Newbie help 1973 DJ

[Acabucca]

Hi

I have recently joined and purchased a 1973 Datejust 1601.

I purchased from a legitimate pawnbroker as it ticked the boxes for what I was looking for. They have a several premises and gave a 1 year warranty.

I had an issue with the watch few days after purchase, it was only getting "charge" from a manual wind which I did when purchased for 40 turns and then it stopped. Subsequently the rotor was replaced by their watchmaker.


I picked up the watch again last week and wore all week.It had lost a couple of minutes towards the end of the week. This morning when I awoke (do not wear in bed) it had stopped.

I took it to for with me but not on wrist, to take back to the shop. The little movement it had in transit had started the watch.

Once I'd explained the above to them I was told it "must be the mainspring" and that they hadn't done this when sorting out the rotor as it's a pretty intensive job.

Does this sound feasible?

I love the watch and want it to work, but clearly don't want to be stuck with a lemon.

Any thoughtswouls be most welcome and greatly appreciated

Thanks

[chiko323]

Did they offer to do the repair? If so, once it's done you should be fine. I don't think that you can have a "lemon" with a watch like you do with cars.

[77T]

I disagree about a watch not being a potential lemon. With an unknown service history, you can't really know if a prior owner submerged it with the crown unscrewed. Or if the gaskets had failed years ago and the watch might have obtained several corrosion-related issues that could plague you for years to come.

[Acabucca]

Thanks, yes they have taken in for repair.

I'm just concerned as to what else could go wrong, have not had much luck in the 2 weeks or so that I've owned it

[77T]

Just as a hedge, maybe ask them how they feel about a straight-up trade for another DJ if you have a 3rd major problem in the near future?

[jaime91]

i would just take that thing in for a service like i did mines when i barely got it.....gud luck

[Tools]

While it is common for a rotor to disconnect, your watch only sounds to me like you are simply not active enough to keep it wound while on your wrist..

If is not uncommon at all for a self wind watch to be worn for a week or so, then suddenly stop overnight.. Many people only put enough wind in their watch for a few hours... after a week or two, the power reserve will eventually wind down to only what you put into it each day.. if that's only 8 or 10 hours, it will stop at night..

of course, if they properly service the watch for you, then it should be functioning like new when you get it back.. (the above still applies though)

[Acabucca]

Thanks for the responses.

If it stops again after this I will consider a refund.

I would say I'm fairly active, and actually wound manually 40 turns twice in the week preceding.

Hopefully they'll sort it this time.

Cheers