The brand Mont Blanc are best known for their range of luxury writing instruments. Their most famous model – the Meisterstück (Masterpiece) was introduced in 1924 and the brand soon went from strength to strength. After 1935 a range of leather goods were introduced including wallets and pen cases. We have to wait until 1997 for the first collection of Mont Blanc watches – these continued with the brands aesthetic, though over the years some models have moved away from an exclusively classic look. Top Mont Blanc models include the TimeWalker, Tradition and, as we have on the bench today, the Star.
Our client’s Mont Blanc Star is a quartz watch of good quality. On arrival in the workshop it was not working. Opening the case back revealed the movement – a modified ETA 955.112. These are reliable, solid movements and, in the case of a fault, they can be repaired (rather than simply replaced!).
We tested the watch using our Watch-Master Quartz Analyser. This allows us to diagnose faults with a quartz watch. The fault found was with the circuit. Visual inspection confirms this – there was clear damage to the circuit and battery isolator caused by a battery leak. To repair this watch we need to replace these parts, as well as conduct a thorough service.
Servicing a quartz watch follows similar principles to that of a mechanical service. The movement is completely stripped down and we run the parts through a specialist watch movement cleaning machine. The movement is then rebuilt and oiled as per the manufacturer’s specifications. While a quartz movement has less parts, the wheels are generally speaking much smaller. The nature of a quartz movement means cleanliness is perhaps even more important than with a mechanical service (and it’s of paramount importance in a mechanical service!). For instance – just the smallest piece of debris or lack of oil (or too much oil) will be problematic and likely stop the watch or cause too much power consumption. As part of the service we replaced the damaged circuit and battery isolator. Alongside the work to the movement, the watch case was ultrasonically cleaned.
Now we simply assemble everything. The dial is fitted to the movement, before the hands are fitted. When fitting the hands we use a hand press tool made by Horotec. These tools are a great way to ensure the hands are fitted completely parallel with the dial (and each other), and that the spacing is appropriate and uniform. After these are fitted we fit this back into the case. One last test of the movement to ensure it is operating within the manufacturer’s specifications before the case is sealed.
Finally the complete watch is pressure tested to ensure it passes to the original rating of 30m water resistance using our Sigma SM-8850 pressure testing machine. This is able to test watches rated up to 300m water resistant.
Do you have a Mont Blanc watch in need of repair? Get in contact with us to see how we can help. We are able to repair almost any Mont Blanc watch and we offer a comprehensive watch repairs service. We cater to clients all around the UK thanks to our fully insured, freepost watch repairs service. As a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award accredited business and Business Partners of the British Horological Institute you can be confident when dealing with us.
Yours sincerely
David Clark DGA PJDip PJGemDip CertGA
Managing Director
W.E. Clark & Son Limited