My VSF NTTD broke....

[LongyUK]

Well it is with sadness that I have to report that my V4 VSF NTTD has broke.

A few months ago I noticed that the winding didn't stop when tightening down the crown. Not a problem I thought as the watch still wound and worked properly. But... the other day the crown and stem came out completely. I tried to reinsert it but it would never 'lock' back in and would always pull all the way out. The crown would wind the watch at certain depths of insertion but it was difficult to find the point where the time would be changed.

I though this wouldn't be too bad as I knew I could wind it up set the time (with difficulty), screw the crown in and keep the watch on a winder.

Disaster struck when I did the above and tried to screw the crown in - the crown wont screw tight - when pissing around trying to wind and set the time with the loose stem I have clearly knackered the thread to screw the crown down.

So I think I have a few options.

• Sell the watch on the members market broken and get another.... (any idea what thus will go for?)
• Buy a new movement and crown tube and make the switch?
• Send it off to a watchsmith?

To be fair I am quite handy so would like to repair it myself but I can only imagine the movement and crown tube cost will be hideous? Also would I be able to change the crown tube myself?

Any other ideas at all? I want this watch back up and running - i love it.

 

[LongyUK]

Well trusty tells me there are no parts available as VSF are shut... Nightmare.

 

[eBoy]

Here's what I would try: Give it to a watchsmith with replica experience. It sounds like something is broken and needs replacement, but who knows — could be an easier fix without new parts (wild speculation on my part lol).

What I read is that the 8500/8900 VSF clone movements contain a certain percentage of standard ETA parts in them. Others are clone specific though (if that's what's broken you're fck'ed, since —as you correctly stated— there's currently 0 supply from VSF & and probably never will again).

If you're lucky however, the watchsmith may be able to source the needed ETA parts if that's indeed what's broken.

 

[melody]

Yes i wiuld imagine nobody recreating a movement would modify things like the setting lever which probably got chipped. Before you try anything else, and before forcinngit in any way, try buying a new stem and generic crown to give you a better grip on it, and find out if the setting lever bolt is spring loaded or screw type. If its screw type try gently unscrewing it, reinsert it, then screw lever bolt down gently until you are sure its in the little channel in the stem properly and not getting overly tight or squashing the stem, and try pulling and pushing it very gently a few times. I have a feeling you can fix it if the lever is ok

 

[melody]

Can you post a closeup pic of the crown and stem and movement individually?

 

[Danza1813]

The vsf NTTD isn’t a clone in house movement it’s a eta 2824 clone with a decorative plate on the back to look like the 8806.

Sounds like it’s the keyless works. Eta watches always normally still wind as you screw in to lock the crown so that wasn’t an issue.

The keyless works can collapse when the stem is pulled or moved too rigorously. But for a watchmaker it’s an easy fix.


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[eBoy]

The vsf NTTD isn’t a clone in house movement it’s a eta 2824 clone with a decorative plate on the back to look like the 8806.

Sounds like it’s the keyless works. Eta watches always normally still wind as you screw in to lock the crown so that wasn’t an issue.

The keyless works can collapse when the stem is pulled or moved too rigorously. But for a watchmaker it’s an easy fix.


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You're totally right of course, I was —for some reason— thinking about my own AT and PO which have the clone mvts. I probably got distracted by OP's statement that VSF no longer supplies parts...

My 300M VSF even had a Swiss ETA swap (by its previous owner). I shouldn't have made the mistake. Lol

Well, be it as it may, yes... This is no problem at all for the OP then. Asian ETA clones every watchsmith can service and spare parts and new movements couldn't be easier to source!

 

[LongyUK]

Many thanks for all of your responses!

Here are some photos:
Fortunately it looks like the thread in the stem tube is actually ok - so I think I have rounded off the thread inside the crown itself.

I also have a video of what the crown does. I’ll try and upload that.

can’t thank you all enough for your assistance!

 

[LongyUK]

And the video:

https://streamable.com/wydjcq

thanks

 

[melody]

Actually im almost certain your yoke or lever has jumped out of its spot because of the excess force. If your comfortable i would recommend taking it apart to look as worst case you have an opportunity to put in a swiss movt and best case, you have a working watch and new experience.

 

[Plaasbaas]

If the crown still refuses to be screwed tight, the thread of the crown (or the tube) is most probably defective - as you suspected.

The stem not locking back in definitely looks like a keyless works issue. To access the keyless works, you need to take the movement out of its case and remove the hands, dial and date wheel. Unfortunately lots of opportunities to make ugly scratches on those sensible parts. But if you are there, resetting the keyless works is not so hard. A couple of tiny parts that have to be reset into the correct position, along with an extremely tiny spring (a wrong touch and you launch it into the orbit - so don't loose it, it is REALLY tiny).

If you have never done that, don't have the proper tools or do not feel comfortable to try this yourself, I would recommend to leave it in the hands of a capable watchmaker.

 

[LongyUK]

Again, thank you guys.

