High Accuracy Timex?

[Eeeb]

I have a 1440 sports Timex digital (I paid $12) which I hydro modded. Off the wrist it is now running less than a second fast per month. I live in a temperate climate, so that is probably influencing the accuracy, but my experience has been that my cheapo Timex digitals are more accurate than my G-shocks. My vibration alarm Timex is running about 3 seconds fast per month (worn about 1/2 the time I wear a watch (not at night), which still isn't bad.

Much of the accuracy of non-TC quartz movements comes from the care given initial calibration. One can make any quartz with 0 spy error at any specific temperature. But picking that temperature and making sure all the movements are at that temperature seems to elude some makers.

Timex controls the manufacture of all of its designs, which are internally done. Evidently they care, at least for the class of Timexes you have. I wonder of the Easyreader series exhibits the same characteristics? (That's a low end product... of course a $12 digital is too...)

[DigitalSurf]

Much of the accuracy of non-TC quartz movements comes from the care given initial calibration. One can make any quartz with 0 spy error at any specific temperature. But picking that temperature and making sure all the movements are at that temperature seems to elude some makers.

Timex controls the manufacture of all of its designs, which are internally done. Evidently they care, at least for the class of Timexes you have. I wonder of the Easyreader series exhibits the same characteristics? (That's a low end product... of course a $12 digital is too...)

Interesting information. I was just surprised that such an inexpensive watch would turn out to be so accurate. It seems that the limited market for temperature controlled quartz movements is not so much due to cost, but perhaps because of a lack of consumer knowledge about their existence and therefore lack of demand.

I really need to do a month with that watch on the wrist to see if it stays as accurate. I would guess they'd attempt to calibrate to a temperature that would be closer to a watch being worn on the wrist. The body should provide some heat to keep the watch from getting too cold.

[Precise]

Yet another update on the three most accurate:

3/14/12 9:20P, 3/30 10:27A, 4/12 9:30A, 4/27 9:15P, 5/11 6:00P

Vibrating Alarm 0, +1/2 sec, +1, +2, +3 (avg ~ +1.5/month)

40mm Black -3, -1, -1, -2, -2 (avg ~ +0.5/month)

Easy Reader +1, +1.5, +3(reset to 0 to fix date), +1/2, +2 (avg ~+2/month)

Alan

[Watch wrist: g.p.]

Random chance is interesting but not particularly significant.
I had a stopped watch in my luggage during a trip I went on last year; it was correct twice a day most of the time but when crossing timezones this occurred even more frequently.

[Precise]

Random chance is interesting but not particularly significant.
I had a stopped watch in my luggage during a trip I went on last year; it was correct twice a day most of the time but when crossing timezones this occurred even more frequently.

You seem to be bothered by my passing along experimental information. Do you view it as harmful to you?

I've seen enough superior accuracy from Timex to contend that their accuracy is superior to many pricier brands.

[stratct]

You seem to be bothered by my passing along experimental information. Do you view it as harmful to you?

I've seen enough superior accuracy from Timex to contend that their accuracy is superior to many pricier brands.

Glad you said it lol

[dicioccio]

Interesting information. I was just surprised that such an inexpensive watch would turn out to be so accurate. It seems that the limited market for temperature controlled quartz movements is not so much due to cost, but perhaps because of a lack of consumer knowledge about their existence and therefore lack of demand.

DigitalSurf, this is my opinion too and this makes me very angry towards the manufacturers. The TC parts to be added can add no more than 50$ to the final cost. But as long as the market (and the customers) won't rise up the demand of a greater accuracy these manufacturers won't produce nothing than a standard accuracy watch.

To achieve a greater accuracy there is also the Radio Controlling method but I am sure that the electronics are far more complex and cost more than the electronics to implement the Temperature Compensation. Not to mention the GPS technology that needs a big space and a huge energy...

So the weird fact is that the manufacturers are increasing the offer of RC watches while TC watches are getting rare (Seiko is discontinuing all the 8F watches). Not to mention that TC gives the watch an intrinsic accuracy not depending on external sources.

In this scenario I wonder why Timex and Casio (2 brands that dominate the low-end segment of watches) don't offer an increased accuracy watch at a very affordable price. The ability to sell is not given by the intrinsic value of the watch but by the advertising and the aura built around the watch.

[The Naf]

Agree agree agree. Surely a thermocompensated quartz doesn't have to cost $1000 and upwards. I'm sure if there was enough Consumer knowledge and demand a more reasonable prices thermocompensated watch would exist. But alas for the current mechanical bandwagon decent quartz watches are very difficult to find at a reasonable price. Don't get me wrong i love mechanicals too. But when you talk about the quality of the movement there Definately seems to be more variety on offer for those who love high end mechanicals when compared to that on offer for lovers of HAQ's. Mean while I have gained a new found respect for timex thanks to this thread :D Just shows what decent quality control and attention to detail can achieve in even a standard quartz watch.

[Andrew McGregor]

Ever notice the accuracy of the clock in your car? They're thermocompensated, and the chip that does it costs $3 and change, in quantity. So it's a trivial thing to add, and would make a very small difference to the cost of most quartz watches.

[stratct]

Ever notice the accuracy of the clock in your car? They're thermocompensated, and the chip that does it costs $3 and change, in quantity. So it's a trivial thing to add, and would make a very small difference to the cost of most quartz watches.

Really? That's cool to know