Dynamic accuracy measurement system for mechanical wristwatch

Abstract The time shift of mechanical watches is caused by individual differences (manufacturing error), environmental temperature, magnetism, posture, impact force and dynamic environment. The easiest and clearest method of measuring the accuracy of mechanical watches is to measure the time shift by comparing it with the reference time. The disadvantage of this method is that it can only measure accuracy at a certain time. Another method for measuring the accuracy of mechanical watches uses a watch timing machine that obtains the vibration sound of a watch using a microphone and calculates accuracy in the short term. This method can measure the change in watch accuracy over time. However, it cannot be used to measure accuracy in a dynamic environment because the watch timing machine is large and there is a sound noise. To clarify the accuracy of mechanical watches in dynamic environment, this study developed an accuracy measurement system which can be carried and measure in a dynamic environment. This study monitors the movement of a partly constituted mechanical watch using a photo interrupter and develops a method to calculate the rate and amplitude of a balance wheel from the output value of the photo interrupter. The validity of the developed system is verified by comparing the time shift of the system and radio clock time over the long term. The developed system, can be used in a dynamic environment because it consists of the photo interrupter in the watch case. Moreover, this study conducted measurements under forced vibration using vibration generator and during walking with the system.