Second hand malfunction

[sleedawg]

So, a co-worker shows me a "Rolex." It's been beaten pretty bad. It looks to be a 10 years old Explorer I which has never been serviced, and the second hand doesn't work. The watch keeps good time, but the second hand doesn't move?! Anyone ever seen this before? I'm no horologist, but I would have assumed that if the second hand movement wasn't functioning, the minutes and hour hands wouldn't either. I told him to go see a watch maker and get that checked out and also for the rebuild ASAP. But, is it possible for the second hand to stop, but the watch to continue on?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Maybe the reason is he bought it SECOND HAND??

[Tools]

Yes it is possible to lose second hand movement without affecting anything else..

Center seconds is a fairly new complication (horologically speaking).

The seconds shaft rotates below the center wheel. This can be seen in early watches where the second hand is a separate smaller dial above the 6 o'clock position

To get it in the center, another wheel (gear) is fitted to the seconds shaft at the 6 o'clock position, and it drives the new second hand wheel now mounted on the center shaft, while the main wheel drives the hours...This requires a hollow center shaft...

So, the seconds shaft at the 6 o'clock may have snapped, or the wheels (gears) that drive it may be mis-aligned, or the new center wheel may have slipped off the drive wheel. None of this would affect the main hours drive...

This watch needs to be serviced...

[FlyingMoose]

I don't think that's true of direct center seconds. See:

http://www.timezone.com/library/horo...70523058687082

[Tools]

Originally Posted by FlyingMoose

I don't think that's true of direct center seconds. See:

http://www.timezone.com/library/horo...70523058687082

It's true that I simplified the discussion and remarked on an indirect driven seconds hand since many members have probably seen the 6 o'clock seconds hands (which is still used in some high end movements). Direct driven seconds moves the wheels around but still drives the seconds through the center of the hollow central shaft and wheel by meshing with a series of wheels and pinions. ..

But the point is that the seconds hand drive (pinion, wheel, or shaft) can be broken or mis-aligned, and the seconds will not move while the rest of the train will..

[f16570]

Anyway tell him to get it serviced and it will be good as new.

f

[SSD]

Based on the age & stated condition, I'd say a total refresh from RSC is in order. Nice rebuild/repair on the movement and a factory-new polish for the case and bracelet, too. Keep that beauty lookin' and working good!