Should I not use my chronograph?

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Noblefir4

·Jan 25, 2016

Hi guys,

I just bought my first Swiss watch, it´s an Omega Seamaster cronograph from the mid-2000´s. The guy that sold it to me is a collector of Swiss watches, and he advised me that you should only use a fine watch´s cronograph once, to test it before buying it, and then never again. Is anyone on board with this guy´s line of thinking or should I be free to use it as much as I want? For me it defeats the purpose of spending a lot of money on a watch if you can´t use it for what it was made for.

 

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alam

·Jan 25, 2016

N Noblefir4

Hi guys,

I just bought my first Swiss watch, it´s an Omega Seamaster cronograph from the mid-2000´s. The guy that sold it to me is a collector of Swiss watches, and he advised me that you should only use a fine watch´s cronograph once, to test it before buying it, and then never again. Is anyone on board with this guy´s line of thinking or should I be free to use it as much as I want? For me it defeats the purpose of spending a lot of money on a watch if you can´t use it for what it was made for.

I was thinking of buying a Porsche 911 but a friend told me to drive it over 162KM/hr only once to test it, and never drive it again at those speeds. The reason I opted for a Volvo.

 

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dsio

·Jan 25, 2016·Ash @ ΩF

Use it as much as you want mate, what you have there is a Calibre 1164 which is an upgraded ETA 7750, one of the most durable and reliable chronographs ever made. Also one of the easiest to service and maintain, don't hesitate to use the watch and the chronograph.

 

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dsio

·Jan 25, 2016·Ash @ ΩF

I will say though that its likely about 10 years old which means it probably needs a service already. Even if its keeping good time it doesn't change that fact, it needs to be cleaned and lubricated to prevent wear. Get a quality independent watchmaker to do it and then use it as much as you like until its next service is due.

 

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Horlogerie

·Jan 26, 2016

I use my chrono's dozens of times a day...everyday...and never have any problems, that is what they are designed to do, be used. Whoever told you this is not knowledgable about watches.

As already mentioned, your well overdue for a servicing, probably 5 years overdue.

If the watch is a keeper best to have it looked at before it gets damaged from lack of lubrication.

Rob

 

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Cooko14

·Jan 26, 2016

Hi I have the same watch. It's an absolute beauty. I have my chrono on as I like the sweeping hand.the watch keeps great time. Don't think the guy knows what he's on about.its a robust piece so enjoy it

 

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Geo!

·Jan 26, 2016

It makes me wonder if there is or has been an issue with the chronograph and he doesn't want you to operate it in case it stops or doesn't reset properly. Just a thought!

 

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Cooko14

·Jan 26, 2016

Possibly I would take it to a jewellers (high street one not a dodgy back street job)and maybe get them to look at it. Might cost u £50 or so but will put your mind at ease

 

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Darlinboy

·Jan 26, 2016·Pratts! Will I B******S!!!

Was the guy who told you that wearing an asshat?😜

 

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NT931

·Jan 26, 2016

I have a vintage Seiko chrono which I leave running all the time whenever I wear it, as you can see on the photo.

Granted I don't wear it that often , but I like the sweep of the orange chrono hands when I look at it.

 

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Horlogerie

·Jan 26, 2016

NT931

I have a vintage Seiko chrono which I leave running all the time whenever I wear it, as you can see on the photo.

Granted I don't wear it that often , but I like the sweep of the orange chrono hands when I look at it.

Great watch, I just finished a complete overhaul of the exact model and returned it to the customer last weekend. Put on a new crystal and had to re-bush the mainplate mainspring arbour bushing, it was quite worn. Otherwise the movement was in great condition.

His was purchased while he worked in the far east (Signapore?) in the late '60's I believe, the serial number ended below 1000 so I think it was an early release.

Rob

 

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abrod520

·Jan 26, 2016

NT931

I have a vintage Seiko chrono which I leave running all the time whenever I wear it, as you can see on the photo.

Granted I don't wear it that often , but I like the sweep of the orange chrono hands when I look at it.

Did you by chance happen to foil a robbery on the Gold Coast a few days ago?

 

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NT931

·Jan 26, 2016

abrod520

Did you by chance happen to foil a robbery on the Gold Coast a few days ago?

Er no. My thongs are looking quite intact, I hadn't quite 'busted a plugga' !

(for those who don't understand the reference , click on the link for a really funny interview, and I really love that Aussie self-deprecating humour)

 

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abrod520

·Jan 26, 2016

NT931

Er no. My thongs are looking quite intact, I hadn't quite 'busted a plugga' !

(for those who don't understand the reference , click on the link for a really funny interview, and I really love that Aussie self-deprecating humour)

Be careful where you refer to them as thongs... here in the US for instance, that term nowadays refers to a very different bit of apparel!

When I was a teenager, my dad needed a pair of what we call "flip-flops" and went to a K-mart type store and asked a young sales associate if they had thongs. That got a very interesting reaction 😁

 

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NT931

·Jan 26, 2016

Yeah, we call 'em flipflops here in Singapore too.

When we were in Melbourne, we lived next door to a family with a rather comely daughter in her 20's. One evening our babysitter told us (as we were leaving) that the daughter was climbing up the ladder to retrieve something while wearing thongs - the babysitter thought it was "just ridiculous"

Of course I went outside almost immediately with my mental model of thongs in mind (women + thongs + ladder ... hmm!), and was greeted by the sight of a lady in jeans and flipflops . Ah well... a quick crash course in Aussie slang 🙄

 

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abrod520

·Jan 26, 2016

If I'd heard that-

 

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Noblefir4

·Jan 26, 2016

Thanks guys for your input! The watch had never been opened before when I bought it, so do you still think that it´s due for a service?

The reason I know that it hadn´t been opened before is that during the transaction I insisted that I have a jeweler open it up to prove it´s authenticity, and the guy all but threw a hissy fit saying that since it had never been opened it´s worth more, and the second it gets opened it goes down in value, so if I decide not to buy it after opening it he would now have a less valuable watch. He showed me how the two red dots on the back aligned perfectly which means it had never been opened. Since I insisted that I wouldn´t but it unless I had it verified, we struck a middle ground where I paid him for the watch but he stayed in the jewelry store fore the authentication. Well the jeweler opened the back to show me the movement, told me it´s the real deal, and put it right back on.

 

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noelekal

·Jan 26, 2016·Home For Wayward Watches

I'm just grateful that you were able to rescue the watch from a nitwit owner!

 

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Noblefir4

·Jan 26, 2016

dsio

I will say though that its likely about 10 years old which means it probably needs a service already. Even if its keeping good time it doesn't change that fact, it needs to be cleaned and lubricated to prevent wear. Get a quality independent watchmaker to do it and then use it as much as you like until its next service is due.

Thanks Noelekal for the comments. It had never been opened before I bought it. During the transaction I had it opened for around 30 seconds to verify its authenticity. Do you still think it´s due for a service? There was not a scratch on it and previous owner says he wore it in rotation if that matters.

 

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chich

·Jan 26, 2016

It doesn't matter on the usage, the oils in the movement will age and need changing - just like your car. It's a worthwhile investment to insure years more of problem-free running.