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Hi Frenchie , What Ckelly is referring to are the marks on the mainplate (around 8 o'clock in the second picture) made by a previous watchmaker. Sometimes a replacement staff can be a bit off in terms of lenght, more commonly, a staff that 'almost fits' is used and modified to fit. A quick fix to solve endshake issues is to dig up the main plate to raise some material. Depending on where the raised metal is, you can either raise or lower the pivot point on the balance cock. Ckelly is right to be upset by this carnage as this type of shoddy work should not be done to a rolex. If the replacement staff was not meant for a 1520 then the balance wheel, roller table all could have been damaged. Some rolex movements have adjustable 'pins' that the balance bridge sits on to ensure that endshake can be optimised. Anil

Don't really have a question about this however I found this a bit odd on a Rolex and thought I would share. I have seen these marks under the balance cock on old pocket watches but a Rolex 1520? I was asked to service this watch and it was looking pretty good until I found this damage. Anyway just look how the plate has been dug up under where the balance cock sits. I know why people used to do things like this to old pocket watches but come on this didn't have to happen. I now have watch back together and running but thought some of you might get a charge out of this. Charles

Hi all. You will see in the photos below, that I have a gold filled pocket watch case that appears to be really tarnished. Or is it? The reason I ask is that I'm not sure whether the case was varnished to protect it, or whether it truly is tarnish that has built up over the years; whatever it is, it's a really tough coating that appears to be really difficult to remove. The obvious question I have is what do I do to restore the case to a consistent look? Any help you can give will be appreciated. It's currently smoky in Edmonton from the Fort McMurray fire, which is still growing unfortunately, but it puts things into perspective - a tarnished watch case is nothing in comparison to having your house burned to the ground.

anilv is correct on this, briefly it's done by what I can only describe as bodgers who know very little to take up or add end shake depends where the scoring has been made.

Great post Alexander! Looking at this movement I see a lot of similarity between this and the citizen 02xx series of movement. The reverse threaded ratchet wheel screw is what triggered my memory as Citizen does this as well. The shape of the set lever bridge is also similar. Anil

Wearing my favorite Seiko 5, the SNKE63K1. Several weeks ago I opened it up to regulate it, messed it up a bit and then set it aside. Last week I put it back on the timer and got it nearly spot on - it's averaging about +2 seconds a day for the last week! I also ran the case and bracelet through the ultrasonic.

Try here. http://www.ofrei.com/page299.html