My VSF NTTD broke....

[Plaasbaas]

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.

I can only encourage you to do this with a movement or watch you don't care about! I started with a movement only, and when I was done and the movement was (still) running so accurately, I bought a case, dial and hands and now have my first own build.

The easiest movement for beginners is the 6497 handwind - a common workhorse in many PAM's. I paid about 30 Dollar for the movement.

 

[eBoy]

I can only encourage you to do this with a movement or watch you don't care about!

Oh, absolutely! Wouldn't want to add unnecessary pressure. Lol

 

[LongyUK]

Plaasbaas tonight saw the first surgery! I took the watch apart, removed the (double sided tape stuck on ????) face and got to the keyless parts.

In short yes, the problem was here - the various parts were not connected correctly hence why the crown was not being retained or the watch winding etc.

On closer inspection the sliding pinion was on its side and the balance stop was bent flat. The main issue was that the return bar was bent and ultimately snapped.
keyless parts removed


the culprit!
Soooo… I have ordered a new set of keyless parts and I’m certain I can get her up and running when they arrive! Everything is working just fine other than these parts.

My other finding was that the crown is (as expected) completely threaded - I dropped the crown into the empty case/stem tube and there is no grab at all. Damn. So even if I get the working all back together the crown won’t go in.

Any ideas how I can look to fix this? My new parts come with a new stem if that will help at all??

 

[Plaasbaas]

Plaasbaas tonight saw the first surgery! I took the watch apart, removed the (double sided tape stuck on ????) face and got to the keyless parts.

In short yes, the problem was here - the various parts were not connected correctly hence why the crown was not being retained or the watch winding etc.

On closer inspection the sliding pinion was on its side and the balance stop was bent flat. The main issue was that the return bar was bent and ultimately snapped.
keyless parts removed


the culprit!
Soooo… I have ordered a new set of keyless parts and I’m certain I can get her up and running when they arrive! Everything is working just fine other than these parts.

My other finding was that the crown is (as expected) completely threaded - I dropped the crown into the empty case/stem tube and there is no grab at all. Damn. So even if I get the working all back together the crown won’t go in.

Any ideas how I can look to fix this? My new parts come with a new stem if that will help at all??

Congrats! Impressive work there, good job. I salute your courage and skills. Your hands on mentality is great and has brought you very far.

About the defectuve threads of the crown or the tube: Now that you have it apart, can you make out wether the tube or the crown are the culprit? I am afraid that it will be necessary to find a replacement part that fits, even if it is an aftermarket one, as VSF is probably impossible to find.

There have been reports and tutorials by other users 'pinching the tube' if I remember correctly. But again, I am very sorry, this is beyond my expertise. But the issue you have is not unheard of. As I recall there were some users with IWC Big Pilot watches having the issue of a crown not screwing down anymore. By pinching the tube it worked again, but it is risky and most possibly not a very long lasting solution. Even if it works it will remain a weakness. But you might try to search for this on this forum, I know that I have read about it. Will do so tonight when I get home from work. Worth a try, despeeate times require desperate measures.

 

[LongyUK]

It's the threads on the crown itself im sure - not the stem tube - If you look at the pictures on pg.1 you'll see it all seems to be intact. The crown threads are shot...

As my new keyless parts come with a new stem (pic below) I think my first plan of attack will be to cut the stem down so the crown sits flush when inserted. I imagine in this instance it will wind the watch against the case and then pop out one click to adjust.


The new Stem comes with only a long thread. Am i correct in thinking that the stem comes apart (unscrews) where the arrow is below? In that case I can take out the old stem, cut the new one slightly and screw it in? In this case i can always put the old stem back in if I mess up.

 

[Plaasbaas]

As my new keyless parts come with a new stem (pic below) I think my first plan of attack will be to cut the stem down so the crown sits flush when inserted. I imagine in this instance it will wind the watch against the case and then pop out one click to adjust.

The new Stem comes with only a long thread. Am i correct in thinking that the stem comes apart (unscrews) where the arrow is below? In that case I can take out the old stem, cut the new one slightly and screw it in? In this case i can always put the old stem back in if I mess up.

Yes, that is correct! I'd do exactly the same.

 

[LongyUK]

Huge thanks to all!!! The watch is fixed. The forum saved me.

I replaced the keyless workings and cut the new stem down to overcome my stupidity of threading the crown.

The movement took me a while - for some reason every time I pushed the back to remove the stem it upset the keyless parts! That being said I don’t even have a magnifying glass or proper tools so I’m pretty proud of myself!

here she is in all her beauty:

I have four reps and my two expensive VSF’s are the ones that have failed.

 

[Plaasbaas]

Huge thanks to all!!! The watch is fixed. The forum saved me.

I replaced the keyless workings and cut the new stem down to overcome my stupidity of threading the crown.

The movement took me a while - for some reason every time I pushed the back to remove the stem it upset the keyless parts! That being said I don’t even have a magnifying glass or proper tools so I’m pretty proud of myself!

here she is in all her beauty:

I have four reps and my two expensive VSF’s are the ones that have failed.

Glad to see that mate. You can really be proud of yourself to have accomplished that! :thumbsup:

I am sure you will cherish that watch now even more. Hope it gives you years of pleasure. Wear it well and in good health!

 

[H S]

Congrats! I love a happy ending.