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Posted

Thank you for allowing me to join. I have been interested in mechanical wrist watches for a long time and look forward to being part of this forum. I would be grateful for some advice: last year I took my much loved 15 year old Seiko Automatic for a service as it had started loosing time, shortly after I collected it I noticed that it would suddenly develop a rattle (like a loose ball bearing rolling around inside) after an indefinite period of time the "rattle" will disappear only to come back again when performing tasks such as hanging up the washing, driving a car etc. When I reported this to the jeweller that serviced my watch, he said that it is nothing to worry about and seemed reluctant to investigate. The watch is keeping good time, however, I am concerned that the "rattling" that has only started since it was serviced may be doing some damage. I would be grateful for any advise, thank you.

Posted

Good morning Vincent and welcome to the forum.

There are a few guys on here that specialise in Seiko watches and I am sure they will chime in with a lot of good suggestions. From your description, it could be something as simple as a screw that was not tightened and come out or a problem with the automatic rotor. You will certainly have to open it up to have a look inside.

Posted

Vincent welcome to the forum. It is either the movement is not secured correctly into the case or it is the rotor has a fault, maybe a bearing issue. As Geo suggests what ever the fault the back will have to be removed for inspection.

Posted
clockboy, on 12 Jan 2015 - 6:44 PM, said:

Vincent welcome to the forum. It is either the movement is not secured correctly into the case or it is the rotor has a fault, maybe a bearing issue. As Geo suggests what ever the fault the back will have to be removed for inspection.

 

Bob is the Seiko expert here :)  But I've worked on quite few myself. 

I concur with Clockboy: badly fitted inside the case, or a worn oscillating weight bearing (highly likely).  BUT, we will need pictures with the caseback removed to properly identify the issue.

 

I recently service a Seiko where the bearing was failing ... I noted this to the owner, and explained it would have to be a second-hand part replacement, as it's a discontinued item.

 

Below is a picture of a classic bearing failure ... note the finish has been worn off the Main Plate and Mainspring Housing from the weight rubbing on them.  This could be the sound you're hearing; but we need to see the movement to be sure.

 

post-246-0-05973300-1421054205_thumb.jpg

Posted

Welcome to the forum, Vincent. As others have said, it could be a loose movement. I've had a couple of watches which rattled now and then, and it turned out on both occasions to be a loose movement (faulty case screw, movement ring, etc.).

 

I couldn't comment on a loose rotor or otherwise, as I only have 2 or 3 automatics - a Seiko 5 being one of them - and they turn smoothly with no rattle.

Posted

Thank you everybody for your interesting and logical replies, I do not have the right equipment to remove the back so will have to wait for the next visit to the jeweller, many thanks.

Posted

Welcome Vincent. You only need a caseback wrench & some half decent screwdrivers to get you going on you a new obsessive form of lunacy err.. hobby. Plenty of people here to help you out.

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