Service and Care Question

[Dr.Atom]

¡Hola!
So I have a question, keep in mind that I am a novice in horology. I have recently noticed that my Cartier Roadster hasn't been keeping its wind compared to my rolex. I know some of you are going to jump down my throat and tell me that "Rolex is a much better watch and Cartier is a piece of jewelry ect. ect." And I know that watches loose a couple of seconds so on and so forth. But my Cartier has been sitting in its box not to be used for about 3 years (I would wear it only for nice occasions, and I didnt want to wear it at school) But anyways to the problem at hand. My cartier only lasts for 1/2 a day now after I ware it and put it down comparing that to my rolex which lasts about 2 days after I wear it. Do you think it is time that I have my Cartier taken in for service? and do any of you think that it really isnt necessary to have you watch serviced.

Could someone provide me the reasons that one would need to have their watch serviced? Is it really that necessary every 2 years. B/c I think that is kinda overkill.
Please feel free to rip me a new one b/c the reason that I am asking is b/c "I just dont know ."

¡Tchau!
Dr. Atom

[dddrees]

I assume the Cartier you are reffering to is a mechanical autowind watch?

If so are you winding it before you put it on to build up it's power reserve?

If you are, but are not winding it per manufactures recomendations for the movement from a complete stop, which I am guessing is about 40 winds then this would explain the problem. You aren't filling the power reserve and hence it is powering down shortly after taking it off.

All of this is alot of assumption on my part, however you really did not provide much detail.

[Dr.Atom]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I assume the Cartier you are reffering to is a mechanical autowind watch?

If so are you winding it before you put it on to build up it's power reserve?

If you are, but are not winding it per manufactures recomendations for the movement from a complete stop, which I am guessing is about 40 winds then this would explain the problem. You aren't filling the power reserve and hence it is powering down shortly after taking it off.

All of this is alot of assumption on my part, however you really did not provide much detail.

Dan, please dont let the Doctor title fool you. I am not as intelligent as you think I am, b/c I truly have no idea what you are talking about.

-1st No, I do not wind it before I put it on (I did not know that I was supposed to that. I mean I wind it a little bit just to get it started but I did not know about the other stuff)
-2nd What do you mean by 40 winds? What constitutes as a "wind"?
-3rd are these directions that you have just bequeathed upon me standard practices that will affect the long term life of my watches.

Thank you so much for you time.

Dr. Atom

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Dr.Atom

Dan, please dont let the Doctor title fool you. I am not as intelligent as you think I am, b/c I truly have no idea what you are talking about.

-1st No, I do not wind it before I put it on (I did not know that I was supposed to that. I mean I wind it a little bit just to get it started but I did not know about the other stuff)
-2nd What do you mean by 40 winds? What constitutes as a "wind"?
-3rd are these directions that you have just bequeathed upon me standard practices that will affect the long term life of my watches.

Thank you so much for you time.

Dr. Atom

Dr. Atom,

It sounds based on your description that this Cartier is a autowind mechanical watch. This means it winds itself as you wear it. However autowind watches should be wound via the crown when the watch is found fully stopped or not running. This is done in order to build up the power reserve or tension of the watch which powers it's movement. This should be done for a number of reasons, one of which is to make the watch run more accurately, and two so that the power reserve or length of time that the watch will run on at it's full capacity. So when you take it off it will run on it's own.

It's hard to say which position the crown of your watch needs to be in to wind it because I don't even know what model you have. This could be position 0 or position 1 of the crown. That means the crown at 0 is flush on the case of the watch or position one where the crown needs to be pulled out one notch. My guess would be position 0. Anyway at the proper position you will need to wind the crown at least 40 clockwise turns. There again 40 is a guess but this works for a number of watches. You can tell if this is right by either looking at your manual or from a full stop if you start winding the watch should start working.

Hope this explanation helps you a bit more.

[Dr.Atom]

Dan, I have included some pictures of my watch hopefully this might help you, help me.

Thanks Atom

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Dr. Atom,

It sounds based on your description that this Cartier is a autowind mechanical watch. This means it winds itself as you wear it. However autowind watches should be wound via the crown when the watch is found fully stopped or not running. This is done in order to build up the power reserve or tension of the watch which powers it's movement. This should be done for a number of reasons, one of which is to make the watch run more accurately, and two so that the power reserve or length of time that the watch will run on at it's full capacity. So when you take it off it will run on it's own.

