Mechanical Chronometer issue - help

[pattyg]

I just bought an as new condition chronometer from the late 1970s.

It’s a mechanical watch and the watch keeps great time. However, the chronometer function only goes for around 20 seconds before stopping.

Any idea of the issue? TIA.

[AlexC1981]

It probably needs a service. Oils dry out over time.

By the way, I think you are talking about a watch with a stopwatch built in, in which case it is called a chronograph. The term chronometer refers to a watch that can maintain a certain level of accuracy.

[pattyg]

AlexC1981 said:

It probably needs a service. Oils dry out over time.

By the way, I think you are talking about a watch with a stopwatch built in, in which case it is called a chronograph. The term chronometer refers to a watch that can maintain a certain level of accuracy.

Oops, yes. Thanks.

[gregs656]

What’s the watch?

A service is the right answer anyway but a lot of ‘as new’ 70s chronographs from brands like Seiko and Citizen are franken-watches from (usually) South America.

[pattyg]

Heuer