All Activity
This stream auto-updates
- Past hour
-
All very interesting CB. It's great to here Swatch not getting it their own way for a change! As an aside, the background that the guy was standing in front of was really weird the way it moved, it was surly computer generated?
- Today
-
I have posted this other long vid. because it contains some very interesting info on what is happening within the watch industry. Breitling's sale it's amalgamation with "Tudor" and also the guy states that ETA are now looking for companies to buy their movements and will now will supply parts until 2020.
-
Ok then I would call it job done.
-
I wish I could...but the dials are already printed with it.
-
Personally I like it a lot. Also I would leave the "Heritage" in it's present position just move the 22 jewels, self wind" lines down a touch. Can to fiddle with this using a "Indesign or Illustrator" type software.
-
We'll, I did a test print on a vintage NOS watch... I think it works.. it's a little lower on the dial than I like but I think the scale is good.
-
Apart from it being a poor fake. The seller is saying it is from C1890 which is a lie. I have emailed the seller and asked him/her to explain. Not surprisingly no reply.
-
The case back is removable and everything has been removed so there is no worry of damaging anything (mostly). I will try a watch glass press first. Sadly I have to buy one as I don't own one yet. Indeed I was thinking that if the crystal is too big I'll just sand the edge a little bit. I also thought of the 45 angle thing in case it just wouldn't fit but I have no worries about that. I just hope I'll get the right diameter crystal as last time I was a bit unlucky haha.
- Yesterday
-
If it's too tight to fit, then sand the outer perimeter of the crystal to size. You can also bevel the edge where the crystal enters the bevel at 45 degrees, especially if you are using a crystal press to fit as it helps it to slide in initially. For cases with a removable case back, I would try a crystal/case press first. Then use a crystal lifter if that fails. For cases with non-removable case backs such as 1970's Omegas, I would try to use a crystal lift as there's a small risk with using a crystal/case press of damaging the dial or hands. For measuring, measure the hole size and rotate the bezel to find the largest point. Add 0.1mm (or you may have to add 0.2mm if that's all that's available). The current crystal may not be original, so it may not be the best reference for size.
-
Very jealous that you got to go see this! I would love to experience this major event...I believe Patek Philippe only does these road shows in the U.S. maybe once a decade(?). I someday plan to visit the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva ...
-
Happy birthday Will, your birthday's worth more than that cracking strap. I hope you had a a great day!
-
Just got back from going to the Patek Phillippe "The Art of Watches" exhibition at Grand Central in New York. It was AWESOME!!! Not only did they showcase all of their best watches through the years, including ones owned by superstars like Joe Dimaggio and Duke Ellington, but they let you watch the actual artists and watchmakers at work... I watched a guy cut a gear out using a lathe made in 1910... apparently this is how Patek STILL makes the majority of their mechanical movements... I thought all that would be automated by now, but nope... you can talk to the watchmakers too. They also showed off all of their most complicated movements, and let you see the way repeaters and moon phases and everything fit together. Stunning. The exhibit ends tomorrow, so I realize this is late notice, but if you are in the Tri-State area and can get into Grand Central I say go to this, you will not be disappointed... though expect a wait to get in!!! I couldn't believe it, but we had to wait on a line for 30 minutes just to get in! I had no idea that mechanical watches had such a big fan base. I thought I'd be one of the only ones there, but it was packed. Well worth the wait though. http://www.patek.com/en/communication/news/the-art-of-watches-grand-exhibition-new-york-2017
-
Putting a tension ring crystal on with a claw tool is almost impossible. You need a press. A die that press a little from the outside of the round part of the crystal to make the it bend a little inwards. If the crystal is 31,0 mm and you have a good set of caliper i think a 31,0 would be fine but maybe you should order a 31,1 to. Just to have an option if it doesn't work. Been there done that as they say.
-
Oh that's a beautiful strap and a worthy birthday gift. I sure you'll not regret the expenditure. Happy Birthday.
-
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
The movement has been cleaned and packed up for the time being. I have a few other projects which have priority and this movement will require some funds to get it back to spec. Right now I know for certain it will require a replacement escape wheel, click spring, and jewel for the forth wheel. I'm looking forward to getting back to it though. -
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
The bits and pieces of the movement have returned from the cleaner looking quite a bit better than before. I love the gold plating that UG used for these movements- so much more pizazz than the standard silver plate. -
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
Opening the barrel revealed an old blued steel mainspring. I don't think this movement has been cleaned and serviced in many decades. -
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
Close up of the click and spring. Unfortunately the click spring has broken. More unfortunate is the cost of replacement- around 90 USD! Still I like the fact that UG used a machined spring as opposed to a wire spring. -
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
Here we can see the crown wheel and click for the winding mechanism. Like a Valjoux 23 movement, they are hidden beneath the top plate. -
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
Removal of the top plate reveals the gear train. The ratchet wheel has been contacting the top plate which may suggest the bearings for the barrel are shot. -
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
The malfunction of this movement was traced to the escape wheel whose pivots are not sitting within the jeweled bushings. I assumed a pivot was broken but further inspection revealed they are just too short- perhaps the previous owner installed the wrong escape wheel? -
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
Since the movement does not have shock protection, the balance must be removed in order to clean and oil the cap stone. Oddly, the regulator locks in the hairspring even though the hairspring has an overcoil. In order to free the hairspring from the regulator, a small oiler is pushed through the hole on the side of the block and turned clockwise. -
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
The chronograph works have been removed revealing the base movement. Martel used a sold base movement with a Breguet overcoil on the hairspring and only a single wire spring in the entire assembly. -
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
And here is the chronograph works in all their glory. Universal's chronographs were supplied by Martel (who also supplied Zenith); the design closely resembles a Valjoux 23. -
From the album Chronographs on the Bench
Close-up of the chronograph bridge. Note that this movement is not stamped with the calibre number (usually just to the right of the chronograph bridge). I had to measure it and check against Ranfft's site in order to confirm the calibre number.
-
Forum Statistics
-
Total Topics6,704
-
Total Posts68,496
-
-
Popular Now
-
-
Images
