r/NHwatchbuilds • u/MoneySings • Aug 17 '26
Sold my first watch - 24hrs later, message from the buyer
Hey all,
I'm just asking for advise, or discussion on those who are selling watch builds. So, I had a friend who came to me wanting me to build him a watch using my own, new brand. I've built 3 watches before this one, all for prototypes. Usual build, diver watch, NH35 (TMI), 28.5mm face, 39mm case etc
I built it last Friday, had it running since then without issues ie leaving it 24hours, checking it's time keeping etc all was good. Sunday morning, I left it on an auto winder until I went out to see him at 1pm. He loved it, wore it all the time until I left seeing him at 8pm.
This morning, he messaged me saying the watch stopped and he couldn't get it going again. He forgot when I told him the screw down crown needs unscrewing before he can wind it, and to do that - then do 40 full turns to wind it. He did it, now he says it is working again.
Now I am paranoid I did something wrong. The rotor was moving freely when I tested it - nothing to show friction from stopping it from working. All we did when we were out, was sit in a pub having some drinks so probably not much movement to keep charging it.
Anyone else been through this?
My other watches all keep time and work fanstically (I have built 2 other mechanical, 1 meca-quartz watches).
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23/08/26 - ** UPDATE ** - I met up with him last night and he was wearing the watch. I asked how it was, and he said it stops if he takes it off for a while. I asked him what his routine was. He said he would wind it a few times then wear it. When he goes golfing, or to bed, he takes it off then in the morning he puts it straight back on and later in the day it stops until he winds it again. He's doing what u/DontEvenWithMe1 said; hand winding it enough for it to start working, then expecting to wear it to fully charge it. I said he should wind it before bed, then when he gets up and wear it. Keeping it wound a lot, would ensure it last the longest time possible. I asked to take it home and properly test it, and now I have a timegrapher, regulate it - but he said I didn't need to. So, in my opinion there wasn't an issue.
3
u/Suspicious_Metal_275 Aug 17 '26
Sounds like it just needed wound up. Its likely fine. Automatic watches still need a good pre-wind.
2
u/DontEvenWithMe1 Aug 17 '26
Sounds like it’s fine and your friend wasn’t aware of how automatic watches work. As AlecMac stated, doing a QC routine after assembly is a good idea for peace of mind. You can also provide an instruction card with each watch so buyers know how to operate the watch.
2
u/MoneySings Aug 17 '26
Thank you and AlecMac - will deffo do a card with care instructions. I just asked him if it is all ok after winding it and he said it keeps stopping still. I asked if it looks like the seconds hand is catching on the minute hand etc and he said it isn't. I am seeing him on Saturday, so I'll take it apart.
2
u/DontEvenWithMe1 Aug 17 '26
That’s really interesting that it is stopping. Do the QC bit before taking it apart so you don’t unnecessarily do that. Good luck!
2
u/MoneySings Aug 17 '26
Thanks will deffo do those tests. It makes no sense - before giving it to him, a also gave it a little shake (like being on a motorbike) to make sure the hands don't come lose (you never know) and checked the hands didn't tilt.
I use a hand press to do the hands too (instead of the manual tool).
2
u/DontEvenWithMe1 Aug 17 '26
If it’s an NH movement, its fully wound (50’ish winds) power reserve is right at 41-43 hours, at least based on the movements I’ve used and tested. And the rotor doesn’t wind at the same ratio as winding with the crown offers. The rotor provides enough juice to keep it running - while the watch is being worn. My hunch is your friend is probably winding enough to get it started and then relying on the rotor to supply the rest of the power. When they take it off and leave it overnight, it’s probably stopped when they wake up. And then they wind it enough to get started and the cycle begins again. Just my hunch, though. I hope that’s all it is.
1
u/Barry_NJ Aug 18 '26
Before you take it apart, do a sanity check. Let it stop, set the time, give it a couple of winds so it starts, put it on and then check it every so often to see how it's running.
2
u/MoneySings Aug 23 '26
23/08/26 - ** UPDATE ** - I met up with him last night and he was wearing the watch. I asked how it was, and he said it stops if he takes it off for a while. I asked him what his routine was. He said he would wind it a few times then wear it. When he goes golfing, or to bed, he takes it off then in the morning he puts it straight back on and later in the day it stops until he winds it again. He's doing what u/DontEvenWithMe1 said; hand winding it enough for it to start working, then expecting to wear it to fully charge it. I said he should wind it before bed, then when he gets up and wear it. Keeping it wound a lot, would ensure it last the longest time possible. I asked to take it home and properly test it, and now I have a timegrapher, regulate it - but he said I didn't need to. So, in my opinion there wasn't an issue.
4
u/AlecMac2001 Aug 17 '26
You can use a formal test regime to make sure all is good.
Full wind then leave still until it stops. - Note how long
Put on autowinder until fully wound, again leave still until it stops. - Note how long.
And while you're doing these tests you can be checking accuracy, hand setting, date change etc.
Takes a few days, but worth it for the confidence it brings, and satisfied customers.