My father gave me his gold watch, a 25 year old Omega analogue quartz.
It had been lying idle in his drawer with the time-setting pin
disengaged. After re-engaging the pin, the hands began advancing at 4
times the normal rate. After 1 hour it has gained 3 hours. I assume
the crystal is oscillating at a higher overtone, maybe due to a weak
battery.

In any case I now have a watch to match the reverse Dick Smith wall
clock above my desk. Maybe I should start collecting misbehaving
timepieces.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

This might be normal behavior for the watch. You might have engaged a mode
that moves the hands rapidly.

Or not.

William Sommerwerck wrote:
This might be normal behavior for the watch. You might have engaged a mode
that moves the hands rapidly.

Or not.


That's how you set my Tissot (an Omega brand, I believe).

On Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:20:20 -0500, the renowned cjt
wrote:

William Sommerwerck wrote:
This might be normal behavior for the watch. You might have engaged a mode
that moves the hands rapidly.

Or not.


That's how you set my Tissot (an Omega brand, I believe).

I have a watch that detects a quick twist of the crown and steps the
hands around 12 indicated hours (in the appropriate direction) in
about 3 seconds.

4:1 just sounds annoying.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
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"Spehro Pefhany" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:20:20 -0500, the renowned cjt
wrote:

William Sommerwerck wrote:
This might be normal behavior for the watch. You might have engaged a
mode
that moves the hands rapidly.

Or not.


That's how you set my Tissot (an Omega brand, I believe).

I have a watch that detects a quick twist of the crown and steps the
hands around 12 indicated hours (in the appropriate direction) in
about 3 seconds.

4:1 just sounds annoying.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
Info for manufacturers:
http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers:
http://www.speff.com



To speed it up leave it on your wrist when using a hefty spot welder.....

Franc Zabkar wrote:
My father gave me his gold watch, a 25 year old Omega analogue quartz.
It had been lying idle in his drawer with the time-setting pin
disengaged. After re-engaging the pin, the hands began advancing at 4
times the normal rate. After 1 hour it has gained 3 hours. I assume
the crystal is oscillating at a higher overtone, maybe due to a weak
battery.

In any case I now have a watch to match the reverse Dick Smith wall
clock above my desk. Maybe I should start collecting misbehaving
timepieces.

- Franc Zabkar

Have you thought of maybe changing the battery ?

geoff

geoff wrote:

Have you thought of maybe changing the battery ?

geoff

My Omega costs $35 a battery change.
They give you a 2 year warranty, and they always run out in 26 months.

Have seriously though of getting a $19.95 throw away watch, and flogging
my engraved gold retirement Omega.

Don...



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My Omega costs $35 a battery change.
They give you a 2 year warranty, and they
always run out in 26 months.

Have seriously though of getting a $19.95 throw
away watch, and flogging
my engraved gold retirement Omega.

You can purchase tools for opening the back of a watch. I've never paid
anyone to change watch batteries.

William Sommerwerck wrote:
My Omega costs $35 a battery change.
They give you a 2 year warranty, and they
always run out in 26 months.

Have seriously though of getting a $19.95 throw
away watch, and flogging
my engraved gold retirement Omega.

You can purchase tools for opening the back of a watch. I've never paid
anyone to change watch batteries.

Thanks Bill,

struth, so the cost for an Omega is really in the cost of the tools, not
the battery?

I know when it first went flat, I took it to one of the little arcade
shops that do that sort of thing, and they couldn't get the back off,
and all they managed to do was scratch it.

So I had to take it to Cobblers Plus Watch Works, and they charged $35
and gave a 2 year guarantee.

Took it back 26 months later with the receipt, and they wanted to charge
me the same, so I told them I was going to replace it with a junk watch,
and they immediately dropped the price to $25.

Where do you get the tools, and how much would you expect to pay?

I don't want to be a jeweler, but at $35, when I know the battery could
be purchased $35 a 100 from China, seems a little rich.

Cheers Don...



--
Don McKenzie

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Where do you get the tools, and how much would you expect to pay?

I don't know what the Omega back is like -- it might require some special,
hard-to-obtain tool -- so I can't give a definitive answer.

