Longines ultra quartz help needed

Haha well yes that's a possibile use
Mine works in regards to vibration and buzzing. I don't find it annoying in anyway as it's very low level and I like the weight on my wrist. I have a Hamilton jazz master of similar weight which I wear often.
The things i really like about it are the amazing dial and case / bracelet.
I have thought of weather it maybe possible to replace the movement with one that works, even a cheapish modern quartz.,but then think it would be a sacrilege with such a rare object.
Phil

Maybe you could ask at least the guy to take a look at it and see if he thinks it’s an easy repair or a hard repair, and accept risks no matter what and say you accept to have no warranty on it. At least get the thing in his hands for a diagnosis? Who knows, maybe it’s just a hair that’s blocking something and which can be dusted away in two seconds. That can happen.

However you’d probably have to offer to pay for his time doing the diagnosis.

I agree with Syrte above. It could be a simple mechanical thing rather and not have to get into the electronics side at all.

I've sent Paul from electric watches another email. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for all the help and advice.
Great forum.

Agreed and a pleasure to help people who are appreciative and polite. (Not everyone is who comes asking).

It would really be a shame to strip it of its rare movement and put quartz instead.
Except perhaps it were done in a way that’s reversible and “sensitive” by someone who knows what they’re doing…
Maybe again your guy would be able to tell you.

This HAS to be fixable!! The second hand is whizzing around just waiting for an invite from the others.
I would post a video but the forum won't let me
Since this picture the minute hand has started to move slowly 😀
Unfortunately backwards 🙁

You should stop trying to work it just in case something is blocking or impeding the movement of the other hands. It would be a pity if something fixable became not fixable as a result.

Agreed, if you can open it, take the battery out.

Silly question, if the seconds hand is whizzing around are you sure the others aren’t moving? Except of course for the minute hand that seems to move backwards 🤦

Ps maybe if you can’t remove the battery you can also disingage the movement by pulling the crown? Does it cause the seconds hand to stop moving?

OK I've pulled the crown and the second hand stops as does the buzz.
TBH I am starting to regret finding this again. I appear to have entered a slightly murky/cut throat area of vintage watches.
Apart from the forum I've had several offers of no help to fix it or even look at it for payment. But just "if your selling let me know"or extremely low cash offers, less than a good stainless strap would be worth.
Its going back in the drawer it came from I think
Bit cheesed off

Unfortunately most areas of vintage watches have become murky and cut throat. But there’s no reason to regret anything until you hear back from the watchmaker.

And you’ve got several good options on the table to get a fair price if you decide to part with it.

It’s easy to be disgusted by the number of sleazy people in this world, but none of this is as bad as Afghanistan. And best to focus on the good people and be inspired by them.

I am afraid the vintage watch world does require a good dose of patience and due diligence to avoid those who have ulterior motives. From my quick research your watch does require a very niche skill set and no small amount of bravery to take it on for a watch repairer, so that side is understandable, and will take time and patience to find someone to look at it. The other side shows you a few things, apart from the darker side of the vintage watch world, that your watch is interesting to collectors/dealers/chancers. This should both irritate you with the low ball and 'no help' offers but also lift you to carry on looking for the 'right' person to look at it for you as it tells you the watch is worth it. Pop it back in the drawer as it is with the crown pulled out (battery removed would be better long term) but keep it in mind and be patient asking around as you will, eventually find someone to look at it. At least you have the right questions to ask with now.

I am surprised that the chap at Electric Watches won't look at it on a 'no risk' basis if he knows it is buzzing and the second hand is running, shame that.

Unfortunately the watchmaker has responded hence my last post.
I completely agree this a very very minor annoyance in the grand scheme of things.

Maybe your own watchmaker will agree to take a look at it and see if he can find any mechanical hindrances? Just tell him again you’re willing to take the chance and will pay him for his time even if he fails.
You’re in a much better position to discuss it with him now.

Maybe he’s one of the people who would like to have it at a discount?
I recall a nightmare story on MWR about a watchmaker (not him) in the UK who refused to send back a watch, claimed he couldn’t repair it and only would offer money in exchange.
I’m not saying this guy would be just as bad, but he may have an interest in acquiring a donor watch in order to repair his — and that would indeed create an incentive to refuse.

I remember that too Syrte, it was with a CWC I think, a seller/repairer on eBay iirc, terrible business. You are becoming a cynic Syrte...😉, seriously, i don't 'know' the chap at Electric Watches other than he did a very good, reasonably priced service on my Longines Ultronic diver, since, slightly regrettably sold. Sold partially as I see the tuning fork watches getting harder to service/repair in the future. Not in any way as extreme as this Ultra Quartz, but still getting more difficult/expensive to maintain.

Funny as I’m a big believer in optimism, Nelson Mandela used to say that by crediting people with the ability to be good you give them permission so to speak to be the best people they can.

But it’s’quite amazing to see revealed on watch forums what some people will do for money or possessions…

Perfectly true and sagely put Syrte.

Thanks @Syrte for tagging me in this thread. I received a message to my OF account from @Fled early on Thursday and I spent an hour or so looking into these calibres before sending a reply. Just to be clear to everyone, I certainly didn't make any offer for the watch. I haven't received a reply from Fled, although he seems to have followed my advice.

From a servicing point of view, parts are not available for this calibre, at least none that I could find. I believe Longines will offer to replace the movement with a modern quartz as they don't carry parts either. From the description of the issue (second hand moving but not the minute and hour hands), I suspect the train is working but the cannon pinion is not turning and this fault was one I turned up in my research. In the case I saw, the staking between the parts of the centre wheel had failed, probably caused by lack of servicing which led to the cannon pinion being too strong a friction fit on the second wheel - when the hands were set to time, the extra friction failed the staking. A new centre wheel is required and these are not available anywhere. A repair appears to be very difficult but, I've never seen one of these and have only seen a few pictures. I apologised for not being able to help and sent Fled to electric watches. It appears others did this afterwards as well.

I don't know what offers were made for the watch but, if it is not repairable, then it would be spares value only and I doubt that's much. Usually, it is the same parts that fail on every example of a calibre so, it may be that it has no real value at all.

In terms of people taking this work on, they are oddball designs and there is a lot to understand when you first strip something like this. It just isn't worth it when you will probably never see another and there is always far too much other work to do anyway. The best option would be for Fled to offer an amount for a watchmaker to spend a day or so making their "best efforts" to repair it. You might get someone to take it on if you offer £500 up front but accept that the watch may still come back in a non working condition.

I hope this helps, Chris

Sorry Chris for not replying.
Yes Ive been in contact with electric watches and he is unwilling to help, I have said I am happy to be charged and except responsibity if all fails, but he is adament he cannot help me.
I will ask my local watchmakers to open it up so I can take some photos to send to longines, I will also enquire if a modern quartz could be fitted. The cost of this however maybe prohibitive.
Realistically it's going to end up in a perspex box on my mantlepiece.
All the offers came by private messages and perhaps arnt that low ball. But I don't need money and would prefer to keep it.
Phil