Questions related to the GMT II

[Coolrays]

Hi everyone!
What a great forum! Ive made a few purchases here, 2 of which have become my favorites, a GMT II "polar" and a 2-tone GMT II, both ceramic. On the polar, it seems that the writing "Explorer II" on my white dial is fading or disappearing.....anyone seen that before? If so, what did you do to fix? Or did you just live with it.
Second, on my 2-tone, it seems that the GMT hand and date are either sticking or functioning at a hit or miss rate. Sometimes I can rotate the hour and minute hand and the GMT hand will follow, sometimes it does not. Oddly enough this morning, when I set the time....the date changed at 6:30 am. So, whats up with that? Is it out of sync or maybe due for service?
Thanks a lot for any replies....a lot of nice folks here

 

[Coolrays]

Bump for thoughts hopefully and thanks

 

[d4m.test]

Hi, the fading text seems to be a common issue.
As for the sync of the GMT hand I read to give it a manual full 24 hour turn to resync it (as I understood turning the hour hand). Just try, from what You describe it seems to be slipping. The incorrect handstack version is the more reliable one.
For the GMT-function the simple 2813 movement is laid out to be a GMT from origin and to support the function (better suited), the Asian ETA´s are adapted movements. Still my 16570 Explorer II is an Asian ETA too and running well for over a Year, totally reliable as well.
Good luck, maybe the simple turning trick helps.

 

[Coolrays]

Thanks for the reply Daywatch. Ive been searching posts.....I saw the fading issue, but no fix yet. Is there someone here doing that? Im gonna try the suggestion you gave for the other GMT.......may be slipping, rotating just the GMT hand, it feels rough in spots or like it hits a high spot or something. May end up sending to one of the repair guys on the site. Im kinda worried that I havent seen a fix for the orange paint fade......ugh....that was one of my favorite parts on the watch

 

[flyr]

I have had a few GMT watches with the A2836 GMT powering them.
Here are a few tips that have worked for me.

Setting the A2836 GMT

If the watch has stopped or is showing the wrong time.( like when you get it)

1. Unscrew crown
2. Gently pull out crown and stem to 3rd position (time setting)
3. Turn crown CCW to move main hands FORWARD to desired time. (try not to move hands backwards at any time)
4. Push stem in.
5. Gently pull out crown and stem to 2nd position (date and GMT setting)
6. Turn crown CCW till the GMT hand is where you want. The GMT hand only goes backwards in time so don't worry. There is a detent at each hour that you will see that the GMT hand wants to stay at.
7. Turn the crown CW to set the date.
8. Push in crown and screw down the crown (remember to turn it backwards till you feel the threads match up)

If the watch is running and you want to change the position of the GMT hand but the date is OK

1. Unscrew crown
2. Gently pull out crown and stem
3. Turn crown CCW to set GMT hand where you want.
4. And this is the important one
Turn the crown CW a bit till you see the date shift a tiny bit. ( this ensures the GMT setting gear is disengaged)
5. Push in and screw down crown

If for some reason the GMT is lagging or shows the wrong time for some unknown reason

1. Unscrew crown
2. Gently pull out crown and stem to 3rd position
3. Turn crown CCW to move hands forward through 24 to 48 hrs. and set at correct time
4. Push in crown
5. Gently pull crown and stem out to 2nd position
6. Turn crown CCW to set GMT hand
7. Turn crown CW to set date (even if you have to go through the whole month)
8. Push in and screw down crown.

The bottom line is, the last thing you should do before screwing down crown(besides the backwards turn to line up threads) is to see the date shift a tiny amount.(to make sure the GMT setting gear is disengaged)

I don't know if it makes a difference with the 2836 movement but to be on the safe side, Don't change the date between 9pm and 3am.

Hope this helps. (now you know as much as I do about them)

 

[Coolrays]

Thanks a lot guys! I will here her a try!

 

[Coolrays]

As for the fading orange paint issue on the other GMT, anyone seen any fixes on that.....or is everyone just letting it go....hate that its happening

 

[Coolrays]

Ok just to update and say thanks. I followed the above instructions and set the GMT hand on the watch last night. This morning it has moved and the date changed...soooooo......hopefully that did it. Thanks guys!!

 

[d4m.test]

Glad to hear it really seems to have worked. Thanks for updating, nice