I have a Vostok Amfibian self-winding watch, and I think it might be broken. I know at least a few other Dopers have 'em, so here’s the question of the hour:
What does your watch sound like when you shake it?
Mine used to sound almost like it does when I wind it. Now it’s higher pitched and has a scraping quality to it, and it’s far easier to make it make the noise. Like the little weight that makes it spin might be loose. Whatever it is, it’s definitely different.
Before: bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (sounding like there’s some resistance, as one would expect with it doing the winding)
Now: [sub]scrapescrapescrape[/sub] (no effort required–it does it every time I move.) Now that I think about it, I can’t really approximate the new sound…it’s kind of like a BB in a tin can.
It does still self-wind to some extent–I let it run down, then gave it a little shake, which briefly restarted it.
I just noticed it yesterday at work. What’s wrong with it? Is it related to it losing 40 minutes a night when I wear it to bed but not when I leave it on the desk? (it did that a few days before the new sound started)
It’s normal for inexpensive self winders like yours to make a slight (very slight) “scrape” sound as the winding mechanism swings back and forth but the “bb in a tin can sound” usually means your vostok is going to that big gulag in the sky shortly.
If you want a good quality self winder I recommend Invicta 60 - 100 typically. Very good watch for the money. I have a few of the auto divers and the steel bracelet and case quality are amazing for the cash outlay. http://www.wristwatch.com/indices.asp?iid=87613
Upon emailing the company I bought it from and learning that they don’t offer any kind of warranty, I opened it up myself and found the problem immediately. A little springy-thing that holds down one of the gears broke off, resulting in said gear falling off its spindle and banging about inside the case. Is there any way to get this little springy-thing replaced? Maybe I could write to the factory and request a replacement part…what are the odds that the person reading my email would be able to read English?
Any suggestions? I really like the watch, and it’s better for wearing to work than my $200 Seiko. Besides, I paid $40 for the thing. I think it should last longer than 5 months! (I bought it the day after Xmas 2000)