Can recoil damage my automatic self-winding watch?

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MartinBrody

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Has anyone ever heard of the recoil from shooting guns damaging any of the mechanisms in a self-winding automatic watch? I was shooting a small 357 Magnum today while wearing an Omega Seamaster. The watch manual says to avoid shock, but also says it can withstand 5000 g. It still works, do I have anything to worry about or am I being paranoid?
 
If it's able to withstand 5000g forces worth of energy, I fail to understand what they think an average customer would be able to do to it in order to warrant the "aviod shock" warning. :confused:
 
any particular reason . . . . .

you'd practice shooting with a $1000 watch on your wrist and THEN ask us whether it might cause damage? :scrutiny:
 
you'd practice shooting with a $1000 watch on your wrist and THEN ask us whether it might cause damage?
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Your right, I'm just gettin' used to 'fancy' stuff and didn't even think about it until I got home. I imagine this has to have come up before. I was reading just now on some watch websites about how it is not recommended with this type of watch. I guess the only way to tell if I did any damage is to wait a few days and see if it runs out of power, 44 hours is how long it is supposed to last without being worn.
 
I'm almost 100% positive the recoil will NOT damage your watch. If it won't damage my $20 Timex, your $1000 watch should be fine. Your body tissue absorbs most of the blow from the shot. The watch probably feels nothing. You could also get a watch winder. Take a look in the Robb Report, they sell pretty nice ones there. In fact, if you invest in expensive watches, you should already have one. Or you could just wear a $20 Timex like I do... takes a lickin' keeps on tickin'.
 
I believe the watch will be fine. But I also agree that you should not be shooting with expensive watches. Id rather put he 1k into another couple firearms IMO.

My self winding watch works after shooting, but its no where near 1k.
 
I have a nice watch but when I go shooting, or am doing physical work, I put it in the safe and wear my Swiss Army Watch, battery operated, that I bought for $60.00 about 15 years ago.

I suggest you get a Swiss Army Watch, no bells & whistles, for shooting. :)

L.W.
 
I can't imagine it doing more damage than if you had been playing basketball or playing tennis. Your wrist would have been seriously injured long before before your watch was damaged.
 
If it won't damage my $20 Timex, your $1000 watch should be fine.
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There's a little difference in the inner workings of a quartz powered timex and a self winding watch (which has many tiny moving parts inside of it)... :neener:
 
I wear a vintage (1950's-1960's) automatic watch daily and shoot with it on.. everything from 9mm/45 ACP to 7.62x54. I also play the drums, and play with it on. Generally speaking, I take it off when I go to bed... just a habit, I guess.

I doubt you're causing any damage. For what it's worth, it might be a good idea to wear the watch on your non-trigger arm (left arm if you're a righty): Most of the recoil from pistol work ends up in the trigger arm.

If you're really concerned, leave the watch at home or slip it in your pocket when it's time to feed the guns.

Steve
 
I take off my watch before shooting and put it in my front pocket as well.

Doesnt matter if its a $10 watch or a $10000 watch.
 
That's an interesting question. I own a somewhat expensive Rolex that was gifted to me when I reached the 10 yr mark where I am employed.

I never wear it except for exceptions. Ironically I keep it in my gunsafe.

I see no reason to wear it to the range, so I'll leave it be.
 
i have an omega seamaster that i never take off. It's the only watch that has survived on my wrist for more than a few years. if i thought that shooting would damage it then i would try to find an even stronger watch.

when I read "can recoil damage..." i was expecting something along the lines of "my retina" or "my teeth" ! Watch has got to be stronger :)
 
Hmmm..IMO, I wouldn't wear a watch of that caliber ($) to the range. I use a $20 Timex "Indiglo" (press button, glows in the dark) from Target with a 10 year battery guarantee.

To date, she hasn't lost a second due to firing my .357 Model 65-3 "K" Frame, and it's going on 5 years.

I'd be paranoid Only if I didn't know the people shooting around me.
 
Am I missing something here?

A $10 Walmart watch will tell you the time (and maybe the date - OK, that's the $20 version).

For an extra $990, does this watch tell you the time really, really well?
 
I have two Tag Heuer knock offs that are self winding. I have worn one shooting, and it now runs fast, but I can't say if it is because of the shooting or because it was a cheap knock off made in China. I wouldn't take the risk with an expensive watch.

Rick, nice watches are just like nice anything. They perform the same function, but do so in a much more elegant fashion. A Mercedes and a Yugo will both get you to the same place . . .
 
I bet if you put this in the gunsmithing subforum you'd get an expert opinion from a certain retired watchmaker and gunsmith.
 
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