I ‘pinched’ the pinion gear on my vsf 41mm Starbucks and that all went ok. That was hands face and date wheel off…

I imagine this would be a similar amount of work? With regard to the spring where about’s is it exactly so I know what to look for?

Do I know what I’m looking for when I’m in there? The cogs that the stem slides through? Will it be clear?

 

[Plaasbaas]

Again, thank you guys.

I ‘pinched’ the pinion gear on my vsf 41mm Starbucks and that all went ok. That was hands face and date wheel off…

I imagine this would be a similar amount of work? With regard to the spring where about’s is it exactly so I know what to look for?

Do I know what I’m looking for when I’m in there? The cogs that the stem slides through? Will it be clear?

I am not 100 % sure how close your decorated movement really is to a 2824 movement. The back with the rotor and all looks very different of course. If the keyless works is the same as on the 2824 then you will be facing what you can see in the video below - jump to 11:15 to directly see the assembly of the keyless works.


How to service an automatic watch ETA 2824 Watch repair tutorial - YouTube

Best of luck and sorry for your misery. And kudo's for the pinching job on your Starbucks!

 

[Plaasbaas]

Again, thank you guys.

I imagine this would be a similar amount of work? With regard to the spring where about’s is it exactly so I know what to look for?

Also apologies for my mentioning of the "tiny spring". That was unnecessary info as I was wrongly refering to the click spring, which is tiny but has nothing to do with the keyless works. Sorry about that - forget that comment.

 

[LongyUK]

Plaasbaas That’s great!

Looking at the video that all looks relatively straight forward. I’m certain I could strip that all out; check for damage and reseat as per the video… I’ll treat myself to some new tools and attempt in a few days.

On my Rolex there is a little button that is pressed to release the stem. Does this movement have something similar? I’m interested to know which piece locks the stem in place as this would be my first sign of progress.

If I manage to pull this off I guess I’ll be left with my threaded crown that won’t screw down. Any thoughts on how to fix that cock up?

 

[Plaasbaas]

Plaasbaas That’s great!

Looking at the video that all looks relatively straight forward. I’m certain I could strip that all out; check for damage and reseat as per the video… I’ll treat myself to some new tools and attempt in a few days.

On my Rolex there is a little button that is pressed to release the stem. Does this movement have something similar? I’m interested to know which piece locks the stem in place as this would be my first sign of progress.

If I manage to pull this off I guess I’ll be left with my threaded crown that won’t screw down. Any thoughts on how to fix that cock up?

Well, best of luck then! It is so rewarding when you're done and it is fixed - and you have done it all by yourself! I am a beginner, too, but have successfully disassembled and reassembled a movment according to the video above. Takes patience and a steady hand - but so much fun!

The stem release is mostly very close to where the stem goes in - a button, sometimes a screw that needs to be given a turn or two, as far as I know. Your stem is already out. Once you have correctly reassembled the keyless works you need to gently wiggle it back in and it will lock in by itself. Just gently press it in while giving it a slight turn, you will feel when it clicks. Don't force it, or you might need to start over.

About the screw down crown: Take my advice with precaution. I am saying it again: I am a beginner But it would be good to know if it's the tread of the tube or the thread of the crown that's crook. Not sure if a watchmaker could "repair" it and somehow renew the thread. Otherwise you would have to try to find a replacement (maybe even a generic replacement part). If all else fails, you could shorten the stem so that the crown sits tight to the case again in its first position, even if it does not screw in any more. But that would really be an act of desperation and your last resort, because you would loose waterproofness (is that even an english word lol), and it would only be a cosmetic solution.

 

[melody]

You have to replace those you can’t repair them and expect it to last for any amount of time. But you probably only have to replace the worst of the teo

 

[LongyUK]

It is so rewarding when you're done and it is fixed

Yes indeed - my starbucks feels that little more special now that i know it intimately. I'll see if i can get the stem working as it should then worry about the crowns thread.

You have to replace those you can’t repair them

I assume you're talking about the thread? But VSF are closed so no spare parts :idontno:

 

[eBoy]

This thread is encouraging me to also get past the Quartz watchmaking level. Lol

Successfully swapping a broken movement on a cheap QVC Quartz shitter without damaging anything was super satisfying and something I didn't believe I was capable of.

Only problem is that none of my mechanical watches need any attention atm

Perhaps I'll grab some cheap broken watch on eBay with an 4R36 and try to fix it just to practice a little.

 

[BlueLineFarmer]

This thread is encouraging me to also get past the Quartz watchmaking level. Lol

Successfully swapping a broken movement on a cheap QVC Quartz shitter without damaging anything was super satisfying and something I didn't believe I was capable of.

Only problem is that none of my mechanical watches need any attention atm

Perhaps I'll grab some cheap broken watch on eBay with an 4R36 and try to fix it just to practice a little.

Post a WTB to practice open heart surgery or penile enlargement surgery on a NEWBIE for practice.