Comments:
Mainspring Problems
Hello all. Recently, I purchased what I thought to be a fine example of one of my grail watches (albeit minor grail but still a special watch), specifically a Memovox Speedbeat E875, Cal. 916. It is gorgeous and the movement(s) are almost great. I wore it for two hours (just 2 hours) when it started to "not feel quite right" so I took it to my watchmaker. Lo and behold, the mainspring for the watch, not the alarm is broken. Finding a replacement seems to be daunting if not impossible. So, I'm reaching out to this group for help suggestions, what have you.
The easiest thing is to send it to the Manufacture. But it has a cost...
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A different Approach?
You're probably right and that's what I'll do however begrudgingly. I just hate the way JLC approaches owners. They quoted me $2k for what I know will only be a mainspring replacement. And then I'll have to be all over their ass that they don't even think about touching ANYTHING else — ULTRASONIC cleanse and regulation is OK but I want a very light touch. I just don't trust manufacturers. Last year, I sent a Tudor Tuxedo (Roger Sterling's watch) in to Tudor for a service. Despite telling them not to touch the dial (it had edged into a stunning espresso rather than black) they returned a "refreshed" dial and polished the thing. It's so annoying. I don't know if JLC will be better but I was hoping to keep the action all local. One guy suggested that if I wanted to use the watch, for now, a mainspring that was the right width might be an alternative — if a little short if would just mean less power reserve. But it's an automatic and once the wind is sufficient what does it really matter? Anyone want to weigh in?
I think perhaps you are getting off on the wrong foot here
You asked for advice but then rant about JLC and then Tudor. We have all had issues with repairs but group griping is not the way WPS works; we are not here to beat up on the manufacture for a problem that is not of their causing.
Let's look at this dispassionately. Mainsprings are readily found in the watch servicing market. You need to take out the old one, measure its length and height and thickness and find a generic replacement. It's not a part that's seen or touched. In any case a decent watchmaker will replace the spring while overhauling the watch. Have you considered why it broke? Could there be other issues with the movement? I suspect so. Probably this service in the aftermarket is $500-800. And they won't do any work you don't want done (within reason).
OR
You can take it to the manufacture and get it serviced the way they do it for the price they charge. One of the reasons it costs so much is JLC have a tremendous investment in tooling and parts to keep all those old watches running. They have more than any other manufacture I have visited (20 or so). Who's going to pay for that if not we who own the watches?
Cazalea
Point Taken
You're right that was a bit of a rant. Mostly at Tudor admittedly for a matter of aesthetics. I did have my watchmaker (3rd generation) who said it was a little dirty but saw no reason for the break otherwise. Perhaps I just need to take a breather before approaching JLC. Or perhaps just accept it as a non-working display piece — hardly old enough but still.
I have several pieces on my bench that have broken, which I really wish were working
But I don't want to spend the time and money chasing down the parts, and then hoping to find everything comes together.
Another guy on this site who goes by Dr. No has extreme patience and is willing for some of his Omegas to spend a year or more at his watchmaker.
I normally haven't got that kind of patience. I did once find a broken unique stem and crown for this beat-up, now-working Seiko watch.
It took more than a year, and many hundreds of dollars to get it back together.
To me it was worth it.
You have to be the judge for your own watch.
Good luck,
Cazalea
You will have to ask to different watchmakers, then. I am sure you will find one who will be able to solve that issue.
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