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F1 early 90s w/broken case - worth fix?

1K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  dmr33 
#1 · (Edited)
My dad passed away a couple of years ago, and we're just now finding some of his things....One is an F1, black, 383.513/1 with a broken case. The place where the pin on the rubber strap sits to anchor the strap to the watch is broken off of the black case that goes around the watch.

Tourneau said they can't fix it (not the one in NY, but a local store repair dept). Is it worth pursuing? I see these watches sell used on eBay for around $100 or a little more. I could use any advice on it. First picture shows broken seat for pin on case; second shows intact seat for pin on case.
 

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#2 ·
You could take it to a "regular" watch repair shop to see if something can be done. It's hard to see in the pics the exact damage. This watch uses a 18mm wide strap. You might be able to widen the lug width on the case to maybe 20mm (1mm on each side), drill new holes and install a 20mm rubber strap. I'm sure there are other ways to repair it as well.
 
#3 ·
My opinion is... it will depend if you really want to wear the watch, or if just keeping it safe in the drawer is enough of a good memory for you.

I have quite a few great inherited watches. My father left me a solid gold square Jaeger LeCoultre that I wear once in a very very while. Another one he left me is a beautiful Omega SeaMaster from the 50s that looks amazing to me. My grandpa left me an Eterna-Matic very nice and vintage and a Mido OceanStar, and my other grandpa, left to my uncle a Seiko automatic that was just handed to me.

Said that, I never took any of them for overhauling after I inherited them. The Mido needs a new glass or a very good polishing (if applicable). But... my passion really is the TAG Heuer watches. So, I keep my inherited ones safely stored, for good memories and I really wear my TAG 2000 classic auto, that I have had for 10 years now.

My couple'o'cents.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I can't really id nor see the damage in the pic, but I've had a vintage f1 with the springbar hole damaged. It was if the strap was ripped out of the case. The springbar ripped out of the case before the strap snapped,

My watchmaker just drilled the hole out through the end of the case in order to provide a new anchor. He actually drilled out all four hole for uniformity. It was completely secure.

See attached pics.

If the damage is beyond that, you'd have to find (would be tough) and replace the entire case. The watch is pretty old, so it would be tough. I'm not sure if the TAG service center still stock them.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

David
 

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#5 · (Edited)
Actually, this is EXACTLY what it looks like happened to this watch. The springbar is still in the strap, which is why I think your description is what happened. I'm hoping there's enough of the springbar holder section left to drill if I can find a watchmaker to do this for me.

I wonder about one thing, though. How does the springbar hold the strap, given it goes this far through the case? Does the hole taper down as it gets near the outside edge, or is the hole just small enough that it grips the springbar tightly? New pictures attached - these show the difference between the broken springbar hole and the intact one.
 

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#6 ·
Thx for the update and new pics.

Your case has more damage than the case I had drilled. However, its worth a shot and looks like it may work.

In addition, it will need a new type of springbar that has the outside section that will extend further into the case. This provides the anchor.

Please post an update once done.

Cheers,

David
 
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