I have two older quartz watches that seem to want to run, but don’t.
What I mean is that I can see the gear train moving back and forth, but will not actually run.
I’ve replaced the battery, cleaned off the contacts, but that’s it so far.
The oil on the pivots is dry, so I know that needs to be addressed.
I don’t know much about quartz movements, so I figured I’d ask here before I start taking things apart.
Do you think just a general cleaning could have a chance of fixing the issue, or is…

Questions regarding older quartz movements

I’ve been working off and on, on this nice blue dialed Seiko 7006A watch for almost 3 months now. It took me quite a bit of head scratching and help from some of you to figure what was wrong and how to fix it.

It had very low amplitude but a really fast rate and the balance would stop when placed in the dial up position.

This will all sound simple now that it’s fixed, but when faced with it, it was a head scratcher for me.

First off, the mainspring arbor hole in the mainplate was worn to…

Finally fixed this nice blue dialed Seiko 7006A!

I just bought a small lot of vintage watchmakers tools and gadgets. Most of these are self explanatory, all are interesting and useful, but this first one I’m not sure what it’s used for (to be honest).

I just found my roller table clamp, now another one ends up on my bench…sweet!

Glass tube oilers. I’ll have to soak them to…

New old watch tools!

Hi.

I am on a project of making a custom watch, that would resemble old/vintage pieces.
I’ve found a nice suitable case, but would really like if it had domed crystal.

There are many sapphire crystals on sale on ebay (surprisingly affordable), with options to choose the diameter and edge width. I would be happy with an acrylic one as well.

Does anyone have experience with affordable ebay sapphires and cases, whether they could be swapped? Are those crystals any good?
Any logic in…

Flat to dome crystal swap

Tonight I’m getting ready to finish up this fine Longines dress watch from 1959. 17 jewels, no shock protection, movement 23Z according to the markings. The parts are fresh out of the cleaning fluids and are ready to be joined together again.

Next is a Sandoz, with another 17 jewel AS 1890/92 shock protected movement. Also as you can see it has “Henri Sandoz & Fils etched onto…

WOTB for 3-2-25 a couple of dress watches

To keep it brisk, my main attraction to horology is the mechanical aspect. A mechanical aspect that I’m semi knowledgeable in, but want to dive into as deep as possible.

Anyone got any recommendations on a fully comprehensive kit/combination of kits? Not just a few screwdrivers and some rodico, I mean everything from that down to crystal pushers and pressure testers.

The end goal is to restore vintage pieces myself, for my collection and my friends/colleagues (and hey, maybe some of you…

Where do I even begin…