C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly. Update: Resolved?
- FloridaPhil
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C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly. Update: Resolved?
Hi all,
My little C3 mk1 has given me years of great service but has recently developed an irritating, but not terminal, issue.
When using the chronograph, about every third time it is operated, the central seconds hand resets to the 58s mark, not the 0s mark. I know how to realign the hands and do so. It will then function correctly - until the next time it doesn't.
I've noticed that the issue seems to arise at the start of the sequence. The hand will pause for a couple of seconds on first press of the pusher before starting to move.
I *think* this will be a return to CW for a repair that will likely cost close to or more than the watch is worth so I may live with it (how often do we really use a chrono?). On the other hand, knowing how OCD I can be, I may just get the work done.
Wondering if this could be a low battery issue rather than a mechanical issue. Any thoughts?
If the movement does need to be replaced is there a higher accuracy movement that can be used as a direct replacement?
Thanks for any advice.
My little C3 mk1 has given me years of great service but has recently developed an irritating, but not terminal, issue.
When using the chronograph, about every third time it is operated, the central seconds hand resets to the 58s mark, not the 0s mark. I know how to realign the hands and do so. It will then function correctly - until the next time it doesn't.
I've noticed that the issue seems to arise at the start of the sequence. The hand will pause for a couple of seconds on first press of the pusher before starting to move.
I *think* this will be a return to CW for a repair that will likely cost close to or more than the watch is worth so I may live with it (how often do we really use a chrono?). On the other hand, knowing how OCD I can be, I may just get the work done.
Wondering if this could be a low battery issue rather than a mechanical issue. Any thoughts?
If the movement does need to be replaced is there a higher accuracy movement that can be used as a direct replacement?
Thanks for any advice.
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
Phil,
Have you performed the "Adjusting Chronograph Hands" procedure as outlined on page 16 and 17 of the manual?
https://www.christopherward.com/on/dema ... manual.pdf
Have you performed the "Adjusting Chronograph Hands" procedure as outlined on page 16 and 17 of the manual?
https://www.christopherward.com/on/dema ... manual.pdf
2017 CW Forum "Darwin Award" winner.
- welshlad
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
This is my suspicion, especially as it's been going wrong after you've re-aligned the hands several times. Certainly, it would be worth trying a new battery first before anything more radical.FloridaPhil wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 2:33 pm Wondering if this could be a low battery issue rather than a mechanical issue. Any thoughts?
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- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
Does the C3 have a movement which uses the "seconds jump" as a low battery indicator?welshlad wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 11:59 amThis is my suspicion, especially as it's been going wrong after you've re-aligned the hands several times. Certainly, it would be worth trying a new battery first before anything more radical.FloridaPhil wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 2:33 pm Wondering if this could be a low battery issue rather than a mechanical issue. Any thoughts?
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
- welshlad
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
I don't think it does. I can't recall that happening on any of mine and there is no mention of it in the user guide or movement spec. I think that indicator is more common on a central seconds hand rather than on a running seconds sub-dial, but I could be wrong.Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 12:07 pm Does the C3 have a movement which uses the "seconds jump" as a low battery indicator?
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- trsullivan
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
I agree with Welshlad, it is more likely to be a battery issue than a movement issue. This is a Ronda 5040.D movement, but the Ronda website does not say this movement has a EOL function. This isn't an expensive item, so I wouldn't think it would be very costly to replace, if necessary. I'd check with CW first for a guesstimate, but worse comes to worst, any competent watchmaker should be able to replace this movement for you.
Tom
Tom
Tom
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- tikkathree
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
This probably doesn't help but some Seiko quartz movements have the running second hand jump in two-second steps when the battery is low. I'd try a new battery if it was mine and I had a battery to hand but my instinct isn't that it's the battery: if you weren't using the chrono how would you know to replace the battery?welshlad wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 12:24 pmI don't think it does. I can't recall that happening on any of mine and there is no mention of it in the user guide or movement spec. I think that indicator is more common on a central seconds hand rather than on a running seconds sub-dial, but I could be wrong.Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 12:07 pm Does the C3 have a movement which uses the "seconds jump" as a low battery indicator?
FloridaPhil does the issue appear only with short duration chrono timings or long ones too?
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- FloridaPhil
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
The duration isn't the issue really. The problem arises at the start of the timing sequence - the seconds hand 'pauses' for a couple of seconds before it starts to tick. The odd thing is that it may work properly 3 times in a row and then fail to start immediately on the fourth attempt, or it may do it the second time, or the sixth. There doesn't seem to be any consistency to the behavior.tikkathree wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 2:13 pm
FloridaPhil does the issue appear only with short duration chrono timings or long ones too?
If I don't correct the positioning, the reset error will increase. So, for example, the first failure will result in a 2s reset error with the hand positioning to 58s, the next one will result in the seconds hand resetting to 56s and so on.
I'm letting the chrono run for a day or so to see if the 'sticky' resolves itself through constant motion. If that fails to resolve the issue then I'll try a new battery.
Thanks everyone for your input!
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
Thank you. I have known mechanical chronos to show a similar "reluctance" on start up with short runs of the chrono whereas when the chrono seconds and minutes hands have done a full lap the issue isn't there.FloridaPhil wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 4:07 pmThe duration isn't the issue really. The problem arises at the start of the timing sequence - the seconds hand 'pauses' for a couple of seconds before it starts to tick. The odd thing is that it may work properly 3 times in a row and then fail to start immediately on the fourth attempt, or it may do it the second time, or the sixth. There doesn't seem to be any consistency to the behavior.tikkathree wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 2:13 pm
FloridaPhil does the issue appear only with short duration chrono timings or long ones too?
If I don't correct the positioning, the reset error will increase. So, for example, the first failure will result in a 2s reset error with the hand positioning to 58s, the next one will result in the seconds hand resetting to 56s and so on.
I'm letting the chrono run for a day or so to see if the 'sticky' resolves itself through constant motion. If that fails to resolve the issue then I'll try a new battery.
Thanks everyone for your input!
I think you're right to give the chrono a good run.
Every time you start the chrono are you confident you're putting the same pressure on the pusher?
C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
- Robotaz
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
I would guess battery issue. Does it usually work correctly the first two times, then mess up on around the third?
- FloridaPhil
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
Update: I left the chrono running for 48 hours and... no more sticking central seconds hand. I tested the action 15 times and it started up each time. Now, let's see if it stays that way.
Thank you everyone for your input
Thank you everyone for your input
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- tikkathree
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
Great news!
C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: C3 mk1 chrono not resetting properly
Good news, Phil. Let’s hope that’s a permanent fix.
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
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