Bobbywaingro Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 As the topic suggest share your hard learned lessons regarding our common interest. This might somewhere down the line end up as the big "NO NO" list for beginners as well Please share, and don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThinkBachs Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Falling in love with the DSSD, then trying to creat the "perfect" DSSD on my own. I have about 4 useless movements, 6 pairs of hands, 2 broken crystals, 3 extra bands, more teeny-tiny screws than I know what to do with... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hmmm.... I'd like to think that I've learned something from every mistake I've made Killing movements has taught me how to be more careful in my manipulations of them, and to treat any kind of watch repair as a 'do or do not' situation, as there is little, if any, margin for error. I think my only real 'regret' is that I destroyed my Yacht-Master through experimentation, as that was a very nice watch to wear, but is at least replaceable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deniz21 Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 thats a nice thread workin on my swiss eta movement i was trying to fix the rotor noise or somethin....and at some point my watch stopd workin ended up with shipping it to a watchmaker called domi who fixd my trys and serviced it, runs smooth like butter know and i made a deal with me to never open a caseback... but thats not only good for me i bet the person who reads this know what i mean upo upo .... but my biggest mistake was parking there this friday..someone had crashd my car and leaved without to call the police Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vlydog Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 so far it was selling my EL V1 3717 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 but my biggest mistake was parking there this friday..someone had crashd my car and leaved without to call the police They'll get their comeuppance in time, bro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 I have brought this up more than once but I think It's worth repeating. When I first arrived here I knew nothing about watches or the movements that powered them. I thought that quartz movements were better than automatices because they were cheeper and performed the same functions. Why pay more for a automatic?, why Indeed.Then I started doing a lot of reading and research about movements. Most of what I learned I learned here at RWG. After sometime I started having more Interest In the movement than the watch Itself, Imagine that. Some people say that a "quartz has no sole" well I dont know about all that but It dosent have the "hands on" attention that a moving parts movement has, just a battery doing the work. For some that may be ok but I lost Interest In this type of set up. Before my revalation I had purchased two quartz reps. I got a Omega PO chrono and a Hublot BB quartz. The first few weeks I thought I liked them then something happened. I felt uncomfortable wearing them as I stated In a thread just about a week ago. I find It difficult to wear these watches and I will probabbly give them to my uncle who could care less about what movement Is In a watch. Thats about $300.00 down the drain. Not all the money In the world you understand but It still hurts I wish I had taken my time and done more research. I should have asked more questions. The good news Is that this Is the only regret(s) I have after twelve rep purchases. Im not telling anyone not to buy a quartz rep. What Im suggesting Is that you take your time and get to know a little more about movements. If you have a fair knowledge about movements and the watches they belong In and you still like the the quartz version, then fine, thats your choice. At least your making a educated purchase. The Op asked If anyone could share there experence and mistakes? so I thought this would apply. The best way for me to describe how I feel Is.... I like the few quartz watches that I have, they are great as a grab and go. But I have this passion for my mechanical and automatices. They seem play this wonderful symphony of time on your wrist. I just dont get that from a battery Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Trying to mod a Planet Ocean. That didn't work at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hmmm......where to begin I'd say one big mistake I made was trying to dismantle a noobmariner. The bezel assembly is unlike any other rep out there. It is really stuck on there. I spent $150.00 on a really, really good bezel remover and went to town. Man did I ever f-up that bezel! It bent in so many ways, the gen insert popped out and I have yet to be able to get it straight and true. I thought, ok, first attempts don't always turn out. I tried ordering a replacement bezel from another member. It came bent as well. Got another noob case with the bezel attached but no insert. Tried to install the modded gen insert on that bezel. No luck I thought, ok well now I know how to use the bezel remover a little better so I'll give this another go. No luck again. Bent another one! Another mistake - selling my Rocket Dial Cartier Santos 100 I miss that watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbywaingro Posted February 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 so far it was selling my EL V1 3717 ouch, with my new love of the 3717 that ones gotta hurt my heart goes out to you brother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chronoluvvv Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 worst mistake i've made so far is trying to screw back a crown using one hand ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mastrmindalliance Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 ... to treat any kind of watch repair as a 'do or do not' situation, Here here. I've learned the hard way that just about any time i open a watch with any intent more than to remove dust, is going to be a BIG mistake. I have an eye for repair/modding... But not the hands. The worst mistake I made, would be trying to remove the hands from Sinn U1 four hours after I got it. Didn't even habe time to enjoy it before ruining it (broke the seconds hand off in the canon pin - or broke the canon pin - not sure) Why? well, because i'd just bought a Bergeon hand tool, thats why. No other reason. Got to say thanks to Josh for his kindness here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thogaa Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seroberts Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 My first rep purchace.....Many years ago, long before my knowledge of places like RWG . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltatahoe Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 buying this watch (titanium iwc ingenieur AMG chrono): it is the watch that i was most disappointed with (what was i thinking??!??). it is an extremely accurate watch, but it was just too blah for me (too much titanium). i've never fooled myself into thinking that i can work on my watches (admittedly i don't have the time or interest in working on my watches -- i'd rather be off doing something outside). for me at least, best to leave that sort of work to the experts deltatahoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Here here. I've learned the hard way that just about any time i open a watch with any intent more than to remove dust, is going to be a BIG mistake. I have an eye for repair/modding... But not the hands. The worst mistake I made, would be trying to remove the hands from Sinn U1 four hours after I got it. Didn't even habe time to enjoy it before ruining it (broke the seconds hand off in the canon pin - or broke the canon pin - not sure) Why? well, because i'd just bought a Bergeon hand tool, thats why. No other reason. Got to say thanks to Josh for his kindness here. The second hand has always been the weak point in any work I've done... If something's going to go wrong, it's when I get to the second hand / Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakemaster Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 You guys have had some tough ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siesta181 Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Fooling myself that I could pick up luming. Fooling myself that I can "upgrade" my reps by buying individual parts and installing em myself. Fooling myself that I could mod watch case by modding individual parts (CG pins, annon pinions etc...) I resign myself to polishing my cases with Cape Cod nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmj Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Stuffing my balance wheel when trying to regulate my ETA 2846 and also stuffing the keyless works of the same watch when trying to clean the dust off the dial. Took it to my watchmaker and he shook his head and laughed and said that I should leave it to the professionals. Fixed it for me and now I take everything to him. Good man! Next time I visit him I will ask him if I could spend a day in his shop to observe his techniques and learn about the machines he has in his shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Lots of "little" mistakes that add up quick. However, to the cliches: You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet. Practice makes perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky1012 Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Trying to resize my UPO bracelet. Broke 3 pin tools and eventually threw the bracelet in the bin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Lots of "little" mistakes that add up quick. However, to the cliches: You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet. Practice makes perfect. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offshore Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 My worst mistake? Back "in the day", when ETA driven were only $180, I was offered a deal from the inimitable "Natalie Lee" on a quantity of watches. "Her" reputation was only so so. After much deliberation over $1k was sent to Singapore, for 8+ watches. A couple were initially shipped, which all had problems, and were returned. And then communications became "difficult" Finally I was left with a big round zero...so if anyone sees me blow up when "NL" is mentioned, you'll understand why. And proved once again to "Buy your dealer, then your watch" Offshore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhorn Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Not buying the WM9 YM from BK ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Trading a fully working Mystery Movement DW 6263 for a Gen V23 powered 6263 - Did the deal with Chet (Porsche356) and the V23 was in such bad shape that even the Zigmeister cannot fully get it working correctly Oh, and second Vly Selling my modded EL 3717 is one I still regret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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