Question for running a Chronograph 24/7?

Heya folks so Ive been curious about running the chronographs on my watches. I have a quartz Formula 1and an automatic Carrera Heuer 01. The Formula 1 I can understand not running constantly, but Ive seen a hot debate on the automatic.. Is there a definite answer? Can you run it continuously, or just as needed? Figured I would ask the devoted Tag fans.

Pretty sure you can leave it running continuously with no major ill effects to the watch, although obviously it'll run down the power reserve faster (either mechanical or battery in the case of quartz).

Won't it wear the chrono mechanism quicker though?

One thing you must do is run your chrono at least once a month to move the oils around - so I heard anyway, and it makes sense

By less than I expected though when I tried it out on some watches:

Valjoux 7730 (recently serviced) 43h00 to 41h50
Valjoux 7733 (recently serviced) 46h20 to 44h00
ETA 2890-A2 + D-D 2020 (recently serviced) 49h04 to 48h50
Valjoux 92 (unknown service history) 39h30 to 36h30

Then I though "Meh!" and decided to simply check the plain running at 6 monthly intervals, which has much of that variation anyway.


[Fx: searches for emoticon for numbers obsessed ex-mechanical engineer turned computer programmer]





No connection, it's just the movie I've pulled out to watch 👍

It would be my suggestion not to continuously run a mechanical chrono as it is the way the gears are engaged that is the problem. You have a large wheel (chrono wheel) connecting to a small wheel (ocillating pinion). The teeth on the larger wheel will damage the smaller wheel over time. Hence why the 02 has a vertical clutch, solving this issue