[fsunole01]

Hi WUS Fam,

I have a 1979 Tudor 90500 with a winding issue. Unfortunately I don't have a trustworthy watchmaker nearby, so before I trek 45min-1hr to a decent one, I'd like to get your take, if possible.

I have no issues in setting the date or time, and it's keeping time well. The issue is when I try to wind it. I can get a few rotations going, but then it 'clicks' and skips as though it's worn or misaligned, or something. I'm not familiar with what the movement is (ETA 2784?) and was hoping the collective hive here could give me some ideas of how big a problem I have have on my hands and parts that may/may not be available. I'm just looking for education at this point.

Thanks so much! Happy to answer any questions.

 

[Hartmut Richter]

Sounds very much like a broken mainspring. This will be broken somewhere in the middle rather than at one end so that you can wind it to a certain extent and it will give a certain amount of power reserve but nowhere near what is really needed. Have it serviced and have a new mainspring put in - these things are semi-generic so it should be fixable.

Hartmut Richter

 

[Dan S]

I was also going to guess a broken mainspring.

 

[Grégoire]

Yeah, broken mainspring or maybe an issue with the click like a loose screw that is causing it to lift and miss the teeth on the crown wheel.

Does it wind all the way and stop, or will you keep getting the "skip" and never get a full wind?

Whatever the underlying issue, it shouldn't be too difficult a fix. Mainspring replacements are sometimes a regular practice for a standard service.

 

[fsunole01]

Yeah, broken mainspring or maybe an issue with the click like a loose screw that is causing it to lift and miss the teeth on the crown wheel.

Does it wind all the way and stop, or will you keep getting the "skip" and never get a full wind?

Whatever the underlying issue, it shouldn't be too difficult a fix. Mainspring replacements are sometimes a regular practice for a standard service.

It charges up (on the wrist only) and keeps a good reserve. It skips after just a few rotations from unscrewing the crown. I can find a 'spot' here and there to keep winding, but it feels like I may cause more problems than exist now.

I was quoted quite a bit for a service and fix. they say it could be one of three parts, like winding mech, etc. It was spinning and clicking freely and not able to wind much at all - just like 3 times before the problem shows. I left the watch with them but the cost for service, labor, etc is more than I expected. He's looking more into it so the $$ is ticking already.

Sorry, I'm a bit of a noob...

 

[Grégoire]

No worries, we're all in various stages of knowledge.

I guess it's possible there's an issue somewhere in the keyless work, maybe with the clutch wheel or a set lever that has become loose and misaligned, but from your earlier description, I'm going to go with what our experts initially speculated and guess a broken mainspring. Don't worry, that's small stuff compared to some of the things that could go wrong!

 

[Hartmut Richter]

How much is "quite a bit for a service and fix"?! A normal service and fix would be around 150 Euros for an automatic watch when you include the mainspring too. Some people might charge 200 Euros for the two. That is about the limit that I'd be willing to pay (and I'd still try to get it below the 150 mark). If you are already quoted less than that, I'd jump at it - and you'll hardly get it for less than 100 unless you have seriously good connections.

But then, a decent new (automatic Swiss) watch will cost you much more than that - and even more if it's a Tudor. So, you will still save $$$ at those rates. Unless you weren't really interested in wearing it anyway.....

Hartmut Richter

 

[fsunole01]

How much is "quite a bit for a service and fix"?! A normal service and fix would be around 150 Euros for an automatic watch when you include the mainspring too. Some people might charge 200 Euros for the two. That is about the limit that I'd be willing to pay (and I'd still try to get it below the 150 mark). If you are already quoted less than that, I'd jump at it - and you'll hardly get it for less than 100 unless you have seriously good connections.

But then, a decent new (automatic Swiss) watch will cost you much more than that - and even more if it's a Tudor. So, you will still save $$$ at those rates. Unless you weren't really interested in wearing it anyway.....

Hartmut Richter

I guess I'm looking at it all as a % of what I pid for the piece versus it's relative 'current market value'
That said, once the work is completed, it will cost me more than what the market would bear.
I am working with the seller who is claiming to pay for the additional costs above a standard overhaul.
The last mark on the case is 2005 - so it wasn't recently serviced as I was told by the seller. He's showing some humility, so hopefully he follows through.
I bought the piece because it was supposed to be a jumbo but it's not, and it's not serviced as claimed, and it's broken in ways that weren't disclosed.
At the moment, I'm paying a very high noob-tax.
I live in SF, CA and everything here costs more than it should...'bay area tax'

 

[pmwas]

Does it skip when you try to wind it when it’s fully wound or unwound?

 

[Dan S]

How much is "quite a bit for a service and fix"?! A normal service and fix would be around 150 Euros for an automatic watch when you include the mainspring too. Some people might charge 200 Euros for the two. That is about the limit that I'd be willing to pay (and I'd still try to get it below the 150 mark). If you are already quoted less than that, I'd jump at it - and you'll hardly get it for less than 100 unless you have seriously good connections.

But then, a decent new (automatic Swiss) watch will cost you much more than that - and even more if it's a Tudor. So, you will still save $$$ at those rates. Unless you weren't really interested in wearing it anyway.....

Hartmut Richter

I guess I'm looking at it all as a % of what I pid for the piece versus it's relative 'current market value'
That said, once the work is completed, it will cost me more than what the market would bear.
I am working with the seller who is claiming to pay for the additional costs above a standard overhaul.
The last mark on the case is 2005 - so it wasn't recently serviced as I was told by the seller. He's showing some humility, so hopefully he follows through.
I bought the piece because it was supposed to be a jumbo but it's not, and it's not serviced as claimed, and it's broken in ways that weren't disclosed.
At the moment, I'm paying a very high noob-tax.
I live in SF, CA and everything here costs more than it should...'bay area tax'

We didn't know until now that you just purchased the watch. Originally you didn't mention that. I suggest just returning it since you don't have a regular watchmaker to use and the costs are unknown. There are some new watches you can buy under warranty that have a very nice vintage look.

For what it's worth, it's common to go upside down on a vintage watch if you pay to have it serviced. But if the seller was not honest and forthcoming, it's fine to return it.