Loose blue screws indication of what?

Hi all

Just bought a Grand Langematik (ref 309.031) on an auction (well respected house, combined online/hammer auction). The price was....well higher than my pre set limit but you know all about the heat of the moment etc 😉

When I got home I more or less instantly saw that two of the blue screws inside the movement were loose. When I move the watch around these two screws pop in and out but never leaves the screw holes entirerly.

The watch seems to work but I don’t dare to wear it before it has been looked at by experts. It came with box but no pappers and I have no service history either. I have of course raised this issue with the counterparty and also sent questions to ALS directly. As I now, a tad nervously, awaits their responses I just want to tap in to what you make out of this?

Indication of fake?

Are the blue screws vital, cosmetic or a combination of both? The parts with the loose screws seems to sit rock solid as is.

Since the screws functions at the most seems to be to hold non moving parts in place, wear of the screws seems unlikely?

All input much appreciated

Best regards

JP

💰437 Marketplace Listings for A. Lange and Söhne›

It would help if you post a photo of the watch movement with an indication of the screws. BTW , they should not be loose.. [nt]

By: templetowers : November 12th, 2017-03:45

Have it looked at

By: watch-er : November 12th, 2017-04:02

Screws are part of the structural integrity of the watch. If they are loose my guess would be an impact of some type. Send it in for service. Hopefully. no big deal and an easy cheap fix.

If it's a well respected auction house, your Lange is probably not a fake (I’m just really surprised by the lack of control of the watch. Not really serious for me)

By: Alkiro1 : November 12th, 2017-04:34

Regarding the missing screws and due to the fact that you have no service history about this timepiece, I will send it to Lange for a full service right now. Best wishes Alkiro

Hey Jim

By: Langeholic : November 12th, 2017-04:40

It's very hard to fake a Lange, I doubt that would get past a credible auction house even without papers, so rest assured I don't think that is your problem. Loose screws are a sign the thread is worn. I have attended workshops and tried it in person, the...

Another thought

By: cazalea : November 12th, 2017-08:23

There is usually a pattern established to tighten screws in sequence. But when assembling a movement especially with blued screws I think it more likely the watchmaker undertightened them (to avoid marking the screw slot) rather than overtightening them t...

What country are you in?

By: CR : November 12th, 2017-09:39

Also, there was at least one Lange movement (can't recall which one) in which Lange customarily replaces one screw type with another screw type because the older type would loosen to easily. I recall that from years ago.

My thoughts

By: jayeyedoubleemmwhy : November 12th, 2017-11:33

As others have said, providing a picture and indicating the position of the loose screws would be helpful. Loose screws don't necessarily indicate the watch is fake, so I wouldn't worry about that. The main concern with loose screws is that they can move ...

Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

By: JimProfit : November 16th, 2017-13:22

The auction house will pay for a full service and all potential repairs related to the loose screws. Also sent pictures to ALS and they said that most likely the screws that were loose should not have damaged other parts of the movement. Now we just must ...

Not sure, but a 2mm drop from the lugs to the buckle sounds right to me [nt]

By: jayeyedoubleemmwhy : November 19th, 2017-09:24