Timegrapher
Timegrapher is an electronic instrument that measures caliber accuracy from escapement sound, reporting three values: rate (sec/day ±), amplitude (degrees), beat error (ms). Professional Bangkok dealers use Witschi, GreinerVibrograf, or Weishi 1000+ as the baseline for caliber condition assessment.
How it works
A timegrapher captures the escapement tick-tock through:
- Microphone holder — clamps the watch
- Sensor — measures tick frequency
- Display — shows results as graph and numbers
Watches run at standard frequencies:
- 4 Hz (28,800 vph) — modern Rolex, Patek 26-330, AP 4302, Omega 8800
- 3 Hz (21,600 vph) — vintage Patek, Cartier
- 2.5 Hz (18,000 vph) — vintage 1960s
- 5 Hz (36,000 vph) — Zenith El Primero
Three core measurements
1. Rate (sec/day)
Running speed — how many seconds fast/slow per day.
Standards:
- COSC Chronometer: -4 to +6 sec/day
- Rolex Superlative Chronometer: -2 to +2 sec/day
- Patek Philippe Seal: -3 to +2 sec/day
- AP: ±1.5 sec/day
Within standard = caliber healthy. Beyond = regulation or service needed.
2. Amplitude (degrees)
Balance wheel swing angle — indicates caliber health.
Standards:
- Full wind, dial up: 270–315°
- Full wind, vertical: 250–290°
- 24-hour mark: 220–250°
Low amplitude = dry lubricant, weak mainspring, escapement issue:
- <200° = service immediately
- 200–250° = service within 1 year
- 250–290° = normal
-
290° = possible knocking (over-amplitude)
3. Beat error (ms)
Tick regularity — symmetry between sequential ticks.
Standards:
- <0.3ms = Excellent
- 0.3–0.6ms = Acceptable
- 0.6–1.0ms = Service recommended
-
1.0ms = Service required
High beat error = hairspring stud position or pallet fork issue.
Position testing
Watches get measured in multiple positions:
| Position | Description |
|---|---|
| Dial up (DU) | Face up |
| Dial down (DD) | Face down |
| Crown right (CR) | Crown right |
| Crown left (CL) | Crown left |
| Crown up (CU) | Crown up |
| Crown down (CD) | Crown down |
Rolex spec: ≤10 sec/day variance across positions.
Bangkok-used timegrapher tiers
Professional grade
- Witschi Q1/Q2 — Service Centre standard, THB 250,000–450,000
- GreinerVibrograf — Swiss precision, THB 180,000–320,000
Mid-grade (most dealers)
- Witschi WatchMaster — THB 85,000–120,000
- Weishi 5000/3000 — THB 35,000–65,000
Entry (DIY watchmakers, small dealers)
- Weishi 1000 — THB 8,500–15,000
Weishi 1000 accuracy is within 95–97% of professional grade.
Use in pricing
Dealers with full kits use timegrapher to:
- Verify caliber is in spec before quoting full price
- Estimate service cost if amplitude is low
- Detect counterfeits — fake calibers usually show high beat error
- Compare to Rolex spec to infer recent service
Why this matters for sellers
If your watch was serviced in the last 1–2 years, request service papers showing timegrapher readings from the Service Centre — this prevents additional dealer deductions for "unknown caliber condition."
Send watch + service history via LINE — we price with realistic payout.
Sources: Witschi technical specifications · Rolex Superlative Chronometer standards · Watch Tuning Theory by Mark Wallace