Posted: 6/21/2026 3:05:11 PM EDT
[Last Edit: DD1801][Edited]
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BLUF: My watch no longer works, would a new movement be the most likely culprit? And is that pretty easy to do myself? I realize this isn't a Tudor Pelagos  , but I have a Luminox Series 3000 Navy SEAL Dive Watch that I bought new in 2002. I've replaced the battery a few times, and back in 2019 I had a local chain jeweler replace the movement and install a new battery. In 2022 they replaced the battery, and it was probably within 1-2 years of that the watch stopped working. After that, I just put the watch back in my nightstand and it's been there since. I paid a stupid amount of money to get it fixed and was frustrated that it stopped working after such a short period of time. (Yeah, I paid them $199 to fix a watch that I paid $199 for. I realize now that the jeweler definitely took me to the cleaners.) The jeweler only had a one-year warranty on the movement replacement.I am revisiting the watch, and thought perhaps maybe the battery died so I changed that out myself, but still no movement. After a quick google search it looks like the movement is a Harley Ronda 3 hand HQ515.6L. Esslinger sellls it for $19.95. Would it be worth it to see if that fixes my watch? Would I need any special tools to change this out? I have a jeweler's tweezer and some small picks.  Edit - Post 19 Upon closer inspection, the movement that the jeweler installed was a Ronda 715. Edit - Post 22 It’s fixed! |
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If it were mine and needed a movement swap, I'd send it to someone like Duarte at Northeast Watch Works. https://newatchworks.com/ |
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Originally Posted By AK-12: I'd replace the movement. Rondas aren't expensive and mine keep great time. People shit on Luminoxes online, but I like mine. They both have stainless cases, sapphire crystals, and screw down crowns though. Good to know, thank you. Going to remove the current movement to verify its a 515, and if so I’ll order the replacement. Edit - Saving youtube links here for my benefit so I don't have to search for them later:  Luminox Navy Seal - Hour Hand Not Moving?! Watch Repair Ronda 715 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUU6mURYJv8  Luminox Navy Seal Ronda 515 Movement Replacement Watch Repair https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3x96llGeRM |
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Pretty sure you'll need to reaffix the hands and dial to the new movement(removal from broken movement+reinstall on new one). Which will require a set of watchmaker tools(specifically hand removal tool+pressers to reaffix the hands, usuallythe dial is just press fit by hand as it has "feet" that should plug and play with the new movement/dial holder). The kits can be had at Amazon or the like and usually aernt too expensive. Id suggest watching a few youtube how to videos on the process. |
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Originally Posted By esa17: It would be fun to replace the quartz movement with a high quality automatic. Quartz movements are usually significantly slimmer than automatic movements. Which unfortunately means one usually can't just plug+play/movement swap an auto for a quartz. At least in reference to an oem designated quartz case without other modifications throughout the watch to accommodate a bigger(in depth not diameter) movement. Not to mention the handset designated to the initial oem movement/watch can vary in pinion diameter depending on movement+brand/type. |
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Originally Posted By NickOTime: Pretty sure you'll need to reaffix the hands and dial to the new movement(removal from broken movement+reinstall on new one). Which will require a set of watchmaker tools(specifically hand removal tool+pressers to reaffix the hands, usuallythe dial is just press fit by hand as it has "feet" that should plug and play with the new movement/dial holder). The kits can be had at Amazon or the like and usually aernt too expensive. Id suggest watching a few youtube how to videos on the process. Yep, definitely need one of those hand removal tools. Thanks! |
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I’ve been searching Amazon and ebay for a cheap watch repair kit that also includes a hand puller and I am losing my mind here. Do I need anything else other than these though? None of the cheap kits I’ve come across (under $30) seem to include the hand puller. But I do like the little vice you can set the watch in, as well as the band/lug tool, and various useful implements in those cheap kits. I guess I might just have to buy them both, separately. I’m thinking about buying this one (or one similar), since it has the hand removal tool thing and little pressers to reinstall. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJDKT115?tag=arfcom00-20 Edit- Finally! Found one. Think this will have what I need? https://www.ebay.com/itm/276261952068?_skw=watch+repair+kit&itmmeta=01KWCQNBY0JET8DZ8NVEJK0TXE&hash=item40527eda44%3Ag%3AAycAAeSwuWVpM4ky&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xB7fo6YjWJvrVNt%2FTYgAvyabn9Pp9%2FmObO2eLXMpNzlLmZHCeYlgaZMgCgvJiR%2BF%2FwgRyAjPrIxN0DgidyHdnrCq1e8PmxsI0hT2LYktkaaVRRIER1EyAPAYqunsFG2kcsG9iAIsIumi6Z811%2BoJkp8zruQinxT0q7Qkme6GFg3RuAiWvPJ%2BDXvoHTOAdG%2FOcaEX5%2B58Rf%2B%2Baiy4SgFgVrq2c0IXOVYY787Mmt%2By40PVwRUSVS%2BFqG8lvJZKwwYmf0%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6S_1ZfjZw&keyword=watch+repair+kit&sacat=0&relatedSearch=true |
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These two together should be all that you need to get the job done: 
I’d also recommend some rodico - it’s great for helping to position the hands back into position and cleaning up any dust or dirt. 
