Tachymeter Explained! (5 examples)

[@Airborne-80]

Today is July 5th 2024, my 62nd birthday. I received a citizen watch and thought about my large collection of watches. I figured now that I’m old, retired and slowed way down, I might as well finally find out what the hell this tachymeter is used for. Thank you for the awesome explanation. Now….im off to determine some speeds, production numbers, etc.

[@SP-qi8ur]

😂 same here, gift for my 24 birthday

[@iannickCZ]

I think no more than 3 people on Earth use this function.

[@angryagain68]

It's also useful to verify your speedometer. I've done that numerous times with my various motorcycles I've had over the years. (Motorcycle speedometers are notoriously inaccurate). Just replacing tires has a huge impact on it's accuracy as well. It's easier for me o just look at my watch than to fiddle with a smart phone will riding.

[@JasonL_Hawaii]

@@angryagain68 That's one way to get into an incident.

[@angryagain68]

@@JasonL_Hawaii Nonsense

[@CapeTownTom]

@@JasonL_Hawaii have to agree with you. someone doing all that maths while on two wheel. hopefully he is an organ donor :-P

[@Strellock]

@@CapeTownTom There's really no math at all to do. You can for instance use two physical 1km milestone indicators to be sure of your distance; can even remove your watch from your wrist and hold it in one hand so you always have both hands on your handle bars. Approach the first milestone at speed, you press one pusher, approach the next milestone, press the same pusher again, you never look at the watch at all. All you have to do is glance at your bike's speedometer once between the two milestones to get a reading. Then you pull over safely and everything, and look at your watch. All you do is compare your speedometer's reading, you hopefully still remember :D, with your tachimeter reading. If you're traveling at 60 kph you're gonna take 60 seconds to travel 1 km, so you don't have to ride dangerously either, quite on the contrary, it can be a slow ride. Also, you want to ride at a rather slow speed, because the faster you travel, the harder it is to get an accurate reading on a watch face tachimeter scale; just look at a tachimeter scale, you'll see how it is busier towards in the beggining, aka, the fewer seconds you need to elapse that kilometer, aka, riding like a maniac. ... Remember, people used to use mechanical watches all the time to tell distances, in fact relied on them, heck, soldiers under pressure of losing their lives did it. And better believe it, an uneducated dude under pressure of having their butt shredded was far from some genius mathematician. (And, yes, soldiers used to use telemeter scales, but the reading was the same, if they had the luxury of a stopwatch they didn't even need to look at their watches between the two events) It's a simple reading a tachimetre reading. I guess we assume that it's hard or cumbersome because we never used the technology, never had to, but it was never intended to be hard, on the contrary, it was invented to remove the need for calculation, the need to do the math. It's an instant reading. Many that used tachimeter scales would even learn the scale by heart, could approximate the speed without need for the tachimetric indication on regular stopwatches. And you know, just how you don't need to be reminded of the basic interaction with your smartphone after you get used to it, just as you feel that it's the simplest thing in the world, so does it feel to read a tachimeter to someone who's done it once or twice. And overall using a smartphone is at least one order of magnitude more complicated than reading a watch, but again, we're used to them so we don't perceive it as a challenging interaction.

[@Serketsama]

I've literally worn a watch with a tachymeter for several years. Tonight I got extremely high and was looking at my watch and decided to look it up. Now that I know the basics, I'm gonna look into why the numbers depreciate so quickly at first. Thanks for this video and for the rabbit hole I'm about to go down tonight!

[@andrewnovo3078]

If you didn't figure it out from his initial formula, it is a simple division equation. 3600 is the numerator which is sec/hr. The denominator is seconds elapsed, so the equation is always 3600 sec/hr * 1 (unit of measurement whether it be km, mph, or watches as an example / (X seconds). the seconds cancel out and you are left with Unit of measurement / hour.

[@SasfootBigsquatch]

It took you that long to find the curiosity of what it does?

[@sandeep2435]

I myself teach physics in colleges even though i didn't understood the meaning and how to use the tachymeter on a modern watches but after watching this it is now crystal clear to me .What a explanation .

[@ternsjo]

Thanks, much appreciated. I’m glad I could help.

[@juliansedor7101]

You teach physics but you can't use proper English.

[@preciousjose]

@@juliansedor7101 fun fact: English is one of many languages humans speak in, physics can be taught in any language.

[@rainvast8982]

@@juliansedor7101 you're a perfect example of an American

[@igorchistyakov8876]

@@preciousjose, yeah, but they're all just gibberish mumbling to make tourists comfy with "exotic". He clearly knows the Truth, no need to lie anymore. English is the only language to ever exist.

