Okay To Fix?

[KeesHaninger]

Hi,

I've seen this watch for auction and, just getting into watch repair was wondering if anyone could advise if it might be suitable for a repair attempt? I am a little warey given it is a Quarz.

The description states, maybe a little unclearly, the following:

 

"Watch is keeping time but these 3 dials are not neither is the sweep hand. 

I must confess I only have a test battery in it and may need the correct size to make all items function but not being a chronograph person I won't waste any more time on this watch. "
 

I'm thinking the watch might just need the right battery, or perhaps they are just trying to make the buyer think that, and it has more serious issues? Either way, they aren't asking much for it at the moment and I thought it might be fun to repair.

 

Any advice welcome.

 

Thanks

[clockboy]

Personally I would steer clear of it unless it is really cheap that is.  I suspect problems with the movement. If you do purchase here are the operation instructions.

 

 

N94J_E.pdf

 

 

[Geo]

I totally agree with Clockboy. It's a nice looking watch, but I would advise that you start on something a bit less complicated to start with.

[bobm12]

Hi Kees,

 

The brand is an offset (subsidiary) of Seiko. The movement may or may not be available for different reasons and I suspect it is in the range of the US$50 or less retail. So, you have 2 options, either buy the watch and use it as is or be ready to change the movement altogether which will effectively result in an almost new watch (you can still try and repair it but coils might be an expensive $$$ problem). Keep in mind that being (mostly) a cheap brand from Seiko (which is already cheap on most of the digital watches and many autos), this is NOT an expensive watch in itself when new. We are talking about US$100 take or leave a few bucks/quids.

 

Note that being a Pulsar the serial number might not necessarily include the caliber, example:

 

Seiko: 7S26-0020 --> caliber/movement = 7S26

 

Pulsar N49J-6A00 --> caliber/movement = ?

 

Some Pulsar chronometers use the V657 or the VD57 et al (different than the one on your watch I'm sure but to give you an idea)

 

So, it begs the question: Is there any description of the movement in the add? If so, you can search for a source and compare costs of repairs.

 

Here is an example:

 

Ebay purchase: US$30 (includes shipping)

 

New movement (exact replacement, new) US$45 (with shipping, battery and stem):

 

New bezel (cousinsUK $? didn't matter, bundled with other goodies, but about US$30) and new crystal US$3 and crown and hands (in my stock US$0)

 

 

Total cost = about US$190 with new stainless steel band (about US$15). Value of the watch new (back then) about US$250.

End result with provisional leather band:

 

In the end, not a huge savings but the satisfaction is priceless.

 

So, this is the story of a similar situation and a watch I wear with pride.

 

Sometimes the price of parts are too much considering the price of the watch new and then the decision is:

 

Should I spend the money on this ***p and learn something or even have some fun or should I pass? How much do I like it? Will I be able to fix it? Is it worth to send it to someone to fix it for me? What if I destroy the darn thing? or the person I sent it to? What if I can't fix it? or the person I sent it to? Will the wife quarantine me for wasting our hard earned money? Would it be worth it? Should I go find a girlfriend in the meantime while the quarantine lasts? Again, individual choices....

 

:D

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

 

PS. If you decide to go against all odds and buy and tinker, first I wish you a happy ending like in my example above, second, wear it with pride since you did a great job regardless of how much the cost or how professionally it turned out...the next one will still be better!

[KeesHaninger]

Yeah okay I'll keep searching.......and pestering you lot!!!  

 

Thanks! 

[KeesHaninger]

Whoahh Bob! I didn't see your post before :) Thanks so much! Well in that case I might reconsider. 

 

The watch is around $35 US at the moment, and "yes" I'm up for a tinker, a loss, a victory, a lesson, etc, etc. 

 

That Seiko looks great by the way! Fantastic. Yes I heard it went Seiko-Pusar-Lorus as far as "desirabilty" goes however I do find this one very nice looking, in the pics at least. 

 

Unfortunately there's no description or pic of the movement, so it would be a bit of a gamble. 

 

Oh the wife has long since given up on my sometimes bizzare obsessions, I think she's just glad it's no longer LASERs  :thumbsu:

[bobm12]

Then, excellent choice, Kees and go for it! Remember to keep us up to date on your progress. I'd love to see the end result of your tinkering!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

 

PS. Here you'll never pester! So, ask away!