New omega movement stops randomly

[rikramer]

So I recently made my third rep purchase and luck would have it this is major issue number two right off the bat. I purchased a 45mm PO from perfect clones to give as a gift to a family member. I've been running it on my auto winder the past few days. Everything was fine and dandy for the first 5 or so days but now the watch randomly stops. It has nothing to do with the power reserve since it will stop moments after I manually wind it or it will stop while it is still spinning on the winder. It always seems to stop while the second hand is around the same spot (5-7 second marker). A quick shake or light bang of the watch will get the movement going again.

Any expert advice from this forum? Any easy fixes for this type of issue?

Thanks!

[devilseam]

The second hand is propably not seated corectly and catching the minute hand. Had the same prob on a rep sub.

[B3nj4min3]

I agree with Devilseam that's it's most likely to be an issue with the minute and second's hands coming into contact with each other.

I would also recommend getting the watch serviced. My PO with an ETA 2824-2 is currently away getting serviced and seeing rust on the balance wheel as well as dirty and old parts makes me glad I chose to have the watch serviced.

It was running without any major issues so far, only a "little" slow (losing 30secs/day) however seeing a tear-down of the gear-train and the condition of the main spring just goes to show the poor state these old ETA movements are in. Coupled with mediocre QC in assembling the watch it's just a matter of time before it stops working intermittently or permanently.

[rikramer]

hmm, don't think it is hitting the minute hand because the watch only stops when the second hand hit the 5 marker regardless of where the minute hand is located.  Just hoping MD2020 is back online soon so I can get this sorted out soon. If anyone has any other ideas please let me know.  thanks!

[SSTEEL]

Is the crystal seated evenly?

Edited August 9, 2013 by SSTEEL

[Jkay]

hmm, don't think it is hitting the minute hand because the watch only stops when the second hand hit the 5 marker regardless of where the minute hand is located. Just hoping MD2020 is back online soon so I can get this sorted out soon. If anyone has any other ideas please let me know. thanks!

I understand MD is in mourning for a family member. Why not try one of the other respected watch techs on the forums like Katt? I'd suggest Vaccum but for something simple like this, you probably don't want to wait 3 months. He's a busy man.

[woof*]

I understand MD is in mourning for a family member. Why not try one of the other respected watch techs on the forums like Katt? I'd suggest Vaccum but for something simple like this, you probably don't want to wait 3 months. He's a busy man.

 

This x 100

 

When you buy a new rep from any of the dealers, the movement..even when genuine swiss eta..are often used, dirty and dry.

It's recommended that you have someone service your watch if you want trouble free. There are several guys on the forums that can help and pretty fast and reasonable.

Especially if this is to be a gift for someone that isn't in this hobby. Good luck with your watch

[rikramer]

Is the crystal seated evenly?

 

Interesting thought.  It looks good, but I'm going to give it closer look the next time is stops.  If it does appear to be the crystal, how would I go about re-seating it? Is there any way to do this without getting into the 'guts' of the watch?

[shirotenshi]

Interesting thought.  It looks good, but I'm going to give it closer look the next time is stops.  If it does appear to be the crystal, how would I go about re-seating it? Is there any way to do this without getting into the 'guts' of the watch?

 

U need to:

 

-open caseback

-remove stem

-remove movement tabs

-take the movement out

-remove the crystal

-repress the crystal

-put everything back on.

 

Its not hard really, and no im not being sarcastic. 

[rikramer]

So pretty bummed right now.  I took the advice provided in this thread and sent it off to Katt since MD2020 was dealing with other, more important issues. Katt's response was: "there may be a slightly bent pivot on one of the train wheels, but I can't be sure"  He suggests that I return it to PerfectClones. This is very disappointing. The watch literally has never been worn. It has sat on my desk for a month and then was placed in a watch winder a few times to test for accuracy. I've been keeping it there waiting for my fathers birthday on Sept 6th to give it as a gift.  Now I'm out over $300 and don't have a gift for him.  Pretty sick feeling. My guess it will be very difficult to return this to Josh (my fingers crossed that I am wrong on this one...I just sent him an email).  Does anyone with more experience in the rep world have any advice for me or am I completely out of luck here?

