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Main Forums => General Discussion - Modern Watches => Topic started by: roystock on April 07, 2013, 10:40:07 AM

Title: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: roystock on April 07, 2013, 10:40:07 AM
Hi everyone,

I am curious to know that has anyone accidentally dropped your watch?
If yes, what was the damage (physical and/or monetary)?

For me, I accidentally drop my Steinhart Ocean One last week when I removed my bag from my car trunk.
So the watch fell from a height of 1.2-1.3m straight to the tarmac, face down.
It resulted to a minor scratch at the ceramic bezel and a small "ding" on the sapphire crystal. The watch still move and keep time thus far.
Thankfully, it wasn't my more expensive/ complicated watches

My questions (for fun and sharing) if you dropped your watch before:
1. What's the brand/model of the watch?
2. What's the physical damage?
3. If you sent in for repair, what's the monetary damage?

I hope nobody had a bad experience or else I would need to be extra careful with my watches
 ;)
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: dennis.T on April 07, 2013, 10:47:27 AM
1. Submariner 16610
2. One lug dented only. if need to polish it a junk of the steel ll gone so decided not to do anythg
3. Didn't fix it but traded for hulk in the watch shop
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: G.MAC on April 07, 2013, 07:11:45 PM
1. Rolex Explorer II 216570
2. Major dings on case, cracked sapphire crystal
3. RM3,000 for crystal replacement and polish and i traded it in for a GMTIIc

It happened when the watch fell and went down approx 2 - 2.5 meters and hit the asphalt. Biggest heartache at that time and I could have sworn that I teared a little.  :Laughing_on_floor:
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: Everdying on April 07, 2013, 07:26:54 PM
only dropped a couple cheap-ish watches from about chest height onto my tiled floor.
victorinox night vision II, seiko monster.
nothing happened to both.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: STT1987 on April 07, 2013, 10:32:06 PM
1) Omega Planet Ocean 46mm James Bond LE

2) Dropped it on a marble floor from at least 4 ft., no cushioning smack on the floor. Surprisingly no damage observed. Watch still working after the fall. Two days later, it stopped working. Probably the watch self winding mechanism was damaged in the fall.

3) Watch was still within 1 year warranty, sent it in via Swatch repair - said nothing except that, "it just stopped working". Repair = FREE!
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: bezelnut on April 08, 2013, 12:06:03 PM
1) Omega Planet Ocean 46mm James Bond LE

2) Dropped it on a marble floor from at least 4 ft., no cushioning smack on the floor. Surprisingly no damage observed. Watch still working after the fall. Two days later, it stopped working. Probably the watch self winding mechanism was damaged in the fall.

3) Watch was still within 1 year warranty, sent it in via Swatch repair - said nothing except that, "it just stopped working". Repair = FREE!

This is the best "I got away with it" story.  :angel:
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: CKL1213 on April 08, 2013, 12:38:47 PM
my friend dropped his maurice lacroix and also got away with "it just stopped working"  :laugh:
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: dpkong on April 08, 2013, 03:21:10 PM

I think most watchmakers should know if the watch suffered a shock (dropped or smacked). Whether they choose to make a fuss about it is another matter. I don't think they would unless physical external damage was very obvious.

1. Rolex Explorer II 216570
2. Major dings on case, cracked sapphire crystal
3. RM3,000 for crystal replacement and polish and i traded it in for a GMTIIc

It happened when the watch fell and went down approx 2 - 2.5 meters and hit the asphalt. Biggest heartache at that time and I could have sworn that I teared a little.  :Laughing_on_floor:

Was that at the RSC or independent watchmaker?
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: G.MAC on April 08, 2013, 06:07:39 PM
Not RSC but it is an authorized Rolex repair centre. Not in Malaysia though. The figure I quoted is after conversion
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: takashi78 on April 09, 2013, 09:57:27 AM
Only "authorized" Rolex repair i know off in the world is in San Francisco.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: j0shua on April 09, 2013, 12:47:12 PM
IWC pilot chrono slipped from hand while I was trying to put it into a watch bag, fell 4.5 feet onto hard tile. The resulting sound made me think it broke in half. But it landed on bottom right lug, right on the chamfered edge. So it's got a little dent that kinda flows into the chamfer, not really that visible.

It's still ticking after 3 months, but I can see that it doesn't keep the same time as the other watches/phone clock, it falls behind by about a minute after a week...

Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: roystock on April 09, 2013, 04:44:50 PM
IWC pilot chrono slipped from hand while I was trying to put it into a watch bag, fell 4.5 feet onto hard tile. The resulting sound made me think it broke in half. But it landed on bottom right lug, right on the chamfered edge. So it's got a little dent that kinda flows into the chamfer, not really that visible.

It's still ticking after 3 months, but I can see that it doesn't keep the same time as the other watches/phone clock, it falls behind by about a minute after a week...

Sounds like accident can be rather painful :(
Did you try to get it fixed?
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: j0shua on August 19, 2013, 12:22:58 PM
Sounds like accident can be rather painful :(
Did you try to get it fixed?

Not yet for the IWC.

But I dropped the Pam on Sat night (Sunday morning actually haha) after a long night out. Was tired and wasn't focused, and I was taking the watch off in a slightly less familiar location...

Slipped from my hand, deflected it slightly with my left foot about 12 inches of the ground, but it had a good hit on tile.

Everything was fine until I looked closely...
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/j0sh_w/pam.jpg)

Landed on the edge of the lug. Problem is, it has dented the lug in such a way that the QR bar cannot come out anymore.

Any advice on how to deal with repairing this?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: ck77 on August 19, 2013, 12:25:25 PM
Sounds like accident can be rather painful :(
Did you try to get it fixed?

Not yet for the IWC.

But I dropped the Pam on Sat night (Sunday morning actually haha) after a long night out. Was tired and wasn't focused, and I was taking the watch off in a slightly less familiar location...

Slipped from my hand, deflected it slightly with my left foot about 12 inches of the ground, but it had a good hit on tile.

Everything was fine until I looked closely...
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/j0sh_w/pam.jpg)

Landed on the edge of the lug. Problem is, it has dented the lug in such a way that the QR bar cannot come out anymore.

Any advice on how to deal with repairing this?

Thanks.
It must a wild night huh  :laugh:
The only way is to get back to Pam service center I believe.
And be prepare for paying a large sum for QR bars.
Probably they will ask for overhaul and new case.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: ck77 on August 19, 2013, 12:34:37 PM
I was once dropped my Longines Legend Diver on carpeted floor, no physical damage except the second hand came off.

(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s246/ongck77/IMG-20130401-WA0002_zpsd3c8aca7.jpg) (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/ongck77/media/IMG-20130401-WA0002_zpsd3c8aca7.jpg.html)

Since it was due for service, sent back to Swatch cost me RM700 with some parts changed.

(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s246/ongck77/2013-05-11083127_zps4a3adbae.jpg) (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/ongck77/media/2013-05-11083127_zps4a3adbae.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: bezelnut on August 19, 2013, 12:56:25 PM
Dropped my Seiko 5 during the second day of Raya. Was moving table, from kitchen to desk, and while picking everything up (pile of papers, ledger, notebook and stationary), I saw my watch under the pile of paper, which I remove from wrist earlier. Trying to move everything in one go, typical male style, with both hand full, I use pinky finger to hook onto my Seiko 5. Half way to my study, pinky go fatigue and the watch slipped off. It fell straight down, follow by a loud clank when it hit the tile floor. I place everything on desk, come back and pick it up, check the watch for injuries, and since it is already filled with scars over the years, can't tell which damage is fresh. My only fear is that some movement parts might break due to the impact.

The watch is still well and alive, I'm wearing it right now.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: JOS2012 on August 19, 2013, 12:56:35 PM
So far have only dropped my orange bezel Omega PO co-axial chronograph cal 3313.
It landed on a granite floor in a Bali resort while taking it off.
Surprisingly there was only a very light dent at one of the lugs but so light that you'd miss it unless you knew where it was. Watch continued to run accurately but power reserve was shortened to less than 2 days. It would stop if off the wrist for more than 24 hours.
Sent in to Swatch for full service since it was already approaching 4 yrs of being used as a regular dive watch.
All hands, gaskets, pushers, crown changed plus some gears (all returned to me).
Cost RM 1,600.00 and beautifully restored with excellent time keeping.
Sold off 1+ yr ago. 
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: j0shua on August 19, 2013, 01:31:21 PM
It must a wild night huh  :laugh:
The only way is to get back to Pam service center I believe.
And be prepare for paying a large sum for QR bars.
Probably they will ask for overhaul and new case.

Yeah it was a long wild night.

