Hi guys! I finished servicing a Bulova 10BPAC a few days ago, and I have had issues with this mainspring since I first started putting it back together. I guess there’s too much friction in the barrel (used Moebius 8217 for braking grease), and it’s ca…
Continue readingA Real Talk About Water Resistance and Vintage Watches
I have noticed that the "party line" about vintage watches and water resistance is that, even if they are purpose-built for the task, no vintage watch (say 25+years) can ever be trusted to have any water resistance, and to treat them as such….
Continue readingSelten Grand Feu Enamel
Selten delivers a Grand Feu Enamel winner
Continue readingKiln fired ceramic decals/transfer question
I recently had a manufacturer make me a bunch of dial blanks out of zirconia ceramic. They are a beautiful white. I have a polished side and a non polished side which gives me the the best of both worlds in tinkering.
As a test I had some dials digita…
Continue readingBalance Staff Replacement Questions
I’m a novice with limited skill and equipment. If I run into a watch with a bad balance staff, my go-to action is to hunt for a donor movement with a good balance complete and cock. This can sometimes involve the purchase of several movements, however. Is purchasing a new or NOS balance staff and having a certified watchmaker replace the damaged staff worth the cost? Also, since I’ve never had this done as a stand alone job, would a watchmaker even do this? And does anyone have a guess as to…
Continue readingHarwood Autorist
Hello, long shot but I have a Harwood Autorist (gents calibre based on AS 624) which is missing part of its autowind mechanism – it’s the upper ratchet wheel which is described as “pivoting trilobed plate” – basically a flat disc with three lobes, two of which have studs on their lobes, the third has a connecting rod.
Continue readingHens teeth and I’m guessing that it would have to be an extremely benevolent watchmaker who might have any Autorist parts tucked away which they might part with but please…
“Old” quartz Seiko Diver
I’m not a watchmaker but I can assemble.
Now that’s out of the way… 1982 is 43 years ago and this 8229 602A was on some wrists
It’s rough but running well.
My plan was a simple resto. New battery, crystal, seals and rebrush/polish and enjoy that lovely faded insert…
Continue readingNow that’s out of the way… 1982 is 43 years ago and this 8229 602A was on some wrists
It’s rough but running well.
My plan was a simple resto. New battery, crystal, seals and rebrush/polish and enjoy that lovely faded insert…
Hamilton H10 after 6.5 years service recommendation
Hi all,
I bought this watch new 6.5 years ago. Ive worn it every day, save 5 minutes in the shower, for 4 years and quite a lot after that as well. Ive been thinking about having it routinely serviced but the stats (timegrapher app on the phone) seem …
Continue readingHoria Brillance
So, how does one reconcile this:
Continue reading
I tried to pour the piss out of the boot by reading the instructions on the heel?
Here’s it’s big brother:
Fortunately, the tool itself doesn’t seem to have an affinity to vectors. Future experiments will tell…
Stuck on vintage LeCoultre
I recently picked up this vintage LeCoultre automatic. Still runs but needs some work. It’s an old bumper, a P812 to be exact. After removing the case back and stem, the movement and dial still don’t want to come loose. I want to be very cautious as this is one of the more expensive watches I have worked on. Could be just a stubborn retainer ring? Or is there a unique quirk of this watch that I’m overlooking? Any help would be much appreciated.
Continue reading
