Pam 312 Hour hand not hitting the Markers dead on after two trips to Service Center

[Speed]

Hi All

A while back I told you all about a friend's 312 which spent 3+ months with Panerai service center to address the hour hand not hitting the markers dead center at top of the hour. This was after the first month-long round trip to Panerai where *nothing* was done. The watch came back as it was.

Well it's back from the shop and apparently up to old tricks.

Now granted his seconds hand was not on the 12 marker in his photos like mine were...but what do folks think. Take a look compared with my watch...

A clear issue? Unacceptable??? Opinions?

I realize Pams are not the most precise due to dial layout, but what do you think?

His:




Mine:

[Ian Macdermott]

I would not be very happy with that, I would have thought its an easy fix. 😖

Dictated by me and typed by my personal assistant on my very expensive Platinum Vertu Aster.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

I would not be very happy with that, I would have thought its an easy fix.

Dictated by me and typed by my personal assistant on my very expensive Platinum Vertu Aster.

Same here Ian.

Anyone else experience this? This isn't quite the same as a bezel misalignment on a Sub.

[YoungW]

Now I'm scared to check on mine. Ignorance is bliss

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Ruud Van Driver]

Well, my two are ok (apart from my 359 being buggered in another department) and your mate's 312 would annoy the living daylights out of me and it would have to go back.

[Jocke]

So the reference number means 312 timezones include India?

That is so bad and a quick fix, if a watchmaker say that is ok, then he need to get another work. It's scary they give it back like this.

[ocwatching]

that would not be acceptable...its so far off...

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Jocke

That is so bad and a quick fix, if a watchmaker say that is ok, then he need to get another work. It's scary they give it back like this.

So it *should* be a quick fix. That's what I thought...but clearly after two tries - it's a long fix for Panerai.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Speed

So it *should* be a quick fix. That's what I thought...but clearly after two tries - it's a long fix for Panerai.

It's just to pull off the minute hand and put it back in correct position, it's done under 10 minutes + pressure test.

[nick c]

I think instead of sending to panerai service send it to Jocke he will fix it in no time

[Speed]

Jocke may "fix" it so it comes back looking like a 1680 Red Sub

[Cru Jones]

So bizzare!? :-(

[Dr.Brian]

Your local watch repair guy can probably fix it and pressure test it while you go to Starbucks for a latte.
Bad, bad service.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Speed

Jocke may "fix" it so it comes back looking like a 1680 Red Sub

There are no limits but at least the hands will line up.

Here is how my EDC looks after a hard day with power tools.



The day after it was corrected in my playroom.

[Speed]

Oh god...I remember that old DJ!

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Your local watch repair guy can probably fix it and pressure test it while you go to Starbucks for a latte.
Bad, bad service.

Might be tough to get an independent guy to work on an in-house movement... If he agreed to, you'd better hope he could do it and not damage anything and make it / other things worse.

[DONGinsler]

I don't know how your date changes, but they have to slowly move the hands until it engages the date wheel. It makes it a little harder to gauge how the hands will align.

When I was restoring vintage Omegas. Some dates would change within 20 minutes. Some a half hour. I had to make sure the minute hand was placed in the proper position at the start of the turning of the date and that both hands lined up at 12:00

However. That needs to be redone

DON

[Speed]

Originally Posted by DONGinsler

I don't know how your date changes, but they have to slowly move the hands until it engages the date wheel. It makes it a little harder to gauge how the hands will align.



When I was restoring vintage Omegas. Some dates would change within 20 minutes. Some a half hour. I had to make sure the minute hand was placed in the proper position at the start of the turning of the date and that both hands lined up at 12:00



However. That needs to be redone



DON

Hi Don

The date on the 312 changes gradually - it does not snap In place ala Rolex.

So you are saying watches with dates that gradually change make it more of a challenge to align hands to hour markers? But I agree that the hands on my friends watch in the first two pics are way off.

Not sure if he has the patience to work via the AD - again - to send his watch to Panerai. He did not purchase from said AD.

[Speed]

By the way...in case I wasn't clear...

The first two photos are my friends 312. The hour hand looks quite off again..

The second set of photos are of MY 312. The hour hand looks pretty dead on. I'm not concerned about it.

I tried to post comparable pics at the same times of day.

[DONGinsler]

All the watchmaker really needs to do is the following.

Remove minute hand. Back up hour a touch and move forward so it sits at 3. Reinstall minute hand.

Always going to be a touch of slack due to spacing between gears. If you move your hands. You will notice if done slowly. one hand may not engage right away.

I always move the hour hand forward to avoid any slack and then install the minute hand.

DON

[Speed]

Originally Posted by DONGinsler

All the watchmaker really needs to do is the following.

Remove minute hand. Back up hour a touch and move forward so it sits at 3. Reinstall minute hand.

Always going to be a touch of slack due to spacing between gears. If you move your hands. You will notice if done slowly. one hand may not engage right away.

I always move the hour hand forward to avoid any slack and then install the minute hand.

DON

Thanks Don.

Maybe I should tell my friend to send your post to Panerai!

Seriously, I don't know what to think about official Panerai servicing / QA. I dread the thought of having to send mine in for an issue and/or servicing when the time comes.

[Speed]

OK here is the latest / not so greatest.

After having a local AD send the watch back to Panerai for a 3rd time, my friend comes to find that Panerai USA - wait for it...

has sent the watch to Switzerland!

So back to the mother country to fix a mis-aligned hour hand on a 312 movement?

Man this does not bode well for any service work my 312 will ever need. I sure hope it goes direct to Switzerland for any work straight away!

5

7

21

[fullcourt]

might be something a bit more involved? did you see the estimate?

Just curious.

had my watch sent to pasc, got it back in 4 weeks....ymmv

[HeartRolex]

I couldn't tolerate this on less expensive watch, surely not on a Panerai.

[chemistman]

Definitely not on. Looks terrible ... hope this get fixed

[Speed]

Originally Posted by fullcourt

might be something a bit more involved? did you see the estimate?

Just curious.

had my watch sent to pasc, got it back in 4 weeks....ymmv

No estimate. Still under warranty. The AD is doing all they can to shepherd the process - again my friend bought from a TS I recommended.

He had no idea of any details...he just called to check on status and they told him it's been sent to Switzerland - 6 weeks!!!

This ordeal has been going on for the better part of a year now.

[fullcourt]

Originally Posted by Speed

No estimate. Still under warranty. The AD is doing all they can to shepherd the process - again my friend bought rom a TS I recommended.

He had no idea of any details...he just called to check on status and they told him it's been sent to Switzerland - 6 weeks!!!

This ordeal has been going on for the better part of a year now.

easy solution....if it's been that long is to get a new piece. surely he's pursuing that?!

[Speed]

Originally Posted by fullcourt

easy solution....if it's been that long is to get a new piece. surely he's pursuing that?!

I've suggested that. I'm sure the AD wants him to go away...this guys a complete nervous Nellie buyer-but lacks the instincts to drive this home.

I can't negotiate with Panerai for him...but it seems to me you'd have to.

I told him he's got a lemon.

[fullcourt]

Send me a PM and let me see if I may be able to help him out

[Speed]

Originally Posted by fullcourt

Send me a PM and let me see if I may be able to help him out

PM Sent.