Yikes! Update Regarding My Weird Hamilton Issue...
TLDR: Hamilton wants $700 - $1200 to fix my watch.
BACKSTORY:
I posted this last month, a strange issue with my Hamilton Masterpiece:
Full thread here.
As it turns out through my testing, the issue is directly related to heat. Cold watch runs fine, warm watch runs and almost 2x speed. Yesterday I emailed Hamilton for an estimate to fix the watch and here is their reply:
The attachment described the work involved with a full service.
Then this additional reply came in shortly thereafter:
And the attachment was a very helpful page from their catalog describing the watch:
I paid $42.50 (!) for this mint (appearance-only, clearly) gold-plated watch & band and I'm certainly not going to shell out the money Hamilton wants to fix it, so I'm going to source a donor movement - if possible - and fix it myself.
Anyway, just wanted to provide an update.
Cheers! 🍻
-Eric
~Father ~Christian ~Husband ~Gearhead ~Fisherman ~Ailurophile ~Woodworker ~Gun Collector ~Photographer ~Watch Collector ~Caribbean Traveler & Beachgoer ~IT Professional: MS-ISM, BA-COMM, SOC
I suppose if it had some sentimental value that repair bill would feel a little different but “up to” $1,200 is a pretty penny to get that thing going. Hopefully a donor piece won’t be too hard to come by.
I am somewhat impressed with the response from Hamilton compared to bringing in an older model to Rolex or some other brand. An acquaintance picked a vintage Daytona from an original owner in the states, originally Rolex Canada would not even look at the watch until an influential friend with Rolex stepped in to help. Just one more reason I stopped collecting vintage despite taking a watchmaking course.
Oh my.
I have no doubt they’d do a great job but it sounds like the costs/time could be on-going.
Fingers crossed with donor movement!
I Think you could easily find a replacement movement. Then any watch repair shop could replace it. Even better, do it yourself! I did this on a watch I had that had high sentimental value, but low used value.
I Think you could easily find a replacement movement. Then any watch repair shop could replace it. Even better, do it yourself! I did this on a watch I had that had high sentimental value, but low used value.
That's exactly what I said I was going to do. 😉 🍻
Not sure if the movement itself will be available but there are other watches of this model out there on eBay for as little as $125. I haven't searched for the specific movement yet, I'll have to remove the back & have another look first.
That's exactly what I said I was going to do. 😉 🍻
Not sure if the movement itself will be available but there are other watches of this model out there on eBay for as little as $125. I haven't searched for the specific movement yet, I'll have to remove the back & have another look first.
My guess is that's a Ronda movement that can be bought for no more than $21. Plus shipping from esslinger.
Hope you get it sorted eventually Eric, its a great watch.
My guess is that's a Ronda movement that can be bought for no more than $21. Plus shipping from esslinger.
Here's the movement, I haven't inspected it closely with a magnifying glass yet to figure out which number set is the one.
Hope you get it sorted eventually Eric, its a great watch.
Thanks. 🍻
It really is a nice watch and I got such a bargain on it...which further endeared it to me. 😂
My guess is that's a Ronda movement that can be bought for no more than $21. Plus shipping from esslinger.
Okay, turns out it's an ETA 963.124. There's one on eBay for $190. Nothing at Esslinger. I'll just have to keep an eye out. 👁
Ah, just discovered in an interchange list that the ISA 1198.42 movement will work, although it's just one jewel vs. six, but that's okay I suppose.
I hate having issues with watches. It does seem though after the issue is resolved I enjoy the watch even more than I did before there was an issue. Which is dumb because there is always $$$ involved.
I hate having issues with watches. It does seem though after the issue is resolved I enjoy the watch even more than I did before there was an issue. Which is dumb because there is always $$$ involved.
Haha, yeah, but at least I'm working on a Hamilton and not a Rolex!
Vintage Gold Hamilton!!! Whaaaat??? Crackalackin’!!! 💯
My main concern would be if they can guarantee that it will work after servicing. That is if you’re willing to pay the $700-1200. It’s definitely a very cool watch.
My main concern would be if they can guarantee that it will work after servicing. That is if you’re willing to pay the $700-1200. It’s definitely a very cool watch.
Thanks!
Yeah, I won't be paying to service that watch. I'll do it myself, still looking for a donor ETA or ISA movement. 👍
Ended up finding a donor Hamilton at auction for $72, almost twice what I paid for my gold-plated one.
Opened it up and the tang that contacts the negative side of the battery was snapped off & missing, so I removed the one from the original watch and after a bit of coaxing the movement, it works. My guess is that it hadn't been running for quite some time and once the hands had a chance to move about a bit, it started cooperating. I've been wearing it for 30 minutes and no weird "running fast" issues like my other one! Tomorrow I'll replace the movement in my gold Hamilton.