Can recoil damage my automatic self-winding watch?

[cmb3366]

I've shot a good bit wearing a Rolex Submariner with nary a problem.

 

[Michael Courtney]

I've had a Seiko Kinetic Auto Relay on my wrist for the past 8 years and it's held up well to a lot of shooting and abuse. I used to destroy sub-$100 watches on roughly an annual basis (mainly due to an active lifestyle, I don't think shooting was a particilularly large component). The coupling from the gun to the hand is pretty weak and the force really isn't translated. I doubt a watch would do well superglued to a slide or frame, but the hands and wrist are pretty good shock absorbers.

Michael Courtney

 

[LAK]

I used to wonder about this kind of thing - hammering nails, using cold cisels on concrete etc wearing a good timepiece. I had a Rolex that as well as careful wear, had considerable exposure to all kinds of this, in addition to the sea, rivers, pools, showers - even hot saunas - mountaineering in the heat of summer and winter cold. I did part with it in sound running condition after seven years with no servicing. My current opinion is that it is one of those things where we can say; once in awhile it is not going to hurt a quality swiss movement. Often - alot - is probably not such a good idea in the very long run. Even a good swiss movement is probably going to need a full service every five to ten years whatever the case.

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[PatPatPat]

the real question is: can shok and re-coil damage my cheap pistol attachment flashlight?

watch?

that is the most yuppiest thing i eveh heard!

 

[ranger335v]

A momentary recoil of even 1000 g. would tear your hand off. If you can stand the recoil the watch sure can.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Rolex TT GMT Master II - new version with the ceramic bezel. No issue wearing it.

For what they cost, they damn well better be good to go with whatever I am doing. Including using a chainsaw, shooting, mowing, nail gun etc.

Omega is a fine watch as well - I'd expect the same level of robustness.

Now if it was a Patek . . . . . different story.

 

[Jspy]

I wear a GMT Master and have worn it 24/7 for about 3 years steady now. Although I don't shoot a large number of rounds anymore, I still shoot some large bore rifles and pistols with out any problems with it. In my line of work if I waited for special occasions to wear a "sportsmans watch" I would never get a chance to put it on.

 

[Badkharma]

A $1500 used 1990 Toyota corolla with 157,853 miles on it will get you from point A to Point B.

But a new 2007 Mercedes S600 will do the same route with much more style and luxury.

Or more to the point, people have preferences.

You beat me to it.

 

[Creature]

Omega Seamaster watches come in a variety of movements...what movement is yours?

Generally, all good self-winding movements have a shock absorber of sorts built around the most critical pinion points.

 

[Geno]

5000 g

A fighter pilot blacks out some where around 12ish Gs? If that watch can withstand 5,000 Gs?! Lordy sakes!!!

You understand G-force, correct? Each additional G is a multiplication of one's body mass at ground level. I weigh about 170 Lbs. At 10 Gs, I weigh 1,700 Lbs. At 5,000 Gs I would be vaporized, and the collective mist of my pervious body would (if it could be regathered) weigh 850,000 Lbs in the 5,000 G-force condition.

I doubt the recoil even creates 2 or 3 Gs. Also, I've had 3 different Rolexes. I used to fire my Freedom Arms .454 when wearing them. None of them were ever damaged.

If it gets damaged, try a sundial watch...serious:

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