Oysterquartz stopped running

[bugben]

My 17000 oysterquartz with serial from 1999 just died on me.
Before it died it was running quite badly at 2 seconds per week.
I sent it to Rolex and got quote back $1,400.
They say it needs full service and circuit replacement.
Circuit alone is around $600.
Bought it for just over $2,800. Should i get it fixed?
Love the watch, but does servicing that cost half the cost of the whole watch make sense?

[offrdmania]

Yes. Im surprised they are actually willing to change just the single circuit. Usually on the quartz, they change the entire movement.

[Old Expat Beast]

Did you try a new battery before you sent it in?

[bugben]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Did you try a new battery before you sent it in?

No, i think it stopped running because of the battery but the bad accuracy is due to the circuit. Would you suggest just replace the battery and use it as is? (was running +2 seconds per week when i got it and change to minutes 3-4 days before it eventually stopped running)

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by bugben

No, i think it stopped running because of the battery but the bad accuracy is due to the circuit. Would you suggest just replace the battery and use it as is? (was running +2 seconds per week when i got it and change to minutes 3-4 days before it eventually stopped running)

I would certainly try a new battery before handing over $1,400 to the RSC. I seem to recall that accuracy does deteriorate quite a bit as the battery dies. Any watchmaker with a Rolex-type caseback tool can do it, and should have a suitable battery in stock.

[asiparks]

for the cost of a battery, it's probably worth giving it a shot...

[joe100]

A bad battery can cause a that sort of thing, if you notice bad accuracy after the new battery there is a problem, also if the new battery drains fast, problem. Try a new one first and see what happens

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by bugben

My 17000 oysterquartz with serial from 1999 just died on me.
Before it died it was running quite badly at 2 seconds per week.
I sent it to Rolex and got quote back $1,400.
They say it needs full service and circuit replacement.
Circuit alone is around $600.
Bought it for just over $2,800. Should i get it fixed?
Love the watch, but does servicing that cost half the cost of the whole watch make sense?

As others have said, try a battery.

But, $1400 is a worst case service. But even if it is, you'll have a solid Rolex for the next 20 years. Even if it were an auto, you'd likely pay $800 - $1000 for an rsc overhaul at the 17yr range.

You paid a fair price. It's 17yrs old. If you do the work, you'll likely not do anything more than batteries every 3-5 years for the next 20; that's still a good deal.

Wear it well.

[Old Expat Beast]

Just for reference, RSC Hong Kong (which charges about half the price of most RSCs worldwide) serviced my 1977 OQ for about US$375 a couple of years ago. So a 1999 OQ shouldn't incur extra expense on a basic service, assuming nothing expensive needs replacing.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Just for reference, RSC Hong Kong (which charges about half the price of most RSCs worldwide) serviced my 1977 OQ for about US$375 a couple of years ago. So a 1999 OQ shouldn't incur extra expense on a basic service, assuming nothing expensive needs replacing.

Will RSC in HK do service for other countries (the US for example)?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Will RSC in HK do service for other countries (the US for example)?

No, you have to bring the watch along in person, and pick it up.

[wm82]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Just for reference, RSC Hong Kong (which charges about half the price of most RSCs worldwide) serviced my 1977 OQ for about US$375 a couple of years ago. So a 1999 OQ shouldn't incur extra expense on a basic service, assuming nothing expensive needs replacing.

The motor and PCB are expensive parts, and clearly something needs replacing here.

Originally Posted by directioneng

When I received my '88 OQ earlier this year I unscrewed the back and checked the movement.
It would have taken me another few minutes to change the battery had I needed to do that.
The battery is an unusual voltage but not hard to find.
Power source: UCAR 357 silveroxide battery, 1.55v

If that doesn't fix the problem then you ARE at the mercy of Rolex.

The voltage is standard 1,55, same as all silveroxide batteries, size is also known as LR44.

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Yes. Im surprised they are actually willing to change just the single circuit. Usually on the quartz, they change the entire movement.

This is an Oysterquartz... its more robust and well-built than most rolex mechanical movements. The dial-side is the same as the 3035 for instance. So a complete movement replacing is never done unless total water immersion has happened... and even than you can usually salvage some parts.

Get it serviced, it's an underrated model and Rolex have said they will keep making parts until 2032 at least for it. Some day values will shoot up....

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by wm82

The voltage is standard 1,55, same as all silveroxide batteries, size is also known as LR44

357 or SR44 vs LR44 ... proper silver oxide cell usually dearer than alkaline cells

[Andad]

When I received my '88 OQ earlier this year I unscrewed the back and checked the movement.
It would have taken me another few minutes to change the battery had I needed to do that.
The battery is an unusual voltage but not hard to find.
Power source: UCAR 357 silveroxide battery, 1.55v

If that doesn't fix the problem then you ARE at the mercy of Rolex.

[BristolCavendish]

I was once told this by a watch repairman and it probably applies to the majority of quartz analog watches (including an Oysterquartz).

As a quartz watch gets older, battery drain increases due to worn components, increased friction and dissipation of the internal lubricants. It's probably one of the main reasons some folks notice that they often get 3 years of battery life when the watch is new vs 2 years (or less) later down the road after a few battery replacements. This 'wear and tear' factor can also affect the overall accuracy of the watch.

While a quartz watch has fewer moving components than a mechanical design, there are still parts in motion going 24/7. Most folks don't bother overhauling/servicing or replacing quartz movements but in your case, it's a different scenario considering the make and value of your watch.

