Expert: Melvin Mills - 9/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a new old stock Hamilton 792 that I have put a new battery in, but have not yet figured out how to get the darn thing running.  I have looked with a loupe at all the connections look good, and there is no sign of corrosion. Please tell this idiot what he is doing wrong.  Many thanks,

david

ANSWER: David,

I need more information.

Are you sure the battery is good?

Are the hands touching?

Do you have any equipment to test the electronics?

Kind regards,

Melvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Battery is new, and proper size.  Hands are not touching.  I have a multi-
meter, but nothing else in the way of electronic testing equipment.  I have
several others in the same boat.  2 more Hamiltons which are new, and a 2
Seiko's, one of which I have worn for years.  I remember reading that some
need a "jump start" of sorts, but at this point I am at a loss.

thanks for the help

David

Answer
David,

There are not many things that can go wrong with a watch.  It is either mechanical or electrical.  Mechanical is easier to diagnose and fix unless you have equipment.

I don't know you personal situation so I will give you several options.  One will include buying more equipment.

If you had a Horotec Turbo, you could make the hands spin around rapidly.  This serves several problems.  One, if the hands touch it becomes immediately apparent.  Two, if there is something caught in one of the gears, in some cases it is thrown out and the gear train is now free to work.

Without it, you will need to manually look in the gear train to see if anything is in there. NOTHING is too small.  A tiny piece of lint or dust can stop a watch.  Look very carefully.

The lubricant may have coagulated.  Cleaning the gear train will ensure that there is not a problem on this end (the mechanical side).  

If that is not the issue, then the only other answer is the electronics are bad.  Look at the coil using at least 20x magnification.  Make sure no wires are broke.  Without the right equipment to test the electronics, you will have a bear of a time finding your problem.  You will have to use trial and error.

Kind regards,

Melvin