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Yes, most watches rattle. Automatic watches, for example, make a rattling noise due to the bearing connected to the rotor and winding mechanism. The rotor is free to move because it is connected to the bearing, which makes a metal-like scraping noise. Often, there is no need to be concerned about a rattle. While the rotor is a completely normal metallic sound emanating from the automatic watch, some sounds indicate that the watch is damaged. Some noises indicate that you should visit your watchmaker, while others are simply the sounds of automatic watches. Watches operate in the same way as any other mechanism, whether automatic or mechanical and will make some noise while doing so. This refers not only to the tick-tock sound that we all expect from a clock but also to the noise of the gears running and rattling. These sounds are simply the mechanisms of the clock running and are not cause for concern; however, they can make a lot of noise when shaken. This cannot be fixed precisely, but it can be quieted. More expensive watches have thicker cases that muffle the sounds of the watch as it runs. However, if you own a less expensive watch, it is more likely that it will be loud. This is because, while cheaper materials allow for thinner watch cases, they do not perform as well in terms of noise reduction. The vast majority of mechanical watches make some kind of noise. Because mechanical watches are powered by movement, you will most likely hear a gentle sound as the automatic rotor spins around the case or the mainspring slowly unravels. When we say noise, we don't mean something that can be heard from across the room, but if you put your ear against your watch, you'll be able to hear the intricate complications at work. The volume of the movement will, of course, vary depending on the model and the material of the case. Some materials completely block out sound, whereas cheaper watches made of weaker metal will be easier to hear. Problems with the Rotor Axle This is a more sinister possibility for the noise in your watch. The rotor axle is the axle that rotates the minute, second, and hour hands. When you shake the watch, it may make a clicking noise, indicating that this part of the watch is damaged or broken. However, the damage can quickly spread throughout the watch, causing it to be especially harmful to the watch's inner workings and drastically reducing its lifespan. This is due to the possibility that the rotor axle is rubbing up against other metal parts in places where it should not be. As a result, the rotor may be scraped and scratched, resulting in a buildup of metal dust in the watch. Because there is nowhere for the dust to go, these metal bits frequently become entangled in other gears, cutting into and scraping them as well. If this situation is not corrected, the entire inside of the watch may be destroyed beyond repair. You could, however, take your watch to a watchmaker or other service provider to have it serviced. If the problem is detected in time, it may be as simple as replacing the rotor axle. Check The Sound's Location When you shake your watch, you may hear a sound from it or from the wristband. There have been cases where the clicking sounds that people thought were coming from the watch were not only harmless but also not coming from the clock mechanism at all. This sound can be produced by the wristband's components clicking together. While this is not a common blunder, it is an important distinction to make to ensure you aren't paying to have your watch serviced when it doesn't need to be. The Watch Has Been Harmed. Another common possibility to be aware of is if you have recently dropped your watch or if it has sustained similar damage. This can lead to a number of issues. If it survived the first fall, you should keep an ear out for any rattling or excessive clicking when you wear or shake it. This can be caused by a loose or broken piece inside the watch. Dropping a watch can also result in the rotor axle issue that we discussed earlier, so keep that in mind as well. That’s about it for this blog, if you have any further clock/watches-related questions, feel free to use the comment section below. And if you want to read an interesting article on why clocks don’t appear in dreams, we have a great article on just that so do give it a click if you are interested “Why don’t clocks appear in dreams? Clocks and dreams!“. Here is also a link about the history of clocks if you want to give that a look “History of timekeeping devices“

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