IWC Big Pilot automatic winder is loose

[mills]

Hi everyone,

My Big Pilot started to exhibit a strange rattle so I removed the back of the watch to investigate. Turns out the winder weight has come off, disconnected or something. It happened last March but due to COVID, I've not gotten around to sending it back to Watchfinder for them to take a look. The poor old watch has been sitting, unworn since.

Is this a simple fix though? Maybe something I could tackle at home with the right tools? I don't want to "just give it a go" on an expensive time piece so any advice or guidance would be hugely welcome. Thanks.

 

 

[Nucejoe]

Give it a manual wind every month.

Put the back plare on.

 

[mills]

3 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

Give it a manual wind every month.

Put the back plare on.

 

I've read that it's a pretty common issue with Big Pilots as the rotor is pretty huge. So are you suggesting I should just accept it and use it as a manual watch? The repair is pretty steep (£600) but I'd prefer to have the watch working as designed, so if it's not easy to do, I'll send it in for repair.

[JohnR725]

30 minutes ago, mills said:

Is this a simple fix though? Maybe something I could tackle at home with the right tools? I don't want to "just give it a go" on an expensive time piece so any advice or guidance would be hugely welcome.

We've had people start off with Rolex watches so if you want to learn on this watch no problem. The expense is it really not a concern unless you have an accident. If you're a beginner your chance of an accident is extremely high. It looks like you broke off the axle at least that's what it looks like in the picture. I don't suppose you dropped it?

First step we need a model or movement number. The movement number is located under the balance wheel it's a little bit fuzzy in the picture I am attaching an image so you can see where it would be just to verify that I have the number which looks like Looks like it is model number 51110 although the zeros a bit fuzzy so it be nice if you'd verify.

Once we verify the model number we can see if we get you a technical guide. Because with the technical guide to make it easy to figure out if you really did break the axle off like I think. How many components are going to have to take off to get the axle and? Then yes I did check there are IWC parts out there so it's not an impossible task unless?

Just now, mills said:

The repair is pretty steep (£600) but I'd prefer to have the watch working as designed, so if it's not easy to do, I'll send it in for repair.

What a ripoff you should do it yourself Cameron screwdriver we can get this fixed in no time.

The reality of the situation is unless you're skilled in watch repair you're going to have to take off quite a few components to get the broken component off. It's extremely likely we cannot get a technical bulletin for this. Also equally as likely even though I've looked at there are IWC parts out there without a proper parts book or service guide identifying those parts is going to be a challenge. But this is really your choice in your watch long ago I've given up trying to discourage people from doing something they shouldn't.

Although if you're paying attention I am trying to discourage you from doing this.

 

https://watchbase.com/iwc/caliber/51110

[Nucejoe]

 That is just to let the watch run every once in a while,, good for it to run,,.

Putting the back plate back on is to keep dirt from getting into the movement, until you get a chance to have it fixed.

Also , I keep the rotor in a palstic bag to reduce furthure contamination.

 

[mills]

Thanks John. I think it would be wise for me to put down the screwdriver and send it away. Appreciate the reply.

[mills]

12 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

 That is just to let the watch run every once in a while,, good for it to run,,.

Putting the back plate back on is to keep dirt from getting into the movement, until you get a chance to have it fixed.

Also , I keep the rotor in a palstic bag to reduce furthure contamination.

 

Makes sense, thanks for the help.

[JohnR725]

If you don't mind not having the automatic it will work just fine as a manual wind. 

I found a couple of interesting links for you. The first one they have a forum unfortunately you have to join to see it secrets. Then you scroll down that page all sorts of things you can see like the second link.

What's interesting on the second link is there is a parts list but from what I can tell you can only find parts for the earlier ones perhaps. The automatic on this watch looked familiar and I remembered why. Somebody once asked me about the automatic weight axle and it just isn't available. Many years ago these companies did have spare parts for some other watches even Rolex sold spare parts but now they don't like us they don't trust us with their spare parts. Bad for the consumer though it limits where you to get the thing repaired

https://www.iwc.com/en/forum.html

https://www.iwc.com/en/forum/the-automatic-movement-comes-from-schaffhausen.html

[jdm]

4 hours ago, mills said:

Is this a simple fix though? Maybe something I could tackle at home with the right tools? I don't want to "just give it a go" on an expensive time piece so any advice or guidance would be hugely welcome.

No it is not work for a beginner. As explained above either wait for when you will be skilled including making parts on the lathe, or when you will find an honest watchmaker. There are various on the Internet, but it may depend on where you live, if you want to ship internationally, etc.

[HSL]

On the C.51110 as your movement are, I believe the rotor post is supposed to be where JohnR725 has put the marking. The rotor post suspension should be under the winding mechanism.

The suspension is supposedly designed to prevent the post to break .

The rotor post is still in your rotor. Not hard to get from there just loosen a small screw and push the slot holding it in place to the side.

Just so you get a feeling of how it should look Iike I attach a small bad quality PNG.
I wouldn´t recommend you to do this work you self since not only it is a tricky movement to begin with, the parts also would be a **BLEEP** for you to acquire.
 

[watchweasol]

As you can see from the attached tech sheet the post is held on by two screws, they must be in the watch somewhere if its come off or the post has broken.

7208_IWC 50110.pdf