The most-common backs use either a slotted ring -- which can often be
removed with a pair of chain-nose pliars -- or a press-to-fit back, which is
removed with a "case-back knife".

The latter is simply a knife with a very thin blade. You simply press the
knife into the seam, and twist a bit. (Well, that's the theory. It's
sometimes a bit more difficult, and there is the chance of scracthing the
back.)

These are available from Zantech (http://www.zantechinc.com/store). They
have all kinds of watch-repair equipment and supplies. You'll have fun
browsing the site.


I don't want to be a jeweler, but $35, when I know the battery
could be purchased $35/100 from China, seems a little rich.

You can get batteries even cheaper than that from Zantech and similar
companies.

Any jeweler who charges more than $5 for a battery replacement -- including
the battery -- is gouging. Most batteries cost the dealer less than 25
cents, and replacing one takes less than five minutes. That's a gross profit
of more than $50 an hour. Not bad.

Don McKenzie wrote:

So I had to take it to Cobblers Plus Watch Works, and they charged $35
and gave a 2 year guarantee.

Took it back 26 months later with the receipt, and they wanted to
charge me the same, so I told them I was going to replace it with a
junk watch, and they immediately dropped the price to $25.

Where do you get the tools, and how much would you expect to pay?

I don't want to be a jeweler, but at $35, when I know the battery
could be purchased $35 a 100 from China, seems a little rich.

Last time mine cost $12.50. Was something like $35 if I wanted it pressure
tested to it's rated depth.

geoff

On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:51:34 +1000, Don McKenzie wrote:

geoff wrote:

Have you thought of maybe changing the battery ?

geoff

My Omega costs $35 a battery change.
They give you a 2 year warranty, and they always run out in 26 months.

Have seriously though of getting a $19.95 throw away watch, and flogging
my engraved gold retirement Omega.

I have an Omega *real* analog auto-wind (no battery) from the early sixties
that still runs like a swiss clock (cough!). It has a "one-piece-case" i.e. no
rear access - probably part of the 100m immersion rating. It needs a special
tool which apparently flexes the glass/perspec/acrylic front to remove it.

Recently had it serviced to assure ongoing watertightness, new stem seals etc
and the front polished to remove scratches. Probably good for another forty
years - will certainly outlast me.

Also use as my daily drive a Casio which runs about five years between battery
replacements (has barometric altimeter etc). But the replacement cost of
necessity includes seals and pressure testing, so it runs about $40 a time.

I have an Omega *real* analog auto-wind (no battery) from the early
sixties
that still runs like a swiss clock (cough!). It has a "one-piece-case"
i.e. no
rear access -- probably part of the 100m immersion rating. It needs a
special
tool which apparently flexes the glass/perspec/acrylic front to remove it.

If it's a "good" watch, it has a mineral cover, not plastic. Some watches
have undoped sapphire (aluminum oxide) covers.

On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 04:47:24 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

I have an Omega *real* analog auto-wind (no battery) from the early
sixties
that still runs like a swiss clock (cough!). It has a "one-piece-case"
i.e. no
rear access -- probably part of the 100m immersion rating. It needs a
special
tool which apparently flexes the glass/perspec/acrylic front to remove it.

If it's a "good" watch, it has a mineral cover, not plastic. Some watches
have undoped sapphire (aluminum oxide) covers.

It's a *good* one. That's why I was vague/multi-biguous about the material, as
it obviously has to flex for removal.

rebel wrote:
On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:51:34 +1000, Don McKenzie wrote:

geoff wrote:

Have you thought of maybe changing the battery ?

geoff

My Omega costs $35 a battery change.
They give you a 2 year warranty, and they always run out in 26
months.

Have seriously though of getting a $19.95 throw away watch, and
flogging my engraved gold retirement Omega.

I have an Omega *real* analog auto-wind (no battery) from the early
sixties that still runs like a swiss clock (cough!).

I have a real Omega analogue mechanical watch that I need to wind every day
by hand. But I use my electronic one because it runs just fine for over 2
years at a time without needing to wind anything.


geoff

Don McKenzie wrote:
geoff wrote:

Have you thought of maybe changing the battery ?

geoff

My Omega costs $35 a battery change.
They give you a 2 year warranty, and they always run out in 26 months.

And ?

