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Over the last couple of days I decided to see how much of a difference running the chronograph makes to the power reserve of a full wound but unworn watch. Basically I gave all 5 of my chronograph pieces a full wind and set the chronographs running then put them back in the watch winder..... with the winder switched off obviously!

Results were quite interesting -

The Motors, 6.75, Le Mans, Navi World all ran for between 36 and 37 hours. So that indicates a reduction of around 5 or 6 hours of running time compared to non-chrono operation.

However, my SA was STILL RUNNING after 48 hours of non-stop chronograph use! That's around 4 or 5 hours longer than I'd have expected in non-chrono use! Weird huh?

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Big watch, big power reserve.
Good test you've made.

That is interesting. Strange that the SA lasted that long. Must be he efficiency of that particular movement. The size of the watch should matter since the movements are the same size as the movements in the 43mm watches.

Speaking of which, did anyone happen to see the latest issue of WatchTime magazine? They had a review of the ChronoMatic 49 and they had a picture of the case with the back off, showing the movement. Pretty interesting that there is a "filler" ring or metal on the outside of the movement. I wonder if the inside of a SA looks like that as well.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

Yes, I thought it was odd as the B24 in the World is essentially just a B13 (like the SA) which a GMT module attached. I guess that mod obviously saps a bit of the power too.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Over time the mainspring probably loses some ability to maintain power, but your Le Mans should have a new mainspring from the service, so slightly surprising that didn't last longer.

The number of interactions between moving parts will obviously affect the reserve because that obviously requires energy.

Interesting test you ran there...i was thinking the other day to do the same thing with the crono running but i just kept putting it off, didn't want to see the motors stopped at all i guess. I still might try just to see if i get the same time approximately as you.

Well done Driver...good to know.

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Bentley Motors T- White dial

I did this once with my SOC and it ran for 43.5 hours with the chrono running. I took it off on a Friday afternoon before I left for the weekend and checked it when I got home Sunday. I was suprised. I'll try it sometime without the chrono running and report back.

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SuperOcean Chrono
Steel Avenger Seawolf

I tested my Skyland with the chrono running couple of weeks ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see it lasting for 45 hrs with non-stop chrono function...

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Magdalion

- tempus fugit -



Breitling Avenger Skyland
Rolex Submariner Date
Omega Seamaster Professional
Oris TT3 Day Date
Helvetia (1966)

I'm starting to think maybe I didn't give mine the full 40 winds! I'm going to try it again.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Interesting results. You've probably already mentioned it in a thread I've missed while moving, but how long were the power reserves with the chronograpf off?

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Yeah I'm interested in how long they will run with the Chronographs off as well. Cool test D8!

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OOPS! BoneDoc will laugh at this after my "it's all about the numbers" quote a few days ago, but I've just realised that I cocked up on my maths when I said they lasted around 36 hours with the chronos running!!!

The chronographs (apart from the SA) were all telling me that they stopped approx 6 hours before I checked them. Bizarrely I clearly had a mental block and seemed to think that 2 days was 42 hours instead of 48! Hence I thought, "Ah ha 42 less 6 hours is 36"........ when really I should've said "Ah ha, 48 less 6 hours is 42".

So, yes it's safe to say that running the chrono appears to mean you'll get around 42 hours of power reserve. The SA was still running at 48 hours which is impressive, but the others performed far better than I led you to believe.

I hang my head in shame.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

The stooopidity of youth never ceases to amaze me!!! (Driver8 is a year younger than me I believe)

Silly boy

We'll forgive you this time Driver8, but we're watching

[quote="Driver8"]:oops: OOPS! BoneDoc will laugh at this after my "it's all about the numbers" quote a few days ago, but I've just realised that I cocked up on my maths when I said they lasted around 36 hours with the chronos running!!!quote]

Yup!! (over the top I realize. But it realy did strike me as funny. Calculates how many seconds in a day in his head and forgets how many hours are in two. Funny!)

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Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)