GST
25
Additional thoughts / my response
NoQuartz,
I do share your frustration (even more so if the 5146 was your daily watch) but honestly I can't say whether or not this is an issue with Patek's quality control.
My knowledge of mechanical watches is limited to reading forums and watching a few videos from the Patek website and Youtube. That said, the way I imagine it, perhaps there are some things that Patek can test for (water resistance, how well the watch keeps the time, do the day, dates, month change at the right time and every time, power reserve) and then there are things that they probably cannot test for.
Say the issue is that lubrication was poorly applied or not enough was applied and that leads to the watch stopping after a few months. I'm not sure how one can test for that (since it was working when it left the factory) other than trusting that the watch maker is well trained and follows the proper procedures. Another factor could be how long the watch was sitting in a display window prior to sale but I'm not sure if lubrication continues to age over time while the movement isn't running. During shipping the watch could also have been dropped or parts otherwise damaged but not so much that it stops working immediately upon arrival but rather only after a few months of additional wear and tear (akin to a stress fracture slowly getting more severe over time until it finally breaks).
In any case, apologies for my rambling response and I hope you get your 5146 back soon and in perfect condition. It would be interesting to hear about the underlying issue, how they fixed it and, perhaps more to your point I think (assuming they share any details), how they intend to improve their process in terms of making the parts, assembly or quality control etc. to reduce such occurrences going forward.
Bsodmike -- thank you for sharing your experience. I will certainly report back!
Regards
GST
Brand new 5146 stopped working
I bought a 5146 recently and have worn it only on a few occasions. To my great shock, last night when I took it out of the winder I saw that the watch had stopped two days ago and even though the power reserve was showing full, the seconds hand was stoppe...
Correct...
.....it is unacceptable for a watch of this quality to breakdown in this way. Having said that, sometimes this type of thing happens. Now it is important that Patek do the right thing and make up for the problem. Please let us know how they deal with the ...
Especially when it comes to ...
... sophisticated mechanical pieces it is annoying, but things like this happen for several reasons. It is not about blaming anybody (most of the time), just a convenient solution is needed. Now you can find out which "package" you bought, with or without...
Just in case...
If I remember well 5146 has a caliber 324 which is mono-directional if I don't mistake. I do not have all the parameters of your situation: what brand and model of winder do you have? some are mono- and others are bi-directional... Do check your winder sp...
Happened to me...
With a 5205G shortly after purchase. I also had an issue with a JLC Duometre hours after leaving the boutique with a watch. They are mechanical devices and shipping alone can subject them to trauma that shows up as a failure upon arrival at the AD or a sh...
whatever the issue PP will bend over backwards to fix it!
let us know how you go and good luck
Please keep us updated
Patek customer service and problem resolution has been a frequent topic of debate on various forums over the years with passionate opinions on both sides. General consensus is usually that issues are resolved but often not without considerable inconvienen...
power reserve indicator issue?
Mike H can be right, your winder does not wind the watch. However, there has been a power reserve issue reported several times on 324 movements. Try to wind it manually and see if it works, then you will know which one it is. In any case, it needs to go f...
Directional ?
I hear this being brought up. Are u guys saying that the 324 calibre rotor is mono-directional ? What about the 240 calibre with the small rotor ? The power reserve indicating full but watch not running doesn't sound right. Contact PP and update us what t...
Winder was set to dual-direction
The winder was set to dual-direction. So, not sure if that was the problem.
both ?
I have a Patek that has a 240 engine. Is the rotor uni-directional or bi-directional ? Any difference between the directions of the 324 and 240 ? Not trying to hijack the thread, but since it's a winding issue. I must well clarify my understanding.
Pateks are one directional winders
All Pateks wind one way or the other not both ways like a Rolex. Both the 315/324 and the 240 wind the same way per the PP winding biox. On the box looking straight on, these movements wind counter- clockwise. Modernization comes very slow to PP.
That is incorrect.