Edited August 14, 2013 by rikramer

[Jkay]

So pretty bummed right now.  I took the advice provided in this thread and sent it off to Katt since MD2020 was dealing with other, more important issues. Katt's response was: "there may be a slightly bent pivot on one of the train wheels, but I can't be sure"  He suggests that I return it to PerfectClones. This is very disappointing. The watch literally has never been worn. It has sat on my desk for a month and then was placed in a watch winder a few times to test for accuracy. I've been keeping it there waiting for my fathers birthday on Sept 6th to give it as a gift.  Now I'm out over $300 and don't have a gift for him.  Pretty sick feeling. My guess it will be very difficult to return this to Josh (my fingers crossed that I am wrong on this one...I just sent him an email).  Does anyone with more experience in the rep world have any advice for me or am I completely out of luck here?

Have you two discussed dropping in a gen ETA movement? Explain to Katt that you are willing to fix it, since you are desperate. I bet he only suggested returning it, since he wanted to save you some money.  At any rate, indicate to him that there is a timeframe involved and you're willing to have him fix it.

[rikramer]

Well, I contact Josh and he asked that I send it back to China.  While it is yet more cost to me, I am going to do this and hopefully Josh will come through for me.  I will keep this thread updated on progress....I'm guessing there are others who are interested in the current ease of return/exchanges with Josh.  Fingers crossed. 

[rikramer]

I know that PT has generally good reputation on here but I for one am very upset and feel taken. I received more information on the movement in my watch: even though it was claimed to be the latest and greatest Omega PO, I have been informed that the movement inside is a very old and used 2824.  Given this information, it is not surprising that this watch arrived in such bad condition and the movement was non-functioning almost immediately.

 

I informed Josh of my disappointment and also explained how I purchased this watch in late June in order provide as a birthday gift in September so a quick resolution would be most appreciated. Josh told me he could swap out the movement BUT it could take multiple months and I would be responsible for all shipping costs and risks. This is not satisfactory for me as getting this watch back sometime in 2014 is useless for me. I also don't want to continue to drop money into this forsaken piece of garbage watch.  I'm already in for $300 + $40 for the diagnostics.

 

So, I for one understand that Josh likely drop-ships these items and has little QA control over particular items so he doesn't have any idea about the particular movements inside.  I get this. I also understand that DOA circumstances do occur. However, I feel like there is no reciprocal understanding on Josh's part for the customer's circumstance. Given my situation, I proposed the following options to Josh in hopes to reach a mutually beneficial agreement:

 

• Send a new movement to me.  I would arrange for the swap in the US and send the defective/old movement back to China if he wanted it
• Provide me with an exchange.  (There were other fairly substantial visual defects on my watch that were not visible in the QA pictures so I truly believe I received a previously returned item)
• Provide me with a refund - I of course would return the watch to China

All, options were denied by Josh and he insisted that the only option was for me to send it back to China for a movement swap there. This means that I assume responsibility for lost shipments, shipping costs, customs seizures, etc. and I will not receive the watch back for many, many months. Josh mentioned that because of plant closures and raids the turnaround time would be even slower than typical (how scary is that?).  The disappointment in me is growing with each terse email that I get back from PT. This community is great but if this feeling of being jerked around is par for the course than I think this may have been my last foray.  I'm still thinking through all my options here but I wanted to add to the record that buying from a TD does not always result in a smooth transaction.

 

Best.

[fraggle42]

Sorry to be blunt but you're talking about illegal counterfeit goods and expecting AD customer support. Ain't gonna happen.

Get the watch smith to drop in an Asian movement, you can get them for $50 and he should have them in stock, so it'll be a very quick turnaround.

Or go to the AD and drop $5000 on one. I know which I'd rather do.

[rikramer]

Sorry to be blunt but you're talking about illegal counterfeit goods and expecting AD customer support. Ain't gonna happen.

