1950s Bumper - Advice Needed!

Seehannah · Feb 1, 2020

Hi everyone - new poster and watch newbie here.

My husband bought me a 1950s Omega bumper watch for my 30th birthday last year, and I am having so much difficulty getting it to tell the time. It wasn't keeping accurate time when I received it, so I had it serviced by our local jeweller, who took it to their watchmaker. It came back - still not keeping time, so it went back to them, and it still isn't. I presume they've done all they can so I'm reluctant to take it back again. This watchmaker advised to wind it 20 times so that's what I'm doing. The dealer who sold it to us also won't take it back, as it's been too long.

Can you recommend anyone who might be able to help me, or if I'm doing something wrong?

Many thanks in advance

padders · Feb 1, 2020

What kind of advice? Its a redial, does that help? Quite attractive all the same.

Seehannah · Feb 1, 2020

padders
What kind of advice? Its a redial, does that help? Quite attractive all the same.

Sorry, clearly didn't properly post the thread!

padders · Feb 1, 2020

Ah sorry, I obviously posted my reply before you had finished your post. In that situation you need to use a better watchmaker. Perhaps he didn't replace the mainspring or just didn't do a very good job. I don't know where in the world you are, if US/Canada then maybe speak to Archer, a member here or if UK I would speak to ChrisN (a member here) or Mitka (search google for Mitka Watchmaker) or Christian Dannerman (search for Watchguy) or any number of other reputable watchmakers. Go direct, going via a jeweller is problematic and expensive

Seehannah · Feb 1, 2020

padders
Ah sorry, I obviously posted my reply before you had finished your post. In that situation you need to use a better watchmaker. Perhaps he didn't replace the mainspring or just didn't do a very good job. I don't know where in the world you are, if US/Canada then maybe speak to Archer, a member here or if UK I would speak to ChrisN (a member here) or Mitka (search google for Mitka Watchmaker) or Christian Dannerman (search for Watchguy) or any number of other reputable watchmakers. Go direct, going via a jeweller is problematic and expensive

Thank you very much, yeah I'm in the UK so will get in touch with those people. Thanks!

ChrisN · Feb 1, 2020

These old bumper calibres can be difficult to set up. If the watch has stopped then winding 20 times to build up some power reserve is the right thing to do. After that, if you wear the watch every day then it should keep going without further winding - if you sit down and don't move much, then it may not charge but, for most people, it should charge on the wrist as you move about.

You are probably past this stage so, can ignore this test, however to determine if it is not charging by the auto system you can check the power reserve as follows:

Wind the watch 60-80 turns, set the time and leave it with the dial facing upward. If it stops before 38 hours or so, then it has issues with the basic movement. It may also have issues with the auto system but, that's harder to test for the user. If it passed the 38 hour test, then it is probably the auto system.

Sometimes, it can be as simple as the case clamp that holds the movement in place is missing or not fitted correctly but, you can't determine that.

Good luck, Chris

Seehannah · Feb 1, 2020

ChrisN
These old bumper calibres can be difficult to set up. If the watch has stopped then winding 20 times to build up some power reserve is the right thing to do. After that, if you wear the watch every day then it should keep going without further winding - if you sit down and don't move much, then it may not charge but, for most people, it should charge on the wrist as you move about.

You are probably past this stage so, can ignore this test, however to determine if it is not charging by the auto system you can check the power reserve as follows:

Wind the watch 60-80 turns, set the time and leave it with the dial facing upward. If it stops before 38 hours or so, then it has issues with the basic movement. It may also have issues with the auto system but, that's harder to test for the user. If it passed the 38 hour test, then it is probably the auto system.

Sometimes, it can be as simple as the case clamp that holds the movement in place is missing or not fitted correctly but, you can't determine that.

Good luck, Chris

Thanks Chris, that's really helpful. I'll give it a try and see what happens!

ChrisN · Feb 1, 2020

I like these bumpers and have a couple myself.

If you get stuck, send me a message through my website or on here and you can send it to sunny Somerset and I'll look it over and advise.

Cheers, Chris

Seehannah · Feb 1, 2020

ChrisN
I like these bumpers and have a couple myself.

If you get stuck, send me a message through my website or on here and you can send it to sunny Somerset and I'll look it over and advise.

Cheers, Chris

Thanks very much Chris, I'll see how this next 38hrs goes (so far so good) and if it doesn't last I might be in touch.

Thanks again

DON · Feb 1, 2020

Not keeping time as in stopping? running fast/slow?

Bumpers not as efficient in winding as full rotors (spin 360 degrees vs. bumper 180), but bumpers have the charm of the little bumping effect as the rotor bounces back and forth.

As Chris mention. If you don't move, it don't bump and it don't wind 😀

Teeth for the winding system need to be properly set in order for it to wind. Error will lead to even less power and less running time

Needs to be sent to someone that deals a lot with these. They're one of my favorite movements and have rebuilt quite a number of them,, but I only restored my own watches

Good luck

DON

Seehannah · Feb 1, 2020

DON
Not keeping time as in stopping? running fast/slow?

Bumpers not as efficient in winding as full rotors (spin 360 degrees vs. bumper 180), but bumpers have the charm of the little bumping effect as the rotor bounces back and forth.

As Chris mention. If you don't move, it don't bump and it don't wind 😀

Teeth for the winding system need to be properly set in order for it to wind. Error will lead to even less power and less running time

Needs to be sent to someone that deals a lot with these. They're one of my favorite movements and have rebuilt quite a number of them,, but I only restored my own watches

Good luck

DON

Hi Don,

So this was what the time was like the other day:

30/1/20
Set to 06.45 in morning, wound 20 times
15.50 time showing 4.55
19.11 time showing 8.17

So it's running very fast but inconsistently so. I'm a teacher so I'm always running around and gesticulating, so I'm sure it isn't an issue with not moving enough. From the sounds of things it needs looking at by someone else, so I'm likely to send it off based on these recommendations.

Thanks for your message

Hannah

DON · Feb 1, 2020

Send it to Chris. If lucky. Nothing major and a quick fix

DON

VetPsychWars · Feb 1, 2020

I had an issue like that ages ago with a 353. I'm convinced the watchmaker had his timing machine set to the wrong speed.

I'm confident you will find one of the top guys and get it fixed properly.

Tom

Dan S · Feb 1, 2020

Weird that they keep returning it to you with such bad timekeeping, without saying anything to you. As if you're not going to notice that it doesn't keep time ... it's a watch. The only thing I can imagine is that perhaps the watch tests ok on a timegrapher when fully wound, and that the watchmaker is doing a really half-hearted job of checking the watch. I think it's a good idea to have someone else look at it, @ChrisN would be a great choice.

1950s Bumper - Advice Needed!

Seehannah

padders

Seehannah

padders

Seehannah

ChrisN

Seehannah

ChrisN

Seehannah

DON

Seehannah

DON

VetPsychWars

Dan S

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