Have seriously though of getting a $19.95 throw away watch, and
flogging my engraved gold retirement Omega.


I'll give you $35 dollars for it - same cost as the battery you can't
justify investing in !

geoff

geoff wrote:
Don McKenzie wrote:
geoff wrote:

Have you thought of maybe changing the battery ?

geoff
My Omega costs $35 a battery change.
They give you a 2 year warranty, and they always run out in 26 months.

And ?

Have seriously though of getting a $19.95 throw away watch, and
flogging my engraved gold retirement Omega.


I'll give you $35 dollars for it - same cost as the battery you can't
justify investing in !

geoff

:-)

thanks Geoff, caught me out!

Best I pass on that one. A gold engraved $2000 retirement watch, will
end up with the grand kids, when I fall off the perch.

They can then sell it for $35. :-)

Don...





--
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Don McKenzie wrote:
Best I pass on that one. A gold engraved $2000 retirement watch, will
end up with the grand kids, when I fall off the perch.

They can then sell it for $35. :-)\

Please pass them my address !

Actually a worthwhile investment in a battery, as it would likely seize up
in not working for a long period.


geoff

"Franc Zabkar" wrote in message
...
My father gave me his gold watch, a 25 year old Omega analogue quartz.
It had been lying idle in his drawer with the time-setting pin
disengaged. After re-engaging the pin, the hands began advancing at 4
times the normal rate. After 1 hour it has gained 3 hours. I assume
the crystal is oscillating at a higher overtone, maybe due to a weak
battery.

In any case I now have a watch to match the reverse Dick Smith wall
clock above my desk. Maybe I should start collecting misbehaving
timepieces.

**When I was at tech (well, at the Department of Civil Aviation Training
School, more correctly), a couple of guys decided that some of the electric
(synchronous motor type) clocks required their special attention. They
carefully stripped the clocks apart, removed the motors, then removed the
reverse prevention thingys, reassembled the whole thing with a clock face,
carefully printed in reverse.

It was kinda nice watching the hands of the clock moving backwards.


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

Franc Zabkar wrote in message
...
My father gave me his gold watch, a 25 year old Omega analogue quartz.
It had been lying idle in his drawer with the time-setting pin
disengaged. After re-engaging the pin, the hands began advancing at 4
times the normal rate. After 1 hour it has gained 3 hours. I assume
the crystal is oscillating at a higher overtone, maybe due to a weak
battery.

In any case I now have a watch to match the reverse Dick Smith wall
clock above my desk. Maybe I should start collecting misbehaving
timepieces.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

I (in the UK) once had to repair a bedside clock radio that was running hot
and running slow. It was actually made for the USA and 110V / 60Hz that
someone had put a UK plug on the mains cable. Not burnt up running at 240V
but the 50Hz meant it was losing exactly 10 minutes an hour.

My local has a few disguised clocks including a reverse one. I though about
making one with a pointy-tooth eliptical gear and axially sprung loaded
conical pinion so it would run alternately fast and slow each hour.
There is a church near me that has a clock in the tower that is so old that
it has only one hand, other not dropped off, minutes weren't needed prior to
the railways coming in.


--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/

N_Cook wrote:
Franc Zabkar wrote in message
...
My father gave me his gold watch, a 25 year old Omega analogue quartz.
It had been lying idle in his drawer with the time-setting pin
disengaged. After re-engaging the pin, the hands began advancing at 4
times the normal rate. After 1 hour it has gained 3 hours. I assume
the crystal is oscillating at a higher overtone, maybe due to a weak
battery.

In any case I now have a watch to match the reverse Dick Smith wall
clock above my desk. Maybe I should start collecting misbehaving
timepieces.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

I (in the UK) once had to repair a bedside clock radio that was running hot
and running slow. It was actually made for the USA and 110V / 60Hz that
someone had put a UK plug on the mains cable. Not burnt up running at 240V
but the 50Hz meant it was losing exactly 10 minutes an hour.

My local has a few disguised clocks including a reverse one. I though about
making one with a pointy-tooth eliptical gear and axially sprung loaded
conical pinion so it would run alternately fast and slow each hour.
There is a church near me that has a clock in the tower that is so old that
it has only one hand, other not dropped off, minutes weren't needed prior to
the railways coming in.