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Originally Posted By WI_DeerHunter13: These two together should be all that you need to get the job done: www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRRW14XY www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVKMBJ7Q I’d also recommend some rodico - it’s great for helping to position the hands back into position and cleaning up any dust or dirt. www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSFJW8DX Cool, thank you. Are the pry levers easier to use to remove the second/minute/hour hands than the tweezer with a spring style like I linked above? |
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Originally Posted By DD1801: Cool, thank you. Are the pry levers easier to use to remove the second/minute/hour hands than the tweezer with a spring style like I linked above? It’s more situational, I think. The Presto/“tweezer” style works great if there’s plenty of room to get it under the hands. Lever-style seems to work better if there’s less clearance, but at the trade off that you have to work both in unison to apply constant pressure. If you’re worried about it, you can always spend a few extra bucks and get this: 
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I also read online to try and attempt an "AC reset" after installing a new battery, so I finally had some time and tried that new battery again and tried an AC reset, just to see if that might get it going, but no luck. Upon closer inspection, the movement that the jeweler installed was a Ronda 715. So now I'm a little confused as to which movement I should order as a replacement? A 515 or a 715? Any experts on here know which would be preferred? Watch is a Luminox Series 3000 that I bought new in 2002. Going to at least order the tools now. |
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Originally Posted By theBlackKaiser: so did you do all the repairs yourself? About how much was the cost for the whole thing to get fixed? Yep, I did the movement swap myself. It was just under $60 with tax and shipping for the movement and watch tool kits. Ronda Movement 715 from Esslinger ($25): https://www.esslinger.com/harley-ronda-3-hand-quartz-watch-movement-hq715-6l-date-at-3-00-made-to-fit-luminox-brand-watches-date-at-3-00-overall-height-4-8mm/ Two repair kits from Amazon ($19): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJDKT115?tag=arfcom00-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVKMBJ7Q?tag=arfcom00-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 Lyman gun cleaning mat from Amazon($23): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SLYGYP2?tag=arfcom00-20 Helpful info: These two youtube videos, showing the same guy repairing two different Luminox Series 3000 watches, although only the "blue" dial had the 715, whereas the yellow dial had a 515 movement. Luminox Navy Seal - Hour Hand Not Moving?! Watch Repair Ronda 715 Luminox Navy Seal Ronda 515 Movement Replacement Watch Repair Also bought a new Lyman gun cleaning mat on Amazon just for doing these types of repairs, and a Harbor Freight mini tool box to store all these new stuff in (placed on my office desk), and a Harbor Freight magnifying lens with LED light so I can see what I'm doing since my eyes aren't what they used to be. Oh, I bought some readers recently, too, so those helped out. Sadly, I didn't buy the cleaning items because well, I'm married and I think my wife was getting a little, um, frustrated with all these things to repair my old watch. My watch actually had some previous water damage which the jeweler did mention, so I don't know if they didn't clean it and it was pre-existing or if that was new water intrusion. A few small smudges on the backside of the dial (between dial and movement). Lot of build up and gunk where the watch band goes as well. I might try to get those cleaning kits later, now that I know what I'm doing and give it a cleaning next time I have to change the battery out. |
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Very cool! Now post some pics. My experience from cleaning smudges off the inner glass is drop the movement and use some windex/glass cleaner and microfiber+a little air "puffer". I waited far too long before I got a puffer and wish I didn't. Once you notice it, its gonna keep bugging you. |
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Originally Posted By NickOTime: Very cool! Now post some pics. My experience from cleaning smudges off the inner glass is drop the movement and use some windex/glass cleaner and microfiber+a little air "puffer". I waited far too long before I got a puffer and wish I didn't. Once you notice it, its gonna keep bugging you. The smudges I was referring to are not visible with the watch reassembled, thankfully. I plan on getting one of those puffers, good call. I have three bands for it: original PVC, Luminox nylon with velcro, and generic rubber. Right now I’m cleaning the nylon in some soapy water so I put the generic rubber on this morning. Wore the watch today, of course. 
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Thanks! It still looks good 24 years later. The tritium still faintly glows, but it has to be pretty dark to see it, lol The ronda seems quiter than the oem movement. I remember the oem being slightly audible, like if you were somewhere very quiet you would hear it ticking. |
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