I respectfully request you check your sources again. Furthermore to state Patek Philippe is slow to modernize is a very judgmental and perhaps slightly narrow view. I'm not trying to stick up for watch company, but I do want to uphold a balanced view.
One directional winding
I read somewhere (not 100% sure) that the reason patek uses one directional winding rotors in their watches is to keep the overall movement as thin as possible. Bidirectional winding would add to the thickness of the movement.
Micro rotor is unidirectional
Respectfully, can't speak for every Patek movement but the 240 micro rotor most certainly winds unidirectionally. Source: Official Patek website. Not necessarily helpful to the OP as the model in question does not use the micro rotor system but I do belie...
240 Caliber
240 caliber only windsin the CCW direction. The 324 can do either, but the CW is what Patek Philippe uses on its winders for the 324. 240 is very different than the 324. Slower beat, micro rotor, and on the 240 caliber the second hand will always be at 4 ...
You're thoughts and expectations are right.
And yes, other folks have experienced similar issues. It is quite a let down, particularly for a new watch and one of this caliber. The first thing that pops to mind is the fact that a $50 watch bought 30 years ago has performed without any problems at al...
Going to my AD tomorrow
Taking it to my AD tomorrow. Spoke to them on the phone yesterday and they said that it could have become magentized, which I highly doubt as I am a stickler for taking care of my watches and keeping them safe. Any case, I will keep you guys updated on th...
silicon balance spring
All new cal 324 have a silicon balance spring (my 5127R is 1 year old and it has silicon). So magnetism should not be a problem.
Silicone balance spring can snap !
Silicone, unlike metals, is much less forgiving to very slight imperfections. For example, if a nano-scale crack is formed during production, it can propagate with time and ultimately result in the breakage of the spring. Preventing this failure mechanism...
not sure
Not sure but the thought has entered my mind. It's the hassle of taking it back and waiting... I have a 5712/1A for 1.5 yrs and recently I've started tracking it's accuracy. It's been slowing 2-3 seconds per day. I'm wondering if these is normal or not.
What about rotor in calibre 240?
I have a Patek that has a 240 engine. Is the rotor uni-directional or bi-directional ? Any difference between the directions of the 324 and 240 ? Not trying to hijack the thread, but since it's a winding issue. I must well clarify my understanding. Respon...
Sorry to hear that...
I just had a quick read through and can confirm the 324 movements only wind when the rotor rotates in an anti-clockwise direction (if you try spinning it, the rotor will rotate freely clockwise for this reason; in the reverse direction it is doing work, i...
dealer
To my understanding, these watches are in short supply and so how likely is it that the dealer would have another 5146 to replace the current one. Also hypothetically speaking, what would the dealer do with the broken one if they take it back for exchange...
Update
First of all sorry about the video, couldn't figure out how to upload it. My AD has taken the watch and have told me to rest assured that they will address whatever happened to the watch. The watch will go the NY service center first and they will look at...
You own a gold mine ?
Wow ! Yet to have the 5146 fix and you bought another Patek walking in !? Man, u guys really have deep pockets.
Happened to me as well
bought my brand new 5146g several years ago direct from AD. It was then with the older movement. After a couple of months, I decided to purchase a winder and put it there. The winder had all the correct settings for that movement. The watch somehow did no...
If the PR is low when i go to bed..
I'll put my 5146 on a orbita winder which is set at 900 counter clockwise TPD. I have notice that sitting at a certain angle the watch will wind more efficiently.
I own the 5146g
Never had a problem, lets see what patek says but if I have to bet money I would say that is the power reserve issue + winder setting. Specially if you have one of those rotowind systems by Orbita.
There is no issue with the winder
But with some unidirectional watches like patek that has lot of CCW models, you will need to set the winder in high. Because whatever turns you are counting on, you have to remember to divided by 2 because half of the turns won't matter. Right?
Winder
I have been using Wolf Design 456029 Module 2.5 double watch winder set at bidirectional
I dont think its a winder issue...
if it is a winder then why power reserve indicator shows +?
