Glossary · Regulation
Positional error
Variation in rate depending on the orientation in which a watch is held or worn.
Explanation
Positional error is the difference in rate between positions — dial up, dial down, pendant up and so on — caused by gravity and friction acting differently on the balance. Good watches are adjusted in several positions to minimise the spread. Worn pivots, a magnetised hairspring or a tired mainspring all worsen positional errors.
In the object catalogue
Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Positional error”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.
