watches...

I need to get my watch cleaned. I have had it almost five years and it is losing time. Anyone have any idea who to go to for cleaning TAGs?

Paleocon wrote:

I need to get my watch cleaned. I have had it almost five years and it is losing time. Anyone have any idea who to go to for cleaning TAGs?

I would just look for a reputable local watch maker. Sometimes your insurance company can suggest people they have worked with.

Paleocon wrote:

I need to get my watch cleaned. I have had it almost five years and it is losing time. Anyone have any idea who to go to for cleaning TAGs?

Taking a good watch in for service is always a gut check for me. When at all possible, I'd try to find a quality local jeweler with a real watch guy on staff. Unfortunately, such skilled professionals are increasingly hard to find. Way too many jewelry stores are now just retail storefronts with minimally trained staff.

Obviously, one option is having "out of warranty" service performed by Tag through their service web site. I have no idea on cost or turnaround time. You are fortunate in some ways that Tag Heuer *isn't* part of Swatch Group (Blancpain, Omega, etc.) since Swatch allegedly is unpredictable when it comes to returning your actual watch after service. For a watch with sentimental value, you really have to find someone local.

Years ago I had some experience with some good watch guys down in D.C. but I have no recommendations for anyone in Baltimore. If a fellow goodjer doesn't have a suggestion, check out the Tag forum on Watchuseek.

Thanks. This is the watch my wife gave me as an engagement gift (with the understanding that all my other watches would go on Ebay, which, they did). Koreans do this sort of thing so it is the only decent watch I own (I have a couple plastic runners watches I use when working out). So, yes, I can't afford for someone to fcuk it up.

ringsnort wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

I need to get my watch cleaned. I have had it almost five years and it is losing time. Anyone have any idea who to go to for cleaning TAGs?

Taking a good watch in for service is always a gut check for me. When at all possible, I'd try to find a quality local jeweler with a real watch guy on staff. Unfortunately, such skilled professionals are increasingly hard to find. Way too many jewelry stores are now just retail storefronts with minimally trained staff.

Obviously, one option is having "out of warranty" service performed by Tag through their service web site. I have no idea on cost or turnaround time. You are fortunate in some ways that Tag Heuer *isn't* part of Swatch Group (Blancpain, Omega, etc.) since Swatch allegedly is unpredictable when it comes to returning your actual watch after service. For a watch with sentimental value, you really have to find someone local.

Years ago I had some experience with some good watch guys down in D.C. but I have no recommendations for anyone in Baltimore. If a fellow goodjer doesn't have a suggestion, check out the Tag forum on Watchuseek.

When I needed a watch serviced, I called a local clock repair store. They gave me the name of a guy that they send all their complicated repairs to, a retired watchmaker who now works out of his home (with a really impressive workshop). There may be someone like that in your area, if you ask around.

MaryHenry983 wrote:

No one needs to do to figure in AN atmosphere that has uncomfortable boss chair.

Truer words have never been spoken.

And I was kind of excited to see some new posts in this thread. But I do like chairs, and I desires smart artifact.

Really? Really?

I guess on a watch related question I have a Seiko 5 with a cloth band I was thinking I would like to get a braceleted band. Is it possible to find one that matches nicely to the watch I have and switch it or is it easier to just get a watch that already has a band on it?

I think I know which Seiko 5 that might be, but I don't know if there is a bracelet option. Buying a third party bracelet, the problem you'll have is finding end links that fit nicely with the watch lugs.

One option might be a mesh bracelet.

I'd bet it's an 18mm bracelet. You should be able to find a nice beads of rice bracelet for $50 or less at a watch shop, or even on ebay.

It depends on what model you have. The Seiko 5s run from a 18mm to 22mm lug size.

If you watch looks like this it's an 18mm.
IMAGE(http://forums.watchuseek.com/attachments/f222/606318d1326983562-advice-needed-leather-strap-seiko-snk809-135810d1224541327-fs-seiko-5-snk809-flieger-style-nylon-seiko-snk809-flieger.jpg)

There's a thread on watchuseek that has bit of info

It is this one. I believe it is a 20.6mm band.

Nice watch. Multiple Amazon reviewers say that the 20.6mm size listed in the description is incorrect, and that it's really 22mm. That would make sense, as 20.6 is a bit odd. It shouldn't be hard to find plenty of 22mm options.

I tend to lean towards automatic movements in my watches but this one struck two of my geek nerves: watches and technology. And it's not a bad looking watch to boot.

Kickstarter still has about 2.5 days left. Lowest pledge right now is $149 for a watch which they say will be $100 less than retail.

FSeven wrote:

I tend to lean towards automatic movements in my watches but this one struck two of my geek nerves: watches and technology. And it's not a bad looking watch to boot.

Kickstarter still has about 2.5 days left. Lowest pledge right now is $149 for a watch which they say will be $100 less than retail.

I currently have a windows phone so I was interested as well. That said I let it go by, may purchase after they ship and the reviews are in.

Anybody change their own batteries on a large, screw back watch? If so, do you have a vice?

Thinking about buying one. I have a 46mm cased Swiss Legend that's back is very tight from the factory. I have a tool to screw the backs off that fits it, but I can't get it to turn. Trying to decide if I want to buy a case holder/vice.

I probably should take this thing to a watch guy anyway. I has a small crystal crack that has been there since I got the watch, but I never sent it in for warranty.

My newest watch I picked up for cheap on a woot sale:

IMAGE(http://i.pgcdn.com/pi/123/86/31/1238631792_260.jpg)

I get tight screwdown casebacks off using a hot glue gun. Put a decent amount of hot glue onto the caseback and then stick the case, glue side down, onto a piece of glass. I use a small glass Pyrex dish. Wait about ten minutes and then unscrew it. If you need extra torque put the case in a case holder if you have one. After you get the caseback off you can peel the glue off of everything without a blemish.

