IWC BP 5002 Service: Power Reserve Issue

Costa (aka Connie) · 2021-09-25T02:02:02Z

IWC Big Pilot Ref. 5002 power reserve indicator not returning to zero? Explore collector insights on this common service issue, winding techniques, and movement specifics.

Costa (aka Connie) brings a critical service issue to light concerning his IWC Big Pilot Ref. 5002, specifically a persistent problem with the power reserve indicator not returning to zero after multiple service attempts. This thread delves into the nuances of IWC's 7-day power reserve movements, offering valuable insights for owners experiencing similar issues and highlighting the complexities of diagnosing and resolving such technical quirks.

Key Points from the Discussion

IWC's 7-day movements are essentially 8-day movements with a mechanism designed to stop them after 7 days, utilizing a 'Y' shaped clutch on the mainspring that engages the barrel's inner circumference. Overwinding or continuous wear after the indicator shows full can cause the spring to slip while the power reserve hand is maxed out.
An IWC Authorized Dealer clarified that after the power reserve reaches the 7-day mark, an additional 8 full rotations of the crown are required to fully charge the reserve, a procedure not mentioned in manuals or AD training.
The power reserve indicator should register zero when the watch is completely discharged, and if it doesn't, it indicates an internal movement issue requiring professional repair.
For watches with a mainspring clutch, such as 8-day Panerais and the IWC 7-day automatic, it's common practice to 'overwind' until the clutch audibly 'clicks over,' rather than solely relying on the power reserve gauge.
A similar issue with a Portuguese 5007 was resolved by fully winding the watch (to full reserve plus 7 additional turns) and then allowing it to run down completely, which corrected the sticking power reserve indicator for eight years.
After a second service, the power reserve indicator on the IWC Big Pilot Ref. 5002 began registering zero when the watch stopped, indicating the issue was potentially resolved.

The Discussion

FabR

Sep 25, 2021

Have you bought it new from an AD? If so, at this point I'd definitely go back and kindly inform them they are taking care of it with the brand...Next time, the watch has to come back to you in perfect shape ;-) Please keep us posted.

Costa (aka Connie)

Sep 25, 2021

No I did not buy it new. It has just movement overhaul from Richmont. It now has a 1 year service warranty.

I have purchased the other BP you see in the pic below , BP Petite Prince , brand new from my AD that sent the 5002 watch for service.

Fastwong

Sep 25, 2021

Yup, send it back again. The Richemont service center in TX is crap. If near you, go to an IWC boutique, have them send it back to Schaffhausen not to Texas.

Nice BP though 🤩

bchankai

Sep 25, 2021

Was this after a full wind?

I had a similar issue with a brand new Portuguese 5007 and had a moment of sadness/rage, but a watchmaker friend advised me to give it a full wind (wind to full reserve plus 7 additional turns for whatever reason) and then letting it run down. Seemed to do the trick and it never stuck again through 8 years of ownership. Thanks, Brian

PalmSprings

Sep 25, 2021

Why does it need to go to 0?

Costa (aka Connie)

Sep 25, 2021

I have owned 3 big pilots. On All of them

the power reserve goes to zero when completely discharged. That is the way the movement is supposed to work. If it does not then there is something wrong inside the movement. Ergo , it needs to go back and get fixed. Look at the pic below. Both of my BPs. Both not worn for a few weeks.

Key Points from the Discussion

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