How's Your Tudor 390 movement running ?

[MrChamfers]

Mine is at 20 sec per day slow after service...I know these movements are often panned, but that seems subpar.

Anyone timed theirs lately?

[harry in montreal]

Yes, I would be happy with that. I owned a 61 7928 with it and it was very slow. I’ve never overhauled one of those. Could it be magnetized ?

[linesiders]

Mine, serviced, just a few seconds per day usually.

[Dan S]

Saying that the watch is running 20 seconds per day slow really doesn't give much of a picture about timekeeping. What is the variation from day to day? Positional variation? Amplitude? If it's running consistently 20 second slow per day with little variation, then all it needs is more careful regulation. On the other hand, if the delta is 40 seconds, then you're out of luck.

[MrChamfers]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Saying that the watch is running 20 seconds per day slow really doesn't give much of a picture about timekeeping. What is the variation from day to day? Positional variation? Amplitude? If it's running consistently 20 second slow per day with little variation, then all it needs is more careful regulation. On the other hand, if the delta is 40 seconds, then you're out of luck.

The timekeeping tests I've done are simply a full wind then sat on the counter for 24 hours. It is pretty consistent, 20-23 sec slow each day.
The seller offered advice that further regulation would not do much.

"The watch was fully serviced by our watchmakers before sale, ...Because the movement on this watch has retained its original parts it isn't keeping time consistently in the way that you might expect of a modern watch. This can be rectified but it would require new parts, specifically new major components like the balance wheel. The delay of up to 23 seconds per day is to be expected in a vintage watch and does not warrant above mentioned procedure. You could have it regulated, however that will probably only "buy" a few seconds, if any. "

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by MrChamfers

The timekeeping tests I've done are simply a full wind then sat on the counter for 24 hours. It is pretty consistent, 20-23 sec slow each day.
The seller offered advice that further regulation would not do much.

"The watch was fully serviced by our watchmakers before sale, ...Because the movement on this watch has retained its original parts it isn't keeping time consistently in the way that you might expect of a modern watch. This can be rectified but it would require new parts, specifically new major components like the balance wheel. The delay of up to 23 seconds per day is to be expected in a vintage watch and does not warrant above mentioned procedure. You could have it regulated, however that will probably only "buy" a few seconds, if any. "

That's pretty telling. The seller is implying that he knows the watch has a large delta. It sounds like he knew that the movement had issues and didn't choose to address them. Everyone has different expectations for timekeeping, and I guess he thinks that +/- 20s is acceptable, hence his opinion that a vintage watch doesn't deserve to be repaired correctly.

The work performed was a very minimal type of service, which involves only disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly. Some of us use watchmakers that carefully inspect every part, and replace or repair as necessary. That type of service is more expensive.

[MrChamfers]

Originally Posted by Dan S

That's pretty telling. The seller is implying that he knows the watch has a large delta. It sounds like he knew that the movement had issues and didn't choose to address them. Everyone has different expectations for timekeeping, and I guess he thinks that +/- 20s is acceptable, hence his opinion that a vintage watch doesn't deserve to be repaired correctly.

The work performed was a very minimal type of service, which involves only disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly. Some of us use watchmakers that carefully inspect every part, and replace or repair as necessary. That type of service is more expensive.

That makes sense. The seller's argument against that type of part replacement service is that it makes the watch non-original (since they would use new parts). And that the old parts for the 390 are hard to find and may be worn as well.
Sounds like a cop out - watch returned.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by MrChamfers

That makes sense. The seller's argument against that type of part replacement service is that it makes the watch non-original (since they would use new parts). And that the old parts for the 390 are hard to find and may be worn as well.
Sounds like a cop out - watch returned.

I think that it's desirable to keep cosmetic parts original. But the movement needs to run properly, and this sometimes involves replacing parts. Ideally with correct replacements. Sometimes it can be difficult. One tries to find a watchmaker who has accumulated a stock of parts and/or can find them as needed. If the watch is special enough, sometimes you need to buy a parts watch. Over time, you may develop your own stash of parts and movements.