After reading this I was like, what? There has to be another way...

I couldn't care less about the dent, it doesn't bother me like how the 3717's dent doesn't bother me.
What I'm more concerned about is being able to release the QR bar to change straps haha.

So, with a few sharpened satay sticks, and an Ikea hammer & pliers, the following just happened:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/j0sh_w/pamhammer.jpg)

Tapped out the QR bar with the plastic capped hammer onto a wooden satay stick, took a few soft taps but the bar started moving out. Gripped it with cloth covered pliers lightly and pulled it out the rest of the way.

The main thing was to get the QR bar out so I could address the lug hole. Now I've got to find a sharp conical metal tool to gently roll around the deformed hole to get it back to a regular round shape, and the job is done.

Hopefully there's no internal damage, the watch seems to be ticking along well and all the crown functions work.

Probably won't recommend using an Ikea hammer for watch repair, though :)
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: dennis.T on August 19, 2013, 09:14:52 PM
You are da man... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: klimax on August 20, 2013, 08:46:31 AM
1. Rolex DJ 16013
2. Dents and scratches on case, acrylic crystal cracked
3. RM5,858 for bezel and crystal replacement, parts changed and polish

Bad experience! a used 16013 in shops may cost less than that  :Blue:
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: r3kahsttub on August 20, 2013, 08:59:16 AM
Joshua, you're da man for attempting the DIY fix. I would probably never have tried that on my own. Must have been the clock assembly that made the inner caveman in you want to fix it yourself! Good job  :thumbsup: Hopefully nothing damaged internally.

As for myself; I've never had the misfortune of dropping any of my watches, thankfully. I did stress test my Gshock with a wall, floor, and a car, but that doesn't cut it at all  ;D
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: terrenceterrence on August 20, 2013, 11:24:41 AM
dropped my 112 12 inches on parquet floor. dented the lugs like your Pam.

Either the watch head is too heavy and the inertia is great because of it or the metal is soft. Just a guess.... either way, its just a watch. would be more heartache if it was my skin especially my face; since I am already so ugly, do not want to make it worse.  :laugh:

Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: j0shua on August 20, 2013, 02:23:52 PM
Joshua, you're da man for attempting the DIY fix. I would probably never have tried that on my own. Must have been the clock assembly that made the inner caveman in you want to fix it yourself! Good job  :thumbsup: Hopefully nothing damaged internally.

As for myself; I've never had the misfortune of dropping any of my watches, thankfully. I did stress test my Gshock with a wall, floor, and a car, but that doesn't cut it at all  ;D
Found a steel awl at Ace, rolled the lug hole and after a good Cape Codding, it's back to normal, except for the little dent. I'm just happy that the accident was mostly reversible, and that it wasn't the Cali Radiomir - that one wouldn't have survived the same way.

About fixing stuff - It's in my nature to try and understand objects and try to build or fix them... Like with the Nixie Clock, or the Aston's brake install, I spent a lot of time under the car.
dropped my 112 12 inches on parquet floor. dented the lugs like your Pam.

Either the watch head is too heavy and the inertia is great because of it or the metal is soft. Just a guess.... either way, its just a watch. would be more heartache if it was my skin especially my face; since I am already so ugly, do not want to make it worse.  :laugh:
It's a combination of factors - weight, angle of impact, velocity and that the lug hole is very close to the rounded edge at that point, and the bar has a very fine micrometer tolerance. For a moment it wasn't just a watch - it was a watch AND a challenge haha
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: claxchow on August 22, 2013, 06:29:13 PM
Hit my Bell & Ross br03 commando against a chair while working. Lug was slightly dented, not really visible and I'm still able to remove the bar to replace the straps. Quoted rm4, 800 to replace the case.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: lowengen on August 23, 2013, 01:42:17 PM
My daughter was playing with my new ML and it just slipped out of her hands drop to marble floor from about 1 feet high...
Well, slight scratches on the case (brushed) and... not sure if this is due to the drop... accuracy slight out... used to be 0.5 sec/day, but when d watch restarts (0 power reserve and start again) now an average of 4.5 sec/day...  :Blue:
will try use scrotch brite on it later for d scratch.. lol
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: ezza88 on August 24, 2013, 12:19:23 PM
scratches is the most comment happen when u drop it.....but G-shock is dropable  :)
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: maximillian on August 25, 2013, 01:22:18 AM
dropped and bumped my watch so many times i lost count, but i never bothered to get it buffed out or swapped with anything. seems odd to pay 1/8-1/4 of the price of the watch to get it repaired/serviced. when it dies out it dies out for me :Laughing_on_floor:
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: 1to12 on August 25, 2013, 01:23:35 PM
dropped and bumped my watch so many times i lost count, but i never bothered to get it buffed out or swapped with anything. seems odd to pay 1/8-1/4 of the price of the watch to get it repaired/serviced. when it dies out it dies out for me :Laughing_on_floor:

Woah... pls let me know if you have any dying-soon watches to donate. I will gladly accept them and give them cpr.  :angel:
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: Cocas on June 06, 2016, 08:43:25 PM
My 90's PR100 Tissot dropped onto the floor with crown facing down while i was unscrewing.
The crown was bent. Costed me MYR80 to get the same size tissot crown to replace. but it was  not the original crown type.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: brintoh on June 07, 2016, 01:24:57 PM
Drop Bell Ross 03-94 on tile floor from my wrist half year ago, luckily still running fine
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: asimo on June 07, 2016, 05:14:38 PM
Anyone drop a Hesalite omega speedmaster pro before ? Suppose to suffer minimal damage as it is fit for manned flight to the moon


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Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: dannyojw on June 13, 2016, 01:56:49 PM
not really drop but scratch pass the edge of the building wall. the bezel were dented but the sapphire glass still fine.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: edktr on June 14, 2016, 12:52:12 PM
My experience:

I was at a tailor for fitting session when my AP 15300 slipped from my hand onto the carpet floor, around 1 feet height. No physical damage but the watch stopped working. Wound it manually and was working again but a few days later stop for good. Sent to AP SC in Singapore for overhaul, waited 3 months and paid around RM4-4.5k after conversion. Since then, it spends most of the time in the safe.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: Nickmax on June 15, 2016, 09:35:42 AM
After reading some of these "horror" stories, I think the watchmaker should include a drop test report for their watches. hahaha
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: Cocas on June 15, 2016, 10:12:17 AM
I was once dropped my Longines Legend Diver on carpeted floor, no physical damage except the second hand came off.

(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s246/ongck77/IMG-20130401-WA0002_zpsd3c8aca7.jpg) (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/ongck77/media/IMG-20130401-WA0002_zpsd3c8aca7.jpg.html)

Since it was due for service, sent back to Swatch cost me RM700 with some parts changed.

(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s246/ongck77/2013-05-11083127_zps4a3adbae.jpg) (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/ongck77/media/2013-05-11083127_zps4a3adbae.jpg.html)

Does Longines Diving watch got ISO certified ? Any Diver wording on the dial?
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: cklim on September 25, 2016, 03:34:40 PM
Few years ago I accidentally dropped my 15 year old neglected SKX033 (pepsi bezel faded coz always wash hands with detergent) onto tile floor from about chest height.

The movement stops immediately, and the Seiko's logo + chrome frame at day/date indicator both came off. Luckily the case is still in good condition.

Then i made another stupid mistake by sending it to a regular watch shop for repair. Although they managed to fix the movement, they had dented the logo, left a stain mark on minute's hand and thumb print mark on the chrome frame!

Since then i seldom wear it anymore coz really "sakit hati" everytime i see it in such condition  :Blue:

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah113/cklim_1971/Mobile%20Uploads/_20160925_155521_zpszctqhlui.jpg)
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: watchdiver on September 26, 2016, 04:15:51 AM
I know someone who dropped an older Vacheron Patrimony hand-wind on the floor some years ago.  The watch movement stopped working altogether and had to be sent in for repair.  The cost was very expensive (several thousands RM) and since then I've been scared of dropping any watches.  Heck I feel pain when I ding my watch against something hard :).
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: andrewhtf on September 26, 2016, 07:05:26 AM
Few years ago I accidentally dropped my 15 year old neglected SKX033 (pepsi bezel faded coz always wash hands with detergent) onto tile floor from about chest height.

The movement stops immediately, and the Seiko's logo + chrome frame at day/date indicator both came off. Luckily the case is still in good condition.

Then i made another stupid mistake by sending it to a regular watch shop for repair. Although they managed to fix the movement, they had dented the logo, left a stain mark on minute's hand and thumb print mark on the chrome frame!

