Swiss Emperor repair

[Theoldgold1997]

My grandad passed away and left me his Swiss Emperor watch that he used to wear. While it’s not valuable, it holds a lot of sentimental value for me. The watch is quite worn and would need some restoration work (though I know this may not be the right place to discuss that).

I took it to a repair shop today, where they tried a new battery but called it a "non-starter," saying there wasn’t much that could be done. I’d like to know if it’s worth seeking a second opinion on this watch.

[HectorLooi]

Can you get the back off to see what movement is inside and see the condition it's in?

[AndyGSi]

35 minutes ago, Theoldgold1997 said:

I took it to a repair shop today, where they tried a new battery but called it a "non-starter," saying there wasn’t much that could be done. I’d like to know if it’s worth seeking a second opinion on this watch.

If you just took it to somewhere that replaces batteries then they don't normally have much of a clue what they're doing.

[watchweasol]

Hi there are several things you can do, first get the back off  and check the battery terminals, should be clean as should be the battery compartment.  Two get hold of a line release machine / tester and rotate the hands, this will check the freedom of the movement and also detect the circuit pulse. It may be the coil is dead. Sometimes done when removing the back to change the battery

The testers can be found on eBay and Amazon. Around £23 to. 25.

[GPrideaux]

On 10/28/2024 at 7:48 PM, Theoldgold1997 said:

there wasn’t much that could be done.

There's nearly always something that can be done, it's just a matter of finding someone willing and able to do it, and the cost associated. And quartz watches aren't usually very costly, even if the whole movement needs to be replaced. I recently replaced a AU$25 movement in a colleague's favourite $200-$300 watch after she had been told it was not repairable. Made me look good, but why was she told that in the first place? I can only imagine that she took it to a jeweller who only does batteries and bands. You might like to let us know where in the world you are, and perhaps a nearby member here would be able to see to it for you. (On  the off-chance you're in Western Australia, I would be pleased to have a look myself!) The watch might not be valuable to anyone else, but if it's valuable to you then it's worth fixing, I think.

As has been said, if you feel confident removing the case back, take a good close-up photo of the movement that identifies any print or numbers on it. That'll let us at least identify whether the movement is designed to be serviceable and what a movement replacement would involve.

[Neverenoughwatches]

2 hours ago, GPrideaux said:

There's nearly always something that can be done, it's just a matter of finding someone willing and able to do it, and the cost associated. 

I use my idiom at work in relation to this....." Anything is possible when you throw enough money at it "

On 10/28/2024 at 12:25 PM, AndyGSi said:

If you just took it to somewhere that replaces batteries then they don't normally have much of a clue what they're doing.

Oh so true, my Missus MK watch when it came to needing it's second battery replacement.....had a whacking great thumbprint across the battery that i was taking out and the top plate.