Your quartz Seiko’s second hand lands just beside each minute marker instead of on it. It is one of the most common worries with new watches. Usually, it is nothing.
Why it happens
A second hand lands on the markers only if the hand, the gears, the dial print and the way the movement sits in the case all line up perfectly. Small tolerances in any of them shift where the hand stops. Viewing angle matters too: look straight down at the dial, not from the side.
Quartz vs automatic
| Watch | How the hand moves | Misalignment |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz | One jump per second | Easy to see |
| Automatic (4R36, 6R35) | Six small steps per second | Hard to judge |
Does it affect accuracy?
No. Accuracy is whether the watch gains or loses time over days, not where the hand lands. Measure that with our home accuracy test.
When it is a problem
- The hand stops between seconds or gets stuck
- It jumps irregularly or skips
- The behaviour changed suddenly, for example after a knock
Then have it checked. Don’t open the case to move the hand yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is a second hand that misses the markers a defect?
Usually not. Sternglas explains that tiny tolerances in hands, gears and dial printing make exact alignment hard, and the watch can still keep very accurate time.
Why is it more obvious on quartz?
A quartz second hand jumps once a second, so every miss is visible. An automatic sweeps in small steps, so it is harder to see.
When should I worry?
If the hand stops between markers, jumps irregularly, gets stuck, or the behaviour suddenly changes.
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