Ever buy a watch that you knew would be impossible to fix but it was too beautiful to pass up?

We've chatted through email. I was planning on picking it up in person but decided against that when I learned I would have to pay 6% Pennsylvania sales tax. Since Oregon has zero sales tax, they mailed it. I already had the ticket so was planning to visit them anyway. Now I will bring it and they will take a look when I visit.

It runs well. It seems to have happened in the mail? But that makes me nervous also if it can happen with a little jostling.

They said the movement looked new. I ran the chronograph for 3 1/2 hours and the minute counter changes near 12. It snaps back to reset perfectly (using a tooth pick in the reset.) When I set the day, date, it changed almost at midnight. So I trust it was serviced well and correctly.

Did you find the pusher cap?

Yes, but I will let them fix it.

That is a great question. After looking it over, the watch had stopped on the day before. So I wound it and advanced the time to the current date. While turning, I watched to see where the day and date turned. I was impressed that the day started turning around 11 and the date at just before midnight. Nice.

It was then that I saw the spring hanging out on the reset. Various curse words popped into my head. ( Actually, it was the same curse word repeated over and over.)

Since I am an experienced screw dropper, I knew to freeze and started patting myself down, then looking into the chair etc. Luckily I found it.

I wrapped it in the plastic that covered the watch and went upstairs to tell my wife. As I was telling her what happened and after showing her the pusher wrapped in plastic, I looked down in my hand and couldn't find the pusher. #@$! I thought this would be ironic because it meant I had lost the pusher and not them.

Recalling all the stories I had heard about watchmakers on their hands and knees looking for dropped parts, I got down on my hands and knees. There was carpet there so that didn't make it easier. It was also in my wife’s office, where she has a chair pad under her desk. The pusher was on the hard pad. Fortunately I found it right before she stepped on it.

It's safe in a little bag.

Good eye. I actually noticed that the pusher tube seemed longer on the new one. I was kindof bummed and was going to ask them about it. It hadn't occurred to me that maybe the pusher was loose.



They cut threads in the new pusher so it must have come unscrewed. It likely means it'll be an easy fix screwing it back on. Maybe the threads don't match tightly enough on the reset pin (not sure what it's called). Since the cap is gold, that also makes me a bit nervous about how the threads will hold up with use over time.

This is a bit concerning as I don't want it happening again, obviously. I'll discuss it with them. Perhaps I am being overly anxious.

Good that you found it. I wonder if some watchmakers use loktite on pusher caps.

I was wondering that too. I'm hoping Al has some insight or something for me to follow up with RGM. I wonder if many gold watches use gold plated brass pushers for strength?

I owe you a follow-up and am glad to report a happy ending.

Short story is the pusher just needed to be screwed on tighter with some locktite applied.

Longer story is that I met with RGM yesterday at 100. I arrived a little early so had lunch at Amato's, couple buildings down from RGM. If you like wood fired pizza, you should try them if you visit RGM.



Roland met with me to see for himself what was up with the watch, while a watchmaker also started looking at the watch.

I planned to drop off the watch and visit NAWCC museum to give them space to look at the watch and to determine if it would be a quick fix, or if it needed to be left for awhile.

They gave me two comp tickets for the NAWCC museum, which was super nice of them. The museum is less than a 15 minute drive from RGM through beautiful Pennsylvania farmland so a must see while in the area.

Before I went, Roland offered to show me some of his collection. I had previously watched several of his videos and developed an opinion that this accomplished and well spoken man seemed devoid of ego. He clearly loved watches and loved making them. While he was showing me his watches, he also seemed to be just another collector who was enjoying sharing his collection. I was conscious that he must be a busy man who was sharing a lot of time with me, but he never indicated any need to rush. He was incredibly generous with his time and it was super fun to run through some of his collection. It was a blast, I have to say again.

A couple take aways from his collection are that he appears to enjoy all types of chronometers and pocket watches. He has unique pieces that were in contests and not placed into production. (There also may be a future RGM watch based on a vintage chronometer, which is all that is my place to share. I hope to see it in the future.)

His other interest in pocket watches has sparked in me an interest in looking more into pocket watches. I have one Hamilton caliber 992 railroad grade PW and love it, but didn't think I wanted more. Now I'm thinking I am missing out on some beautiful watches.

So after about an hour, the watchmaker had finished with the watch. He was able to hold the screw in the pusher tube to tighten the cap without needing to take the movement out of the case, which saved him some time. He also said the movement was in excellent shape without much wear, but it looked like it had never been serviced. As some may recall, the watch had come back from Gallet Service Center, which had claimed they had serviced it. This is the final evidence I needed to deter anyone from dealing with the Gallet Service Center.

On the other hand, RGM is fantastic. The pusher cap looks exactly like the other original cap.

It was such a privilege to be able to spend time there and to be in their workspace while three of the watchmakers were building new watches. There is a real old world artisan vibe about the company.

I did go to the NAWCC museum afterwards, https://www.nawcc.org/visit/exhibits/, where I saw some watches Roland had serviced, as well as a fascinating special exhibit, which might be of interest to anyone who lives a few hours drive from the museum.

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The Patek Philippe that Roland serviced for the museum:



https://hs-ny.org/schedule/patek-philippe-grand-complication

The watch maker gave me a hat (made in the USA), which I of course loved. After I went to the museum, it occurred to me that I had missed a great opportunity. So I drove back to RGM and Roland was nice enough to sign it for me. Why not, athletes sign gear, why not a watchmaker? Let your inner watch geek shine!

Here's the final product:



I am extremely grateful to the forum members for offering me comfort and support, as well as for suggesting I ask RGM to repair the watch.

And of course, to everyone at RGM for their excellent skills and sharing their time and love of watches.

It was a long three years but this watch lives again.

(My Glycine Airman and his RGM watch.)

May all your watch dreams and projects come true.