IW510103 Accuracy

I think I have a genuine accuracy issue, further I contacted IWC 10 days ago and have had no reply, so I'll try here.

I'd like to preface this by pointing out that this is my first Swiss watch, and I am far from knowledgable, however it seems ridiculously fast to me.

I purchased an IW510103 in January of this year in Paris. I wear it almost daily, wind it weekly (usually wind it when the power reserve has 2 days left). I don't shower with it on, exercise whilst wearing it etc. so I'm going to say it's in mint condition. Also, I have been careful to only reset the time during the daytime (when the date mechanism is not engaged).

I set my watch to the timeanddate.com clock 10 days ago, and at this point, my watch is fast by approximately 140secs. This seems like a lot to me. Has anybody else had a similar experience, or can anybody advise me of what to do?

Thanks

Well, if I had such a problem, I would try the following procedure:

• Take it to a watchmaker for demagnetising.

• Test the accuracy after the demagnetisation.

• If the accuracy remains bad, it needs a service.

Regards

HEBE

If I understand you, your watch averages +14/seconds a day fast (that is, 140 seconds over 10 days). That is a little out of range but not hugely off for a mechanical watch (80 seconds over 10 days would be within range).

That deviation most likely was not caused by being magnetized as Hebe suggests --it's too small. You can try demagnetizing, but I would try resting the watch at night in a different position. That might help, but if not sufficiently bring the watch in. It can be adjusted to slow down.

As MF suggested, if you take your watch off at night or just let it lie around occasionally, let it rest crown up. In this position, the watch tends to run a little slower. If you lay it dial down, it will run faster.

The issue you describe, while annoying, is not a big problem and can be easily rectified.

Sorry Michael, my interpretation was wrong.

I thought, the inexactness is 140 seconds per DAY ?!

Hi,

Mine is also fast, at least by 10sec a day. Positive news is that it seems to be systematically fast around 10sec and could therefore be better regulated. I didn't do it (yet) as I didn't want to part with it for at least two months.

Anotherwise it is a great looking watch and beautiful mouvement.

Greetings,
Jean-Luc

Jean-Luc, congratulations on your terrific watch. In your case the 10 sec gain may settle down during it's running-in period for the first few months if bought from new.

The good news about noticing your 5101 is running fast is that it means you own the 5101!! Beautiful watch and on my list for acquisition in 2013!

Thanks David, I have the 5101 since more than a year, so I think I have to get used to it... (which I have!). I have never seen what you are mentioning: a significant change in the rate during the first months (not more than 1 to 2 secs). I have 3 watches.

I agree with all of you, very beautiful watch and nicely finished movement. It has style!
Jean-Luc

Hi Michael - Sorry I am chiming in here. I bought a beautiful BP Le Petit
Prince 52110 calibre four months ago. The watch looks so cool I cannot stop
looking at it every time I wear it. However, I am a bit dissappointed with
its innacuracy as it runs 14-15 sec fast per day - it was my understanding
that the newest 2 barrel calibre had a better improved accuracy...but it does
not apparently. Anyways, I tried everything to see if that innacuracy gap
could be reduced (wearing it / not wearing it, leaving it in the winder /
leaving it still without moving, having the power reserve set full at 7 d /
setting it at 3-4 days, etc). But no matter what I do, it keeps runing fast
14 sec per day (1 min every 4 days, which is too much for me). The watch is
under warranty and thought of dropping it at the local IWC Dealer for
adjustment. But I live in Miami USA, and I am not sure if I trust local shops
here. I would be much more comfortable to have the watch shipped to
Switzerland for adjusting. Anyway, I would like to have your sincere opinion
on this. Thanks,

Juan

Does the daily rate change if you leave it crown up overnight?

Try it ovenight crown down as well, and see if there is a difference.

My 5001 if left lying dial up will gain time. When I let it rest crown up,
this reduces the gain.

No Mark, I left it with the crown up for the last 24 hs and today again is
running religiously 14 sec fast... At least it is consistent, so my guess is
it should be relatively easy to adjust. However, I do not trust the local IWC
AD here in Miami. Not sure what to do...

thanks,

Juan

I would get it demagnetized first, before considering adjustment

Mark - today (second day left with crown up and not winding) the gain was
reduced from +14 sec to +10 sec in the last 24 hs. Does that change anything?
What does it mean?

Thanks. Juan

That's great - means we are headed in the right direction.

When resting, leave it crown up and do not put it on the winder.

Thanks. A gain of 10 sec is still to much though...more than a minute per
week. How does yours perform? Dont you think this can be improved?

Juan, if you want your watch reguated under warranty, your best bet is to
visit a local boutique - some boutiques have their own in-house watchmaker who
can adjust the watch on-site. I would suggest you drive up to the Bal Harbor
boutique and have them handle it. They may send it in to the IWC service
center in Fort Worth, TX. Shipping the watch directly to Schaffhausen really
isn't an option and the less it travels and gets banged around on the return
trip to you, the better.

Thanks for your advice Ben. You are right, there is always a risk of it
getting banged and I would hate that. So I will keep it as it is and try to
live with its inaccuracy. Hopefuly with time it will settle in and improve -
otherwise, I will see. Probably will plan a vacation trip to Schaffhausen
with the excuse of having it adjusted there =)

I would love to realize extra about Richemont's new motion with silicon - is
it a silicon balance spring? I am best aware about the Baume & Mercier Clifton
Baumatic BM12 movement that got here and fast went as a result on this

I left it with the crown up for the ultimate 24 hs and nowadays again is
running religiously 14 sec speedy as you can read this
article... At
least it is consistent, so my guess is
it have to be distinctly smooth to alter.