[jPhoenix]

So, today I received my Herc 182 (316L stainless polished case, brown dial). I immediately switched the stock strap (which was surprisingly decent and included a Herc branded Pre V. buckle) to a Panatime Chameleon on a polished ARD buckle that I already had... I have a polished Pre V. on the way.

I was impressed with the quality of the watch especially considering the price. It feels substantial. Out of the box, it seems a good sight better than most other MM type watches in the same price range. The movement is an auto that hacks and winds. I read in another forum that it's a sea-gull of some sort, but I don't know for sure (on the dctwatch website, Herc claims they make their own movements...again, I don't know what's true).

Anyway, after some scrutinizing, I noticed that a little more than half way to the "7" mark from the "6" - there is the tiniest piece of lint under the glass. Lint under the glass is a pet peeve of mine... Even when considering that it's a Chinese watch in a low price range. None of my other less expensive watches have anything under the glass that can be seen with the naked eye.

So I don't know if I'm going to keep it. I may sell it.

What do you guys think? Below are some pics. the third one down has an arrow pointing to the lint which is slightly less visible in the photo...

Would you sell it or keep it?

And what do you thing of the Panatime Strap on this brown dial 182? (I just barely got this 5mm strap to fit between the bars and the case…it was touch and go there for a while&#8230

--I'm not a great watch photographer like many on this forum, I just did my best to get across what I could..thanks for your help--

 

[Z-FREAK]

Great looking watch!

Easy fix on the LINT. Open the back, remove the stem, take movement out, AIR dust it, put it back in!

 

[jPhoenix]

Great looking watch!

Easy fix on the LINT. Open the back, remove the stem, take movement out, AIR dust it, put it back in!

How easy is it to remove the movement?

I have a set of cheap chinese tools I got on ebay for resizing my Stainless bracelets on other watches...

I've always been nervous about taking the watch apart.

are there any tutorials that would be helpful?

I'd like to be able to remove the lint without going to a watch repairman.

 

[foxint]

Sir,

Agreed, open the back remove the stem - it will probably be a little screw or a button, pop the movement out no more lint.

Personally I would keep it. Looks good. Well priced

regards
Dan

 

[Cappy]

What you should do is make a sweetheart deal to ME. ;-)

But seriously..
There's a ball you can buy to take off case backs, here's one they got going for $12.99. To me, any cheap sticky ball will do, I'd try to find the same thing at a dollar store for $1.

http://www.bostonwatchexchange.com/servlet/the-137/HORB-it's-a-BALL/Detail

Then you remove the stem:
You only need to turn the set lever screw a couple turns to release the stem. Some movements use a button instead and in that case you would simply push the button down lightly with a pointed tool and while holding the button down pull the stem out.

Once you've got the crown and stem out of the way, the movement should more or less fall out, including the dial (the hands will pull the dial out if it is sticky).

You should then be able to just blow out the crystal; re-assemble. But before you begin, make sure you've got a good clean workspace. You'll need to wash your hands and dry them with a lint-free lens cleaning cloth. Have you ever worn contact lenses? If you ever had, you'll know what I mean. (If you ever dry your hands with a non lint-free towel your hands become covered in microscopic lint, which will scratch your eye like crazy if you try to put on a contact lens. It is IMPOSSIBLE to wipe your hands on your pants and insert a contact lens without clogging your eye with fibers. That same microscopic lint will cover the inside of your watch with dust.) :roll:

Hey..... here's an idea. Call Herc and ask for a replacement!

 

[jPhoenix]

I think I'm going to wear it for a few days with the lint. (I seem to be the only one who can see it. But, when the light catches the face of the watch just right - It is Blaring - to me anyway)
Then when it drives me thoroughly crazy and I have the proper drive, I'll attempt to remove the movement (as described by grunchy above) and remove the lint.

thanks

 

[helius]

It looks good. I'd keep it if you don't have anything else that's similar to it.

