Some questions on my first Stowa

[SGB]

Hi All,

I have just bought my first Stowa; a second hand Flieger Automatic from Ebay. It looks a great watch and I'm very pleased with it. It's certainly given me confirmation that I can get away with the larger face of the Marine Original on my little 6 1/2 inch wrists (which will probably be my next purchase). However, I have a couple of questions:

1. Probably a daft one really. I've been used to having an Omega Speedmaster Professional which is obviously a hand wound watch. I assume it's OK to hand wind a 2824-2 movement (which is what I did automatically when I received it)?

2. If you do hand wind it, does it stop winding when it's fully would like a fully manual watch or does it keep winding indefinitely?

3. It's running about 35-40 seconds a day fast. Could this be because I fully wound it when I got it or does it just need regulating?

4. There are some light scratches on the case (it's the fine matt finish). What's the best way of polishing them out? I have seem some people talk about a Scotch Brite pad or even wet and dry sanding paper. Are either of these recommended or shall I just leave it to the professionals?!

Cheers.

[thomas69]

Hello and congratulations for your new purchase.

It is ok to handwind a 2824 for some turns until the seconds hand starts to move.However is isn't necessary to full wind it.The purpose of the handwind option in automatic movements is like the starter on a car's engine.The power reserve should mostly come from the movement of your hand.

If you full wind it by hand you are not doing any harm apart from the fact that you cause more wear to the stem.I think there is no brake in 2824 when you manually wind it.

Your watch is running fast as you state,my opinion is to wear it for a month and see if it continues to gain seconds.Then you decide if it needs regulating.


If I were you I would leave the scratches as they are.You bought a second hand watch,any normal wear is acceptable.DIY options often bring worse results.I wouldn't use a harsh material used for cleaning pots and baking dishes on my watch.If scratches really bothers you maybe you should send it to Stowa or choose a professional watchmaker for polishing.

[stuffler,mike]

1. Probably a daft one really. I've been used to having an Omega Speedmaster Professional which is obviously a hand wound watch. I assume it's OK to hand wind a 2824-2 movement (which is what I did automatically when I received it)?

You do not need to, just give it 5 to 6 turns and wear it.

2. If you do hand wind it, does it stop winding when it's fully would like a fully manual watch or does it keep winding indefinitely?

You can handwind an automatic watch for hours if you want to do so. There's a clutch preventing damage - you can't overwind though.

3. It's running about 35-40 seconds a day fast. Could this be because I fully wound it when I got it or does it just need regulating?

35-40 sec a day is not ok. Watch is due to service or regulation.

[SGB]

Many thanks both of you. I will keep it going for a month before I decide what to do. My Speedmaster is never initially accurate once it's stopped and I wind it again. It may be the same here. I also know the watch has not been regularly used previously (it's almost 4 years old) so this may also have something to do with it.

SGB.

[thomas69]

If it is 4 years old it's wise to make it a service.The deviation will be regulated too

[SGB]

Thanks. Do you know how much a service would cost if I sent it back to Stowa?

[thomas69]

Well I think it is better to ask Stowa

info@stowa.de

[SGB]

Will do. Thank you.