--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/




Some of the old 240 volt ac clocks would go whichever way they were started

F Murtz writes:

Some of the old 240 volt ac clocks would go whichever way they were started

And othres would reverse if you simply flipped the motor stator.

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Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
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Franc Zabkar wrote:
My father gave me his gold watch, a 25 year old Omega analogue quartz.
It had been lying idle in his drawer with the time-setting pin
disengaged. After re-engaging the pin, the hands began advancing at 4
times the normal rate. After 1 hour it has gained 3 hours. I assume
the crystal is oscillating at a higher overtone, maybe due to a weak
battery.

In any case I now have a watch to match the reverse Dick Smith wall
clock above my desk. Maybe I should start collecting misbehaving
timepieces.

- Franc Zabkar


I made a reverse clock years ago with a movement that I got from an
electronics shop, still works and confounds people. I have been trying
to get more of the movements recently but I am having no success.

In article ,
F Murtz wrote:
I made a reverse clock years ago with a movement that I got from an
electronics shop, still works and confounds people. I have been trying
to get more of the movements recently but I am having no success.

Try looking for a "Barber shop clock movement," which leads to (for
example) this page:
http://www.jknowles.com.au/shop/prod...&cat=261&page=
1

While traditionally used with a mirror image dial, so as to appear
normal and operating in the right direction when viewed in a mirror,
there is naturally no reason why you can't put whatever dial you desire
on the reverse direction movement.

Disclaimer: I have never dealt with the Jonathon Knowles Clock Company,
so have no data to recommend for or against them.

--
Andrew Erickson

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot
lose." -- Jim Elliot

Andrew Erickson wrote:
In article ,
F Murtz wrote:
I made a reverse clock years ago with a movement that I got from an
electronics shop, still works and confounds people. I have been trying
to get more of the movements recently but I am having no success.

Try looking for a "Barber shop clock movement," which leads to (for
example) this page:
http://www.jknowles.com.au/shop/prod...&cat=261&page=
1

While traditionally used with a mirror image dial, so as to appear
normal and operating in the right direction when viewed in a mirror,
there is naturally no reason why you can't put whatever dial you desire
on the reverse direction movement.

Disclaimer: I have never dealt with the Jonathon Knowles Clock Company,
so have no data to recommend for or against them.


Thanks, they are not far away from here

I don't know the model of your watch. Omega watches are very expensive
and considered very high end. It would pay to service the watch. Some
models had problems with their timing module. You can send the watch
to an authorized Omega service center to have it repaired. If you go
to the Omega web site, they can assist you to find a service rep
nearest to you. These high end quartz watches require mechanical
service about once every 10 years.

An Omega watch of any kind is a high quality instrument for life. Its
long term accuracy will far exceed any off the shelf lower end watch.
All of their watches meet very strict standards and would recognized
to navigate a ship or an aircraft. If you try to buy one new from a
certified dealer (not something from the net that is not authorized),
their most basic quartz watches in a stainless steel case can start at
about $1800 US and up. If it is a chronometer type watch, they can
start at over $2500 for a basic type.

I have been wearing a mechanical (windup) Omega Speedmaster Mark II
Professional watch since 1974. I was 25 years old when I bought it. I
get it cleaned and maintained by the Omega service people every 4
years. It is mechanical, and over the long term it is more accurate
than any of the other newer watches that I have.


Jerry G.



On Aug 20, 8:29*pm, Franc Zabkar wrote:
My father gave me his gold watch, a 25 year old Omega analogue quartz.
It had been lying idle in his drawer with the time-setting pin
disengaged. After re-engaging the pin, the hands began advancing at 4
times the normal rate. After 1 hour it has gained 3 hours. I assume
the crystal is oscillating at a higher overtone, maybe due to a weak
battery.

In any case I now have a watch to match the reverse Dick Smith wall
clock above my desk. Maybe I should start collecting misbehaving
timepieces.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

An Omega watch of any kind is a high quality instrument for life. Its
long term accuracy will far exceed any off the shelf lower end watch.

I've owned "cheap" watches that were accurate to within a few seconds a
month.

This is obviously a matter of taste, but I've always found Omega's case
design fussy and unattractive. Excuse me, that's Rolex. Sorry.