# Watch Tuner Timegrapher

> Mechanical watch performance analyzer using device microphone. (iPhone/iPad app by Bartlomiej Swiatek.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watch-tuner-timegrapher/id991367080 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Bartlomiej Swiatek](https://appshunter.io/developer/943509577)
- Category: Utilities
- Price: $7.99
- Rating: 3.80/5 from 80 App Store ratings · 196 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-05-14
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watch-tuner-timegrapher/id991367080/reviews.md

## What is Watch Tuner Timegrapher?

Watch Tuner Timegrapher is an app for testing mechanical watches — both automatic and manual winding. It displays a frequency diagram of your watch and measures the rate, beat error, amplitude, and beats per hour (BPH).

The app uses your device’s built-in microphone or a headset mic to record the audible ticks of the watch.
For best results, use the app in a quiet environment. Background noise can affect accuracy — complete silence works best, though the built-in noise-cancelling algorithm can filter out minor sounds. The microphone must be in contact with the watch to clearly capture the ticking sound; ideally, place it against the watch’s crown during recording.

## Key features

- Frequency diagram display
- Measures rate accuracy
- Measures beat error
- Measures amplitude
- Measures beats per hour (BPH)
- Uses device microphone

## What do users think of Watch Tuner Timegrapher?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 💰 Affordable alternative to expensive professional timegraphers
- 📊 Accurate measurements when used correctly with proper microphone setup
- 🎯 Precise beat error and amplitude detection capabilities
- ⚙️ Highly adjustable settings for different watch movements
- 📈 Clear, easy-to-read graphical display of results
- 🔧 Effective tool for regulating and tuning mechanical watches
- 🎧 Works well with external microphones (Apple earbuds, Bose headsets)
- 🧠 Multiple detection algorithms to choose from
- 📱 Intuitive interface for hobbyist watch enthusiasts
- ✅ Reliable results when environmental conditions are optimal

**Cons**

- 🎤 Highly dependent on microphone quality and placement
- 🔇 Requires completely silent environment to function properly
- ⚠️ Inconsistent readings across different devices and setups
- 😤 Steep learning curve with many trial-and-error adjustments needed
- 🚫 Fails to detect watch ticks in noisy environments
- ⏱️ Slow data collection process
- 🔄 Finicky and unreliable performance (works ~80% of the time)
- 📵 Doesn't work with case back on for many watches
- 🎙️ Built-in iPhone microphone often inadequate
- 🔌 Compatibility issues with certain iOS versions and devices
- ⚡ Can magnetize watches when using iPad microphone
- ❌ Poor results with quieter watch movements

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on certain iOS versions (iPhone X with iOS 14.6)
- Incompatible with older devices (iPod Touch 6, iOS 8.4)
- Blank white screen on some devices
- Quality reporting inconsistency between live reading and saved history
- Cannot store more than 16 history files (save button grays out)
- Doesn't work properly with Samsung headsets on iPad
- External microphone recognized but won't provide/analyze data
- Auto-detect mode fails to recognize BPH correctly
- App becomes unresponsive and requires phone restart
- Incompatibility with latest iOS versions for audio spectrum analysis
- Microphone collection starts immediately on app launch

**Most requested features**

- Audio monitoring function to optimize microphone placement before measuring
- Audible ticking sound output (like professional models)
- Extended beat rate range to include mechanical clocks
- Only request microphone permissions when actually measuring
- History feature to save and track measurements over time
- Ability to share graphs as photos or export to email
- Larger display for complete timestamp visibility
- Increased history file storage (currently limited to 16 files)
- Korean language support
- Japanese language support
- Dedicated hardware microphone option
- Better auto-detection for BPH to avoid manual input
- Ability to add watch information and photos to measurements

## Recent user reviews (10 of 196)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watch-tuner-timegrapher/id991367080/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Petite amélioration

*2026-07-11*

Depuis la dernière mise-à-jour  il y a un petit mieux.
Maintenant  le tick est détecté j’ai le message « too much noise ». C’est soit ça ou rien. J’ai essayé toutes les configurations possibles mais je n’ai pas obtenu satisfaction pour le moment. 
Alors qu’avec mon iPhone 12 il n’y avait aucun problème, avec mon iPhone 17 pro ça ne passe pas.

**Developer response:** Les travaux sur l'amendement sont actuellement en cours.

### 3/5 — バージョン1.28の効果

*2026-07-03*

マイクゲイン設定の仕様変更により、1.27では"too much noise"が多発した条件(iOS 26 iPhone with EarPods mic)でも計測できるようになった。

ただしグイン調整は注意を要する。

Rate, Beat errorとamplitudeの3個の数値が安定して計測できるゲイン設定の範囲は狭く、私の時計と試験環境では特定のゲイン設定からプラスマイナス1外れただけで計測値が不安定になったり、全く計測できなくなった。

### 2/5 — 便利なソフトだが最新のiOSでは問題がある

*2026-07-02*

Apple EarPodsをマイクロフォンとして時計に密着させて使用している。
iOS16.7の古いiPhone8では快適に動作するが、iOS26.5のiPhone14に全く同一の時計、マイクロフォン、測定環境のセットアップを接続すると、”too much noise”アラートが多発してしまう。特に検出アルゴリズムV3ではアラート多発で使用できない。2026年3月時点ではiPhone14と当時の最新iOSで正常に動いていたが、3月から6月の間にあったiOSアップデート以降”too much noise”アラートの多発が発生した。