[@NOT-A-BAD-GUY]

All people who had a decent watch for Christmas are watching this video....

[@elduderino1329]

A decent watch doesn't need a nonsense gimmick like a tachymeter on it.

[@zachdurocher1166]

@@elduderino1329 But most watches with chronographs are decent watches *and* usually feature a tachymeter to go along with the chronograph

[@m.l.5067]

@@zachdurocher1166 False : not all fancy watches have a tachymeter, and not all watches with a tachymeter are fancy watches. In fact, they are pretty much watches with shitty and useless functions just to look interesting.

[@sethproaps8899]

Reading this this christmas.

[@thebritishbrick809]

@@sethproaps8899 ye same haha

[@virtualRod]

so far the best explanation[s] on how to use the tachymeter on a timepiece...thank you Eric.

[@ternsjo]

+v Rod Hi, thanks for the comment! I'm glad it helped :) You might enjoy my other watch reviews and explanation videos on my channel.

[@virtualRod]

Erik Ternsjö not necessarily helped...I already knew, just trying to support a decent KZbin channel where many idiots belittle & degrade what they don't understand, I'll check your other vids. THANKS!

[@ternsjo]

Haha, alright, well thank you! :)

[@virtualRod]

Erik Ternsjö & by the way... very nice Omega timepiece indeed.

[@ternsjo]

v Rod Thanks. I made a second video of the vintage Omega from 1954 where I discuss the piece in more detail.

[@Blue_3rd]

Possibly the second least used function on a watch, after the helium escape valve.

[@tazboy1934]

Helieum escape valve?

[@jamestkirk6000]

Tazboy look at the Rolex Sea-Dweller and Omega Seamaster Professional diver models. ;)

[@scottsteibel]

😂😂😂

[@odyseuszkoskiniotis6266]

The what?

[@jonnybarnett2777]

Technically one doesn’t “use” the helium valve but I do understand the point you were trying to make

[@ChristianUtama]

Another use: *To count your heart rate (beats per minute)* When you detect the first pulse on your wrist, start the chronograph, keep counting and stop when you detect the 60th. Read the number on tachymeter. Example: from the 1st pulse to 60th pulse you take 40 seconds, it points to 90 in the tachymeter, so your heart rate is 90 bpm.

[@ChristianUtama]

@Verbal DK say that your heart beat is 90 bps, so the tachymeter should be pointing at 900 (if you use the divide by 10) but tachymeter scale max is 500. You can use division by 2, 4, 5 it means more calculation is done, but if you're okay with it then do it because it will be quicker too. I just want to show the basic of measuring heart beat and the easiest way to just read the result on the tachymeter scale.

[@ranietsd1]

If your heart rate is 90 bpm, call a doctor ! Why not count your pulse for 60 seconds ? Then you don't have to calculate or to check the tachymeter.

[@ChristianUtama]

@@ranietsd1 normal heart rate range from 60-100 bpm. If your heart rate is 120 then it will only take half minute to measure it with this basic method. If you're good with division, you can use division by 2, 4 or even 5 to make it even quicker.

[@jamesshaw9890]

Wouldn't counting beats for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4 work as well?

[@ChristianUtama]

@@jamesshaw9890 yes, but that way you don't even need the tachymeter, this tip is about using the tachymeter to measure your heart rate.

[@michaelbauers8800]

Well done, and props for giving the formula the scale represents. That's really the key to understanding the scale, as it's really just a conversion from seconds to distance.

[@aarslanov8825]

It's been incidental to come across your explanation of the tachymeter function - I've enjoyed it immensely as I find your style of explaining things truly excellent!

[@CGAWCChannel]

Great explanation!

[@ternsjo]

+Amateur Watch Collector Thanks!

[@DasSchmaus]

Explained simply and easy to understand graphics. Solid job!

[@ternsjo]

Thanks! You might like some of my other explanation videos on my channel related to watches.

[@Motoko-d7h]

The tachymeter is resourceful, you provided an amazing explanation with intriguing examples to teach your audience, thank you 😊

[@schmanderich]

I think no one ever used this

[@PhilippeCarphin]

I'd be curious to see. I have a diver's watch with a rotating bezel and I use it to time all sorts of things or just set it to zero when I start something so I can see quickly how long I've been going. It's basically equivalent to remembering the time at which I started and doing a subtraction, but I can't live without it. Maybe people who have it and know how to use the tachymeter end up finding uses for it everywhere though it does seem less likely than for my dive watch bezel which has a simpler function.

[@ChuckBeefOG]

It was used for thousands of things in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s. Daily use faded into the 30’s but they are still used today.

