Hi,
First of all, I am totally new to this forum. I love vintage-looking watches and got the one on the photo as a present. However, when wanting to turn the hands, the stem came out entirely. Now I am not able to get it in anymore, it blocks at the point shown in the picture. I am able to wind it up in this position, but not to change the hands. And of course, I would like to get the stem back in eventually. Any advice? I should probably go to an expert to have this fixed? Any idea if this would be major damage? The watch still runs normally, with the stem out, so the insides are ok, I guess...
Thanks!

 

Yes

 

Any idea on the severity of the problem? And the associated cost?

 

A watchmaker used to working on mechanical watches can sort that out for you. If you want to wear the watch you'll want to get the movement serviced, as all of the moving bits inside your watch need periodic adjustment and lubrication for accurate timekeeping. Costs will depend on where you live and what else might be wrong (if anything) inside.

 

Sounds like the drawn reciprocating dingle arm is outta whack! Probably replace the nover trunnion.

 

Obviously you don't know this model.

To the educated and clairvoyant among us it's clear that the positive gripping clutch has been allowed to collapse due to the failure of the reversing dynamic finger.

Or it could be the trunnion, but I'd have to see it to believe it.

 

Could also be the reversing grammy!

 

Take it to a real watchmaker for a quote and repair, not a mall kiosk. We would have to know the reference # (from inside the case back) to know more about the watch - and others might already know enough - but it seems to me to be a redial, see the uneven minute markers at 11:00 and 12:00

 

Have you ever removed a stem? If you want a few simple steps that might get you back in service without the cost, I’d be willing. But if you have no watchmakers screwdrivers, I agree that you’ll want to have a pro size it up.

 

Thanks for all your feedback, but since I don't have the tools and don't want to mess it up, I'll take it to a watchmaker...