IWC repair - Swindon ?
Discussion
Hi all
I've managed to pull out the crown on my 2013 IWC Aquatimer
Nothing appears to be broken, but in its normal action to unscrew to correct the time and date, it just unscrews and then pulls out
Does anyone know anywhere around Swindon that can make the repair ?
Also, has anyone had similar happen that could give me a rough idea of what to expect it to cost ?
I've managed to pull out the crown on my 2013 IWC Aquatimer
Nothing appears to be broken, but in its normal action to unscrew to correct the time and date, it just unscrews and then pulls out
Does anyone know anywhere around Swindon that can make the repair ?
Also, has anyone had similar happen that could give me a rough idea of what to expect it to cost ?
When it comes off does it have the stem attached (long thin threaded steel bit) or is it just the crown that comes off?
If it's just the crown that comes off there should be a (roughly 0.9mm diameter) hole in the centre of the part that goes into the watch, which the stem is meant to screw into. Does that hole look like it's clear, or is it plugged with a bit of metal?
If it's just the crown that comes off there should be a (roughly 0.9mm diameter) hole in the centre of the part that goes into the watch, which the stem is meant to screw into. Does that hole look like it's clear, or is it plugged with a bit of metal?
Variomatic said:
When it comes off does it have the stem attached (long thin threaded steel bit) or is it just the crown that comes off?
If it's just the crown that comes off there should be a (roughly 0.9mm diameter) hole in the centre of the part that goes into the watch, which the stem is meant to screw into. Does that hole look like it's clear, or is it plugged with a bit of metal?
HiIf it's just the crown that comes off there should be a (roughly 0.9mm diameter) hole in the centre of the part that goes into the watch, which the stem is meant to screw into. Does that hole look like it's clear, or is it plugged with a bit of metal?
It comes out with what you describe as the stem
Ok, in a way that's a shame - if the crown had simply unscrewed from the stem then it'd be a definite easy fix.
As it is, it might be a simple matter of re-installing the stem, or a slightly more complicated matter of re-setting the keyless work, or a fairly painful matter of a broken setting lever.
Looking at your first photo, I notice that the crown is sitting a fairly good way off the case - is that as far as it re-inserts "easily", or does it go all the way in without resistance, only to pull out again?
If that's as far as it goes easily then try this:
insert it, turning it slightly while feeding it in. The squared end of the stem is designed to slide into a wheel with a square hole in it - by turning it (slowly) while inserting it (gently) you give it a much better chance of lining up with that hole. Don't push hard on it at this point - you're trying to "feel" for the hole and the square lining up.
If no harm's been done as it pulled out then you should feel it start to "do something" as you turn it. Depending on the position of the setting lever (under the dial, so you can't see what position it's in) it might start to turn the hands, or fast-change the date, or manually wind the mainspring. regardless of which it does, "doing something" shows that the square stem and square hole are correctly lined up.
Once that happens, give it a slightly faster turn (about normal winding speed) at the same time as you give a sharp-ish push inwards (a little firmer than you would to screw the crown down).
With a little luck you'll feel it move inwards to where it should be, and click into place. If it does, give it a gentle "wiggle" inwards and outwards (without actually pulling it out to another position) to give it a chance to seat properly.
If it doesn't seat on the first try, give it another couple of goes. If it still hasn't seated then the dial needs to come off to see what's up - I'd rather not post a "how-to" on that if it's ok with you
Finally, you may find that it latches back in but is "stuck" in one function (usually handset or dateset). Again, that means dial off because the keyless work is deranged, but at least if it locks in in means there's not likely to be anything actually broken when it pulled out.
eta: Finally finally, you won't cause any extra problems or increase possible repair costs by trying the above (assuming you don't take "push a little firmer" to mean "hit it with a 9 iron"!). If they don't work then it would have needed at least dial off anyway, and possibly parts.
As it is, it might be a simple matter of re-installing the stem, or a slightly more complicated matter of re-setting the keyless work, or a fairly painful matter of a broken setting lever.
Looking at your first photo, I notice that the crown is sitting a fairly good way off the case - is that as far as it re-inserts "easily", or does it go all the way in without resistance, only to pull out again?
If that's as far as it goes easily then try this:
insert it, turning it slightly while feeding it in. The squared end of the stem is designed to slide into a wheel with a square hole in it - by turning it (slowly) while inserting it (gently) you give it a much better chance of lining up with that hole. Don't push hard on it at this point - you're trying to "feel" for the hole and the square lining up.
If no harm's been done as it pulled out then you should feel it start to "do something" as you turn it. Depending on the position of the setting lever (under the dial, so you can't see what position it's in) it might start to turn the hands, or fast-change the date, or manually wind the mainspring. regardless of which it does, "doing something" shows that the square stem and square hole are correctly lined up.
Once that happens, give it a slightly faster turn (about normal winding speed) at the same time as you give a sharp-ish push inwards (a little firmer than you would to screw the crown down).
With a little luck you'll feel it move inwards to where it should be, and click into place. If it does, give it a gentle "wiggle" inwards and outwards (without actually pulling it out to another position) to give it a chance to seat properly.
If it doesn't seat on the first try, give it another couple of goes. If it still hasn't seated then the dial needs to come off to see what's up - I'd rather not post a "how-to" on that if it's ok with you
Finally, you may find that it latches back in but is "stuck" in one function (usually handset or dateset). Again, that means dial off because the keyless work is deranged, but at least if it locks in in means there's not likely to be anything actually broken when it pulled out.
eta: Finally finally, you won't cause any extra problems or increase possible repair costs by trying the above (assuming you don't take "push a little firmer" to mean "hit it with a 9 iron"!). If they don't work then it would have needed at least dial off anyway, and possibly parts.
Edited by Variomatic on Wednesday 28th October 21:34
Variomatic said:
Ok, in a way that's a shame - if the crown had simply unscrewed from the stem then it'd be a definite easy fix.
As it is, it might be a simple matter of re-installing the stem, or a slightly more complicated matter of re-setting the keyless work, or a fairly painful matter of a broken setting lever.
Looking at your first photo, I notice that the crown is sitting a fairly good way off the case - is that as far as it re-inserts "easily", or does it go all the way in without resistance, only to pull out again?
If that's as far as it goes easily then try this:
insert it, turning it slightly while feeding it in. The squared end of the stem is designed to slide into a wheel with a square hole in it - by turning it (slowly) while inserting it (gently) you give it a much better chance of lining up with that hole. Don't push hard on it at this point - you're trying to "feel" for the hole and the square lining up.
If no harm's been done as it pulled out then you should feel it start to "do something" as you turn it. Depending on the position of the setting lever (under the dial, so you can't see what position it's in) it might start to turn the hands, or fast-change the date, or manually wind the mainspring. regardless of which it does, "doing something" shows that the square stem and square hole are correctly lined up.
Once that happens, give it a slightly faster turn (about normal winding speed) at the same time as you give a sharp-ish push inwards (a little firmer than you would to screw the crown down).
With a little luck you'll feel it move inwards to where it should be, and click into place. If it does, give it a gentle "wiggle" inwards and outwards (without actually pulling it out to another position) to give it a chance to seat properly.
If it doesn't seat on the first try, give it another couple of goes. If it still hasn't seated then the dial needs to come off to see what's up - I'd rather not post a "how-to" on that if it's ok with you
Finally, you may find that it latches back in but is "stuck" in one function (usually handset or dateset). Again, that means dial off because the keyless work is deranged, but at least if it locks in in means there's not likely to be anything actually broken when it pulled out.
eta: Finally finally, you won't cause any extra problems or increase possible repair costs by trying the above (assuming you don't take "push a little firmer" to mean "hit it with a 9 iron"!). If they don't work then it would have needed at least dial off anyway, and possibly parts.
Thank you so much for such a detailed replyAs it is, it might be a simple matter of re-installing the stem, or a slightly more complicated matter of re-setting the keyless work, or a fairly painful matter of a broken setting lever.
Looking at your first photo, I notice that the crown is sitting a fairly good way off the case - is that as far as it re-inserts "easily", or does it go all the way in without resistance, only to pull out again?
If that's as far as it goes easily then try this:
insert it, turning it slightly while feeding it in. The squared end of the stem is designed to slide into a wheel with a square hole in it - by turning it (slowly) while inserting it (gently) you give it a much better chance of lining up with that hole. Don't push hard on it at this point - you're trying to "feel" for the hole and the square lining up.
If no harm's been done as it pulled out then you should feel it start to "do something" as you turn it. Depending on the position of the setting lever (under the dial, so you can't see what position it's in) it might start to turn the hands, or fast-change the date, or manually wind the mainspring. regardless of which it does, "doing something" shows that the square stem and square hole are correctly lined up.
Once that happens, give it a slightly faster turn (about normal winding speed) at the same time as you give a sharp-ish push inwards (a little firmer than you would to screw the crown down).
With a little luck you'll feel it move inwards to where it should be, and click into place. If it does, give it a gentle "wiggle" inwards and outwards (without actually pulling it out to another position) to give it a chance to seat properly.
If it doesn't seat on the first try, give it another couple of goes. If it still hasn't seated then the dial needs to come off to see what's up - I'd rather not post a "how-to" on that if it's ok with you
Finally, you may find that it latches back in but is "stuck" in one function (usually handset or dateset). Again, that means dial off because the keyless work is deranged, but at least if it locks in in means there's not likely to be anything actually broken when it pulled out.
eta: Finally finally, you won't cause any extra problems or increase possible repair costs by trying the above (assuming you don't take "push a little firmer" to mean "hit it with a 9 iron"!). If they don't work then it would have needed at least dial off anyway, and possibly parts.
Edited by Variomatic on Wednesday 28th October 21:34
The position in the first pic is with the crown totally unscrewed and it sits flush when tightened
I've tried as suggested, but unfortunately the stem doesn't appear to touch or engage with anything during insertion and effectively moves freely until the crown is sitting in its screwing in position
I'll try to pop into deacons tomorrow and see what they say. If not, it's a trip to bath for, I've no doubt, a large bill
You're welcome. I've just opened the full version of the picture showing the stem (thanks for giving a decent resolution btw!) and it appears to be a calibre 37524?
The good news with that is that the setting lever and other keyless parts should interchange with the ETA 2892A2 - afaik they didn't modify those at all (not even better finish) when they re-worked the base ebauche. Which means that if parts are damaged they're easily available (at least for now) and much more reasonably priced than IWC prices!
The good news with that is that the setting lever and other keyless parts should interchange with the ETA 2892A2 - afaik they didn't modify those at all (not even better finish) when they re-worked the base ebauche. Which means that if parts are damaged they're easily available (at least for now) and much more reasonably priced than IWC prices!
Variomatic said:
Ok, in a way that's a shame - if the crown had simply unscrewed from the stem then it'd be a definite easy fix.
As it is, it might be a simple matter of re-installing the stem, or a slightly more complicated matter of re-setting the keyless work, or a fairly painful matter of a broken setting lever.
Looking at your first photo, I notice that the crown is sitting a fairly good way off the case - is that as far as it re-inserts "easily", or does it go all the way in without resistance, only to pull out again?
If that's as far as it goes easily then try this:
insert it, turning it slightly while feeding it in. The squared end of the stem is designed to slide into a wheel with a square hole in it - by turning it (slowly) while inserting it (gently) you give it a much better chance of lining up with that hole. Don't push hard on it at this point - you're trying to "feel" for the hole and the square lining up.
If no harm's been done as it pulled out then you should feel it start to "do something" as you turn it. Depending on the position of the setting lever (under the dial, so you can't see what position it's in) it might start to turn the hands, or fast-change the date, or manually wind the mainspring. regardless of which it does, "doing something" shows that the square stem and square hole are correctly lined up.
Once that happens, give it a slightly faster turn (about normal winding speed) at the same time as you give a sharp-ish push inwards (a little firmer than you would to screw the crown down).
