cost of the watch.

So, somewhat unimpressed since I believe they are wrong about the ETA 2824-2 movement based on what I've read here and other places about it's ability to be accurate.

They do get +1 for installing and sizing the bracelet for only $8.50.

So now I'm going to modify my wear patterns. I wore the watch until I went to bed (usually take it off as soon as I'm "in for the evening") and then left it crown down and sure enough, the watch lost 0 seconds yesterday. So it may be by just finding the optimal nighttime resting position and wearing the watch more throughout the day, I can improve the accuracy based on my wear habits without opening the back.

Oh, and now I know - always purchase a nice watch with the bracelet if you can. I like the watch so much more this way even though I have some really nice leather straps - they are just too uncomfortable in hot Atlanta summers.

[filmjuicer]

Well, I think they're wrong about the watch and movement...I wouldn't consider it "disposable" at all. Either way, I would probably just leave it alone for the time being. Also, you might want to consider finding another good watchmaker...the Khaki Auto is a solid watch with a solid movement that should last for a long time.

[accurate]

I think they were wrong about the watch as well. However as stated earlier it's running ok out of the box so no biggie.

[ErikS]

Long story short, the guys at the shop were not interested in attempting to regulate the watch. He basically said that with the cheap movement in the Hamilton that "you're not going to get what you want out of this watch" and "it's life expectancy is 4-5 years, and too expensive to service when needed". I think he was saying that the cost to service the watch in a few years would not be cost effective based on the original cost of the watch.

You talked to an idiot. COSC specs are -4/+6 overall. A watch that runs -5 out of the box is pretty darn good. You have the correct approach, check how position affects the watch & use that for corrections. Using this approach one can generally keep a watch reasonably accurate. The one thing they did get right is regulation. Even if they regulated it for positions it still might only get +/- one second or so (and be within COSC) - is that worth it?

I'd be willing to bet that with any reasonable care the 2824-2 will be running long after that chuckle head is dead and buried. Even in it's base form it's a reliable workhorse. Just to show you how much this @sshat knows - it's also very cheap & easy to fix. Parts are easy to acquire & most every watchmaker can fix one. It's based on an Eterna movement from the 50's, slightly modified but the base is still the same......................why? Because it's a rugged reliable workhorse that's proven it's design over 60 some years.

I can understand the change from atomic sync (or pretty much any quartz) - autos, even the best of they are "generally accurate". I felt the same way - needed to be dead on. Had an auto for a few years an adapted to the "good enough", I mean really how often to you need to be within a few minutes? Meetings, appointments, flights, or activities - nothing in life is generally all that time specific :D For example the watch I'm wearing is +1.17 after a month or so = good enough, I know about what time it is, good enough not to miss the meeting/appointment (they never start on time anyway).

Me? I'd be happy that it performs so well, -5 out of the box is a well running watch.

FWIW - My Seamaster Pro which has the well regarded 2892-A2 is about that, it's generally off a few minutes after a month or so.................when it gets out 5 or more I reset it, sometimes, when I need to change the date anyway.

[jcatl]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Yes, I was a bit disappointed in the way the watchmaker just dismissed the watch. Someone came in just after me and I heard him being told the same thing as I was that it was not a nice enough watch to worry too much with.

Also, I'm growing accustomed to the watch not being exact like the atomic quartz I was using. For instances where I have to be somewhere at a certain time, that's what the calendar on my iPhone is for - to remind me with alarms when I'm supposed to be somewhere.