If you want to get the crystal replaced you can try to get a quote from: http://www.crystalfit.com/

FSeven wrote:

I get tight screwdown casebacks off using a hot glue gun. Put a decent amount of hot glue onto the caseback and then stick the case, glue side down, onto a piece of glass. I use a small glass Pyrex dish. Wait about ten minutes and then unscrew it. If you need extra torque put the case in a case holder if you have one. After you get the caseback off you can peel the glue off of everything without a blemish.

If you want to get the crystal replaced you can try to get a quote from: http://www.crystalfit.com/

Ah, but the back isn't the lowest point of the bottom of the watch...

Thanks for the link.

EDIT: Huh, looks like that's kind of out of my price range for this watch. A sapphire large round crystal is $130. The watch isn't worth that.

It depends on the watch. I've used a method similar to what FSeven suggests to remove screwbacks. Then again I've also used a 3" child's bouncy ball that has a very firm and tacky surface. Find a sturdy, clean, dry, and flat surface and lay out a small towel to create your work space. Place the watch dial side down on your work space. With the tacky rubber ball in hand, press the ball down firmly (but not hard) on the screwback and turn with steady pressure while your other hand keeps the watch case steady. This method doesn't always work, but when it does it's fast and leaves nothing to clean up.

The tricky part here is finding the right ball. I found mine at a Party City for less than a buck...but it took weeks of looking and testing before I found a ball with a sufficiently tacky finish that will grip a stainless screwback. If the ball you try just slips when you attempt turning the screwback, stop! You've got the wrong ball and more downward pressure will only risk damaging the watch.

ringsnort wrote:

It depends on the watch. I've used a method similar to what FSeven suggests to remove screwbacks. Then again I've also used a 3" child's bouncy ball that has a very firm and tacky surface. Find a sturdy, clean, dry, and flat surface and lay out a small towel to create your work space. Place the watch dial side down on your work space. With the tacky rubber ball in hand, press the ball down firmly (but not hard) on the screwback and turn with steady pressure while your other hand keeps the watch case steady. This method doesn't always work, but when it does it's fast and leaves nothing to clean up.

The tricky part here is finding the right ball. I found mine at a Party City for less than a buck...but it took weeks of looking and testing before I found a ball with a sufficiently tacky finish that will grip a stainless screwback. If the ball you try just slips when you attempt turning the screwback, stop! You've got the wrong ball and more downward pressure will only risk damaging the watch.

I know about the ball technique. I've got a good tool that works on all my other screw backs, and my wife's. This one is just tight, and I can't break it free so far. Thinking about picking up something like this or this.

I've never used a movement vice, but I think I like the aluminum holder with the nylon pins. My only reservation is the exposed metal of the vice. I'm not sure I'd want to risk any chance of direct contact with the crystal or watch case.

Scratches suck.

MannishBoy wrote:

Ah, but the back isn't the lowest point of the bottom of the watch...

Thanks for the link.

EDIT: Huh, looks like that's kind of out of my price range for this watch. A sapphire large round crystal is $130. The watch isn't worth that.

It doesn't have to be a big glass plate. It can be virtually anything. So maybe some kind of cylindrical object that is approximately the diameter of the caseback.

I didn't want to say that it would probably be better to just replace the watch and use the one with the cracked crystal as a beater because even though Swiss Legend's are on the cheaper end it seemed to hold some sentimental value to you.

Alternatively, it might be the perfect opportunity for you to learn how to replace a crystal. I got started with watch repair this exact way; buying watches at garage sales, sourcing parts, and then repairing them and selling them for profit. I think a generic synthetic crystal for your watch would probably run $20-$30.

FSeven wrote:

I didn't want to say that it would probably be better to just replace the watch and use the one with the cracked crystal as a beater because even though Swiss Legend's are on the cheaper end it seemed to hold some sentimental value to you.

No sentimental value at all, which is why $130 is a bit much on a watch I paid $50 on sale

I like watches, but I don't have any expensive ones.

We've discussed this method of removing screwbacks before on this thread. Even if it doesn't work for all watches in your collection, this product is likely worth the savings in grief, time, and gas.

ringsnort wrote:

We've discussed this method of removing screwbacks before on this thread. Even if it doesn't work for all watches in your collection, this product is likely worth the savings in grief, time, and gas.

Like I posted above, not going to work on this one

I ordered a cheap vice/holder from China. We'll see how that goes.

MannishBoy wrote:
ringsnort wrote:

We've discussed this method of removing screwbacks before on this thread. Even if it doesn't work for all watches in your collection, this product is likely worth the savings in grief, time, and gas.

Like I posted above, not going to work on this one

I ordered a cheap vice/holder from China. We'll see how that goes.

Please post how things go with the new vice. Cheap solutions never bother me if they work!

I mostly posted about the ball for anyone reading this thread later on...

Watches are like little clocks you wear on your wrist. The little hand points to the hour and the big hand points to the minute. In the olden days people didn't have time to look at their phones for the time because a dinosaur might eat them while they reached in their pocket.

Every time I see this thread pop up, I think it's spam.
I have something kinda like this one. Had it for years, it was a present for my 18th birthday and I turned 30 last week. So pretty durable.

Totally buying one of these if I hit the mega millions this week.

manta173 wrote:

Totally buying one of these if I hit the mega millions this week.

Very cool since I love excellent luminescence in my watches. I'm in no hurry, though. Assuming "moonglow" technology is the real deal, I suspect affordable versions in the next two years or so.

Though brilliant early on after purchase, benign yet radioactive tritium watch luminescence eventually fades over a short number of years. A major reason why I avoid watches with this feature.