Founded by Ira Krieger in the late 1980s, Krieger holds a special place in modern watchmaking, not for a centuries-old history, but for their production of one of the first commercially available Tidal Chronometers, a watch smart enough to accurately predict high and low tides—a crucial tool for marine enthusiasts.
This spirit of innovation and large-scale design carried through to the Gigantium collection. True to its name, this oversized “pocket watch for your wrist” makes a bold statement, often featuring striking dials, exhibition casebacks, and Swiss mechanical movements like the ETA/UNITAS 6497/8. A timepiece of such robust character and precise mechanics deserves meticulous care.
At WE Clark Watch Repair, we understand the specific needs of this distinctive Swiss-made giant. Keeping your Gigantium running flawlessly for years to come requires expert attention. Read on as we detail our complete servicing process for your cherished Krieger Gigantium.
Servicing a Krieger Gigantium Watch
Our client’s impressive Krieger Gigantium arrived in our workshop running, but exhibiting poor timekeeping. We began with our standard intake procedure, which includes a visual inspection and function checks before carefully removing the movement. This revealed that the issue was not due to significant damage, but rather a simple component failure and a lack of proper lubrication due to age. The Gigantium is powered by the ETA calibre 6498-1—a large, robust, and highly respected manual-wind movement, derived from a pocket watch design. The simplicity and durability of this calibre are key to its enduring popularity.
We strongly recommend having a mechanical watch like this serviced every 3-5 years. This preventative maintenance ensures fresh lubricants are applied, which is crucial for preventing excessive friction and premature wear on the large, exposed components of a manual-wind calibre.
The Service Process: Disassembly, Mainspring Replacement, and Reassembly
To restore the Gigantium to peak performance, the ETA 6498-1 movement was fully disassembled, and every component was individually inspected. Our investigation confirmed that the main culprit for the poor timekeeping was a compromised mainspring, which was not delivering the necessary power. The service involved:
- Full Disassembly and Inspection: Each part of the movement was carefully checked for wear.
- Cleaning: The entire disassembled movement was pre-cleaned by hand, then thoroughly run through our specialized Elma Solvex watch movement cleaning machine. The massive case was cleaned separately in an ultrasonic cleaner.
- Replacement of the Mainspring: A brand new mainspring was fitted to the barrel.
- Reassembly and Lubrication: The movement was meticulously reassembled and oiled according to the official ETA technical specifications for the 6498-1 calibre, ensuring all correct oils and greases were applied to the correct friction points.
Summary
This striking Krieger Gigantium was brought back to excellent running order. Its ETA 6498-1 manual-wind movement, known for its pocket watch architecture, simply required a complete service and a new mainspring to remedy its timekeeping issues. Following careful reassembly and lubrication, the watch was cased up and underwent a final testing period on the timing machine, confirming it is now functioning within chronometer-like tolerances.
Regular servicing of your Gigantium is the best way to protect this impressive timepiece and ensure its longevity.
Need Your Vintage Watch Serviced or Repaired?
Take advantage of our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service for a secure and hassle-free experience. Your watch is fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout its entire journey, from the moment it leaves your hands until it’s safely returned to you. Trust our expert watchmakers to restore your timepiece with precision and care.