Pierce Chronograph

[Caliper1681]

Here is an intresting piece I acquired over the week end.
17 jewels. Trying to find out move about the movement. It would appear to be a pierce 134, but I am not an expert. Any info. please

These are the sellers pics. As soon as it arrives I'll be posting better ones. By the way. This was bought as a non runner. The seller stated that it was wound tight. I can't complain since I got this watch for next to nothing. What would be the causes for this?

Thanks in advance.

[Eeeb]

It would appear The seller stated that it was wound tight. I can't complain since I got this watch for next to nothing. What would be the causes for this?

Wound tight is to watches what 'the vapors' are to humans.

There is a reason shock proofing was a good innovation. Watches are sometimes subject to violent shocks. Most likely this watch suffered one that was beyond the ability of the anti shock mechanisms to handle...

...and something broke.

[Caliper1681]

You are too funny Eeeb. I'll wait for the watch to arrive and see what I got.

[HamiltonIllinois]

I collect mostly old Hamilton and Illinois. I recently purchased a Pierce Chrono that needs service. Does anyone have any suggestions for someone capable but not CRAZY expensive? THANK YOU in advance!

Regards,

Rick
rv78@hotmail.com

[DaBaeker]

You are too funny Eeeb. I'll wait for the watch to arrive and see what I got.

Since seller went to trouble to unscrew that interesting caseback its probably sure to assume that he tried the old 'knock' to get it started. If your really lucky you can give it a shot of air and see if anything in the balance is stuck or (as happened to me buying a "non-running SMcal 471) a hair was wedged under the lever. I always wanted a Pierce back when I collected strictly chronographs. I thi k they made a single button I wanted. But it looks intact and hopefully needs nothing more than a C&S. good luck

[trim]

I have one of these, the movement is lovely. One of the non specialist watchmakers I use has serviced it - they are not that difficult, but there are a few got'chas that someone not familiar can mess up the watch. For instance the cannon pinion must not be nipped up as it has a vertical clutch. I found some very useful info on the web that I passed on to my watchmaker who found it quite useful in getting to grips with this uncommon movement. I guess a lot of guys wouldn't want the hassle though. I can't recommend anyone personally unless you live in NZ

PM me if you want the info I sent to my watchmaker.

[HamiltonIllinois]

This is the Pierce I bought. It is a single button chrono. If I can find someone to repair it, I would like to buy others as they are very cool. :)

Regards,

Rick

[trim]

That is a nice one

They get a bit of bad press on the boards through ignorance. They have a fine well made IN-HOUSE movement, and such ignorance keeps the prices reasonable. I can't imagine they will stay cheap forever as people in the know are quite happy to snap them up.

I've sent you the info via email.

[HamiltonIllinois]

Thankfully, I have made contact and now have plans to get my Pierce fully serviced -- I will be sending it off in 2 weeks. The most interesting thing is that I wound it tonight for the first time since I bought it in the spring, (and, yes, I gave it a gentle bump in the palm of my hand) and the watch function is working and keeping good time. Most interesting is that the stop watch function is also working, but when the large red second hand gets to 12:00 it stops for anywhere from 3 to 60 seconds before starting back up... so the top minute register is only counting as the second stop watch function is moving. (So in 30 minutes, the stop watch recorded about 18 minutes, but oddly it does not stop between the first and second minute, but all minutes afterward. LOL) I'll report back once it returns. NowI have the urge to locate a few more. :)