[@yerwerstnitmare6009]

1.2m views later💀

[@FIGNAS83]

best explanation on KZbin on how to use the tachymeter function. Subscribed!!!

[@ternsjo]

+FIGNAS83 Thank you for commenting, much appreciated! Hope you have a great day and stay tuned for more videos coming soon.

[@chuckybaby1973]

Erik, your video was very simple, clear and easy to understand. I believe this video has helped many people understand how to get more out of their watch, thank you.

[@ternsjo]

Thank you for your feedback, much appreciated!

[@freedomisntfree131]

My son just gave me a gold Bulova watch for my birthday and a link to this video. Thanks for the education.

[@ahsahm]

What a fantastic, to the point, clear, concise video. You're awesome, thank you!

[@BijanIzadi]

I hope you know how valuable this explanation is to me, I literally never knew until watching this, thank you a ton!

[@theycallmejean]

Oh wow Erik, you did a top job at explaining that! Those were some great examples and illustrations!!

[@ternsjo]

+Jean-Silviu Dupouy Hi Jean, thank you, i'm glad you liked it! I'm happy with how it turned out :)

[@Bulkman1337]

I've always had trouble understanding the Tachymeter scale until I watched your video. Thanks, Erik! :)

[@ternsjo]

+Erik Dahlgren Hi Erik, thank you for the feedback, I'm happy I could help!

[@jsollien127]

Erik, your english is impeccable! I moved from Sweden to the US about 20 years ago and I still have an accent! BTW, great video too.

[@ternsjo]

Haha, great, thanks! Though, there’s nothing wrong with an accent! 😂

[@JellyForSale]

This is AWESOME! Thank you! I never knew the tachymeter could be so useful!

[@ternsjo]

Thanks for commenting, I really appreciate your feedback. You might enjoy my other explanation videos on my channel, let me know! :) Hope you have a great day!

[@JJDEsq.]

How is it giving you a reading in km/hr and mph?

[@JellyForSale]

If you use one mile as your measurement it will be mph. If you use one kilometer it will be kph

[@ternsjo]

Hi, thank you for answering the question :)

[@ternsjo]

Like JellyForSale replied, it depends on your unit of measurement. The answer should be in the same units as the question if that helps.

[@GetShnuttedOn]

I just got a watch for my 21st bday with a tachymeter on it. This video has been immensely helpful in getting to know my watch and its functions. Thank you.

[@ternsjo]

Very nice! Happy the video helped!

[@EliteHapkido]

easiest explanation found! great job.

[@ternsjo]

+EliteMartialArtOC Many thanks! You might enjoy my other explanation videos on my channel. Have a great day!

[@gogutzy]

thanks for the vid, it was a real eye opener. many say it's useless, but i'm more into old-school tech.

[@PhobiaPhobic]

so glad to see youre back! i love watching your reviews!

[@ternsjo]

+PhobiaPhobic Thank you! Have a great day! :)

[@OrcinusLaryngologist]

I love this, sorta mind blown it took so long to take the time to grasp this. Thank you!

[@SuperVeshi]

Thanks to whoever uploaded this video

[@amintaslneto]

Nice to see you back Erik. Great vid

[@ternsjo]

Thanks! Good to be back :)

[@civilengineer8407]

Very helpful video indeed and your examples made me (and everyone i suppose) comprehend the Tachymeter function in wristwatches well. Thanks a lot Erik.

[@dhruvgarg9943]

This person is a gods gift.

[@CeebraBeats]

by far the best explanation arround! Thanks

[@ternsjo]

Thanks for the compliment, much appreciated. You might also enjoy my other explanation videos on my channel. Enjoy the rest of your day!

[@andyblue001]

very nice explanation, the easiest to understand by the way

[@zebioh]

Thank you for a great and simple to understand explanation!

[@lonefather]

Well, I bought a watch with the tachymeter, 22 years ago, and did not know what it's for. Now I know at least the theory of this, after watching your video made 4 years ago. Anyway, that's a clear enough explanation and I may use it in my next driving (only if I can do the start/stop within one minute with my hands on the wheel).

[@TheCaptain008]

I have two Seiko tachymeter watches. I rarely have a need for a tachometer in my life. But it is a fun novelty and a cool thing to understand if it's ever needed. The last of your lessons with production with watches and cars. I'm curious to try that at work with our ladies in production. They build padlocks. I'm going to low key see how much some do per minute. Thanks!

[@jonmanilenio]

thanks, that was a bit easier to understand for me than the other videos i watched.

[@ternsjo]

Great, glad I could help!