[Onikage]

Get an expensive silver oxide battery. I recommend SONY. Cheap batteries are very hit and miss and can take a dump in your movement.

[bugben]

I just decided to pull the trigger and get it fixed.
The guy at Rolex told me that a new battery will bring it back to life but it would need a pretty high voltage to tick. The battery inside the watch still have some juice left but not enough to get it run.
In conclusion, new battery would fix it temporarily (but still bad accuracy like it was a few months ago) but the guy said it would not run for long as the circuit is in a bad shape.

My plan for Rolex 1500 would have to wait a little longer with my money going into this fix :(

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by bugben

I just decided to pull the trigger and get it fixed.
The guy at Rolex told me that a new battery will bring it back to life but it would need a pretty high voltage to tick. The battery inside the watch still have some juice left but not enough to get it run.
In conclusion, new battery would fix it temporarily (but still bad accuracy like it was a few months ago) but the guy said it would not run for long as the circuit is in a bad shape.

My plan for Rolex 1500 would have to wait a little longer with my money going into this fix :(

I hate to say it but.. he would say that wouldn't he. Everything you're describing doesn't sound like a 'bad circuit' but an old battery. He can't possibly know which of the two is the problem. No one would throw 1500 at a problem when it could be a 5 buck new battery.

[wm82]

Originally Posted by Onikage

I hate to say it but.. he would say that wouldn't he. Everything you're describing doesn't sound like a 'bad circuit' but an old battery. He can't possibly know which of the two is the problem. No one would throw 1500 at a problem when it could be a 5 buck new battery.

Yes he sort of can, just by measuring the power consumption of the movement. If it's above a certain threshhold then its service time... The reasons could be many though, dirt in the jewels, old oils, worn out pallet. The circuit is probably not the culprit as its a PCB and a static component I'd say...

[asiparks]

Originally Posted by bugben

I just decided to pull the trigger and get it fixed.
The guy at Rolex told me that a new battery will bring it back to life but it would need a pretty high voltage to tick. The battery inside the watch still have some juice left but not enough to get it run.
In conclusion, new battery would fix it temporarily (but still bad accuracy like it was a few months ago) but the guy said it would not run for long as the circuit is in a bad shape.

My plan for Rolex 1500 would have to wait a little longer with my money going into this fix :(

your watch and everything, but I'd have to try out the battery first, it wouldn't have broken anything and, despite what the tech says, might have fixed it just fine.... worst case it would have cost you a few dollars and 15 minutes....

[Andad]

Did 'the guy' at Rolex put a hew battery in your watch?
If not, why not?

Very strange?

[bugben]

I know it sounds stupid but i've always felt the watch is not in a very good shape.

I gave it to RSC to check the movement when i got it second hand to see whether it needs servicing, also to authenticate in the same process without having to pay.

RSC said that it's still ok but the circuit wasn't looking very good. I myself also notice that the accuracy wasn't as i believe it should be since I got it in August.
It was running 2 seconds per week since i got it and the seller told me he just got the battery replaced by AD in 2016.

So battery run out in 1 year + very bad accuracy + the RSC's words make me believe that it would need to be fixed anyway in the near future, so why not get it fixed now.

Because sending the watch to them and get it back without doing any service would cost me another $100 as inspection cost.

I'll just think of it as a servicing cost of a watch that would run for 10+ more years.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by bugben

I know it sounds stupid but i've always felt the watch is not in a very good shape.

I gave it to RSC to check the movement when i got it second hand to see whether it needs servicing, also to authenticate in the same process without having to pay.

RSC said that it's still ok but the circuit wasn't looking very good. I myself also notice that the accuracy wasn't as i believe it should be since I got it in August.
It was running 2 seconds per week since i got it and the seller told me he just got the battery replaced by AD in 2016.

So battery run out in 1 year + very bad accuracy + the RSC's words make me believe that it would need to be fixed anyway in the near future, so why not get it fixed now.

Because sending the watch to them and get it back without doing any service would cost me another $100 as inspection cost.

I'll just think of it as a servicing cost of a watch that would run for 10+ more years.

I think you're doing the right thing.

[You]

Enjoy your OQ :)

[watchwatcher]

Well...even worst case, you're still into the watch for a bargain. So, enjoy it and don't worry about the money.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Well...even worst case, you're still into the watch for a bargain. So, enjoy it and don't worry about the money.

Agree!!!

[Drives550]

I took my OQ to the RSC in NYC when it started acting funny. I’d had it only a few weeks. Knew nothing of its service history other than that it had clearly been serviced due to observable replacment parts. So RSC could have upsold me on a service and I wouldn’t have known enough to disagree. But they didn’t: checked battery voltage, was a little low, replaced the battery, gave it a quick once over and said it seemed good.

Only one anecdote but gave me some comfort that their first response isn’t always going to be “needs a service”. So I’d think you’ve been accurately advised. And as others have said, a good investment regardless.

[Andad]

That sounds like smoke and mirrors to me.
The power consumption/draw will vary with the battery efficiency and would be difficult to read even with a new battery.

But it's the op's decision.

[haven_seeker]

I have an OQ that will need a service in the next couple of years...not looking forward to that repair bill!!!

[mineral]

The RSC should also replace the battery free of charge. I think this is good service by RSC. I got my battery on 17013 replaced while ago.




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