I have their other PAM homage (Herc196) and was expecting them to use the same movement for both watches, but the movement in mine definitely looks different from yours.

They really need to take better pictures of their watches. Your pictures almost makes me wish I had ordered the Herc182 instead of my Herc196... but the blue logo on the crown just kills it for me.

 

[jPhoenix]

It's actually not a blue logo. I just failed to remove the tiny blue protector before taking the photos. There is a logo, but it's just etched into the polished crown.

 

[Pawl_Buster]

It's actually not a blue logo. I just failed to remove the tiny blue protector before taking the photos. There is a logo, but it's just etched into the polished crown.

The movement in your watch is not a Sea Gull; it's one of the Dixmont Gangzhou 28xx movements.

If you want to pull the stem, there is a simple dimpled button near where the stem enters the movement; press it while gently pulling the stem and it will slide right out.

If the lint is the only thing you don't like, it's worth removing it instead of spending more money to send it back.

 

[jPhoenix]

Thank you for your advice, Alpha-Getty.

Is replacing the stem as easy as removing it?

Also, do you have an opinion on the durability of the Dixmont Gangzhou 28xx type movements?

Much appreciated...

 

[helius]

It's actually not a blue logo. I just failed to remove the tiny blue protector before taking the photos. There is a logo, but it's just etched into the polished crown.

That's great! I had crossed out quite a few of their watches with the blue-ish tint on the crown. "The List" is just about to grow by a few more entries... :-d

 

[nhoJ]

Looks really nice. Keep it. Lint happens sometimes. Consider it a gift from China.

Is the rotor screwed on right? It looks a little off-kilter in the 7th picture, ie. the screwhead is not centered on the hole of the rotor. Could just be the angle of the picture.

 

[jPhoenix]

Looks really nice. Keep it. Lint happens sometimes. Consider it a gift from China.

Is the rotor screwed on right? It looks a little off-kilter in the 7th picture, ie. the screwhead is not centered on the hole of the rotor. Could just be the angle of the picture.

Now that you mention it does not look like it's centered. Or rather the rotor may be centered, but there's an additional "herc" branded piece that's atop the rotor that's not centered. Nor is it sitting flat if I look from an angle... I wonder if this is going to be a problem?...

thoughts?..

 

[helius]

Now that you mention it does not look like it's centered. Or rather the rotor may be centered, but there's an additional "herc" branded piece that's atop the rotor that's not centered. Nor is it sitting flat if I look from an angle... I wonder if this is going to be a problem?...

thoughts?..

I think someone else posted that the Herc logo on the rotor is actually a sticker (or at least it was on his watch). Could that account for the slightly skewed look?

 

[bfleisher]

It looks like the whole top of the rotor is a sticker.

 

[nhoJ]

I see it now. I agree, I think it is a decal that isn't centered. The distance from the edge of the decal to the edge of the rotor along the straight edge is not equal on both sides, if that makes any sense.

I wouldn't worry about it. If it completely comes off or partially comes off and rubs against the case back, you can just open it up and take the decal off.

 

[jason_recliner]

DAMN, Alpha-G!!! How do you know this stuff??? I've never even heard of Dixmont Gangzhou!

The movement in your watch is not a Sea Gull; it's one of the Dixmont Gangzhou 28xx movements.

If you want to pull the stem, there is a simple dimpled button near where the stem enters the movement; press it while gently pulling the stem and it will slide right out.

If the lint is the only thing you don't like, it's worth removing it instead of spending more money to send it back.

 

[henryj]

Go for it.

https://www.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=176549&highlight=bored

 

[tefarko]

I have one Herc with the same movement...

here is the button you must press to remove the stem...

 

[Koyote]

I wouldn't do a thing to it. Being bothered by that tiny touch of lint is sort of like the princess being bothered by a pea underneath her ten mattresses. Besides, you're likely to cause more problems by opening the watch and pulling out the guts - even money says you'll be even less happy afterwards.