Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 74 conversations about:
alex_dch
13
Dec 1, 2018
bookmark_border
The chronograph's hour counter doesn't reset to zero. Is this normal or just a defect?
NewMDUser
35
Dec 2, 2018
bookmark_border
alex_dchNever resets to zero or just gets stuck at around the 15 min mark, just in front of the 12? Mine occasionally does this too, I think they are not oiled properly from the factory and a full overhaul of the movement is ideal after a few months/ a year's use. If mine gets stuck around this 15 min mark, I just start the chrono again and reset it and the hour counter reverts back to pointing at 12.
NewMDUser
35
Dec 2, 2018
bookmark_border
alex_dchThe QC on these movements are lacking for such sensitive mechanisms. It could be anything from under-oiling to over-oiling to metal shavings clogging something up. Chronographs for cheap are risky but most units may be working fine despite cheap assembly. I would definitely recommend a full overhaul if you can find a reputable watchmaker who will do a genuine service rather than bath the whole thing in ultrasonic fluids and call it a day.
Modern Chinese mechanical watches are often oiled inappropriately from the factory. I think only Sea-gull's movements are assembled in rooms that remove dust and charge. This movement used in the Fiyta comes from Shanghai Watch Factory by most accounts. Shanghai Watch Factory is in my opinion the one with the oldest and dirtiest conditions for assembly floors. They have not upgraded their facilities since the old days when their name was biggest. These days they just demand more money because of their vintage history of supplying watches to the Communist elites. I wouldn't be surprised their 7750 based movements are assembled quickly and without care. I guess with a cheaper price, there can be more issues particularly with chrono movements. ST-19 from Sea-gull is simpler and even the fake ST-19s made by other factories work pretty reliably.
Having said that, it would appear your issue seems to be easy fix by a watchmaker even without full overhaul. Although a full overhaul will benefit the watch if you plan on keeping it and wearing it often. Most of these are over-oiled or under-oiled and possibly assembled a bit carelessly depending on which person assembled it.
I say the above as a collector of all types of mechanical watches and a close follower of the common blogs and contributor to various watch forums. Having seen photos of many teardowns and having done some myself, I'm often blown away by how good some cheap movements are and often blown away by how awful some cheap movements are. We have to remember that the price we pay is not always commensurate with the quality we are getting. It is a money making industry and that's all it is. Many Chinese movements are clean and crisp and well finished for the money e.g. Sea-gull ST-36 (just on finishing because problems with design) and ST-25 (excellent auto movement) and more poorly finished and assembled ones than I can count or remember. I've owned all of them and definitely can say that the vast majority have no issues at all in terms of design (many are just reproduced old swiss designs or combination of Japanese movements like Seiko 7S26 and Miyota 82xx) and finishing. The majority have problems with assembly and oiling. So if you like a bargain watch and want to keep it long term, factor in the price of a full overhaul with a trusted competent watchmaker. He'll probably complain about how dirt the movement is but once he's done his work, you'll have a very reliable and accurate movement and still not have costed you all that much.
Good luck.
alex_dch
13
Dec 2, 2018
bookmark_border
NewMDUserThank you for such a comprehensive response. I'm a bit on a fence here. I kinda have a 2 years warranty from the manufacturer, but I don't know if their service is any better than their QC... I found quite a few dents and scratches on the back, obviously from mounting a bracelet, and I'm not sure they will do any better with repair. It's also probably a few months waiting time, after I already spent almost two months waiting for MD's delivery...
NewMDUser
35
Dec 2, 2018
bookmark_border
alex_dchYeah I waited a while too to receive mine in the last group deal and the waiting does suck. I think it's better to just fork out your own money to overhaul the movement. It's probably not worth the wait but if you did opt for sending it to the manufacturer, they'll just slap in another movement because that's likely cheaper and quicker for them. This means you could possibly get another lemon albeit the chances for that are slim. Overhauling with a reliable watchmaker means at least they'll have some more accountability and you're almost certain to get it done properly and you'll end up having a clean movement as opposed to another factory movement freshly slapped together at minimal cost.
If it helps justify the cost, think of it this way, you'll need to overhaul the movement like the rest of us sooner or later. Better done sooner than allow the parts to wear out quicker from using it everyday and delay the overhaul. Most of these movements can do with an overhaul right after breaking in anyway because they are often inconsistently assembled compared to say an Omega or high end ETA. And if it makes you feel better, I am in the process of getting my Tag Link Caliber 16 (7750 pretty much the same movement design as this watch) for servicing and it will cost me over $600 which includes a trivial touch up polish of the bezel whatever that means since mine's all brushed finish. The chrono function jams the entire watch and stops it from operating. It is suspected to be oil dried up and creating too much friction for certain parts, not enough overall torque to drive the chrono mechanism given the excessive friction. This is Tag Heuer's pricing so an independent watchmaker should be able to do a similar overhaul for far less. An overhaul that is necessary anyway. Expensive hobby to be in haha.
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop