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The example watch was bought via ebay, because the AS 1477 inside was missing in the movement archive. It was a fair deal: The seller offered it as not running, and it costed only EUR 11.65. But as photo model or as donor watch it was still too good, and the question was: What's wrong and why? First diagnostics: The watch didn't run because any particle blocked the tiny train. But worse was that the crown couldn't be pulled for setting. The the watch is signed as waterproof (cf. Fig.6). and therefore should have a tube for the crown gasket. But this is missing in Fig.1 at A. The cracked crystal (at C and D) is less serious. In Fig.2 a tube A is mounted, and regarding its diameter one can imagine how easy water can enter between the thin stem B and the wide hole for the (missing) tube. |
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Water creaped
into the setting mechanism, and there the rust seized up the
setting-lever screw A in Fig.3 and
4, leaving no chance for any
motion. This screw holds the setting lever, consequently also fixed as
welded. The issue: To get the movement out of the case for archive photos, this screw must be unscrewed to unlock and pull out the stem with the crown. But the chance of success was precisely zero, because the screw was fixed bombproof in plate, bridge, and setting lever. So the movement had to be disassembled almost completely inside the case, until the stem could be pulled out without loosening the screw. |
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Anyway, the movement was disassembled and had to
be reassembled to make the desired photos. So why not cleanig the
parts? It was no remarkable additional effort, and gave a chance for a
beautiful, daily usable watch. The result is impressive: Well, the gold plating is worn through at edges like A and B in Fig.5, or at the ends of the lugs A and B in Fig.6. But this is hardly noticable. The case is made of nickel silver, remaining glossy there instead of becoming dull like brass or tombac. The dial has also suffered a bit. But spots at the periphery like at C in Fig.5 can be accepted, taking into account that the real watch is very much smaller than illustrated here. Such small automatics aren't produced today anymore. And even old samples are so rare that it lasted eight years to get this movement into the archive. Who ever enjoys such pea sizes can't pass by old watches, and a water resistant automatic of this kind can still compete against a modern watch. |
| Figures (cf. Service Prices) | |
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| EUR 11.65 Purchase of
not working watch EUR 54.00 Standard service automatic EUR 18.00 Rust removing works EUR 10.00 Replacement crown tube EUR 8.50 Replacement plastic crystal EUR 4.00 replacement back gasket EUR 3.00 Strap from overstock EUR 109.15 total (in 2011) |
The direct consequence of the
rubbish repair with missing tube was just EUR 18.00 for rust
removing, and this could have been prevented. But as the repair
required disassembling, at least half the service costs, thus EUR
27.00, go on account of the missing tube. The total is high for a ladies watch, even for an automatic with nicely finished movement. But keep in mind that sometimes watches with more serious (hidden) flaws are bought for this money, disregarding the possible financial consequences. Simple Rule: For botch you pay tomorrow much more than you save today.
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 ...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: 09-19-11 |
