Stem came out on ORF Seamaster,commonplace?

[Kerbus]

I just pulled out the stem and crown assembly out of my ORF Seamaster. Is this a common issue with this watch? Looks like it’s undamaged. Is this an easy fix? This has a caseback I don’t have a tool for. Any insight appreciated. I’m going to try to go to a local guy. Thanks.

IMG 0140

Image IMG 0140 hosted in ClickPix.org

clickpix.org

 

[SS72]

Others who know more will chime in, most likely with better advice, but I'd guess the Setting Lever screw (aka Detent Screw) is loose and allowed the Setting Lever to sit incorrectly, allowing the stem to pull out. Or the Setting Lever is bent.

The setting lever guides the yoke to shift the movement between the winding, setting, and date-setting modes.

Accessing it requires some skill and disassembly, as it's part of the Keyless Works.

 

[Rx4Time]

You can try reinserting it. The keyless may need to be reset and there is the possibility of a physical issue allowing it to come out...if either of these is the case, you might need a watchsmith look at it unless you are comfortable working on the movement yoursefl. This is definately not normal or expected.

 

[Kerbus]

Okay, thank you, I do appreciate it. Yep, not normal. This is a frequently used watch. Even if I were skilled, I can’t open this particular case. ill try to get to get the local guy to accept it but I’m betting its going to go to a distant watchmaker At least I got two plus years out of it.

 

[Kerbus]

Oh, since this is apparently a 2824, should I hunt for a new stem in case it is needed to make the repair?

I’ll just have to send it with the watch

 

[KJ2020]

This issue is not normally caused by a failed stem. Yours looks fine in your pic.

 

[Kerbus]

That is reassuring. I do have some spare stems if needed. I really hope something is loose or not too bent up

My quest for a watchmaker will begin tomorrow
Thanks

 

[Kerbus]

Regardless of whether or not I try any repairs, I realize it could be good to have a tool to open this watch. I have them for my other watches but I’m unsure which exactly to get for this Seamaster. Can someone post a link of what tool I need for this watch? Thanks

 

[Plaasbaas]

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHpjdSz

 

[Kerbus]

Ha! I have one, didn’t put much faith into it, but maybe I’ll try. Thanks

 

[Kerbus]

Okay, thankfully the local watch guy accepted my watch

we hoped it would be a quick repair but after spending time, he declared the dial has to come off, etc. I had to leave it with him.
I know it’s not going to be cheap to fix

he was fascinated by the faux jewels this decorated 2824 has. He never said anything about the authenticity of the watch and neither he nor I said the word replica or fake

im glad he must see my repair as money for him and I might be able to send my others to him

i also got a battery on my gen Ebel. $37. That’s his price on typical assorted Swiss brands

lets hope I’ll get the watch repaired beats sending it out or trying to buy a new one right now

 

[Kerbus]

Looks like my watch guy opened the back with a jaxa tool. He got it open instantly. Then again,he’s a pro. He did a lot of the work quickly. If only I could do that. It’s something to aspire to.

 

[Plaasbaas]

Looks like my watch guy opened the back with a jaxa tool. He got it open instantly. Then again,he’s a pro. He did a lot of the work quickly. If only I could do that. It’s something to aspire to.

Yes, if you feel up to try, start with a cheap example. It's very rewarding once you can fix some issues yourself.

Edit: I still recommend the rubber ball, it opens most of the watches. That way you avoid the risk of slipping and scratching your watch with the Jaxa or any other tool.

 

[Kerbus]

In the past, I have uncased a cheap movement. If I get more, I’ll do it again

 

[Kerbus]

I will revisit the ball once I have another watch to open. I have bench top openers and yes, it’s still possible to scratch even with them

 

[Kerbus]

Watch fixed. It was indeed the setting lever. Judging by inflation, the repair seemed on par with what I once paid years ago on another. And I’m glad to see this can happen to gens too.

I'm happy to pass this along to others who experience the same issue

 

[Kerbus]

Now that I have it back on my wrist with hopefully no more issue, I’ve maybe been thinking of hunting a gen. I just saw a new one at the lowest price I could find yet and there are used ones out there. I’m hoping though, maybe the prices could do a little better in time

 

[SS72]

Watch fixed. It was indeed the setting lever. Judging by inflation, the repair seemed on par with what I once paid years ago on another. And I’m glad to see this can happen to gens too.

I'm happy to pass this along to others who experience the same issue

Glad to hear it's fixed. Was it a loose screw or a bent lever?

 

[Kerbus]

I didn’t get a chance to talk to and confirm with the jeweler when I picked it up, but before he worked on it, he said it probably is a loose screw. I guess that can happen over the course of 2. 5 years. Got a battery in my gen Ebel too.

 

[Kerbus]

One final note: it looks like this watch is running wonderfully! I set it about 14 hrs ago now and it’s keeping time right in line with my atomic clock app! Not bad for an Asian movement I’ve owned over 2 years, hope my luck doesn’t run out and it always performs well