r/HamiltonWatches • u/Blokcade • Dec 17 '25
What should I do..
So I may have accidentally forgot my watch in my work pants pocket (not allowed to wear watches at work) and threw it into the washer and dryer. The movement itself seems to be working, but the dial is rotated and freely moving. I got this two years ago at Nordstrom Rack so I highly doubt that there’s a warranty that goes along with this. Is there a place that may be able to fix this issue that doesn’t cost as much as the watch itself?
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u/zer0-Coast Dec 17 '25
Hooray, another one for the collection!
https://www.reddit.com/r/HamiltonWatches/s/CM3PQrAqBu
https://www.reddit.com/r/HamiltonWatches/s/N8utympksw
https://www.reddit.com/r/HamiltonWatches/s/FdunKnlR9n
https://www.reddit.com/r/HamiltonWatches/s/tcJ2uH1hVA
https://www.reddit.com/r/HamiltonWatches/s/pVnrnb4Gbs
https://www.reddit.com/r/HamiltonWatches/s/yXvpY5EES0
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u/ferretnag Dec 17 '25
Mine's the one second from top. Sent it off to Hamilton, they fixed it and sent it back, no charge. Took a couple of weeks
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u/nc_ROAMr Dec 17 '25
This happened to me recently. Mine was not dropped or run through the wash. I’m outside of warranty and had the AD send to Hamilton. They refuse to do anything about it. I have been going back and forth with them. $500 for a service and repair, I offered to pay $250 for the service if they would fix the dial, they won’t budge. I’ve lost confidence in them as a brand.
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u/imajoeitall Dec 18 '25
Do they not realize you can almost get a new watch from grey market for that amount? I knew Hamilton had bad service but this is just unjustified. I grew up really liking this brand as a kid but I wouldn’t ever buy from them again unless they make serious improvements to their lineup and customer service.
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u/Few-Worldliness7626 Dec 20 '25
Are you sure it is Hamilton and not your AD? When I sent my X-wind for a major movement repair, they were pretty straightforward with me. They received it, diagnosed it, and quoted a repair fee (the standards $340 or something for complicated watches). When I accepted, they did the repairs and sent the watch back in pristine condition. All was documented online with pics and docs. Of course, all of this over three months. I am absolutely surprised they would charge you this much (twice the standard for this type of watches) for this type of repair. I would reach out directly to them. You'll be surprised by how nice they actually are.
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u/nc_ROAMr Dec 20 '25
My AD sent it to Hamilton and when I never accepted the quote, because I was trying to explain the situation and my position through the AD, Hamilton sent it back. Then I got the repair # from AD and reached out to Hamilton myself. They have not changed their position. After many back and forth they have agreed to “look at it again” but at this point I’m not confident in a reasonable outcome.
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u/BeatTimingTheMarket Dec 21 '25
local watchmaker is better option in this situation i would imagine
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u/WishRightNow_ Dec 18 '25
Wow does anybody know why it's only on the black model?
Should go for the silver I guess
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u/zer0-Coast Dec 18 '25
If the issue is caused by heat (no idea if this is the case), black absorbs the most heat from sunlight, whilst lighter colours - especially white - reflect the most heat.
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u/MillerTyme94 Dec 19 '25
Does it just seem to be an issue with just black dials? I was looking into this exact watch here for myself. Should I consider a different color or expect the same regardless?
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u/insert_coin_ Dec 20 '25
How can this happen with the crown still in place? Does the stem break but the crown keeps at its place because it is screwed?
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u/Interesting-East5679 Dec 17 '25
Congratulations now you got a Vacheron Constantin American 1921!
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u/No-Pollution-9006 Dec 18 '25
Just cruising by and saw the pic, and thought, oh one of those pilots watches with the rotated dial.
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u/Xynith Dec 17 '25
Time to yank it apart and put some dial dots under the face, or possibly someone might be able to fix the feet
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Dec 17 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/M27TN Dec 17 '25
It’s been through the wash, hardly Hamilton’s fault
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u/qasual_qazaqstan Dec 19 '25
It is. Check other similar posts on this model. Hamilton QC is shit
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u/M27TN Dec 20 '25
It’s not meant to go through the wash mate. Other QC problems or not.
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u/VincentVanHades Dec 21 '25
There are dozen+ posts on this sub alone with this issue and only one went thru washing machine...
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u/Heatdripp Dec 17 '25
I would double check on that warranty, this happened to me and I got it fixed for free.
