How much is ok to run my 5170 Chrono function?

Apr 11, 2020,17:18 PM
 

I don’t fully understand the mechanics enough to know what damage I’d be doing by letting it run full time. What’s an ok usage level? 1 hour per day? 5 hours per day?

Is it a question of durability or damage? Meaning: if I let it run full time am I just going to need service sooner and that’s it? Or am I actually doing damage?

I understand that (like any machine) usage = wear. But I’m trying to find out what type of wear this causes and the consequences of that

Thanks very much in advance


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And in case you are wondering, Matt

 
 By: Brandon Skinner : April 11th, 2020-17:33
The 5170 is a Horizontal clutch

Opinion of @Archer, Omega Qualified watchmaker.

 
 By: Pun : April 11th, 2020-18:58
This can be looked at several ways... 1 - From the standpoint of wear, the more parts that move the more potential for wear there is, so keeping the chronograph stopped in both a horizontal and vertical clutch means less parts moving. But IMO the wear is ... 

I'm sure it doesn't matter if the winding was manual or automatic.

 
 By: Lankysudanese : April 12th, 2020-00:31
I guess I wasn’t clear with my question: the Omega calibers that he mentioned were either cam-actuated or horizontal clutch. What is the ‘allowed-for’ drop in amplitude for the vertical clutches? Or is it the same 40 degrees? Thanks again for tolerating o... 

👍🏿🙏🏿 [nt]

 
 By: Lankysudanese : April 12th, 2020-07:09

@Archer replies;

 
 By: Pun : April 12th, 2020-07:11
Some horizontally coupled are 40, and some are 30. For vertical clutch chronographs, some are 30 and some are 20.

Truly appreciate the effort and support

 
 By: Lankysudanese : April 12th, 2020-07:35
Stay safe my friend

This is a great question

 
 By: Arronax : April 11th, 2020-20:07
Especially as I get the impression few people actually use their chronographs. Not a Patek but I recently had my Sinn 7750 serviced and the most obvious impact was much reduced amplitude. I typically use it 5 times a week for 30 minutes in a row for sever... 

Great question for all watches

 
 By: MNG : April 12th, 2020-04:01
But one that it is hard to get an answer on. I have 7 watches, none of which have a centre second hand, they are all with sub dial second hands. I really like to see the movement of a large second hand which, to me, is a really appealing representation of... 

Patek

 
 By: watch-er : April 12th, 2020-06:21
actually fixed the problem in the 5170. Historically, high watches with horizonal clutches had gears which were ground to an angle, beveled if you will, so they would mesh better resulting a smoother engagement but also in less metal on metal and more wea... 

Just read the intsructions

 
 By: watch-er : April 12th, 2020-06:29
on the Patek site and they mention "the optimized tooth profiles" and I do not see the prior models caution never to leave the chrono running.

Lange too, from what I recall reading somewhere.

 
 By: Lankysudanese : April 12th, 2020-07:11
Thanks for checking with Patek website

Okay

 
 By: Pun : April 12th, 2020-08:46
The bottom line is that it's quite rate to have to replace any parts associated with horizontal coupling, and if it's done, it's not because of anything related to the coupling or running of the chronograph too much. No idea why they would advise not runn...