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Wing Zero · 23 April 2015, 04:17 AM

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 · 23 April 2015, 04:20 AM

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 · 23 April 2015, 04:28 AM

Ouch! Sorry to see that.

JustinK · 23 April 2015, 04:40 AM

Is the pearl broken or did the tritium fall out?

jdmi32 · 23 April 2015, 05:07 AM

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 · 23 April 2015, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinK

Is the pearl broken or did the tritium fall out?

Here is the Before:

Wing Zero · 23 April 2015, 05:10 AM

looks and feels like the plastic pearl is shattered to me

JustinK · 23 April 2015, 05:28 AM

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 · 23 April 2015, 05:37 AM

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 · 23 April 2015, 06:12 AM

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 · 23 April 2015, 07:52 AM

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

linesiders · 23 April 2015, 08:01 AM

Quote:

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 · 23 April 2015, 08:07 AM

That's a bummer. Sorry to hear.

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

AS1 · 23 April 2015, 08:41 AM

very disappointing service IMO.

JohnBaker3 · 23 April 2015, 08:41 AM

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 · 23 April 2015, 09:02 AM

Quote:

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 · 23 April 2015, 10:04 AM

Quote:

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 · 23 April 2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

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 · 23 April 2015, 02:02 PM

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 · 23 April 2015, 06:12 PM

Quote:

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 · 23 April 2015, 06:13 PM

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

Vincent65 · 23 April 2015, 08:35 PM

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

brandrea · 23 April 2015, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent65

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

azguy · 23 April 2015, 11:14 PM

f---- my luck, I assumed

willang · 23 April 2015, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azguy

f---- my luck, I assumed

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

Wing Zero · 24 April 2015, 12:18 AM

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 · 24 April 2015, 12:27 AM

Quote:

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 · 24 April 2015, 12:31 AM

agreed ^

watchcrank · 24 April 2015, 01:22 AM

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

23 April 2015, 04:17 AM	#1
Wing Zero "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: JC Location: Earth Watch: 1680 ~ 16610LV Posts: 811	Broken Pearl FML 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? __________________ ********************** **********************

23 April 2015, 05:10 AM	#7
Wing Zero "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: JC Location: Earth Watch: 1680 ~ 16610LV Posts: 811	looks and feels like the plastic pearl is shattered to me __________________ ********************** **********************

23 April 2015, 05:37 AM	#9
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298	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. __________________

23 April 2015, 08:41 AM	#15
JohnBaker3 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: John Baker III Location: Spring,Texas Watch: 1971 Red Sub Posts: 2,222	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. Attached Images __________________ As I've grown older, I've learned that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing off everyone is a piece of cake.

23 April 2015, 06:13 PM	#21
Andad 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Eddie Location: Australia Watch: A few. Posts: 37,534	Take it back - make him install a diamond marker so he remembers. __________________ E

23 April 2015, 04:20 AM	#2
waiting 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: bay area, ca Posts: 330	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.

23 April 2015, 04:28 AM	#3
c41006 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Real Name: Joshua Location: Atlanta Watch: Pelagos Posts: 7,933	Ouch! Sorry to see that.

23 April 2015, 04:40 AM	#4
JustinK 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Justin Location: Jupiter, FL Watch: 1530,1665,1680 Posts: 2,064	Is the pearl broken or did the tritium fall out?

23 April 2015, 05:07 AM	#5
jdmi32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Real Name: Ky Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: 16570 Posts: 2,362	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.

23 April 2015, 05:28 AM	#8
JustinK 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Justin Location: Jupiter, FL Watch: 1530,1665,1680 Posts: 2,064	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.

23 April 2015, 06:12 AM	#10
cajuntiger 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Real Name: Who Dat Location: USA Watch: 5512 Posts: 1,149	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.

23 April 2015, 07:52 AM	#11
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	a nice patina'd pearl is hard to find and pretty pricey, that's a shame.

23 April 2015, 08:07 AM	#13
Wesley Crusher "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Wes Location: Holosuite Posts: 6,345	That's a bummer. Sorry to hear. Personally, I don't mind the look of inserts without the pearls.

23 April 2015, 08:41 AM	#14
AS1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NYC / Milan Watch: 6263 Posts: 3,938	very disappointing service IMO.

23 April 2015, 02:02 PM	#19
roll9 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Real Name: Dan Location: California Watch: 1016 & 16700 Posts: 368	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.

23 April 2015, 08:35 PM	#22
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298	Btw..."fml"...wtf? __________________

23 April 2015, 11:14 PM	#24
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	f---- my luck, I assumed

24 April 2015, 12:18 AM	#26
Wing Zero "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: JC Location: Earth Watch: 1680 ~ 16610LV Posts: 811	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. __________________ ******************** **********************

24 April 2015, 12:31 AM	#28
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298	agreed ^ __________________

24 April 2015, 01:22 AM	#29
watchcrank "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: michael Location: Florida Watch: explorer II cream Posts: 1,664	tough luck, happens. He should have noticed and told you and replaced with period.

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