Pam 111M (H-Factory) arrived DOA!

[honeybear]

I just received my H-Factory Pam 111M, and it is cosmetically very nice, but the movement appears to be dead on arrival.

It only clicks when I wind it, irrespective of the crown position, and there is absolutely no movement otherwise in the watch, in particular, the balance spring is just stationary.

I'm quite bummed out, since it's my first Pam, and I was quite looking forward to it, not to mention it has a rather unique serial number M0888... what do you think I should do. I've contacted the dealer, but am still waiting to hear from him.

 

[Mr. Pap]

You are from the unlucky ones...
First try local, give it to your watch smith and let him try to fix it... If he cant, then send it back to the dealer... Thats the way i would do it.

 

[midasmook]

Have you tried opening the back and having a look ?
Mine stopped not long after getting it and on opening it I found a loose screw in it, took it out and it's been working great ever since.

 

[timefollower1]

Even a tiny hair can stop the watch dead, ive had watches that have stopped and found out there was a tiny hair on the main spring once removed with tweezers everything was ok again

 

[Dr.Verylong]

Let the WS check it locally or maybe - depending on where you are - your dealer can arrange for it to be fixed. Who was the dealer?

Your other option is to get a plain 6497, then swap the bridges and put it in. But this is not for the faint of heart.

 

[honeybear]

I'm in CONUS, and the dealer is PureTimeWatch.

 

[Rjcoolio]

Have you tried either shaking it a bit, or just giving it a bit of a tap ?
I had the same with mine and sometimes the movement just needs something of a kickstart fella !

 

[DarthAlex]

+1 on the screw issue...have had that issue on two Panerai. Most likely cause. Will the date roll over in position two? Do the hands move (can you set the time)?

Tape ball trick to get the case back off and look for a missing screw and tab. Usually two screws hold the movement in to the case. Once the back is of you can turn it face up on a clean surface and see what "shakes" out. If none of the easy stuff works then take it to a watchsmith.

 

[honeybear]

Have you tried either shaking it a bit, or just giving it a bit of a tap ?
I had the same with mine and sometimes the movement just needs something of a kickstart fella !

Yeah, I tried that, but the gear issue appears to be more than just a piece of hair caught into the balance spring.

 

[BJJ_FaixaPreta]

If I'm not mistaken, I think both katt and vac work on 6497 movts. Might want to try one of them.

 

[honeybear]

I'll keep Katt in mind... Maybe I should take the opportunity to swap in the high beat Platinum movement instead. Anyone know what the best available Panerai clone movement is, and where I might source it from? Thanks.

 

[cgn1017]

I'll buy it from ya

 

[honeybear]

I'll buy it from ya

Thanks, but it's working its way back to China for a replacement or repair. I know I should probably have just gotten it fixed by a watchsmith here, but I've had a reasonable experience with Angus, and hopefully he'll do right by me.

 

[AHX]

Angus has been fantastic to me, I am sure he'll come through. They do QC pics, including one on a timing machine right? So it would have died in transit.