Hacking seconds function - damage to movement?

Dear all,
Am hoping to get some clarifications on how the hacking seconds function affects the movement, if at all..(da Vinci 3750).
That is, when the crown is pulled out, a lever is activated to 'block' the balance(?)
Will this damage the spring - with potentially 40 hrs of energy force-frozen in time in this manner. Or will the energy actually dissipate over time?
Thanks for assisting.
Regards
Jim

This has been discussed before, and is the subject of some debate among watchmakers.

I once was talking to Philippe Stern, head of Patek (now is son is CEO), and asked why all Pateks do not hack. He said that his watchmakers told him that suddenly stopping the balance is not good for a watch.

But most brands do hack, and they have survived as accurate timekeepers for years. So my best view is that it can't be great, but it won't cause much damage either.

Thanks for the assurance, Michael.
I can now confidently keep it hacked until real time catches up with the date I've clumsily set on the watch.
Regards
Jim

Hi Jim,

If you have a perpetual calendar, would it not be safer to let the watch stop naturally and simply restart when the rest of time catches up with your Da Vinci?

Nevertheless, I suspect hacking should not do any damage.

Regards,

Ralph

Thanks Ralph.
That's a very valid suggestion and something I was thinking about too.
It's just that the sales person at the IWC Boutique recommended hacking and I wanted to seek a second opinion.
Regards
Jim

The problem with non-hacking watches is they are hard to set, both in sync and against a time standard. I see both as strong disadvantages, so I would rather hack then not.

Cheers from Isobars.

I agree ! and would add that (please correct me if I am wrong) for non-chronograph watches there is a general trend to house the hacking second hand within a counter, and away from one which circumnavigates the dial (even less so the entire circumference of the dial). its a shame, as I love to see that time-possessing movement with such clarity.