Broken Pearl FML

[Wing Zero]

So I took my 1680 and my Mark 3 insert to a watchmaker in town to get it installed.

Just noticed he broke the pearl.

FML

Is this a common occurrence? What should I do?

[waiting]

What a bummer! I'm sure you can get it replaced. I see them pop up in the for sale forum once in a while.

[c41006]

Ouch! Sorry to see that.

[JustinK]

Is the pearl broken or did the tritium fall out?

[jdmi32]

Ugh! I wonder if he used a press to install the insert. Never heard about this happening while in the hands of a watchmaker. I would imagine most were broken in the normal course of wear.

I'd just pop that pip off and wear it and wait for a loose, legit replacement to turn up. Then take it to a watchmaker that won't mangle your insert or better yet you can do it yourself.

[Wing Zero]

Originally Posted by JustinK

Is the pearl broken or did the tritium fall out?

Here is the Before:

[Wing Zero]

looks and feels like the plastic pearl is shattered to me

[JustinK]

I would go see your watchmaker and tell them what happened. Maybe he/she has an old pearl from another insert that can be swapped out for you. A new pearl is going to cost you at least $100.

I would find it hard to believe the watchmaker is not aware they damaged the pearl when installing the insert.

[Vincent65]

That's a shame, and annoying, sorry. He squashed it; it's been crushed, by the looks of it.
I'd take it back and at least tell him. You're looking at $200 these days, and it was a nice one.

There's always some inherent risk, but he may do something to compensate. Good luck. If not, put it down to a lesson learned, and change the bezel/insert/pearl yourself next time.

[cajuntiger]

just happened to me at my AD's watchmaker. He offered to replace it with a "new" one...but I declined and found a correct vintage pearl thats a pretty close match...they are not cheap though. Easy to install your self.

[azguy]

a nice patina'd pearl is hard to find and pretty pricey, that's a shame.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by JustinK

I would go see your watchmaker and tell them what happened. Maybe he/she has an old pearl from another insert that can be swapped out for you. A new pearl is going to cost you at least $100.

I would find it hard to believe the watchmaker is not aware they damaged the pearl when installing the insert.

Just make sure same guy does not drill out the hole to place the tritium pearl he has from a sapphire insert

[Wesley Crusher]

That's a bummer. Sorry to hear.

Personally, I don't mind the look of inserts without the pearls.

[AS1]

very disappointing service IMO.

[JohnBaker3]

The original Tritium pearls are plastic and they become brittle over time.

Any compression can cause them to shatter even when handled gently. Same story with my watchmaker serviced it after sitting in a drawer for 25 years....

Track another one down, then pop it into place yourself to make sure it gets done right. I used blue painters tape to cover mine, then pressed it into the hole.

It definitely looks better than an empty hole in the insert...

Good luck.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

The original Tritium pearls are plastic and they become brittle over time.

Any compression can cause them to shatter even when handled gently. Same story with my watchmaker serviced it after sitting in a drawer for 25 years....

Track another one down, then pop it into place yourself to make sure it gets done right. I used blue painters tape to cover mine, then pressed it into the hole.

It definitely looks better than an empty hole in the insert...

Good luck.

Nice!

[JustinK]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Just make sure same guy does not drill out the hole to place the tritium pearl he has from a sapphire insert

True!

I guess things could always be worse they could have broken the insert.

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Nice!

Larry:

We keep running into each other on this site! Thanks for the comment and hope your C5 is running well....

My C6 now has 79K on the odometer and is running strong; new tires helped!

Be safe!

[roll9]

I just procured a couple of NOS pearls for my 1680 from a few different sources. So if your looking for one shoot me a pm and I'll point you in the right direction.

[steptoe]

Originally Posted by AS1

very disappointing service IMO.

Not really. Old pearls can break with the most careful of handling, and i'd imagine any half decent watch maker will point out the possibility of the pearl getting damaged before they undertake the work..

[Andad]

Take it back - make him install a diamond marker so he remembers.

[Vincent65]

Btw..."fml"...wtf?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Btw..."fml"...wtf?

[azguy]

f---- my luck, I assumed

[willang]

Originally Posted by azguy

f---- my luck, I assumed

I think it's F--- My Life?

[Wing Zero]

Yes FML = F*** My Life

Thank you everyone for your feedback.

I took it back to the Jewler/Watchmaker and he is going to look for a replacement pearl and call me back. Although I'm not going to hold my breath because he said "hmmm... I've never seen a pearl like that before"

Keeping my fingers crossed... The bright side is he didn't ask if I wanted my batteries changed.

Lesson learned.

[AS1]

Originally Posted by steptoe

Not really. Old pearls can break with the most careful of handling, and i'd imagine any half decent watch maker will point out the possibility of the pearl getting damaged before they undertake the work..

Except he neither pointed out the possibility nor, apparently, informed the owner after it happened. It seems that the owner only noticed it himself afterwards. That seems like poor service to me.

[Vincent65]

agreed ^

[watchcrank]

tough luck, happens. He should have noticed and told you and replaced with period.