Picked up a Longines Ultronic

[davetheknight]

Recently found a Longines Ultronic on ye olde eBay.

Purchased for less than 50 dollars US, thought it was a steal, despite the issue that was posted. Maybe I'm the sucker here.

Current problem, as best I can describe, with a 1.5v energizer installed, the watch makes a sound not unlike a chime every 1-3 seconds. At the point of the chime, the second hand slows (only occasionally seems to stop) and then resumes motion.

I've read a few different things about these watches, and have heard that a 1.3v battery (accucell type) can resolve some problems. Would that be worth a try here? Or am I better off calling in a specialty watchmaker on this one?

I'm really stoked about this watch, in between freezing, the sweep is gorgeous, not to mention the overall design. Quite a fantastic looking piece, in my opinion.

And yeah, its not real without pics, but those will be up soon, maybe even a link to a youtube video of the movement for a better idea of whats happening with it (if I can get my digital camera to work properly)

[ulackfocus]

...but you know that already by your own admission. Dude! Get those pics up!

It can't be that expensive to try the battery swap. Give it a shot and if it doesn't work we can point you to a hummer specialist. BTW - Longines made the best looking movements for those type watches.

Longines 6312 (ETA-ESA 9162) hummer from the Ultronic series:

[Eeeb]

These ESA movements run fine on 1.5 volts. I find buying problem watches with an aim to solving the problems is something you should do only if that is the only way you can get the watch.

Fixing problems in cheaply acquired watches in total costs more than buying properly working watches. (This is true in cars too... but the numbers are about an order of magnitude higher!...)

[tomshep]

Sorry Eeeb, that's how I learn!

[Eeeb]

Well, the way to evaluate it now is I have the is watch which I can get into perfect shape for only $200! (This is the low side - $300 would be the high side)

With that calculus, it is well worth fixing

[davetheknight]

Well, news.

I've gotten the battery... and it doesn't run it!

Haha. I don't think the contacts are able to touch on the bottom side of the battery (due to the plastic jacket around the side of the Accucell-1)

So I suppose its time again to find a watchmaker. And a 200-300 dollar repair isn't too exorbitant, in my opinion for this piece. But I'm biased, as I'm already in the hole.

There's a business principle here, I think I heard it was called sunk cost, am I right?

[Eeeb]

The Accucell is the wrong battery... use an Energizer 344. I bet it will work.

[davetheknight]

I've currently got a 394 in it, what was sent installed in the watch. Most silver oxide batteries provide the same amount of power, so I didn't think too much of it. The accucell definitely isn't the right battery, though it did seem to fit better at first, it certainly isn't made for this watch. Probably save it for a 214 if I come across one. Needless to say, I've caught the bug, but can't move on getting another watch till I resolve any issues with the one I'm set on. (Or arrange for resolution, that works too)

[tomshep]

This isn't a battery issue. Step back a moment and look at the evidence.
The watch runs.
It makes a "chiming" noise (at 360Hz maybe?) and the second hand slows or stops when it does.

So there is a mechanical impediment that is transferring sound energy from the fork to the case when this happens and the loss of energy in the fork is causing the second hand to slow.

You do need a watchmaker for this one because you've got something loose in there. It may be a speck of grit (but how did it get there?) or something loose in the movement itself. A stripdown and clean is almost certain to work so you might still have snagged a bargain.

[JohnF]

Hi -

+1

If the watch is showing these symptoms, it means that there is either one or more broken teeth, or dirt, in the extremely fine-toothed wheel that is used to transfer the back-and-forth movement of the tuning fork into radial motion for the rest of the watch. While not impossible to find, they are an extremely sensitive part of the watch and really need to be taken care of.

Get yourself to a watchmaker ASAP and don't run it at all. You'll be damaging the movement!

JohnF