I recently sent my Spitfire Automatic back in for warranty service because,
occasionally, when I pull the crown out to set the time the minute hand falls
back 1/2 to 2 minutes. IWC customer service informs me that it is normal for
this movement. I've never seen this happen on any other auto (ETA and
Sellita).
Does your Spitfire (or any other watch) do this??
I do not have your watch, or any 32110 based IWC, but it is not an ETA or
Sellita, is a new IWC manufactured caliber.
So maybe it works just like that.
I'm not seeing the problem? You are adjusting the time... Does the minute hand
move when you push the crown IN? That would be frustrating.
When I pull the crown out to stop the second hand (hack the movement) the
minute hand falls back, not everytime but often enough to think something is
broken. Pushing in the crown does not affect the hand. When it happens it
takes a little extra time to re-align the minute hand.
It makes the daily task of setting the time more difficult than it should be.
You synchronize a mechanical watch every day? I think I understand now.
What is happening is ...
As you pull out the crown, it is turning slightly due to the grip of your
fingertips.
NOTHING to worry about ....!
Also stop adjusting the watch daily!
I'm almost positive this isn't operator error since I've never had the problem
with any of my other automatic watches.
I also just had a second confirmation from the IWC repair folks that this is
normal: "The jumping of the minute hand is a normal part of the function of
this movement. "
I also understand and agree with your point about not setting the watch
everyday - but it's hard not to when I'm surrounded by so many internet
connected devices that are synced to the exact second.
I just read a comment in another watch forum by an owner with the same watch
with the same issue/behavior. I am curious why, if this is a known movement
feature it wasn't in the customer service system.
Details from my watch service diagnostic:
"The jumping of the minute hand is a normal part of the function of this
movement. When the movement is put into setting position, the teeth on the
sliding pinion are forced to align with the teeth on the minute wheel and this
is what causes the jump. There can be no jump when the teeth are perfectly
aligned or a larger jump when the teeth are further off.
This is completely normal in the function of the watch and does not
represent any kind of defect with the movement."
"I am curious why, if this is a known movement
feature it wasn't in the customer service system."
I suspect IWC felt this "movement feature," which I see as more of a quirk in
the design, did not offer a positive enhancement to an owner's enjoyment of
the watch. Perhaps IWC felt the occurrences would be minimal, and that it
would not upset owners the few times that most owners would experience it.
Now that you have expressed your disappointment with the movement to an
audience of IWC admirers, I am curious what it is you hope to accomplish with
your revelation of the issue and your dissatisfaction with it? Are you hoping
for IWC to redesign the movement to appease those who are unhappy with the way
it occasionally happens? Are you trying to dissuade people from buying an IWC?
I get the feeling from your repeated entries here that you have some kind of
agenda to fulfill, and perhaps I should "unsubscribe." On the other hand, I
respect and acknowledge that there may be something worth learning here that I
just haven't yet grasped.
I spent hours looking for information or other reports of this "quirk" and
found none. So I offered some. End of story.
(on seond thought, I will add this: This is a beautiful watch, I would not
hesitate to buy another IWC watch, and IWC Customer Service has been simply
outstanding. )
Understood, thank you.
I apologize if the tone of my prior post was unpleasant. I read it again and
my words didn't quite reflect my curiosity so much as sound like it was
negative.
On your final note, please share your next IWC!
Best regards,
Bryan