I have inherited a WOLF Viceroy triple watch winder. Unfortunately one of the motors is dead. I believe Wolf uses Mabuchi motors with nylon gears, which are of a pretty low quality at best.
Has anyone any idea of how to get to the motor to replace it? The most obvious place, I thought, was via the drum housing, but the material covering any hidden screw is stubbornly glued in place and there appears to be no access from any of the box sides.

Thanks
J

 

That winder construction looks very much like the Scatola del Tempo 7RT winder which I acquired almost 30 years ago. See those flat trim pieces, those are glued on and are holding the winder innards in the case. Use a putty knife and carefully work the pieces loose, once those are removed the entire winder mechanism will slide out. I did this many years ago on mine when one of its internal batteries came loose. Take your time, but that's the way you gain access to the mechanism.

 

I looked at their current online pricing and just about fell over! From what I can see it's constructed out of cardboard, some vinyl and a three $10 motors and some cheap electronics.

 

Yep, that was it. Thanks.

Not a piece of wood to be seen. Correction found some light 2 ply as side and bottom supports.

 

Give me the half that, 3k, and I'll do the hokey-cokey and shake it all about. It's not even real leather!

 

here are some photos of the guts of this rubbish just in case you ever do.

 

Swapped the drums around and the one I thought had a problem motor worked fine in another position - problem must be in the electronics. So, off to source a $10 replacement control board, which is most likely more expensive than the original

 

I've always suspected that a $2000 winder was no better than a $200 winder, and now I feel vindicated.

 

Very interesting. I had a look at mine.

Nice piano finish, glass hasn't fallen out.



Holds six on the winders and seven spots for manuals/quartz.



Very easy to open for inspection/repair, and while the inside finish isn't "superb craftsman" level, there's no cardboard. Only issue seems to be the lifting of the motor test/certification labels.





Motors are fairly generic and should be easily replaced if they ever die.



I paid about AUD$250 a few years ago (local Aussie supplier), so after seeing the Wolf and hearing about Ash's Viceroy, I think it was money well spent.

 

But @JimInOz, I'm not sure your legacy is being fully protected.

 

Man, the more I look into it the more I don't know whether to be shocked or impressed by the chutzpah and the prices that those watch winders sell for, given how cheaply they are made.

 

As my dad would say, "Polished shit is still shit."

 

Lol, omg. I didn't realize they were this poorly made. If I ever have time, I guess I could break out my Arduino kit and a few old servo motors and make my own winder.

But then, I'm in the camp of thinking a winder adds undue wear and tear.

 

Or to paraphrase " you can't polish a turd but you sure as hell can roll it in glitter"