In every profession, there are just some things that can drive a person nearly crazy.
Whether it’s carelessness or bad execution, there are countless ways everyday life would be better if there was just a little more attention to detail.
Here are a few things that can really “tick” off a watchmaker.
From poor design to parts that are just tough to repair, the Watch Doctor narrowed down his list of to four things that really “grind his gears.”
Here is a date spring that is under a lot of tension. That makes it difficult or impossible to install without losing it. This is why we keep a magnet right next to our workbench!
The Rolex 3186 GMT jump hour click spring is a really bad idea. The entire date is depending on this small, thin piece of steel. It’s just a bad idea.
I have never understood the idea of the offset cannon pinion. A standard cannon pinion works great and has been used for over 100 years.
Now, the great, new idea of an offset cannon pinion came about to try and make improvements to a movement and make it thinner. When it fails or becomes loose, it is impossible to tighten.
My last lousy idea is an Omega Seamaster crown and case tube. The case tube is friction-fit into a case.
The very thin threads are on the inside of the tube. These threads easily strip and the case tube is just about impossible to replace. On a watch that is designed to be water resistant, this is the weakest link in the entire watch.
Mark Sirianni Watch Repair
25 Fraley Street
Kane, Pa. 16735
814-837-9435
814-558-4818 (cell)
watchdoctorpa@gmail.com
CHARLEY PHOTO OF THE WEEK: If Charley owned an alarm clock, she would probably hit the snooze button until it was time to walk.
11 Comments
Bissell Patrick
Charley, I envy you.
Charles May
Fascinating article, it appears that even Rolex and Omega can build a watch with inherently flawed mechanics. Thanks, Mark.
Miami Mike
Gear grinding (amateur division):
1) Story about the “genius kid” who took apart and re-assembled daddy’s Rolex and it worked perfectly. If you believe this, I have a bridge for sale . . . and the kid gets younger with each re-telling.
2) Seiko gluing the hairspring in place instead of using a collet – only THEY can fix it. (And they are snotty about it, too.)
3) Invicta’s claim that their watches have to be returned to Switzerland for service (evidently there is a town in Switzerland named Hollywood Florida) and that the pressure tester for Invicta watches costs over $100,000. (“Needs a battery, send it in to us” and be prepared to wait eight weeks or more.)
4) Rado telling me that they don’t like anyone going into “their” watches – Dudes! I paid for it and it is now MY watch. Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do with my own property.
And I am sure there is more . . .
With Best Regards,
MM
Len (UK)
One thing that really irritates me, is the way watch manufacturers restrict the sale of their spare parts.
Good grief, they make enough money on the parts that you can get and it’s just plain greed.
I’m only a hobbyist, but I’ve had to discard to the odds ‘n’ sods bin quite a few really lovely watches because of this and it is so infuriating…………….and wasteful.
Brian H
Interesting on the Seamaster case tube. The local watchmaker here who has since passed told me if I don’t go diving not to use it as they all strip out.
Justin
I’m with Charley during this heat wave!
Mark Morgan
Nothing is perfect
Roy
Sometimes I think, “My watchmaker would be pissed if he saw me do that.”, but none of the scary things I do were mentioned here.
john ferguson
No crummy parts. In 1964 I found myself working on a ’50s Mercedes 180D. VW’s comprised almost all of my previous experience on foreign cars . There were also the late ’40s Plymouths that a lot of the students had in those days.. I like the Plymouths. Simple and easy to work on. Lots or room under the hood.
Withal, I marveled at the quality of the parts on the Benz and the lack of sharp edges on anything – You weren’t likely to get your hands cut up as you wold have working on an American car. It occurred to me that there might be no crummy parts on it. This doesn’t include the Becker Radio which did have crummy parts. NO CRUMMY PARTS on the car itself.
Frankly I’m astonished that a Rolex could have crummy parts like the one you’ve shared with us.
Is this recent?
Jack R Kopen
Mark
I really enjoy these articles. Keep them coming. I’m glad I found you for my Rolex service.
Duane
Absolutely!!! I had mine fail years and years ago. The watchmaker I had way back then sent it back to Omega for repair. I can’t recall the details other than it pulled right off one day when trying to set the date!
“My last lousy idea is an Omega Seamaster crown and case tube. The case tube is friction-fit into a case. The very thin threads are on the inside of the tube. These threads easily strip and the case tube is just about impossible to replace. On a watch that is designed to be water resistant, this is the weak link in the entire watch.”