Help! A7750 TAG just stopped working

[flynlow]

My favorite watch just stopped working suddenly
Do i have any hope? It's a TAG carrera with sec's at 9, which has been running flawlessly since I bought it about 9 mos ago. I never got it oiled or checked though when I first bought it because it was running so perfectly and I immediately put it under a "torture" test, going on a trip into the jungle and whitewater rafting and it came out perfect and didn't take in any water. Just recently though, like the last few weeks, I started noticing condensation on the inside of the crystal just from normal wear, like just from the heat of my arm. Now yesterday it completely stopped running. If I shake the watch a lot, if might run for a couple secs and then stop. I tried hand winding and nothing happens.
Ideas? Suggestions?
if an inexpensive service might bring it back to life, please suggest a place for such service. i'm in california, so of course closest to here would be best.
thanks!! /fingers crossed

 

[sconehead]

First things first, you need to remove the caseback and put the watch in a cardboard box or something similar to keep dust from getting in the movement. Then put the box in a warm dry place. If you have one of those silca gel packets you get with electrical goods, put that into the box as well and leave it for a few days. This will get rid of any moisture in the movement.
If the watch runs ok after this period you may have gotten lucky as the moisture may have been just gumming up the hairspring. Once you're happy the fault is cured, lube the caseback gasket plus the crown and pushers with silicone grease, then tighten the caseback up correctly.
Let's know if this cures your problem... :wink:

 

[flynlow]

thanks for the reply!
the watch has been off my arm for a good 12 hrs now and there are no more droplets on the crystal. it has a display back, so i can see through both sides. do you think there might still be some significant moisture in there? i'm gonna have to figure out a way to get it open if so...well regardless i guess LOL...what's this sticky ball i've seen in many posts that makes it easy to open most casebacks?

 

[sconehead]

The moisture will still be in there, the heat from your wrist causes it to condense and steam the crystal up. I use an Horb ball, you can pick them up cheaply off the bay, to date they've opened every caseback bar a stubborn vintage Daytona... :wink:

 

[flynlow]

Re: Help! A7750 TAG just stopped working **updated

ok, update...the watch has been dried out and is running again, nice power reserve and all. HOWEVER, now it runs hella fast! it's gaining about 10mins in 24 hrs at least (i haven't carefully paid attention)! what now? that wouldn't be w/in range for the regulator to control would it? seems crazy high to me but i'm just guessing

 

[fakemaster]

Time for a servicing.

 

[flynlow]

hey FM, thanks for the reply. i'm a car guy, not a watch guy per se...what kind of servicing am i looking for? is this a tune up? 30k? 60? 120k? rebuild? LOL...u get my meaning
do i just drop the watch off and say fix it or do i ask for something specific?

and on that note, anyone know any good watchsmith in the Los Angeles area?

 

[sconehead]

Re: Help! A7750 TAG just stopped working **updated

ok, update...the watch has been dried out and is running again, nice power reserve and all. HOWEVER, now it runs hella fast! it's gaining about 10mins in 24 hrs at least (i haven't carefully paid attention)! what now? that wouldn't be w/in range for the regulator to control would it? seems crazy high to me but i'm just guessing

Sounds like the hairspring may be fouled if the watch was running ok before your misshap. A diy fix that may cure it is to remove the caseback and with the watch running, direct air towards the balance assembly with a dustblower. This may help free the hairspring if it is, in fact, gummed up. Could be other stuff though and may indeed need servicing...worth a try though... :wink: