watchgrl Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Is this usually an easy fix? My husband's 2 week old FA Jones is running 5-10 minutes fast per day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryyannon Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 For those who know how to do it, it's an extremely easy fix. You have to open up the back of the case and very patiently adjust that long pointy marker towards the - (slower) setting. Don't try this at home if you don't have a jeweler's loupe and the microscopic-head screwdriver needed to undo the series of screws on the back. Better take it to a watch shop and have them do it: it should cost next to nothing. If you have some income to dispose of (it shouldn't take much) have the person service (clean and oil) the movement at the same time. If done properly, you should end up with a watch which will run to within a second or two per day of perfect time - and which will go on running perfectly for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Is this usually an easy fix? My husband's 2 week old FA Jones is running 5-10 minutes fast per day... Best get rid of it. I'll give you $50 for it right now, out of sheer generosity. 2-weeks old? Contact your dealer and get it replaced. For those who know how to do it, it's an extremely easy fix. Normally, I'd agree, but 5-10 minutes a day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 (edited) I did this recently on a F.A. Jones and it was easy. Carefully remove the screws in the back, remove the case and keep the screws in a container. Use the long adjuster arm and move it in the direction to reduce or speed up as needed. At first you don't know how much to move it so start with a full measured mark to mark on the scale. Check in 8 hours to see the change. On your experience, make smaller and smaller adjustments until you are satisfied. I did this for a few weeks (did not reattach the back) until I was satisfied. I got it to about 3 to 4 seconds a day. then applied loc tite to the screws and reassembled? Usil Edited July 19, 2006 by Usil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 That's spooky. The entire Paris contingent are the only ones to reply. Hey there, guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest overboosted Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Very easy to what ryyannon said but I dont think there is that much adjustment in there. I would just be happy to have a nice rep of a cool watch. Its a rep, not perfect. made in China for cheap, not Switzerland. welcome to the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 That adjustment will not correct 5 - 10 minutes per day; there's something else going on with the watch- Perhaps a tangled hairspring, or maybe no lubrication in the pivots. Probably best to see about getting it serviced as: 1) You'll have a good base line for servicing and a well oiled movement. 2) There's no telling what might be wrong with a replacement. Just my $0.02 on the matter... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryyannon Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Best get rid of it. I'll give you $50 for it right now, out of sheer generosity. 2-weeks old? Contact your dealer and get it replaced. Normally, I'd agree, but 5-10 minutes a day? That is a red flag, but you have to determine where they put the regulator. Apparently none of them were set exactly between 'fast' and 'slow' (+ & -) and if it's waaaay over to the right, that would explain why it's running fast. If not, yeah, I'd query the dealer for a replacement.... And Hello, Paris guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchgrl Posted July 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 That is a red flag, but you have to determine where they put the regulator. Apparently none of them were set exactly between 'fast' and 'slow' (+ & -) and if it's waaaay over to the right, that would explain why it's running fast. If not, yeah, I'd query the dealer for a replacement.... And Hello, Paris guys! Thanks. It is pushed way over to the right. Will give that a try and see what happens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Hello from Paris. Actually, I am sitting in a hotel room in S. Africa at the moment but at least I have the forum to pass the time. ubiquitous is right, the change needed may be beyond the regulator arm maximum adjustment point. Is there cheep or free computer software that allows a microphone to listen to the watch beat and display timing on a chart - allowing real time settings? Usil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasng Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 That happened to me too. I adjusted the regulator and it was still 2 minutes fast a day. I found that I should only wind the watch only once every 24 hours, instead of winding every hour, and it was brought to fast 10 seconds a day. I did this because I recall reading a post from Purists on manual wind watches, that consistency in winding is important to get an accurate picture of the timekeeping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerco Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 (edited) I did this recently on a F.A. Jones and it was easy. Carefully remove the screws in the back, remove the case and keep the screws in a container. Use the long adjuster arm and move it in the direction to reduce or speed up as needed. At first you don't know how much to move it so start with a full measured mark to mark on the scale. Check in 8 hours to see the change. On your experience, make smaller and smaller adjustments until you are satisfied. I did this for a few weeks (did not reattach the back) until I was satisfied. I got it to about 3 to 4 seconds a day. then applied loc tite to the screws and reassembled? Usil I have ther same problem with a pam (unitas) To adjust the + or -, do I have to unscrew something in the movement ? Edited July 20, 2006 by Gerco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerco Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 bump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest overboosted Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 No. I just use something small to move the lever which ever way you need to. No need to unscrew anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerco Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 No. I just use something small to move the lever which ever way you need to. No need to unscrew anything. Thanks overboosted ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linder Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Could a magnetized movement cause this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 So, watchgirl, have you improved the timing? Usil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shasta Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 I just got the 177 with Unitas & swan neck and its running fast by about 1 hour a day. No point in trying to adjust it I guess as something must be really really wrong with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 Hey Watchgirl. Still need to know if you fixed the timing. Usil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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