With a little luck you'll feel it move inwards to where it should be, and click into place. If it does, give it a gentle "wiggle" inwards and outwards (without actually pulling it out to another position) to give it a chance to seat properly.
If it doesn't seat on the first try, give it another couple of goes. If it still hasn't seated then the dial needs to come off to see what's up - I'd rather not post a "how-to" on that if it's ok with you
Finally, you may find that it latches back in but is "stuck" in one function (usually handset or dateset). Again, that means dial off because the keyless work is deranged, but at least if it locks in in means there's not likely to be anything actually broken when it pulled out.
eta: Finally finally, you won't cause any extra problems or increase possible repair costs by trying the above (assuming you don't take "push a little firmer" to mean "hit it with a 9 iron"!). If they don't work then it would have needed at least dial off anyway, and possibly parts.
Great post. A brilliantly described "how to".As it is, it might be a simple matter of re-installing the stem, or a slightly more complicated matter of re-setting the keyless work, or a fairly painful matter of a broken setting lever.
Looking at your first photo, I notice that the crown is sitting a fairly good way off the case - is that as far as it re-inserts "easily", or does it go all the way in without resistance, only to pull out again?
If that's as far as it goes easily then try this:
insert it, turning it slightly while feeding it in. The squared end of the stem is designed to slide into a wheel with a square hole in it - by turning it (slowly) while inserting it (gently) you give it a much better chance of lining up with that hole. Don't push hard on it at this point - you're trying to "feel" for the hole and the square lining up.
If no harm's been done as it pulled out then you should feel it start to "do something" as you turn it. Depending on the position of the setting lever (under the dial, so you can't see what position it's in) it might start to turn the hands, or fast-change the date, or manually wind the mainspring. regardless of which it does, "doing something" shows that the square stem and square hole are correctly lined up.
Once that happens, give it a slightly faster turn (about normal winding speed) at the same time as you give a sharp-ish push inwards (a little firmer than you would to screw the crown down).
With a little luck you'll feel it move inwards to where it should be, and click into place. If it does, give it a gentle "wiggle" inwards and outwards (without actually pulling it out to another position) to give it a chance to seat properly.
If it doesn't seat on the first try, give it another couple of goes. If it still hasn't seated then the dial needs to come off to see what's up - I'd rather not post a "how-to" on that if it's ok with you
Finally, you may find that it latches back in but is "stuck" in one function (usually handset or dateset). Again, that means dial off because the keyless work is deranged, but at least if it locks in in means there's not likely to be anything actually broken when it pulled out.
eta: Finally finally, you won't cause any extra problems or increase possible repair costs by trying the above (assuming you don't take "push a little firmer" to mean "hit it with a 9 iron"!). If they don't work then it would have needed at least dial off anyway, and possibly parts.
Edited by Variomatic on Wednesday 28th October 21:34
tumble dryer said:
Great post. A brilliantly described "how to".
Thanks. I spend quite a lot of time around this time of year sorting out those hour-change accidents for people in return for donations in the RBL jar an tend to talk them through what I'm doing so hopefully they can do it themselves in March. With Remembrance Day just round the corner they really couldn't have timed the switch from BST better Edited by Variomatic on Wednesday 28th October 23:44
Thanks for all your help
I took it into Deacons in Swindon, who can repair it and will service it too (which I suspect it needs as it's been worn pretty much everyday for the last 2 years) for £350 with a 6wk turnaround
I contacted Mallories in Bath, who are my closest IWC service agent, and they quoted a bit more and a significantly longer lead time, so it's in deacon's and should be back early Dec.
In the meantime, I've brushed the dust from my old Tag Aqua racer Link to become my daily..
I took it into Deacons in Swindon, who can repair it and will service it too (which I suspect it needs as it's been worn pretty much everyday for the last 2 years) for £350 with a 6wk turnaround
I contacted Mallories in Bath, who are my closest IWC service agent, and they quoted a bit more and a significantly longer lead time, so it's in deacon's and should be back early Dec.
In the meantime, I've brushed the dust from my old Tag Aqua racer Link to become my daily..
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