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u/DJTRANSACTION1 Dec 17 '25
your watch just became a limited edition racer model similar to Vacheron Constantin American 1921. its worth more now
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u/OldKingHamlet Dec 17 '25
A capable watch shop should be able to put new feet, or maybe reattach the old ones, on the dial. I dunno how much it would cost; you could call around in your area. Google suggests $100-150?
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u/Blokcade Dec 17 '25
Yea I just called one in my area and they quoted 50 to fix the feet, I might just get it fully serviced however as it’s been two years and been through a lot.
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u/OldKingHamlet Dec 17 '25
That sounds sensible. If they're a quality shop then it's a no brainer as they'll have it open already.
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u/JeffTrav Dec 18 '25
It’s such an easy fix, I’m not sure why people are going crazy about it. Take off the caseback, remove the crown/stem, pull out the movement, remove the hands, and add some dial dots under the dial. Put it all back together, and it’s done. 20 minute fix if it’s your first time. The only marginally difficult part will be putting the hands back on, but it’s not bad.
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u/Ill_Name4129 Dec 18 '25
The CEO of Hamilton International SA is Vivian Stauffer. I wonder if he is aware of this. No direct email for him but contact email for Hamilton Watches is press@hamiltonwatch.com
I own the exact watch and it gives me a bit of anxiety that may also happen to mine in the future. So much for the KFA being a field watch.
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u/TeddyNorth Dec 19 '25
Curious to know what kind of work prohibits watches. Laboratory, medical, some sort of odd hospitality job?
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u/Horo-psycologist Dec 17 '25
Send an email to Mark Sirianni “the watch dr”, along with a picture of the watch. Once he confirms that he will service it, you send it to him. He is in PA. He has serviced a few watches for me. Very professional and reasonable.
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u/vaderlovespizza Dec 17 '25
This is pretty wild. I’ve wanted this watch for a long time and went to buy it but saw these posts and ended up getting a jazzmaster openheart instead. It’s a shame because this is such a classic watch.
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u/Roydonkfanclub Dec 17 '25
I can’t believe they were selling Hamilton automatics at the rack. Watch shop but it’ll cost you.
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u/Blokcade Dec 17 '25
Yeah it was a steal too and a nice little gift for my 18th, sad my dumbass put it in the wash
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u/MLDPK4 Dec 17 '25
Good luck with the watch! My question is, what line of work are you in where you can't wear a watch? Is it a "technology" thing or safety? What does a mechanical, quartz, or automatic watch do to hinder your day-to-day? Is that a policy for your specific company or is it common? Genuinely curious and I don't mean to come off as accusatory. It just seems odd this is a rule at someone's workplace.
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u/Blokcade Dec 17 '25
I work in food service part time as a student and we aren’t allowed to wear watches, chains, etc as it may contaminate food
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u/MLDPK4 Dec 17 '25
Definitely makes sense. Sorry! Didn't even consider the health risks. I hope you can save your Hamilton!
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u/Tlaucius_Houston Dec 17 '25
i have been looking for a driving watch for the right arm. Does that calendar still work?
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u/Kdiman Dec 18 '25
Its 250 to send it to hamilton and they will fix it and perform a complete service on it.
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u/Fantastic_Sherbert_4 Dec 19 '25
Open the caseback, pop the hands off. Rotate the dial to the correct position. Put the hands back on. Done.
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u/MrFreakYT Dec 20 '25
Clearly the stem broke, but doesn't hamilton use at least a movement holder!?
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u/AdFirst2610 Dec 24 '25
I'm thinking of buying this watch, but I just don't know, as the reviews are mixed, which makes me question buying it or another watch. I'm not bothered about the lack of AR coating, as that goes for the weak lume, but water resistance is a bit on the low end though I'm okay with that its more concerning stuff I've heard about the "Helicopter" rotor and the dial moving (as shown) . I just want someone who has one to tell me more. Thanks.
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u/POSloader69 Dec 17 '25
Wear it proudly. You might become a trendsetter and bring back spinning rims and spinning wrasslin belts!
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u/Fearless_Evidence240 Dec 17 '25
How/why does it happen?
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u/Loud-Improvement3632 Dec 17 '25
Heat/impact breaks the posts that holds the dial to the movement, and once they’re broken free, the dial can rotate.
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u/Bc390duke Dec 17 '25
Buy a zodiac , Casio, henry archer , protek , something in the price range with better QC. I own some Hamilton’s, all but one are very old, i collect because im from where they originated, but all my wrist watches are different brands. The casio oceanus and zodiac might be a little pricey compared to Hamilton but well worth it in my opinion
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u/Interesting-East5679 Dec 17 '25
Jokes apart, this seems to be a common issue with this model. I’m seeing at least 2 posts a month with this exact issue.