Is it Bad to Leave a Chronograph Running?
Have you ever thought about leaving the chronograph running on your timepiece? Only to then consider if doing so may potentially damage or harm your watch?
But is it bad to leave the chronograph running on a watch?
Let’s figure that out…
Is it bad to leave a Chronograph running?
A chronograph is yet another mechanical technical function of a timepiece. With the help of the tachometer scale around the bezel of the watch, the wearer can measure the distance traveled. But there are also countless other user areas for a chronograph timepiece in everyday life. However, the catch with a chronograph watch is that it does not have a centrum seconds hand.
This has in turn been replaced by the chronograph hand. With that said, some people like having a sweeping seconds hand, and the natural idea is to simply leave the chronograph running, and voilá, you have a centrum seconds hand.
But there are some things you want to consider before you leave the chronograph running.
A chronograph is a mechanical complication that needs energy to operate. This energy is taken from the mainspring via an escapement. Leaving the chronograph means that the watch not only needs the energy to display the time but also to keep the chronograph running. This naturally means that if you do leave the chronograph running, the watch will run out of power faster. If you wear an automatic chronograph, you may not even notice this as the movement is wound by your wrist’s natural movements, but if you have a mechanical chronograph, you will notice that you have to wind it more often.
Another thing to consider with leaving the chronograph running is that since a chronograph is a mechanical function, it consists of lots of small parts. When the chronograph is engaged, these parts move, which naturally creates friction and wear on the parts. Now, the chronograph is built to be used, but similar to a car, the more you use it, the more frequently you will have to service it. The same goes for leaving the chronograph running. Leaving the chronograph running all the time will eventually run the oils dry and have wear and tear on certain friction parts that are subject to stress.
When it comes to a chronograph, it’s not necessarily the running part that is the most demanding. In fact, starting and stopping a chronograph continuously might wear out the gears faster than usual.
When you press the start pusher, you bring the middle silver wheel in contact with the big golden wheel, which is the central second of the chronograph. This may cause wear over time.
Leave a chronograph running on a quartz watch?
So can you leave a chronograph running on a quartz watch? Well, a quartz watch does not consist of hundreds of small parts which means you don’t have the same wear and tear as with a mechanical chronograph. However, what you do have is a drain in energy from the battery since it takes energy to power the chronograph. It’s impossible to say just how big of an effect leaving the chronograph running has on the battery, but it shouldn’t be substantial.
The few moving parts of the quartz movement may also need some lubrication over time.
Conclusion
If you want to leave your chronograph running, then, by all means, do so. Just like a car, a chronograph is like an engine. So the more moving parts are activated, and the more frequently they are activated, the more wear and tear it will have on the movement. The worst that can happen is that you will have to service your watch earlier than what is recommended.
This blog Is it Bad to Leave a Chronograph Running?
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Great post I have another question – Two chronographs one owner uses it only 2-3 a year another 2-3 times a week which would require more service / repairs. The obvious answer is the watch that was used more frequently would require more service and repairs. However w the Chronograph used one time a year might subject the watch to inordinate amounts of wear because of disuse ?? Perhaps lubrication to not evenly distributed etc. so
What is the final answer is it OK with a Chronograph watch only when you need it or should the feature be exercised ?? let’s say once a month what’s the better option for the moment
Hi,
The more you use it, the more wear it will cause.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
i have a citizen ecodrive cronograph and it runs all the time, as i cant stop it?? it came running a day ago and is still going.. how can i stop it
Hi,
Press the stop/start button to stop the chronograph. If this doesn’t work, there may be an issue with your watch that requires repair.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Related question: does it cause wear if I leave the chronograph hand in a non-reset position (i.e. not at 12 o’clock)? Why would I do that? I just like the way it looks. Thanks!
Hi,
No, it does not since the chronograph is not subject to any friction when it is still.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I was about to buy a chornograph tissot– but after reading — the watch mechanism details– so what’s the point of this watch,-:the design is eye catching–especially if the person is a 6footer– I think I will settle for Tissot automatic
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Unless you don’t need the chronograph function or really like the design of one, an automatic will work just fine!
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Im so thankful for this article. I just bought a Tag Heuer Monaco and almost immediately loved the way that running the chronometer constantly looked. But for every reason you listed, I was nervous about it. I thought about googling it yesterday and told myself that the search for this answer would be extensive. Wrong! You nailed my question perfectly and laid out the answer clearly and distinctly. Thank you so much!!
Hi,
Glad you found the article helpful! Wear your watch in good health. It’s a beautiful classic!
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
My question remains, why have a 12hr register if running a chronograph for extended periods is “bad”?
Hi Andrew,
Watches are made to be worn and used. And equally so chronograph functions.
Running a chronograph for an extended period of time is not “bad” per se, but it will naturally cause more wear and tear to the movement. As a comparison, revving an engine to high RPMs causes more wear to a car’s engine, yet sports car manufacturers make them so that you can rev them to 6000 or even 7000 RPM.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
was about to buy a chronograph watch but If I buy it and just leave it for like months without turning the watch on (not running) will it affect the watch in a bad way?
Hi,
No, it will not. It is however advised you start your watch at least a few times a year just to get the lubricants moving. But letting it stop for a few months will not cause any issues.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches