Replacing, upgrading Ronda 715 Harley?

[zx6rfool]

Hello!

 

One of the two main reasons I joined this forum was to hopefully identify the best path forward and then how to accomplish that. I have a sentimental time piece given to me by my sister some 20 years ago. Its a store brand from Torneau ( https://www.tourneau.com/ ) Unfortunately the movement died in it about 3 years back and I took it to a local small jewelry repair shop. For $100 they put a new Ronda 715 Harley (1 Jewel/Swiss Parts) movement in it. Fast forward 3 months and the new movement stopped working, and the shop wont warranty their work. 

So now its up to me, Im not going back to that shop and other watch repair shops are 1 - 2 hours away. Additionally I dont want to pay another $100+ for a movement I can find on Amazon for $25. 

That being said, are there higher quality movements that I could drop in that you would recommend? Is there a quality difference between the 715 Harley 1 jewel, and the 715 5 jewel? 

lm a huge fan of mechanical movements, any I could fit in this case?

I welcome all thoughts and opinions! Thanks in advance. 

[AndyGSi]

Welcome to the forum.

I presume you've tried a replacement battery.

Swapping the movement for a mechanical would be a difficult process.

Before ordering a replacement movement you need to be aware that there are 5 variants which position the hands at different heights.

[HectorLooi]

LRxxx batteries should never be used in watches. They are alkaline batteries and very prone to leakage.

[Neverenoughwatches]

As Hector has told you, the battery in it is a cheap unreliable one. Before you think about changing the movement, try fitting a better quality battery. Silver oxide is the norm you often find in a new watch, usually the brand Renata. If I remember correctly Energiser batteries come on top in best battery reviews. 

[RichardHarris123]

I have a large selection of the cheap batteries, I  use them to see if the watch is working or if I can fix it. If so, I order the correct ones. 

[watchweasol]

Hi As said first change the battery for the silver oxide type, I personally use. Renata. Then if that does not work k try the line release to spin up the movement and maybe release any sticky oil. The watchmaker maybe did not check the Movement before fitting. The methodology is to put a little naphtha on the exposed jewel tips then spin up.  Line release/pulse checkers can be found on eBay for around £30 .     I am surprised the Ronda movement failed after such a short time, they are fitted to many fashion watches along with Miyota and regarded as repairable. A popular workhorse.

[zx6rfool]

Hi All, 

 

Thanks for the input. If I get the movement working I will switch to silver oxide batteries. As it is, I have tested the battery with a volt meter and its putting out ~1.4-1.5 volts. I tested the resistance to the coil and to see if there were pulses, the pulses are weak but there. Where on the 715 movement would I put the naphtha? (would Isopropyl Alcohol [IPA]) work?

 

How would I determine the variant? The case looks to have plenty of room would that give me more options?

 

Thanks All!

[Neverenoughwatches]

9 minutes ago, zx6rfool said:

As it is, I have tested the battery with a volt meter and its putting out ~1.4-1.5

Thats not enough. Is this the battery that it left the repar shop with. Try a new silver oxide battery.

If it left the shop with this battery, you've assumed they put in a new one...it might not be !  besides that it's crap.  Pop it out, is the bottom of it bulging , use a knife blade as straight edge if you're not sure.

Check the simplest things first , then move on. 

[zx6rfool]

No, its not the battery it left the shop with, and I have tested the battery in another watch I have with with a similar movement that takes the same battery (371). Bottom isnt bulging its tight. Where on the movement would I put naptha ie paint thinner apparently!

[HectorLooi]

3 hours ago, zx6rfool said:

Where on the movement would I put naptha ie paint thinner apparently!

No! Naptha is not paint thinner!

Naptha is lighter fuel, like Ronsonol or Zippo. It's a good degreaser while being relatively safe on plastics.

Paint thinner is xylene. A strong solvent that can damage many types of plastics and finishes.

[zx6rfool]

^ Good to know!

[watchweasol]

Hi  in the center of the movement there is a bridge  with three  perhaps four small indents , these are the pivot holes of the wheels . its there you place an tiny drop before spinning up on the line release. if it frees up and runs it means sticky bearing pivots and could do with service and clean / oil.

[zx6rfool]

I got some new toys (tools) in the mail and attempted to get the 715 running. Swapped out the alkaline for a Retna 371, naphtha on the gears, and spun it up on my new 4 in 1 microtester with no results, checked the pulse and didnt not get one. Took off the coil, module etc to check the gears. Coil looks a little worse for wear. 

I think Im going to pick up an ETA 955.112 and swap that in, keep this movement for parts/practice. I recently found out my grandfather had a small watch collection and it will be coming to me. I dont expect anything of value, but maybe something that I can tinker with and the 715 might come in handy.  

Where is the best place to pick up a ETA 955.112? Keep in mind that Im in the US. 

Thanks, 

[HectorLooi]

As far as I know, the Ronda 715 and ETA 955.112 are not directly compatible. How did you choose the ETA 955.112 as a substitute? 

A Ronda 715 is available from AliExpress but with the US tarriff war, I'm not sure if that is an available option. Maybe you could try Esslinger. 

[watchweasol]

Hi as mentioned, Esslingers,  timesavers or Jules Borel. All in the US.

[AndyGSi]

Any particular reason why you're looking at using the ETA in place of the Ronda?

2 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

As far as I know, the Ronda 715 and ETA 955.112 are not directly compatible.

As long as they get the nearest equivalent hand height variant from what
I can see they're identical so would just need the crown swapping.

[zx6rfool]

[AndyGSi]

45 minutes ago, zx6rfool said:

The key thing this doesn't show is where the date window sits but in this case you're in luck.

You'll also more than likely have to sort out a never movement ring.

[zx6rfool]

15 hours ago, AndyGSi said:

Any particular reason why you're looking at using the ETA in place of the Ronda?

Really just to make it unique, it ups the # of jewels from 1 to 7. From plastic to gold. Plus the ETA 955.112 looks to have been used in more higher end watches than the Ronda 715 Harley.

Its also a fairly easy change for my first go at modding /restoring. Ive ordered a new coil to try and fix the 715, and it might come in handy down the road. 

[zx6rfool]

While I did order a 955.112, I also ordered a coil for the 715. The coil came in first and I replaced it today. Tada! Functioning again. I still plan on doing the swap, but will likely wait to see what watches come in my grandfather's collection, and what needs work. This was my first fix outside battery or strap changes. Pic of new coil to compare to the old coil above. Old battery just to test, silver oxide 371 is in it now.

[HectorLooi]

I hate this battery release design in Ronda movements. It's an accident waiting to happen. One slip and the coil is gone.

I wonder if it's a deliberate design.

[Neverenoughwatches]

I often think about painting clear varnish on the coil.

[watchweasol]

With these battery clips , what I do is with a finger cot on cover the coil and release the clip that way if you slip you finger guards the coil,  If you use the hole in the clip to hold the tweezers/probe all is ok. I think more coils are damaged by removing the snap backs without due care and clipping the coil, whick always seems to bl located at the pry point.

[Neverenoughwatches]

41 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

whick always seems to bl located at the pry point.

i think this is true, once the back has popped off the case seam, a repairer must develop a habit of lifting the back away carefully without inserting anything sharp inside. I use a fingernail at the very edge of the back before the lip starts.