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Omega Cal. 1441 Replacement

webvan
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The Marine Chronometer was long gone when the 1441 appeared ;-) The MC achieved accuracy and a certain amount of TC with an AT cut Quartz, entirely "analog", the 1441 was a much, much more modern design with inhibition. Anyway at the time the Quartz Chronometer requirements were pretty lax and many quartz Connies came with a Chronometer certificate, the 1420 based ones if memory serves.
 
K
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Well, looking under the microscope I was able to see that one of the coil wires was separated from its pad, someting impossible to see under medium magnification. In the spirit of the hobby I took up the challenge and grafted a small piece of wire from a coil out of a quartz movement I had previously replaced and basically extended the broken coil wire and after a few tries I finally managed to solder the two ends in place. Quite a challenge. Interestingly enough, I now see the second had flickering back and forth very slightly but no forward motion. Anyway, I know I'm probably postponing the inevitable to either get a new electronic module or pay a bit more and replace the movement altogether but in the meantime I'm learning something about quartz movements and also reminds me why I never warmed up to them which explains why this watch sat idle for such a long time. I also honestly don't see myself investing in any specialized test equipment since I hardly ever spend time trying to troubleshoot quartz movements, of couse with the exception of this one. By the way, all my research so far seems to indicate that ETA 255.461/462 is a direct (physical) replacement for the 1441/255.561 and would appreciate to hear if anyone has personal experience contrary to my findings.
 
K
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By the way, one of the technical documents/links that sirtaifun had kindly shared earlier did include the testing procedure for the electronic module and I didn't read it all the way to the end and completely missed it. The test also confirms a faulty coil. I also decided to go ahead and order a fairly inexpensive test device which seemed to have good reviews. I should receive it tomorrow. I'll see if the mechanical side works, if not, the rabbit hole will get much deeper...I suppose the movement could use an unplanned service...
 
Archer
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Soldering these would be quite tedious, so most coil repairs are done using something like this:

https://www.grobetusa.com/vigor-circuit-maker-item-no-ce-590890/

Although quartz movements can have electrical faults like damaged coils, they can also have mechanical issues, and keeping in mind that even a very small piece of debris can bring a movement to a halt, if you still don’t get movement of the train after all this, the mechanical portion may need to be serviced.
 
sirtaifun
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I'm very happy that you decide to repair this movement
As for me it sounds like an mechanical issue. I would service the movement according the ETA specs given.

BTW coils can be repaired using silver solder also.

And amazing work that you do there!
 
K
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Just a quick update: I received the device and tested the the watch. The hands spin freely so it looks like the movement is mechanically sound. However, there's no heartbeat from the electronic module which is what I expected. The module has a bad coil and I have exhausted all options within my skill set with the tools that I own to fix it. The next step is to decide whether got the replacement module or just go for a new movement. By the way, for $25 with free next day (Amazon Prime) delivery this little test unit is pretty handy for testing the mechanical train as well as the electronic pulse. It also has a battery tester but any basic voltmeter can do that.
 
sirtaifun
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K kalali
as well as the electronic pulse
Just curious: Did you test the device with another functioning quartz movement?

And as I mentioned earlier coils can be repaired using silver solder:

Spule repariert.jpg
Edited:
 
K
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I always check the test devices with known good units, especially the cheap ones coming from overseas. It works just fine. I don't have any silver solder at the moment but will fiddle a bit more to see if I can bring the coil close to the specs shown in the technical documents. Not very optimistic. And thanks for the links. I'd run into them when I started down this rabbit hole...
 
Canuck
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K kalali
I figured out how to attach a picture:
Watches.jpg

Next thing you have to learn how to do is to put your pictures into a thread where they are appropriate.
 
Snooz
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Well I spoke too soon regarding my 1441 being repaired...looked at it this morning and it had lost 3 minutes...the second hand appears to be intermittently getting stuck - sometimes it gets stuck for a second, sometimes 5 or 6....does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this as so I can at least give my watchmaker an idea as to where the problem may be? It had stopped completely when I previously took it into him, he seemingly repaired it and for 2 weeks it was keeping perfect time....any help appreciated 👍
 
sirtaifun
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First thing is to see if the battery is drained.
If not the mechanical part of the movement has to be serviced.
 
Snooz
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sirtaifun sirtaifun
First thing is to see if the battery is drained.
If not the mechanical part of the movement has to be serviced.
Pretty sure it's not the battery as that was checked when it was repaired - unfortunately I have no idea how The watchmaker repaired it before as it's just a case of handing it over to a local jeweller who then sends it to his repair guy....anyway thanks for the info - really appreciate it!
 
sirtaifun
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Snooz Snooz
Pretty sure it's not the battery
You never know.
If you have some measuring device just test it for yourself.
 
ChrisN
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Snooz Snooz
Pretty sure it's not the battery as that was checked when it was repaired - unfortunately I have no idea how The watchmaker repaired it before as it's just a case of handing it over to a local jeweller who then sends it to his repair guy....anyway thanks for the info - really appreciate it!
Mistakes happen sometimes and that's why you have a warranty and the watchmaker will investigate for you - I would just tell them that the second hand pauses sometimes and the watch is losing time - 3 minutes over a day, sometimes (as I understand your comments). If the watch received a full service then it should be reliable for years.

If you can, in the future, find a watchmaker who you can deal directly with. Cutting out the middleman means that you are just paying for the watchmaker's time and you will both get a better deal.

Good luck, Chris
 
Snooz
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ChrisN ChrisN
Mistakes happen sometimes and that's why you have a warranty and the watchmaker will investigate for you - I would just tell them that the second hand pauses sometimes and the watch is losing time - 3 minutes over a day, sometimes (as I understand your comments). If the watch received a full service then it should be reliable for years.

If you can, in the future, find a watchmaker who you can deal directly with. Cutting out the middleman means that you are just paying for the watchmaker's time and you will both get a better deal.

Good luck, Chris
Good advice - thanks Chris
 
webvan
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So it's my turn to have problems with my SM200/1441 ! I finally decided to put in a new battery (373 in case anyone needs the reference) and...no luck. The old one had been in there for a while but there's been no leak and upon closer inspection I can see the seconds wheel going back and forth. I also put it on my Greiner Quartztimer and there is a pulse...so it seems to point to some mechanical issues and/or maybe a long overdue servicing/cleaning...Thoughts ?

Also did the non-working 1441s in this thread ever come back to life ?
 
Snooz
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webvan webvan
So it's my turn to have problems with my SM200/1441 ! I finally decided to put in a new battery (373 in case anyone needs the reference) and...no luck. The old one had been in there for a while but there's been no leak and upon closer inspection I can see the seconds wheel going back and forth. I also put it on my Greiner Quartztimer and there is a pulse...so it seems to point to some mechanical issues and/or maybe a long overdue servicing/cleaning...Thoughts ?

Also did the non-working 1441s in this thread ever come back to life ?

I'm no expert, but i suspect it could be a gluey train, I think that's what happened initially on my SM200 - the seconds hand was getting stuck at 10 o'clock and pulsing, but it corrected itself and haven't had any problems for over a year now. Could be that the fresh lubricant needed time to work it's way around the gears?
 
webvan
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Thanks, good to hear yours got going again, had you applied lubricant yourself ? I could have tried that but a service was overdue as I'd always found it a bit "wobbly" since getting it 12 years ago on eBay !
 
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