Jump to content

Swiss Army


Recommended Posts

Give us more details about the watch will ya... I know that they usually have quartz watches. Was this one quartz or mechanic ?

The movements that they use are cheap so simply replacing it wouldn't cost that much but as Ishima pointed out, sometimes they can be serviced...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/30/2017 at 11:58 PM, 8avalon82 said:

I have a Swiss Army watch that was running slow, so I had a watch shop replace the battery. Still ran slow. Repair man said "motor" is shot and nothing can be done for it. I'm thinking some component changed value. Is this watch trash?

 

On 12/31/2017 at 4:40 AM, jdm said:

OP: watch shop replace the battery.

It has quartz second hand movement and an oyster shell back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have replaced the movements in a couple of different Swiss Army watches, one Wenger, one Victorinox. Both had ETA quartz movements. I tried to service the Victorinox, but probably wasn't successful because I didn't have the proper, quartz weight, watch oil. The movement/part number is usually right under the battery on ETA's. Sometimes you do have to remove the battery to see it, sometimes you don't.

In my limited experience, it's not unusual to have to replace those quartz movements after 10-20 years. If you really like the watch, you might consider buying a movement and storing it. If you get it for a good price that is.

It takes some skill, as you have to remove and reset the hands, and often deal with a movement-ring (internal spacer).  Good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, when I put it on the desk and don't touch it, it will keep correct time. When I wear it I notice the second hand will occasionally stop moving and I have to tap the crystal to get it to run again. This intermittent stopping when I wear it is what's making this watch lose time. Does it maybe just need cleaning?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It may "just" need a cleaning. The problem is that for less than the price of a proper cleaning and oiling,  you'd probably be able to get a new movement. There are some operations that will spray-clean the movement without tearing it down, but I doubt that will get you any long-term benefits. There may be wear in the train of wheels that is creating an issue when the watch changes positions. This too would point to a new movement being a better bet. Again, while you can still get them, as it's probably listed as obsolete.

There is a possibility that the watch is having issues with the hands not clearing each other at a certain point. You'd have to remove the movement from the case and observe what happens with them. If the watch hasn't been out of the case recently, this is unlikely. Good luck.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • I would use some binding wire around the part before heating it. It protects the steel from being burned. I know that sounds strange, as you're going to heat it with a blowtorch, but if a part is thin and delicate the steel can literally burn away before your eyes, which isn't funny if you've put hours into the job. I bought some tools steel from Cousins a few years ago which turned out not to be tool steel, because it couldn't be hardened or tempered. I wasn't impressed, as I had spent two hours making the part for it to be useless.
    • Hi that’s what was meant by animal glue “ a glue made from animal products”. Ie bone , skin and other animal residues.  There was a place at Huntington YORK who used to boil down the ingredients. It stunk.   We used it in pellet form in a sort of Bain Marie on a gas ring  it was very good, didn’t think it was around any more with the modern glues, 
    • It's back to the drawing board I'm afraid. As pointed out, the Rodico trick is so fiddly and my pin vice jaws don't close in union. I tried but the screw is so small it's hard to grip the screw in the Rodico without it moving all over the place while trying to get it in the vice. I started to shake too much so gave up before the screw flew off somewhere never to be found again.  I'm now thinking that maybe I could bond the screw on the end of a bit of peg wood and then dissolve the adhesive afterward.  I just had another thought🤔 I have some really small PCB drill bits maybe I could drill a small hole in peg wood and push the screw in, as stated I only need to get the screw started.  Another idea 🤣 Magnetize the screwdriver to hold the screw 🤔 
    • Yeah there is a spring under there. Hopefully now I can source a screw for the click and the bridges! Thanks for your help!
    • Definitely worthwhile, if you are working with old watches - just be sure it's an actual Geiger counter, not one of the vast range of scam/fake "Radiation detectors" on ebay & amazon etc. that detect RF or static electricity...   In the mean time, I'd put the dial and hands in zip bags & wipe down the work area with a damp cloth to pick up any dust, then discard the cloth. The emitted radiation from radium lume is not normally harmful - but inhaling or ingesting a single particle of the material can cause serious long term harm, so do take care with it.  
×
×
  • Create New...