Ranfft Watches, Nightmare

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Informations: Ebay Nightmare

Again and again it is argued that watches on these pages are more expensive than on ebay. What shall I say: It's right - since the trash representing a big fraction on ebay, is missing on these pages. And better watches are more expensive -. that simple.
I have my own experience with ebay: If I see a watch there, with a movement filling a gap in my movement archive I take it now and then. Although my watch experience prevents most desasters, I'm still cheated sometimes like anybody else.

The case described on this page is not typical for ebay, but now an then it runs precisely like this. No need to fear something similar with watches I offer on these pages; if ever I get such a watch for auctioning, I recommend the owner to have it repaired (if reasonable) or sell it on ebay.
Anyway, since long I wanted to demonstrate in this site, what can be wrong with a good looking watch, and this particular item is best suited for this purpose.

Index

Hopeful Purchase
Poor Reality

Go Ahead
And Ready

Figures
Outlook

Hopeful Purchase

ebay seller: jens023, item: 380081926233: Militär-TASCHENUHR (Marine)
Closed: 11-22-2008, for EUR 89.00
Original text: "läuft gut" (= runs fine)

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Magnify images by clicking them

The offer included fairly good photos, and the outer appearance held, what the photos promised. So a watch in good condition could be expected for EUR 96.00 including shipping charge. This would have been bargain, and moreover I could fill this gap in the movement archive:
Moeris 19''' Lepine

Moreover the movement looked not bad (Fig. 1 and 2):
Yes, a bit tarnished, but this is common to silvered movements, and last not least it can be easily chemically removed within a service (see below). More important: There are neither remarkable scratches, nor any corrosion.

"runs fine" meant: The watch ticked, after winding it hardly, shaking it, and laying it down carefully with dial up. With good luck it continued running some hours, but immediately stopped when sloping it a bit.

Poor Reality

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Sure: Balance pivot broken. Shit happens, and usually it is possible to find a sufficient agreement with the seller. But not all people are as kind as ebay wants. There are still some fraudsters who even don't respond to any compliant email.
Unfortunately it can even become worse: After checking the balance, it appeared that the pivot was not broken because the balance didn't wobble when moving the watch. But after disassembling, the (nearly) whole desaster was visible:
The old balance staff (left im Fig. 3) compared with a new one (right) looked strange at the first glance. And under magnification the botch was visible: The pivot was gone, and the end of the staff was filed to a tip. Moreover, the jewel was axially shifted to make the tip running in the sink of the jewel.

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

The next question: How can a watch run with such a demolished balance? It actually ran some hours when layed down with dial up. After removing the hour wheel a first indication was visible: Fig. 5 shows that the barrel cover was missing, and the question is, how is it possible to loose such a big part?
Quite simple: Fig. 6 shows a spring width exceeding even the total heigth of the barrel, and no effort would close the barrel with its cover.

Actually creative workmanship:
The entirely demolished balance would never oscillate with the normal mainspring. The original spring had a cross section of 2x0.21mm. The replacement with 2.5x0.25mm brings approximately 2.5 times the torque of the original, and this will move almost every balance.

Go Ahead	And Ready
This is the kit which will lead to a nearly perfekt watch, after adding a barrel cover, and replacing the balance staff. Of course also the monster mainspring shown in the photo will be replaced by one with original dimensions.	Still a voide area. Of course the barrel cover can be turned on the lathe, but it is more efficient first to try finding an original cover or a complete barrel. If this is not succesful, I'll ask my lathe Michelangelo to make a cover. Thus a pause here until I have a cover.

Figures

Outlook

At the first glance a normal service with minor repairs, and with readjusting the balance. But the barrel cover is not nothing.

EUR 96.00 purchase from a fraudster
EUR 42.00 standard service
EUR 5.00 balance staff
EUR 20.00 replacing the staff
EUR 40.00 adjustment to position deviations less than 60s/day
EUR 40.00 search effort or making a barrel cover
EUR 6.00 replacement mainspring

EUR 249.00 gross costs for the complete watch

For EUR 249.00 this watch can't be sold. But the EUR 96.00 for the purchase are burned anyway. Thus the choice is whether to pay the EUR 153.00 for repair and service or not.

But I believe there is anybody who will pay EUR 153.00 for a military pocket watch in good and freshly serviced condition, because he doesn't like to make the experience described above.

Moreover I have now an information page I can refer to, when I'm asked again, why a recently serviced watch is more expensive than an item with dubious condition on ebay. This is real value for me, because responding to faqs belongs not to my favorite jobs.

...the alternative - free of charge!

Dr. Roland Ranfft
Im Eichfeld 8
41844 Wegberg-Wildenrath
Germany

phone +49 (0)2432 491604
fax +49 (0)2432 491605
email: info@ranfft.de

Last update: 07-02-09