Advice on Replacing V253 Movement with Miyota 1L45

[Pap3r]

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all doing well. I'm looking to replace my V253 movement with a 1L45 movement. Boley lists the VX07 and Ronda 1069 as equivalents. However, the subsecond position on the Ronda 1069 is 6.3mm from the center, compared to 6.6mm on the V253 or VX07. Since the VX07 is discontinued, I've researched and found that the Miyota 1L45 movement seems to be the next best option.

One concern I have is that the dial hand sizes for the 1L45 are slightly larger at 0.70x1.20x0.18mm compared to 0.65x1.10mm on the V253. Unfortunately, the spec sheet does not list the size for the seconds hand.

Any insights or advice on this replacement would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

HATTORY-PULSAR-V253A.pdf

[AndyGSi]

The 1L45 does look a good comparison but have you thought what you're going to do about the hands?

My advise on the V253 sub seconds hand would be to measure it.

Edit

What's the fault with the V253 and is it worth considering a repair?

Edited July 23, 2024 by AndyGSi

[Pap3r]

1 hour ago, AndyGSi said:

The 1L45 does look a good comparison but have you thought what you're going to do about the hands?

My advise on the V253 sub seconds hand would be to measure it.

Edit

What's the fault with the V253 and is it worth considering a repair?

Hi, thanks for the reply. Much appreciated. The dial hand size spec on the 1L45 are slightly larger at 0.70x1.20x0.18mm compared to 0.65x1.10mm on the V253. I am not sure if the hands from the V253 can just be inserted on the 1L45. The V253 movement won't run after battery replacement. There's no visble corrosion. But when I removed the old battery, it was stuck on the back case like it was either magnetic or had an oil of sorts? I cleaned the battery contacts with some IPA and cotton bud. Still won't run? Not sure if the oils are dried up and it won't start. I don't have a Quartz tester at hand to test the coil. The watch, I want to repair, has a beautiful dial, like a Cartier, and the case is in perfect mint shape. Crystal needs polishing though. I feel it is a nice homage to Cartier.

Edited July 23, 2024 by Pap3r

[AndyGSi]

17 minutes ago, Pap3r said:

The dial hand size spec on the 1L45 are slightly larger at 0.70x1.20x0.18mm compared to 0.65x1.10mm on the V253. I am not sure if the hands from the V253 can just be inserted on the 1L45

You'd have to reamer the hands out which is a very delicate process so probably
easier just getting new hands depending how available parts are for you.

Edit

I've just found this in my records for hands on the V253.

Edited July 23, 2024 by AndyGSi

[Pap3r]

23 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

You'd have to reamer the hands out which is a very delicate process so probably
easier just getting new hands depending how available parts are for you.

Edit

I've just found this in my records for hands on the V253.

Thanks. So I guess the movement is dead, until I get it tested on a Quartz tester? What's the third and last column? So the sizes are 0.65/1.10/0.20mm? Could I maybe put a Y121E, and just maybe sacrifice the subseconds hand till I find suitable ones for the 1L45? 

[AndyGSi]

Yes they're 0.65/1.10/0.20mm

3rd column is function which in your case is Small Second Hand and 7.0mm from centre

Last column is equivalents.

Yes a Y121 or a Y120 without seconds would fit as they're the same depth as the V253

[watchweasol]

Hi. What i do in these circumstances is to buy the hands that fit the new movement and cut to fit. Done properly and trimmed usually does the job.

[rjenkinsgb]

1 hour ago, Pap3r said:

The V253 movement won't run after battery replacement.

The parts list for the movement includes a "Reset pin" - which implies it may need a reset after a battery change?

Quite a few quartz movements have (or or had) a reset or clear point than needed shorting to the battery after a battery replacement.

You could also just try sharply tapping the side of the movement a few times & see if a bit of vibration kicks it back in to life? That could either unstick a slightly sticky movement, or start the crystal oscillator if the IC gain is a bit on the low side.

 

[Pap3r]

11 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

Yes they're 0.65/1.10/0.20mm

3rd column is function which in your case is Small Second Hand and 7.0mm from centre

Last column is equivalents.

Yes a Y121 or a Y120 without seconds would fit as they're the same depth as the V253

Thanks. I doubt the VT07 movement is still available? 

2 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

Hi. What i do in these circumstances is to buy the hands that fit the new movement and cut to fit. Done properly and trimmed usually does the job.

Hi, thanks for the reply. So its not worth the hassle repurposing the old? I see on Miyota's website, they include the default plastic hands. If one orders from Cousins, does it include said hands? 

3 minutes ago, rjenkinsgb said:

The parts list for the movement includes a "Reset pin" - which implies it may need a reset after a battery change?

Quite a few quartz movements have (or or had) a reset or clear point than needed shorting to the battery after a battery replacement.

You could also just try sharply tapping the side of the movement a few times & see if a bit of vibration kicks it back in to life? That could either unstick a slightly sticky movement, or start the crystal oscillator if the IC gain is a bit on the low side.

 

Hi, thanks for the reply. I will check further if there is a reset pin. Can't seem to see it atm. Would dipping it in IPA, to remove dirt work as well? 

[rjenkinsgb]

5 minutes ago, Pap3r said:

Would dipping it in IPA, to remove dirt work as well? 

Possibly, though it should really be lubricated after cleaning. It would be a good test though.

The reset pin is the last item before the battery in the parts list PDF you linked in the first post, by the way.

[watchweasol]

Re purposing the old hands usually means adapting them to fit. Ie broaching /closing  and I have found the easiest way is to use new hands. As far as I know all you get from Cousins is the movement and new stem attached. If you know the hand sizes and style you may be able to order them from cousins also.  The attached might be useful either now or I; the future

hand_hole_size_booklet.pdf

[Pap3r]

17 minutes ago, rjenkinsgb said:

Possibly, though it should really be lubricated after cleaning. It would be a good test though.

The reset pin is the last item before the battery in the parts list PDF you linked in the first post, by the way.

I see, it now. I read it now refers to the V252A manual, which I linked now. Looking at it. I am not sure how to press it to reset the movement?

Edit: I found that the black pin is the reset, and now the movement works. 

HATTORY-PULSAR-V252A.pdf

Thanks everyone.

Edited July 23, 2024 by Pap3r

[rjenkinsgb]

OK, in that drawing it looks like either part of the keyless works, or a switch that disconnects or clears the electronics in setting mode.

I'm not sure from the drawing if it is purely mechanical, or possibly it's the metal contact next to the crystal the goes to the rightmost pad on the circuit board??

[Pap3r]

23 hours ago, rjenkinsgb said:

OK, in that drawing it looks like either part of the keyless works, or a switch that disconnects or clears the electronics in setting mode.

I'm not sure from the drawing if it is purely mechanical, or possibly it's the metal contact next to the crystal the goes to the rightmost pad on the circuit board??

Yeah, it seems that its the small black metal post. I slightly pressed it with my screwdriver, and it started ticking again. 

23 hours ago, watchweasol said:

Re purposing the old hands usually means adapting them to fit. Ie broaching /closing  and I have found the easiest way is to use new hands. As far as I know all you get from Cousins is the movement and new stem attached. If you know the hand sizes and style you may be able to order them from cousins also.  The attached might be useful either now or I; the future

hand_hole_size_booklet.pdf 6.39 MB · 2 downloads

Thanks, about the booklet. Are the sizes in inches? Or mm?

[watchweasol]

Hi. I would assume it’s in.  Millimeters.