Get the watch smith to drop in an Asian movement, you can get them for $50 and he should have them in stock, so it'll be a very quick turnaround.

Or go to the AD and drop $5000 on one. I know which I'd rather do.

 

Honestly, I think that it is a bit extreme to say that I am expecting AD support here. I have shown a willingness to invest more money and time into this watch; something that no AD customer would reasonably do.  In return I am simply expecting some sort of flexibility, understanding, and the ability to at least strive for a mutually beneficial arrangement. Instead I am being stonewalled with, what I feel are borderline rude replies and 0 flexibility. If asian movements are so cheap I would think that Josh would be willing to conduct an exchange on the movement. The fact remains that I received an old movement and Josh should be trying to rectify this. I kept reading about how Josh has great customer support and I am just not seeing it.  Just offering up my own two cents.  I see first hand on here that others have had more success...I guess I was not one of the lucky/fortunate ones.

[B3nj4min3]

I feel really bad for you mate. It's rotten luck to have so many issues with the watch.

I agree that some flexibility from the dealers would be nice but from what I've seen they always want the watch back if there's anything major wrong with it and they don't do exceptions.

If its a relatively small issue like a bezel pearl that's fallen out or similar then Josh/Andrew happily post out another one however if it's a movement issue or similar then they want the watch back to fix themselves.

My PO is currently away getting serviced and the ETA in that was also very old and very dirty. So much so that I was surprised it was even working!

I would rather have the same watch with a Sellita movement or similar but alas that's not offered (yet).

I would agree with fraggle42; the most cost-effective, quickest and simplest fix would be to pop an Asian movement in and then you'll have a watch that'll run great (hopefully) for years. You'll still resent the problems the watch gave you but at least it will work as intended and be in working order in time for your father's birthday.

No option currently available is ideal however I think the movement swap may be the easiest to stomach financially.

I hope it all works out for you mate.

[Jkay]

Turn-around time for repairs at a TD is around 90 days. That's just an accepted figure.

 

I always suggest the unlucky buyer have the "broken" watch repaired at the closest trusted watch tech, since it probably needed a service, ANYWAY. It's a better wager than sending back to China.

[fraggle42]

The dealers have no way of getting a refund or exchange from the factories, so if Josh sent you a new movement he would have to buy that out of his own pocket. Ditto for an exchanged watch, and a refund would leave Josh with a dead watch that he's paid for.

So all three options you have suggested will cost josh money. Sending it back to him means he can get someone to look at it and fix it, which is a lot cheaper.

So from his point of view, sending it back to him is really the only viable option.

I'm sure you now this, but ETA movements will never be new (NOS ones go for loads of money), they are all old movements with new Asian parts in to repair them, and they're not cleaned or serviced sadly.

And from what I've read, once a watch had been opened and someone else has been inside it, usually the dealers will then simply refuse to do anything with it, as they have no idea if someone is trying to pull a fast one and have swapped the working movement with a dead one - please note that I'm not saying this is the case here, I'm just presenting the situation from the dealers point of view.

[aa007210]

I agree with fraggle42. Mostly the Swiss ETA movements are 2836-1 movements from the 80's. When it is 2836-2 it is partly Swiss ETA and Asian ETA and that causes problems. I was a nerd on movements and only wanted Swiss ETA. After some good discussions with watchmakers who are interested in rep's I am cured. They all told me: buy a A2836-2 or A2824-2 and you will have a new movement. Give it some oil and it runs great. Since than, only Asian for me. You can read my post regarding the Seadweller which was sold here. The watchmaker had to replace several parts to get it running. The same problem as rikramer. When you are located in EU or the Netherlands send it to rolexman, great professional.

[BigBuys]

I agree with aa007210 on this topic.  I bought two of these and they both had major flaws with their Swiss movements.  It has dampened my desire to source Swiss movements.  No overall common problems with clones other than clean and lube.

[shirotenshi]

Always go with asian clone, they are cheap and good.