### 2/5 — Ne fonctionne plus après un changement de matériel

*2026-05-21*

Depuis que je suis passé d’un iPhone 12 à un iPhone 17 pro, le micro de mes écouteurs, que j’utilisais avec succès jusqu’à présent, ne capte plus les ticks des mes montres. 
Dommage…

**Developer response:** Les travaux sur l'amendement sont actuellement en cours.

### 4/5 — Can’t use with bluetooth microphone

*2026-05-16, version 1.27*

I tried with my air pods and an other bluetooth mic. it would be good if we can select the source. it always use the iphones internal microphone

### 5/5 — Very accurate timegrapher

*2026-04-29, version 1.27*

This has helped me tremendously see the health of vintage Omega watches. It is extremely sensitive data-in, so a quiet space is necessary. It has never failed me and remains a great tool for all watches, not just vintage. It continues to blow my mind with how accurate the amplitude is as well.

### 5/5 — Perfect for Seiko build

*2026-04-23*

I was building a grand seiko using an NH35 mechanism. The watch was gaining 6 minutes a day! Used this ap to confirm how out of sync the mechanism was and managed to get the watch to -1 second a day

### 4/5 — New to mechanical watches

*2026-04-09*

Certainly a dynamic app. Has all the features of a professional watch grapher. It does take a little manipulation of the settings to gather data. I am having a little trouble in auto detect mode. If you enter a manual mode rate first and then switch back to auto detect, it recognizes the bph. One request would be an audible ticking as that would put it on par with the professional models. Worth the investment, thanks.

### 5/5 — Great app, the best I have seen so far

*2026-04-09*

The detection algorithms seem to work well.  Depending on the watch, I had to play a bit among the three algorithms, but so far so good.  I was able to measure every watch I tried.

Can we please add a “monitoring” function to route the post-processed audio signal to the audio playback device?  (Similar to the app Garage Band).  This would allow us to use the audio output to optimize mic placement before measuring.  Also it would allow the user to hear the ticks while taking the measurements.

### 1/5 — Not adequate

*2026-03-29, version 1.27*

Lost my $ on this app

## Frequently asked questions about Watch Tuner Timegrapher

### What does Watch Tuner Timegrapher do?

Watch Tuner Timegrapher is an application designed to test the performance of mechanical watches, both automatic and manual winding. It uses your device's microphone to capture the audible ticks of the watch and then displays a frequency diagram. It also measures key performance metrics such as rate, beat error, amplitude, and beats per hour (BPH).

### How accurate is the app?

For best results, the app should be used in a quiet environment as background noise can affect accuracy. While a built-in noise-cancelling algorithm can filter minor sounds, complete silence is ideal. The microphone needs to be in close contact with the watch, ideally against the crown, to clearly capture the ticking sound.

### Is Watch Tuner Timegrapher free to use?

Yes, the application is available for free. The provided data indicates no in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a completely free utility for watch enthusiasts.

### What are the basic requirements to use the app?

You will need a mechanical watch (automatic or manual winding) and a compatible mobile device with a functioning microphone. For optimal performance, a quiet environment is recommended. Using a headset microphone can also improve sound capture quality.

### What if I only need to measure rate accuracy?

If your primary need is solely to measure the rate accuracy of your watch and you do not require the frequency diagram or other detailed metrics, you may consider the 'Watch Tuner Lite' app. This application is specifically designed for that purpose.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.29 — 2026-07-09

- aplitude detection improvements
- fixes

### 1.28 — 2026-07-02

- logarithmic sensitivity - now works with piezo mics for low values
- tick preview window
- fixes (including average values)

### 1.27 — 2025-12-26

- fixes

### 1.26 — 2025-12-23

- keeping up to date
- upgraded tick detection
- upgraded amplitude detection

### 1.25 — 2023-01-19

-keeping up to date
-mic source

## Apps similar to Watch Tuner Timegrapher

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Tickoprint](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tickoprint/id1496578178) | 1.3 (6) | Free | Utilities |
| [ChronoLog • Watch Accuracy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chronolog-watch-accuracy/id6452083510) | 4.6 (204) | Free | Utilities |
| [Magnetized Wristwatch Checker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magnetized-wristwatch-checker/id6478119877) | 4.6 (21) | Free | Utilities |
| [Watch Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watch-tracker/id610666926) | 4.7 (322) | $4.99 | Utilities |
| [Timegrapher - watch accuracy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timegrapher-watch-accuracy/id6450460771) | 2.8 (44) | Free | Utilities |
| [Timegrapher X](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timegrapher-x/id1516161361) | 4.2 (23) | $29.99 | Utilities |

## More apps by Bartlomiej Swiatek

- [Watch Tuner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watch-tuner/id959394022)
- [Watch Tuner Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watch-tuner-lite/id968820626)
- [MorseOn](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/morseon/id6770025597)

All apps by Bartlomiej Swiatek: https://appshunter.io/developer/943509577

## Related topics

[watch tuner lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/watch-tuner-lite) · [tuner pro for watch](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/tuner-pro-for-watch) · [lepsi](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lepsi)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*