For watch enthusiasts to discuss everything related to watches and horology.
Can anyone help me figure out how to fix this watch? I had seen a video that said it was likely that Center screw being loose so it wouldn't wind, but even after tightening that it won't start ticking. Bought some simple tools and I'm willing to mess with it (I believe it was a cheap watch) I just have no clue what to do.
The calibre 7s26 is a workhorse movement and fairly simple. If you have the time and is pretty handy, you can try to follow this guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHF9xMJ7tmQ to disassemble it and check what's wrong.
Otherwise, you can bring it to an independent watch repair shop. It would be less expensive than the swiss counterpart.
Update: I opened it up, dropped a screw, bent the second hand and poorly bent it back, and now the day dial doesn't work right. I did not even fix the original issue. I fear I may have ruined this watch as it's probably more expensive to have serviced than to replace.
You can buy a replacement movement (the guts that tell time) for probably pretty inexpensive. Someone else in the comments mentioned what the movement is (it's a very common movement, I just can't remember and I'm on mobile so I can't check while typing this)
The day dial is built into the watch movement, so replacing the movement will get you a new, working day dial. I'm not sure what model of watch you have, but there are replacement hands you can buy (for example, here: https://theyobokies.com/?mod=product&sec=item&task=list&cid=2) that might kind of match the original ones. If the seconds hand is still a little bent, you can try replacing that, too.
Putting the hands on the movement can be kind of difficult -- there's a tiny little hole in the inner part of the hand that fits onto a tiny pin in the middle of the dial. I'd recommend checking out some videos about it on YouTube before you try it. You'll want a loupe and some tweezers if you decide to do it. Replacing the movement does mean you'll need to remove the old hands and dial and then put them on the new movement.
Given its a 7s26, unless you want to preserve the authenticity of the watch, its probably better to just replace the movement. its less expensive than having it professionally serviced.
Even if it doesn't work, it gives you the right time twice a day 😅