[@neilpateldpt]

Was just gifted a nice Victorinox Chronograph for my graduation. Had to look this video up haha thank you

[@jeditello]

This has just been an amazing and easy to understand explanation with sufficient examples! Thank you 👍

[@hpbunaes]

Thanks - nice, simple, practical explanation.

[@ternsjo]

Thanks for the comment and glad I could help. Best, Erik

[@jorgeernestohigueroromero5570]

Congratulations!!! Exevcllent explanation!!! Thank you very much for being such a great teacher.

[@fassenm6041]

Today I know what is Tachmeter. It is on my Casio watch for last ten years.

[@rag_man673]

I'm a little slow at math so I had to watch parts twice, but that said, if I can understand it (eventually, LOL) anybody can. Great explanation. Thank you so much. 👍

[@ImMora1]

So basically when you take the time it takes to do something and read it on the tachymeter scale, It tells you how many times that thing would happen in an hour? That is quite simple really. Now I might actually use it some time!

[@CarstenDittrich2014]

Very good explanation - just what I needed for my work. Thanks much

[@indragums]

This is very clear explanation. Thank you.

[@ternsjo]

Glad it helped!

[@VerySeriousUser]

This was more than I hoped for!

[@ternsjo]

Great, happy you liked the video!

[@iandres2394]

Your watch is really cool bro, and your explanation was pretty useful.

[@ternsjo]

+Andres Gonzalez I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for commenting!

[@bobdehuisbaas1]

Finally I get what these are used for, now I want a watch that has one! Nice speedmaster btw, love the yellow accents

[@ternsjo]

Thanks for commenting. I'm glad the video helped. You might enjoy my full review of this Speedmaster on my channel :) Hope you have a great day!

[@abh15funk]

Nice video ! Thanks for the explanation of Tachymeter ! 👍

[@MaverickXen]

Awesome examples for an explanation ♥

[@manoman0]

Ok, It's that easy to explain the function. You, sir, you have it....thank you!

[@ternsjo]

I'm glad I could help. You might also enjoy my other (geeky) explanation videos on my channel :)

[@bv2225]

Great explanation thanks! Especially regarding production output, I wasn't aware of this application! Keep up the good work!

[@ternsjo]

Thank you for your feedback, much appreciated! Stay tuned for more videos ;)

[@grailph]

thank you for this and also for giving more samples and not just for measuring speed.

[@gregorychang7692]

thanx for that.. great to know.. i will come back for sure to keep on using the examples you showed......

[@ternsjo]

Glad I could help! Let me know if you have any questions

[@MrObiwan1]

That Speedmaster is stunning :)

[@oklahomahank2378]

I did in fact use this at the MotoGP in Austin. I used google maps to measure some intervals on the track. I must admit it was sort of showing off.

[@chef1arjunaidi]

Good, clear examples explained well

[@daaam2160]

Have had my watch for 24 years and am just learning this🤐🔨

[@xnikolai09x78]

Thanks the examples really helped grasp its concept. It's easy now that I get it :D

[@1deadfire]

OMG... really good explanation, easy to understand thank you.

[@ternsjo]

+1deadfire Thank you for the comment, I appreciate it! You might also enjoy my other explanation videos on my channel. Hope you have a great day!

[@JDMricist]

Very helpful, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the video!

[@ternsjo]

Glad I could help. Thanks for the comment!

[@mahamza86]

Very informative. I always wondered how this worked.

[@ternsjo]

+Hamza Khawaja Thanks, I appreciate your feedback

[@urosstankovic4887]

I just got new tissot watch and i try to understand this, thanks for explanation 😀

[@MadirChot]

Best explained ever ✅

[@ari91629]

nicely explained,thanks for posting

[@ternsjo]

Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated. You might enjoy my other explanation videos on my channel :)

[@garynorris4648]

Superb. I have owned several analog watches with the tachometer feature and have often wondered what it was for. Thank you. SUPERB!

[@RBRCH]

Very nice examples! 👍🏼

[@RedZeshinX]

Basically, it tells you how many times an action can be repeated in an hour, based on how long it took to complete in seconds. ANY action. In the video it shows that if it took an event 20 seconds to happen, then the tachymeter tells you it could be repeated 180 times over an hour. So drove a mile in 20 seconds? Then you can drive a mile 180 times in an hour, e.g. 180 miles an hour. Ate a peanut in 20 seconds? Then you could a peanut 180 times in an hour, or 180 peanuts by the end of an hour. Packed a box in 20 seconds? Then you could pack boxes 180 times over an hour.

[@ternsjo]

Pretty much. Thanks for the comment

[@MrDidaxi]

Useful vid. Many thanks. 👌🏻👍🏻👋🏻

[@derekchan1097]

Thank you for sharing! Seconds to rate per hour for virtually anything :)

[@mitchtucker]

That's a great way of putting it!

