PAM 312 VSF Stopped Ticking

[5hape5hifter]

All,

I have a VSF PAM 312 with (I believe) a P9000 movement in it. Purchased from another member back in August. I've worn it for probably a total of two months during that time. He bought it from a TD less than a year ago. Just to be clear - I'm not blaming the seller. It's a rep, these things happen. I'm just looking for advice on how to solve my problem.

So I was wearing it fairly frequently until a buddy of mine gave me a fiddy that needed a small amount of work. After fixing up the fiddy this 312 mostly sat in an autowinder (learned after some research that this is probably a bad thing).

I wore it to dinner with my wife a few weeks back. When I took it off the autowinder the time was correct so I didn't think about it. Halfway through dinner I checked the time and the watch was not ticking. I tried to manually wind it but no luck. The balance wheel moves freely, it winds manually, but it just won't tick.

I've contacted quite a few folks in the repair section but none of them are willing to work on the P9000 movement.

So my questions are:

1. Does anyone know where I can get this watch serviced? I'm in the states and would prefer to not ship overseas if possible.
2. If I can't get it repaired I'll probably list it for sale. What's a fair value? It's in near perfect condition cosmetically speaking.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mclarendude]

I had a P9000 that ended up having a loose screw that got the gear train stuck. I found this myself, but then again, I like to tinker with my own watches.

I don't know about what could be a fair value, but you would have to consider the fact that whoever buys it will have to invest in it. So, I would discount it fairly.

 

[memox]

Had a pam1312 which was DOA from td, i took it to a local watchmaker who fixed it next day, also a loose screw which got stuck somewhere just like @mclarendude case.
Maybe you should try a local watchmaker too?

 

[Woundup]

First thing to do is remove the caseback and gently spray an air-duster in the movement to see if anything gets dislodged and falls out. Pretty simple.

Quite often the tiny screws / tabs that secure the movement can get overtightened and break - and eventually lodge in the movement somewhere.

 

[5hape5hifter]

I'm probably just going to take it apart myself. I like to tinker on stuff too but I'm typically better at repair than diagnosis. Should be able to find a lodged screw easily. If I can't figure it out I'll take it to a shop. Although last shop I tried to bring a rep to pretty much told me to get f'd.

I'll post again after I dig into it.

 

[5hape5hifter]

Welp, I've failed. Didn't know what I was doing. Pulled the first two layers out without releasing the tension and the three wheels popped out. No idea how it goes back together or what I may have damaged in the process.

Probably going to list it for parts soon. Too bad, it was a really beautiful watch. Guess I need to stick to motorcycles.

 

[Solution6]

Would you be able to attach some photos good sir?

First two layers as in the oscillating weight and auto bridge?

These movements are somewhat based on the 7750 + improvised parts. One of the issues is the click spring, producing metal shavings which end up in the auto module, and around the gear train, disintegrating parts over time. These are best to be serviced not long after receipt.

 

[5hape5hifter]

@Solution6

Here you go!

 

[Solution6]

Thanks for these. All sorts of fun here.

The energy stored in the mainspring might have damaged the gear train during the ‘explosion’ - this needs to be confirmed under a microscope ideally, or a x10 loupe minimum.

The balance wheel is sitting with all the other gears so the hairspring might not be in a happy shape anymore and it will add to the cost to be rectified.

Adding the above potential issues to the fact that this wasn’t working great to start with, the options are:

Find a local guy to inspect the parts for you, if no damage anywhere, then a service will definitely be needed. (This can turn quite costly and spare parts are not available for these movements)

Get one of the Traders on the forum to source a new movement for you and have it swapped out.

Sell it for parts.

The first two options will be around the half way mark to getting a new watch so unless this has sentimental value, then option 3 + a new watch might be the way to go.

 

[Woundup]

I guess you took it a bit further than the suggestion to gently spray some compressed air around the movement!

 

[5hape5hifter]

I guess you took it a bit further than the suggestion to gently spray some compressed air around the movement!

Whoopsies

 

[Reaps]

Buy a new one. Keep the old P9000 for spares. They're impossible to come by.

 

[Woundup]

Ironically, I pulled my 1085 out this morning to wear - wound it / set time and then noticed after a few minutes that it had stopped running... Unscrewed the case back and saw that one of the movement holder screws/tabs were missing. Sprayed a little compressed air in there and they flew out - has been running fine since. The head of the screw had snapped off.