Enter rate, amplitude and beat error to get a plain-English diagnosis of your mechanical watch timing-machine results.
Rate: how fast/slow the watch runs per day
Amplitude: balance swing energy indicator
Beat error: timing asymmetry between ticks
• Low amplitude → lubrication aging, friction, low wind, wear
• High beat error → regulation/beat symmetry issues, positional problems
• Large rate error with healthy amplitude → regulation may be needed
• All values poor together → service is often the right next step
One position snapshot is not a full diagnosis. Vertical and horizontal readings can differ significantly.
How do I read timegrapher results? Look at rate, amplitude and beat error together, plus position and state of wind context.
What beat error is too high? Lower is generally better. Many owners start paying attention as beat error rises toward and above about 1.0 ms, depending on movement.
Is +6 s/day acceptable? For many mechanical watches, a few seconds per day can be acceptable. Targets vary by movement grade and owner expectations.
Can amplitude be good while rate is bad? Yes. The watch can have healthy energy and still need regulation.