It's hard to say which position the crown of your watch needs to be in to wind it because I don't even know what model you have. This could be position 0 or position 1 of the crown. That means the crown at 0 is flush on the case of the watch or position one where the crown needs to be pulled out one notch. My guess would be position 0. Anyway at the proper position you will need to wind the crown at least 40 clockwise turns. There again 40 is a guess but this works for a number of watches. You can tell if this is right by either looking at your manual or from a full stop if you start winding the watch should start working.

Hope this explanation helps you a bit more.

Did you read my last post, did this make sense?

[Dr.Atom]

Yes thank you very much! Descriptive and informative.
So in your opinion I do not need to take my watch in for servicing? B/c I went in to Cartier 2 months ago to get my watch engraved (which is normally free to do so on all cartier products) and the woman behind the counter said that it would be $300 b/c they had, HAD! to service my watch b/c it has been 3 years since I purchased it. and according to her they NEED to be serviced every 2 years. I have dealt w/ the same sales person before but to say she was a moron would be an insult to morons everywhere. And I recently noticed this issue w/ the Cartier, and what worried me is that there might be validity in what this woman was saying (which scared the hell out of me b/c that would truly mean that the end of days would be coming you know, Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!) Anyways how do I wind my Rolex the same way via the crown. Do I put it into the 1 position? and wind it clockwise as well?

Thank you so very much btw!
Atom

[dddrees]

I in no way indicated that your Cartier did require or does not require a service. I recommended you give it a full wind and then check it out.

Yes your Rolex watch needs to be in position 1 in order to wind it. Wind it in a clockwise fashion.

[slashd0t]

Dr. Atom...

First off, no one here will (or should) bash your Cartier. Cartier makes excellent time pieces..

As per the servicing... Mechanical watches generally get serviced every 5 years (if required). Most brands will recommend a minor service at 2 years and a full service at 5. My opinion is.... If you're watch is running consistently (not gaining or losing a lot per day and what it does gain or lose is consistent everyday) and your power reserve is being met (say not worn for roughly 40hrs and it stays going) it likely does NOT need a service.

Don't let the Cartier sales people push a service on you just to separate you from your money...

Fully wind your watch (pull out the crown, wind it up 40-50 turns). See how she goes..

[Dr.Atom]

Also another couple of questions

What are your opinions of Cartier watches, just a piece of Jewelry or are they getting better w/ their in house movements. I think that Cartier's case designs are truly beautiful compared to rolex which I feel is a great watch but a little b/c too conservative (which is why I guess my 1st rolex was the Milgauss GV [the un-rolex, rolex])

Also how do I add text to the bottom of my posts? I notice that you have
__________________
Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation.

How do I add that to my posts. I would like to add i guess the Rolex logo at the bottom. Any insight to my queries?

Thank you
Atom

[chiko323]

Also, it may be that the Cartier simply does not hold the same amount of power reserve as a rolex. Not all wathces can be put down even with a full wind and run as long as a rolex can.

[Dr.Atom]

I still dont understand how to do a "signature" at the bottom of my posts could someone please shed some light on teh subject for me?

Thanks
Atom

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by Dr.Atom

I still dont understand how to do a "signature" at the bottom of my posts could someone please shed some light on teh subject for me?

Thanks
Atom

You need to have at least 15 post and 15 days of membership...
You have not qualified for this yet!

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=11242

[Dr.Atom]

Ah ha!
Thank you very much! This reminds me of a movie!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKsSvR5u-qk

Again thank you very much Rob.

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by Dr.Atom

Ah ha!
Thank you very much! This reminds me of a movie!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKsSvR5u-qk

Again thank you very much Rob.

Well, another week or so, you'll have your spoon!!

[Dr.Atom]

Thanks guys! This morning I woke up to my Cartier is working just fine! Thank you very much for your help! I should def. look into this "instruction" book you guys seem to be making reference to. You guys might be on to something. Again thank you very much! It was most helpful.

Another question do any of you think that a watch winder would a good investment or a complete waste of my hard earned cash? Due to the fact that I seem to have solved my watch winding issue, by talking to ya'll.

Thank you!
Atom

[chiko323]

Originally Posted by Dr.Atom

Thanks guys! This morning I woke up to my Cartier is working just fine! Thank you very much for your help! I should def. look into this "instruction" book you guys seem to be making reference to. You guys might be on to something. Again thank you very much! It was most helpful.

Another question do any of you think that a watch winder would a good investment or a complete waste of my hard earned cash? Due to the fact that I seem to have solved my watch winding issue, by talking to ya'll.

Thank you!
Atom

I don't use a winder because I think it is better just to reset each watch when I want to wear it and the money not spent on a winder can be put towards new watches. Also, winders are more useful for very complicated watches that take longer to set correctly each time.