Accurist vent

Legacy_user

In 2011 i bought my OH a fairly expensive watch for his 50th, it stopped working a few months ago so we sent it back to accurists repair centre for a new battery and a service. They sent it back saying it was broken and could not be fixed as the parts were obsolete !!!!!! its a watch how many different types of fittings can there be ?

Joe_Horner

Far more than you might think! I keep around 100 different battery movements (the workings) in stock and still have to regularly order ones I haven't got.

The problem is that very few of the mid-range makers actually service movements any more. If there's a problem they remove the movement and fit a new one. That's fine as long as the movement (which they buy from another company - usually Miyota (Citizen) or Hattori (Seiko) - is still being made but, when the movement becomes unavailable, they can't do anything.

Unfortunately there were a couple of series of Miyota movements that stopped production in the last few years and they were widely used by the likes of Accurist and Rotary.

It's not much help to you but Time Products, who bought Accurist about 3 years ago, are making a real effort to build stocks of spares to support older models. Sadly there's not much they can do about models that already had obsolete parts when they bought the company

All's not lost, though, because the vast majority of the movements can be serviced - provided there hasn't been physical damage from water or mis-handling. It's just that replacement is usually more economic. The makers won't do it (they don't have the needed skills) but a good independent watchmaker should be able to get it up and running for you.

Out of interest, do you have a link to the model?

LABMAN

Joe_Horner wrote: »

Far more than you might think! I keep around 100 different battery movements (the workings) in stock and still have to regularly order ones I haven't got.

The problem is that very few of the mid-range makers actually service movements any more. If there's a problem they remove the movement and fit a new one. That's fine as long as the movement (which they buy from another company - usually Miyota (Citizen) or Hattori (Seiko) - is still being made but, when the movement becomes unavailable, they can't do anything.

Unfortunately there were a couple of series of Miyota movements that stopped production in the last few years and they were widely used by the likes of Accurist and Rotary.

It's not much help to you but Time Products, who bought Accurist about 3 years ago, are making a real effort to build stocks of spares to support older models. Sadly there's not much they can do about models that already had obsolete parts when they bought the company

All's not lost, though, because the vast majority of the movements can be serviced - provided there hasn't been physical damage from water or mis-handling. It's just that replacement is usually more economic. The makers won't do it (they don't have the needed skills) but a good independent watchmaker should be able to get it up and running for you.

Out of interest, do you have a link to the model?

As ever, you are so helpful. A veritable resident Hor.
...it's brilliant that MSE has your input.

System

Its a Greenwich commemorative watch sorry computer from hell won't do links.

My next step is trawling the independent watch repairers in the area.

There's been no real issue its been worn occasionally initially we thought it just needed a new battery.

Joe_Horner

LABMAN wrote: »

As ever, you are so helpful. A veritable resident Hor.
...it's brilliant that MSE has your input.

Thanks - I just try to cut through some of the up-selling that goes on (especially on servicing). It's not good for the customer and, personally, I don't believe it's good for the industry either in the long term.

CHRISSYG wrote: »

Its a Greenwich commemorative watch sorry computer from hell won't do links.

My next step is trawling the independent watch repairers in the area.

There's been no real issue its been worn occasionally initially we thought it just needed a new battery.

Looks like that range uses a few different movements depending on function. Ty to find a working watchmaker rather than a jewellers who sends them out. They are around and are far more likely to put in the extra effort