Sometimes I wonder....

[Yoda]

...how on earth does it come to this?

This IWC Da Vinci SL with a caliber 2405 was bought from a well known auction house by a good friend of mine.

There were no movement pictures, they only stated that the watch wasn't running. Damn right it wasn't.

I opened up and as a test I was going to replace the battery when the IC fell out. WTF?!
Some amateur must have been poking around in there...

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[Yoda]

Back in business, cleaned up the movement, soldered back the IC, fitted a new battery and wrapped it.
Cleaned the bracelet, brushed it gently and ready to move on to the owner.

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[leeyewfei]

nice job!

[Sevanata]

Oh my...
should’ve sent it to electronic shop instead.


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[unreformed66]

I'm still trying to figure out what broke the solder on the IC to begin with. Was it corroded or did somebody get in there and break it or what? Curious minds want to know... At least it would be an easy solder job instead of some of the microscopic solder joints that I've seen in quartz movements.

[Yoda]

I'm still trying to figure out what broke the solder on the IC to begin with. Was it corroded or did somebody get in there and break it or what? Curious minds want to know... At least it would be an easy solder job instead of some of the microscopic solder joints that I've seen in quartz movements.

No corrosion, but the IC looked as if it simply had been "lifted" out, the legs were pointing in all directions.
I gently straightened the legs on the IC and tested to see if I could wake up the movement, no problem. A few more adjustments of the legs and then I soldered it back on the circuit board.
The whole thing is a mystery to me. I am pleased with the result though, especially because it would have been $500 out of the window if it failed and another $175-$200 for a IWC movement. Plan B would have been to buy an ETA 940.111 and move all parts to the IWC main plate where it says IWC 2405 and a serial number.
The movement is still missing a screw, in the hole close to the stem, but there are three other screws to keep the circuit board in place. Right under that hole there is a mark in the solder, seems like that a thin copper connector is missing from the thingy under it, but I can't figure out what it should be doing. Everything works well, running well and changing the date nicely.

[civic4982]

1) surprised it could be simply fitted and not needing to be soldered in. Nice!
2) surprised you can get a whole movement for $200 or less!

Both make considering new vintage quartz watches a viable cost opportunity for some fun.


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[Edwinowl]

That’s a great job Mikey. Well done mate.
I still think there are some underrated quartz stuff out there. And my belief is once the vintage mechanical market has saturated and at the silly money point which is not far off. Then people will start looking at this market. You heard it here !

[Yoda]

1) surprised it could be simply fitted and not needing to be soldered in. Nice!
2) surprised you can get a whole movement for $200 or less!

Both make considering new vintage quartz watches a viable cost opportunity for some fun.


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I fitted it for testing purposes, then I soldered it back on the circuit board.
Yes, the IWC 2405 can be bought for $200, it's basically an ETA 940.111 dressed up by IWC.

[tafari]

good you could repair it Michael. great job