PINDU watch time lapse

[@88BlueKeys4U]

Just did a similar time -lapse recording with my own new Pindu wandering hour watch, as it LOOKS so mesmerizing. Yet the mechanism appears to be fairly simple, all is driven by bread-and-butter movements like the Miyota 8215, with an extra planetary gear layer to speed up the hour ring. A little pin rotates the hour dials prior to their pointing position - that's all, folks. Not sure what to think about these Pindu Design watches. They have some very odd looking, pseudo-complicated models, their prices differ hugely over time. My wandering hour cost a mere $148, way below any other brand with such a watch face. But I also so the same model offered at $300, closer to an Olto-8. Japanese Miyotas are quite OK, the Pindu materials and workmanship is so-so, clearly aiming at budget collectors like me. Assuming that this extra load on the mechanics creates serious friction to the movement I wonder how a 8215 can keep up the needed energy supply? What will the overall runtime be and settle to? Certainly less than the specified 42hr. Time will tell (pun intented)!

[@PakiraWatchMOD]

Thanks for your comment. It's true that it looks like a strange and complex watch, yet it offers good value for money, doesn't it? Collecting watches in the $100-200 range is also a hobby of mine, and I've definitely spent quite a bit on it. Indeed, adding circular disk gimmicks could increase the strain on the movement and shorten the power reserve. Although I don't use it frequently, I quite like it for its uniqueness.

[@88BlueKeys4U]

@@PakiraWatchMOD Same here. I have a small collection (around 130 so far), many of them Chinese mechanical watches with a 'kick', something special: retrograde hands, real moonphases, power indicators (even a rare ST2533 LINEAR power pointer), chronographs, tourbillons, this wandering hour etc. Currently I am hunting for a jump hour watch, but they are still above my price limit. I DO have a few pricier Swiss/Japanese/German/Russian watches, none exceeded $600 (even my 7750 and 7751 ETAs). But I enjoy the budget models more. I am not afraid to open these and adjust them for better accuracy. Chinese watches are better than many think, can be reliable and rugged. Creating animated timelapse movies is rather difficult for me, because none of my devices does it right. Currently I am stuck with hundreds of JPGs from an old Olympus SP590-UZ, fighting with FFMPEG over a decent join to MP4. As yours mine also suffer from stable lighting conditions, may have to repeat all without direct sunlight. Something to play with..

[@PakiraWatchMOD]

I'm also satisfied with the accuracy of Chinese-made mechanical watches. I've never had any issues with the precision of Chinese movements like those from Seagull. I think Japanese movements are also commonly used in Chinese watches because they are affordable. As you mentioned, due to their affordability, one can easily open up and tinker with watches without hesitation. While it's possible to create beautiful time-lapse videos with high-end equipment, I tried shooting with my old Galaxy S8.

[@88BlueKeys4U]

@@PakiraWatchMOD Bang for the bucks is not a bad strategy: On Jan-1 I began an new challenge: wear a cheap Chinese watch until it exceeds a total of 60s error, put it back into the watch case and take the next one: as of May-1 I was at watch #4, a very simple $40 Forsining with an automatic Seagull ST1780 (date, power indicator). And that was still well within my tolerance range. I doubt that my ETA 7751 or Poljot 31679 could reach this level of accuracy, I hardly ever wear these precious chronos. Whenever I buy one of these cheap China things I test it on the bench with software on a self-made microphone socket (Tickoprint e.a. for Android), vertically/horizontally to check the spread. Then I tweak it to a symmetric offset around zero. Typically mechanical watches run slower in vertical position, faster when placed face up or down. This way it is very easy to check the daily offset and simply place it V or H on the nightstand - good for a month or more. A power indicator and a constant spring load will help as well 8-) You have or know of any favorite 'odd' watch Made In China that I should check out (and do not have)? I love unique complications, still want a watch with the Lindberg hour-angle scales (that NOBODY seems to make but Longines). My weirdest is the forementioned Seagull ST2533 in an un-labeled Panderai mock-up case, this movement is very unusual due to its horizontal power pointer by a gear rack. This Pindu wandering hour watch I will wear for a while, now that it running better than after its arrival. Makes for some neat coffee table discussions about the 400 year old (!) idea. It is hardly known by anyone, even by watch enthusiasts. I opted for the NON-transparent version, which adds to the mystery and readability; on the other hand it hides the planetary gear cage, which is quite entertaining by itself as you demonstrate here.. oh well.