Ref 1680 Submariner running ~1 min fast per day

[moranjos23]

Hi All,

I picked up a ref 1680 Submariner a few weeks ago (2 mil serial red sub) and it is running about 1 minute fast per day. Any suggestions on how to get this fixed other than full service? I don’t want to get it serviced for this (to me) minor flaw but would like to get it running to COSC. Would an AD be able to help and what might be the cost?

Appreciate the thoughts.

-JM

[cpefy3]

Try self regulating with resting with crown up. It usually only works for a few seconds per day but it is free and worth a shot. Good luck!!

[SubKing]

You actually use your vintage to tell time?

All kidding aside, it’s an oldie, enjoy it for what it is, I would t tinker too much looking for perfect results, in the long run could cause more damage than its worth. I only service my vintage pieces if they stop running, otherwise I leave em be and try to preserve them as best as I can.

[Chronokid]

Originally Posted by SubKing

You actually use your vintage to tell time?

All kidding aside, it’s an oldie, enjoy it for what it is, I would t tinker too much looking for perfect results, in the long run could cause more damage than its worth. I only service my vintage pieces if they stop running, otherwise I leave em be and try to preserve them as best as I can.

Great Advice!

[R.W.T.]

It's probably dry as toast inside.

I'd want to see the amplitude. if it's 260-270 in the flat at full wind and doesn't drop off more than 50 in the verticals that's not the issue, but if the watch has low amplitude, the seconds click off faster because the balance has no degree of swing. Also hit it with a demag.

Wearing a vintage watch dry will cost you money down the road. If you like it....because it looks cool put it in a display box. If you're going to wear it get it serviced. If it's not dry it can be regulated fairly easily. A minute is a bit severe.

[moranjos23]

Woah... no idea what this means. I better do some research 😀

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

It's probably dry as toast inside.

I'd want to see the amplitude. if it's 260-270 in the flat at full wind and doesn't drop off more than 50 in the verticals that's not the issue, but if the watch has low amplitude, the seconds click off faster because the balance has no degree of swing. Also hit it with a demag.

Wearing a vintage watch dry will cost you money down the road. If you like it....because it looks cool put it in a display box. If you're going to wear it get it serviced. If it's not dry it can be regulated fairly easily. A minute is a bit severe.

[Woody]

If you are going to wear it I would get it serviced - you can also then have the gaskets/seals changed etc which is likely to be a good investment. If it is just going to sit in your safe (as most seem to do) then I would leave as is.

[moranjos23]

I definitely wear it. Almost daily. Appreciate all the advice.

Originally Posted by Woody

If you are going to wear it I would get it serviced - you can also then have the gaskets/seals changed etc which is likely to be a good investment. If it is just going to sit in your safe (as most seem to do) then I would leave as is.

[1945Datejust]

If you plan on wearing it, please get it serviced. I'd recommend Tommy Taylor, R.W.T. on the forum. He is great on vintage. His explanation above may have been confusing to us mortals, but he really does know what he is doing. Trusted a 60 year old 6605 Datejust family heirloom to him recently. He did an excellent job.

[SubKing]

Just because a piece is running fast or slow doesn't mean the oils are dry or needs a service. A simple regulation could be all that's needed.

But I need to make clear that there are many risks involved when you service a vintage piece, no matter how experienced the person is doing the job. A dials paint could peel right off just by removing it from the case, could get lume loss off the dial, lume on hands could crack just from removing, with old parts, anything is possible. So if you are prepared to accept that risk, then service the piece.

I have serviced my vintage pieces over the years but only when they absolutely needed to be serviced. Otherwise, I leave them be until it's absolutely necessary.

it's all personal preference. But being around the forums over the years, you tend to hear a few horror story's. I also have one of my own, but that's an entirely different story haha.. Need a stiff drink to tell that one.