Since then i seldom wear it anymore coz really "sakit hati" everytime i see it in such condition  :Blue:

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah113/cklim_1971/Mobile%20Uploads/_20160925_155521_zpszctqhlui.jpg)

Can't thongsia refurb it back?
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: swleong on September 26, 2016, 08:07:22 AM
Many years ago, i dropped my G-Shock from chest level onto the tarmac road. It picked itself up, went to the nearest Starbucks and bought an double espresso and drank it on the spot, went home did some laundries and vacuum the entire house, then later went to climb mount Kinabalu and along the way save a few lives in a serious car accidents.

After all these event, it still works fine and looks beautiful to me...my G-Shock... :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

(http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/ii588/swleong77/63ed1c7e-04a9-45ee-8aa0-10e756d5640d_zps6ecad94f.jpg) (http://s1261.photobucket.com/user/swleong77/media/63ed1c7e-04a9-45ee-8aa0-10e756d5640d_zps6ecad94f.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: Cocas on September 26, 2016, 08:36:49 AM
Few years ago I accidentally dropped my 15 year old neglected SKX033 (pepsi bezel faded coz always wash hands with detergent) onto tile floor from about chest height.

The movement stops immediately, and the Seiko's logo + chrome frame at day/date indicator both came off. Luckily the case is still in good condition.

Then i made another stupid mistake by sending it to a regular watch shop for repair. Although they managed to fix the movement, they had dented the logo, left a stain mark on minute's hand and thumb print mark on the chrome frame!

Since then i seldom wear it anymore coz really "sakit hati" everytime i see it in such condition  :Blue:

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah113/cklim_1971/Mobile%20Uploads/_20160925_155521_zpszctqhlui.jpg)

It does not have "Diver" wording on the dial. So it is not a ISO6425 certified watch.

In term shock resistance, it does not conform to the drop test from 1 meter height.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: adamjohari on September 26, 2016, 09:42:09 AM
Not yet! Hisssssss.

Mostly cause my watches are babied. Buy a watch and it's still in the box. Sigh.  :'(
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: deeM on September 26, 2016, 10:11:06 AM
Oris Artix GT flung from bed to tile floor (maybe 3ft).
Ceramic bezel chipped off.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: Timeless on September 26, 2016, 11:08:11 AM
was lucky enough that my pam104 landed at the floor with carpet, no deng at all.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: Cocas on September 26, 2016, 11:26:28 AM
My Ball Mad Cow did not drop before but it encountered a car accident with me and it hit badly against the deck. It is perfectly fine and I don't even bother to send it for checking.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: kukujiao on September 26, 2016, 01:09:36 PM
I just dropped my iwc chrono ard 3ft from the floor... luckily it dropped onto a very thick rug

Sent from my SM-N9208 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: meoramri on September 26, 2016, 03:22:21 PM
Accidentally flung a Seiko 5 Barcelona to the concrete floor. One of the gears jumped its pivot. Sent it to Thong Sia for the following work: repair the caliber 4R36, replace the cracked Hardlex crystal, do some calibration and pressure testing - total costs <RM150. Working flawlessly now.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: cklim on September 26, 2016, 03:59:24 PM
Can't thongsia refurb it back?

I had ordered some modification parts from ebay to minor mod this piece, currently waiting for the parts to arrive before sending it for restoration.
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: leewae91 on September 28, 2016, 11:37:31 AM
lied down on pavement after some bad monday tradeday hah

rip cyclops

(http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u484/leewae91/C4EE8B83-E9E8-43A2-BFF8-221E7EA53F45_zpsfeqidlac.jpg) (http://s1070.photobucket.com/user/leewae91/media/C4EE8B83-E9E8-43A2-BFF8-221E7EA53F45_zpsfeqidlac.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: derrick on September 28, 2016, 03:03:49 PM
any idea price of submariner ceramic bezel?
Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: Cocas on October 01, 2016, 08:04:45 AM
My near miss experience of dropping watch always happen when I try put on the leather buckle strap or when I adjusting the time / day / date.

Ever since I dropped my Tissot while I was adjusting the time, I am now more careful and always do them with both wrist on my desk.

Title: Re: Accidentally dropped your watch
Post by: Caseywai on October 03, 2016, 12:03:03 PM
I remember dropping my Omega Speedmaster Date before. Wasn't that high and went sapphire face down. Was a little domed so all was fine miraculously. Bezel was scratched a little that's all. Not sure about internal damage but was years ago. It's been serviced since and keeping good time!


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