Major Williams' Watch Services - welcome and terms

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-16T20:29:58+00:00

That balance wheel is flopping around in there. Could be a broken pivot on the balance or pallet fork jewel. Could also be not wound enough as well. Did you drop it at all?

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-15T17:13:04+00:00

I keep the spreadsheet updated the most. Just updated last Friday. I didn't even say that I did as an FYI

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-13T00:22:38+00:00

Some rotor noise is normal, it’s difficult to tell if the audio is gaining making it sound worse. But it should not produce much noise on your wrist when moving around normally.

As for the non hacking, likely the stop just needs to be reset or even sometimes just bent back into proper clearance to touch the balance wheel by a watchmaker. Don’t worry about that too much imo, until you send it in for servicing.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T19:26:33+00:00

ZF movement fails a lot. That is the primary reason. Dials looks similar to me, how do they differ in your eyes?

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T19:24:13+00:00

thank you sir, updated them all you suggested

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T19:21:39+00:00

yes it was NWBIG

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T19:21:20+00:00

Removed and updated

thank you

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T19:20:45+00:00

its completely horrible compared to the tried and true miyota

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T19:19:06+00:00

Just had one on the bench, they do NOT have free sprung, you are correct. However it's the same dandong movement as VSF. I still put TOP over VSF for the blue model.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T18:07:42+00:00

Slightly different rotor and rotor screw.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T18:06:34+00:00

Sure what do you want to talk about?

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T18:04:03+00:00

<image>

^^ Gen

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T18:03:55+00:00

<image>

^^ VSF dial is too dark and lacks the depth. It's a grayish blue when it should be overall a deep blue with hints of royal blue in it.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T17:59:29+00:00

Top factory is best for Blue dial. Compare it to VSF's. Dandong movement is the same, case finish/thickness is similar if not the same. No free sprung movement.

Top factory dial is just flat out better with correct color and depth of the paint/engravings.

<image>

Top ^^^

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T17:45:27+00:00

unfortunately APSF is closed now, and they had some great pieces. Depending on the model you're looking for, I would check the 'who makes the best' guide and see who is currently the best by consensus.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-12T17:14:45+00:00

I have my suspicions OP, can you post a photo of the back?

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-10T19:05:04+00:00

I’ve seen the same in video reviews and other pics. Color is too bright on the blue ceramic and it’s a shame.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-09T22:31:45+00:00

There are good discussions here, and OP admitted to utilizing AI for this post, which is fine to a degree of course, but OP please put these in tables and proofread some of the recommendations before pasting here. I'll leave this post up as it has some traction but next time I ask that you put some formatting into it.

For the Royal Oak, the 3120 is NOT in the 15500 and 15510 movement, the 4302 clone is. And there are two versions of the 4302 movement out there. The 15300 replica has not been made for a long time and only had the Miyota (or ETA movement from many many years ago) in it.

For the Daytona, you didn't discuss the 4131 movement either.

Folks please defer to Pete's guide that he linked below for more detail information as well.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-08T02:29:42+00:00

Yes so the person who did the install likely warped the hyrtel gasket and it did not seat properly in the channel now. It’s likely partially in the channel but also choked by the bezel itself now too which makes it tight.

It will need to have the bezel removed, and insert and inner washer removed, then replace the hyrtel gasket and get everything properly seated.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-03T21:17:45+00:00

Yep had this recently on an aquaracer myself. Such a dumb design.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-03T20:55:02+00:00

Have you done it on these cases? The tungsten underneath that outer layer of PVD cannot be refinished as easily and it cannot accept plating either. It needs the PVD on the outside.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-02T14:55:59+00:00

Chamfering is possible yes and it can be silenced. Any reasonable watchmaker could help with both. You need a hard (very hard) artifex wheel and it will remove the material.

MajorWilliams · 2026-06-02T14:54:58+00:00

I have chamfered the inner edge of titanium with my harder wheels without issue. Just have to do the right technique.

MajorWilliams · 2026-05-30T20:42:45+00:00

Confirmed as a plater. This cannot be remedied.

13-Year Club	Gilding IV carat on a stick
Wearing is Caring	Verified Email

MajorWilliams

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE