Damaged 3135 seconds pinion - Advice please!

[daniel76]

Hi guys,

I purchased a 3135 from a seller in the US, it arrived today.

To my dismay the seller put it in a zip lock bag in a metal container...

When I opened it up overall it looked to be in excellent condition however, upon further inspection I have found that the seconds' pinion is bent right over and isnt upright or centered.

Can anyone please advise, is this something that can be straightened out or will it need to be torn down and replaced?

The other thing is I dont know what position the crown has been left in. So if the pinion was damaged and trying to move could it cause other damage to the movement?

I can send over some pics if required.

Any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Daniel

[daniel76]

[kilyung]

Get the part replaced. Should be easy enough to find.

[daniel76]

Any estimates on labor costs?

Thanks

[kilyung]

Given that it's an uncased movement, that's an easy fix as long as nothing else is wrong. So figure an hour labor... whatever the watchmaker's rate happens to be.

[daniel76]

I was just a bit concerned because I watched the video "3135 under the loupe" and the seconds pinion was one of the first parts that gets put on the base. So I thought it wouldn't be cheap seeming the entire movement needs to come apart.

The seller has offered to send me the part, would you guys be asking for the labour charges?

[crowncollection]

sorry to hear your story, definietely get the part and you can only try to get some money for labour. All the best

[daniel76]

Thanks, it came from a watch supply company that shall remain nameless unless they become unhelpful!
This was also after I bought a 3135 and had to make a paypal claim and had the money returned because it was never sent!

crowncollection can you recommend someone in Melbourne, I noticed you were in Australia.

[Rikki]

it's a 5 minute repair 5 screws 2 bridges pull gear install new one put together. Now finding someone to do it without wanting to do a complete service that's a different story. Rikki

[daniel76]

Originally Posted by Rikki

it's a 5 minute repair 5 screws 2 bridges pull gear install new one put together. Now finding someone to do it without wanting to do a complete service that's a different story. Rikki

Being in melbourne Australia doesn't help either!!

I'm going to ring around a few places, soon as most people hear "roles" I think their eyes light up with $ $ I'd get it done at the RSC but they won't touch it without it being a complete watch :(

[daniel76]

So I called a watch smith who sounded like he knew what he was talking about :) gave me a decent price to fix it.

My only concern is if there is any underlying damage from the knock? Could the knock have caused any other damage, other than to the seconds pinion which is going to be replaced?

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by daniel76

So I called a watch smith who sounded like he knew what he was talking about :) gave me a decent price to fix it.

My only concern is if there is any underlying damage from the knock? Could the knock have caused any other damage, other than to the seconds pinion which is going to be replaced?

Yes. That's where a good watchmaker is critical!

[daniel76]

Damn!! Ill have to see what they say when the work is carried out. Fingers crossed nothing is wrong. In a worst case scenario, any ideas of what parts would need to be replaced?
That may be a difficult question and the answer might be how long is a piece of string!!

[Lt.Arclight]

Originally Posted by Rikki

it's a 5 minute repair 5 screws 2 bridges pull gear install new one put together. Now finding someone to do it without wanting to do a complete service that's a different story. Rikki

You got that right!! I know I don't even remotely get involved with just movements. Far too many Frankenwatches exist and it makes Rolex take even MORE draconian measures AGAINST independent watchmakers. No offense to the OP-but this situation is one of the reason's why parts are so controlled.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Lt.Arclight

You got that right!! I know I don't even remotely get involved with just movements. Far too many Frankenwatches exist and it makes Rolex take even MORE draconian measures AGAINST independent watchmakers. No offense to the OP-but this situation is one of the reason's why parts are so controlled.

Yup but there are some legitimate reasons for folks to buy uncased movements. I've purchased plenty of ETA movements to replace dead watches (it was cheaper/easier than buying all the parts). It's possible the OP is restoring a dead Rolex (benefit of the doubt).

[daniel76]

Sorry for the late reply guys, I do NOT support the creation of Franken-watches, I am restoring a dead rolex and trying to use another movement to save cost

Thanks

[Lt.Arclight]

Originally Posted by daniel76

Sorry for the late reply guys, I do NOT support the creation of Franken-watches, I am restoring a dead rolex and trying to use another movement to save cost

Thanks

When you do that-ie.,bring a dead rolex "back to life" you have created a Frankenwatch.(If you NEVER,EVER sell it who cares..but most ARE sold and end up at RSC and they get bent out of shape...) That's exactly why the parts are so controlled. You NEVER get YOUR old parts back.

[daniel76]

I have no intention of selling the watch ever, period.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Lt.Arclight

When you do that-ie.,bring a dead rolex "back to life" you have created a Frankenwatch.(If you NEVER,EVER sell it who cares..but most ARE sold and end up at RSC and they get bent out of shape...) That's exactly why the parts are so controlled. You NEVER get YOUR old parts back.

If replacing a dead 3135 movement then it's fine but replacing another movement is creating a frankenwatch.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by daniel76

I have no intention of selling the watch ever, period.

I'm sure you are right, and I agree that if you are replacing a 3135 with another 3135 then all is well. However many others who create franken-watches and never intend to sell them or release them, change their minds or eventually turn a blind eye. Morbid but they may pass away without their wishes being honored about their time pieces, so then they're out there. I completely understand why some people are 1000% against combining parts or taking liberties with authenticity/model-accuracy. A lot of these watches will out live us and can cause harm. JMHO