I will say this
That winder is set to turn 900 turns a day. If you set it to turn bidirectional that means the watch is just getting 450 effective turns a day, because if I am not mistaken this watch needs winding in a CCW direction. So yes I think the watch is not getti...
update - Sept 17
Wanted to give everyone an update. I don't have all the details yet, but this is what I have been told on the status of my watch. This is indirectly through my AD, so not sure how accurate this is. The "gyromax was out of alignment and the balance toleran...
Silicon parts
I have only heard of only the PP 5550 and the 5200 using silicon parts. One AD manager told me that many 5550 owners were having problems with their watch, supposedly related to the silicon. Does PP commonly use silicon for watch repairs now?
It's the standard Gyromax balance
jon_jon, you're right. I would be surprised if they were referring to the GyromaxSi, which is featured in those 'Advanced Research' only pieces. Instead, I believe they were referring to this Plus the 'silicon' sounds like their reference to oiling (perha...
Silicon lubricant
I agree, it sounded like lubrication related silicon(e). I have been told that I will be getting my watch back end of September, which according to the AD is unprecedented turnaround time. To which I responded that for a new patek to stop working is also ...
Congrats...
on both counts. Yes, you'll find the wait is worth it. I am glad PP are living up to their name. Best M.
I know how you feel
Some years ago when I had my 5035, I worn it almost everyday and not put on a winder at all, after about three months it stopped working by itself. And for my VC Overseas chronograph a few years ago, I purchased it new from AD, might be sitting at the AD ...
Same thing just happened to me
The same thing just happened this morning. I purchased a new 5146G in early August (324 movement) and it has either been on a winder or on my wrist since then. I've never had to change or correct the date and never adjusted the time since my AD was kind e...
Hi GST...
Something similar happened to me although on my AP Royal Oak 15300 - I woke up one morning to find the watch completely dead on my wrist. Like you, I tried to wind it, and then found the seconds hand ticked on for about 10-15 seconds, and died. Again, I'd...
My experience was similar but a bit different
First, it is uncanny the similarities in our cases. When I removed my watch from the winder, it showed a full power reserve and the seconds hand was stopped at 42'. However unlike your case, even with the crown pulled out the watch did not start. I am tol...
Additional thoughts / my response
NoQuartz, I do share your frustration (even more so if the 5146 was your daily watch) but honestly I can't say whether or not this is an issue with Patek's quality control. My knowledge of mechanical watches is limited to reading forums and watching a few...
It's back!!
No documentation regarding the repairs, however I continue to pester them for it. In the meantime, it is back on the wrist!! ...
My congratulations!
Enjoy it! I hope it was the last time when your watch was sent to so serious works at manufacture. But I'm also very interested in diagnose and reasons of the problem you had with that watch. AD have to provide you full list of works which were implemente...
the reason
Hi. Could You write us what they told You precisely what was the reason of stop the watch. Sorry if i was not red it on the forum if You wrote it. thanks.
Congrats...!
BTW, how far to the right does your power reserve needle go when it's out of power?
did they provide you any formal explanations?
any document on what has been done with the watch?
I wonder...
if you've tried contacting Patek directly? As long as it wasn't AD serviced (god forbid), Patek would have a record of the repairs performed. Let me know if I could be of any help, thanks! Best M.
what happens when warranty runs out?
What I'm wondering if this movement is prone to this type of problem and whether it may be a recurring issue. Also, it may be a good idea to find out preferably in writing as to what happened. Later on, if the same issue occurred again (outside of warrant...
Response
Here is a brief response from PP: The timepiece required a new balance complete. The reason for this is because the hairspring suddenly broke. lf you are going to replace the balance complete, then you have to completely overhaul the movement.
overhaul
So does this mean your watch's movement has been completely overhauled? If that's the case the turnaround time was quite quick. Hope everything is now working ok.
I predicted this to be the case in my August 23 comment above.
Still glad they fixed in quickly. Hope you will have a better luck in the future. Cheers Jim