[@HOLYLIFEIFY]

Tachy Scale and Proverbs 11:1 comes to mind here! Also 11-1 equals the track and field championship I experienced winning when in 10th grade! With this here in 2020 I have been (B)ouncing (S)pikes pertaining to while on the track sprinting at the placing of a step it should bounce it's steps for greater speed. Terrill TC!

[@Frenk33]

That Omega Speedmaster Racing 40mm (released in 2012) is an absolute gem!

[@finnk9360]

Brilliant video. Superb explination

[@ternsjo]

+Finn Kahmann Thanks for the compliment, much appreciated!

[@mmikaismail8533]

Nice vid. Thanks. Today I just learned a new thing :)

[@ternsjo]

+M Mika Ismail Hi, thanks for commenting, I appreciate it! You might also enjoy my other explanation videos on my channel :)

[@Boki199611]

Very useful explanation! :)

[@Maxumized]

So, my poop traveled about 10 MPH to reach splash down.

[@ajaybeast_7461]

Lmao 😂😂😂

[@alijan634]

Best explanation ! Thank you

[@MaximEriksen]

Love the vid man, keep up the good work!

[@roberterwin9514]

Excellent explanation.

[@A_Tempest]

Clear and concise, rare indeed

[@minityper]

Very cool watch as well.

[@ternsjo]

+minityper Hi, thanks for commenting! I have made two separate video reviews of this watch on my channel that you might enjoy.

[@antoinedoinelswaroop]

Great Explanation. Thanks a lot !!!

[@ternsjo]

Thanks for commenting, I'm glad I could help! You might enjoy my other watch reviews/explanation videos on my channel (including a review of my own watch, a plastic Swatch and a vintage Omega from 1954)

[@cessealbeach]

Very Good Examples Thanks

[@meclazine]

Was the track Lime Rock Park? Great video.

[@andystadi]

very goodd examples!!

[@zviadkelenjeridze9435]

Beautiful explanation. Thx.

[@ternsjo]

+Zviad Kelenjeridze thank you for your feedback, it is much appreciated! You might enjoy my other explanation videos on my channel ;) Have a great day!

[@yourdata2478]

Yes this is up there with the best 👏👏

[@bamchel]

Superb explanation. Thank you!

[@rumcajs009]

Fantastic job mate, thanks!

[@ternsjo]

+Michał Rumcajs Haha, can't tell if serious but thanks, much appreciated! Stay tuned for more videos coming soon :)

[@rumcajs009]

Very serious, I have got Chrono watch and had no idea what all those numbers mean :D And now I know!

[@ternsjo]

+Michał Rumcajs Alright, I'm glad I could help!

[@drbud7257]

Great explanation

[@johnrogers2957]

Thank Erik clear explanation

[@daveridgeway2639]

Hello Mr. Erik Ternsjo, Very good video! As far as I know, Omega invented the "Tachymeter", as a stationary dial indicator on a wristwatch. In the meantime, stationary dial indicator(s) are not uncommon on gauges such as pressure gauges and vacuum gauges. As far as I know, Rolex invented the rotating bezel diver's watch, (not uncommon on a dial indicator) that was (NOT bidirectional) as it only rotated counterclockwise so it would NOT indicate a extended elapsed time for the divers air supply error by mistake. Please reply. Dave...

[@Chewy7575]

Another good one. Thanks again.

[@ternsjo]

Glad it helped. Thanks for the feedback.

[@Da.Onus.Burger.618]

That was well done, and easy to remember! Thanks!

[@XantheFIN]

Cool. This was helpful.

[@ternsjo]

Great to hear, thanks for commenting!

[@firozosman]

Nicely explained. I wouldn't be surprised if other KZbinrs stole your idea for their 'how to' content. Btw, your watch needs cleaning ,,,😉

[@wkdhrgwiyagcgjne5547]

This one helped alot👌🏾

[@ternsjo]

+Johny Alv Thanks for commenting, I'm glad I could help. You might enjoy my other explanation videos or reviews on my channel. Hope you have a great day!

[@ternsjo]

+Johny Alv Thanks for commenting, I'm glad I could help. You might enjoy my other explanation videos or reviews on my channel. Hope you have a great day!

[@sebastiancaceres6974]

This is definitely the best explanation on KZbin so that's awesome! but i still am lost...

[@ternsjo]

+Sebastian Caceres Haha, thanks for commenting. I appreciate the compliment. Let me know how I can help. You might also enjoy my other videos on my channel. Hope you have a great day!