Problems

I have had a problem with my IWC Aquatimer. The date changes at 4.00 o'clock instead of midnight. When I try to adjust the date manually the date and day freeze. This problem has been on going for months I thought it was me and i had set the watch wrong.
I didn't think that nearly a 6K watch could go wrong but I was mistaken.
took it back to the retail outlet I purchased the watch from they said we will send it back to IWC.
Turn around time 3 weeks I rung the outlet today the said after ringing IWC that the watch is going to have a full service as they not happy with the way it runs.
Has anyone else had this problem?
How long is a full service going to take?
originally I was in two minds was it IWC Aquatimer or the Omega Ocean Plant.
Did I do the right thing? After owning the watch less than 1 year and having a few months of problems I am not so sure.
Has anyone had a full service and if so do they get all the scratch's out and clean the case and strap. I only have normal wear n tear small marks on it anyway.
I suppose I am now regretting buy the watch and looking for reassurance which i really didn't get from the retail outlet. It maybe a place that deals with multi millionaires (Location Manchester City Center Mario Balotelli was in the store at the time), but I wanted to purchase something special and because I have a few engagements to attend over the next few weeks would have loved to have the watch.

I'm genuinely sorry to hear about your issues, but in general we can't diagnose electronically and individual service issues mostly aren't forum topics for that reason. You have among the most durable movements in the industry, and I'm sure that it'll get fixed.

When dates don't change it's usually that something got jammed, and often that's due to a setting during a "forbidden" time (which all watches have). Generally all good services involve complete overhauls because other parts might be affected. Service time depends on individual repair station backlogs, as well as what's needed, and can't be generalized. Also polishing depends on the individual severity of scratches and dents but most results are excellent.

If it's any consolation,I have a watch worth almost 10x yours (not an IwC) and I jammed the Moonphase with improper setting. It took 3 months to fix. This is part of mechanical watches. But here the head of UK repair is a forum contributor, so you might try reaching out to him offline.

If one has any doubts regarding the proper winding of a watch to effect the date change,always wind in a clockwise direction.It takes a little bit longer to reach the desired time and date,but it's safe, and won't damage the watch.
Kenneth.

Thanks for you comments I will try to contact head of uk repair.
Its just disappointing and I have followed the instruction to the letter but still I had a problem i know people say no compassion between Omega and IWC but still if I had gone with the Omega my not have had a problem.

Thanks for your comments I maybe a little slow but don't quite follow.....
I followed the instruction to the letter.

What is said is a bit of nonsense. You can manually wind the crown in either direction with no harm, but winding up the mainspring only happens by turning the crown clockwise. The quote makes sense if you are advancing the minutes and hour hands over 24 hour periods to reach the desired date. It you are advancing some 30 days to catch up, of course, it takes a lot of turns. To avoid this hassle, there is the quick set method. But note that is important for a day / date change is to not engage the quick set mechanism between 20:00 and 02:00 hours. During this period the day / date gears are engaged and you can damage them by trying to change the day/ date during the forbidden time.

I hope this helps.

Yes thanks for that much clearer.
I did follow the instruction and to my knowledge didn't change the dates between those hours.
Tt seems to have been an ongoing problem as its been changing the day/dates at different times. I first noticed it before xmas and return to the retail store they said that as far has they were concerned it had only happen once. The assistant played around with the watch for a good few minutes and said it only changed at the wrong time once and that was at 2 o clock. I left it at that, and a few weeks later noticed it changed at 4.oo o clock.
I took it back and someone else looked at the watch and agreed that something wasn't right.So after 10 months of wearing the watch its back at IWC. I hope to god they don't now expect me to pay for a full service...........

I would like ti hear people view on watch winders
To Get One or Not?
My current watch is a IWC Aquatimer Chronograph.
Would that have helped the date/day problem?

Obviously,our member Martin needs some uncomplicated explanation on how to resolve his watch problems. Hopefully,someone on the forum will be able to help him. But that's what this forum is about.

Martin, your situation is really unfortunate, but IWC will be aimed at providing you with the best resolution possible. I have had some issues with a new watch myself, but that is an unfortunate reality of the mechanical watch world. All the best!

You were simply unlucky that is all. As an Omega Planet Ocean owner I can attest to have had a problem where the date wheel caused issues stopping the movement. Omega had to repair it under warranty and it took a few months.

You must keep in mind that your IWC is a mass produced product and you should receive good warranty support for it. My IWC Pilot returned from warranty service on Saturday. Whilst the vast majority of watches will not have a problem, there are those unfortunate members who will receive one from time to time.

After your watch is back from warranty service, hopefully all will be forgotten and you will enjoy your watch. Think of it as an extra year now before you need to pay for a service :-)

As for the query regarding a watch winder: If you ought to obtain one or not is another discussion for another thread. I am no movement expert yet I doubt it would have made any impact what-so-ever on the issue your IWC suffers from.

Hello,

I was manually adjusting my watch today and I realized the time setting is not working correct. The date/day are changing at 3 instead of changing at 12. I am worried if something wrong has happened to my watch...please suggest if there is a way to correct it ? My watch is IWC portofino.

Thanks Tonny,
K will do that..its actually less than a year old right now. Wondering what could have gone wrong.

It's a mechanical object... These things happen regardless of price or brand. IWC will get it fixed up and back to you to enjoy. I hope this doesn't tarnish your view of the brand.

I have a Spitfire and never had a problem. However, I have had a Aquatimer Expedition Charles Darwin since May last year and recently the small bottom minute hand fell off. Before I could get it to the dealer the small top minute hand also fell off and the face rotated. I took it to the dealer and after inspecting it they said that it was damaged by an impact. I do not think it has ever has a minor let alone serious impact and I have never dropped it. Has anyone else had this problem.

If the dial rotates it means that the dial's feet are broken. This can only happen with a rather important impact. And this would explain why the hands fell off as well.

Yes, i experienced the same issue last month and got the same reply as u did from IWC HONG KONG. Just wondering how do u settle this issue