Leaderboard

The ratchet wheel screw should definitely not be used to wind up the watch- and more importantly, not used to let down the power. There's an excellent chance of breaking the screw in either situation, and if letting down the power it's almost certain the screwdriver will slip at some point, scratching components and possibly allowing an "instantaneous full discharge", which can cause serious damage. The only exception I can think of is possibly some automatic Seikos where there is no provision to wind other than the ratchet screw or on a winding machine for automatics. I only see a Seiko once every 5 years or so, but on the last one (a chronograph), there was access to the ratchet screw through the chrono bridge, and it did seem strong enough to take it- and that's how I wound up the watch for testing.

Also referred to as the PARA 782S this is of German origin; Bruchsicher is German for Shatterproof. The P300 indicates a Precimax 300 movement.

I recently purchased a watch off eBay with broken stem I have cleaned and then dissolved stem in alum powder and replaced with new stem movement is e168 so stem not to hard to find hope you enjoy the pics Watch back with broken stem dissolving stem in alum powder mixed with water put this jam jar in pan of boiling water on cooker ring and 10 hours later over 2 days you get a crown minus stem if crown is stainless steel. Old stem and new stem next to nice clean crown and clean crown crown with new stem cut to length and tested the loctite thread seal used and seals put back . case back cleaned and seal lubed. The watch was cleaned in ultrasonic bath before reassembly. watch all back together happy happy hope you enjoyed

Welcome to the forum Enrico. I am looking at all of the tools that I am going to require. It does get a bit scary doesn't't it? All of this stuff is good for when you are multi-tasking, no?

Back in the old days when you did not have a clicker to change channels on your TV, there was a rotating mechanical channel selector to perform this task (and back then, the reason people bore children was so that they could order them to get off the couch and change the channel!!) The contacts would oxidize and result in intermittent continuity. They sold "Tuner Cleaner" spray that you sprayed on the contacts as you spun the channel selector. I cleaned a lot of tuners during my years as a TV tech. Yes, I agree that a wire-wound rheostat should work perfectly fine after spraying with contact cleaner spray. There is, of course, the possibility that the wiper is mechanically compromised...in which case cleaner will not solve the problem.

Spot on Moose you managed to understand it then , good luck with the clock they are well made and good clocks. cheers

As O.H.says its not going to look any worse but a new clean shiny dial would look odd with the case as aged as that. Personally I would clean it all up , minimise any damage and look at it again in its "cleaned up working state" then decide the next course of action. I like to see clocks with all the scars they collect in life.

Go a head with the dial as the clock is of little value so you aren't going to harm it in anyway. The only thing is it might look odd if that case doesn't clean up. I don't think it will improve much.

It is one of those little quartz movements which cost around £5.

Apparently PARA is the name of the manufacturer; "PAul RAff"

Well I'd have to un-solder to take it out, so if I'm going to do that, I'm going to replace it, especially since the brass band around the stem has broken loose. Well, it's an L&R precision cleaning machine Master model. The speed control rheostat is the knob in the very front that controls the speed of the motor. I have it apart at work, I'll take some pics of it but it doesn't have any numbers on it that I remember seeing.

The bent pivot does in fact create a poise error, so you would correct that, but you've corrected the wrong thing. If you then straighten the pivot you're out again, or if it eventually gets restaffed, out like crazy.

Hi It would be handy if our European cousins could provide a list of Material houses in Europe (EU). from what I have gathered most seem to deal with Cousins uk, may be the European houses are trade only whereas Cousins deal happily with the trade and amateur watch repairer equally.

Tighten the back plate, shake the watch, if movement is loose insdie the case !! you need a dust cover. Good luck

I've yet to put my GB mantle on the bench but in the meantime, this wee beauty was at an auction. I wasn't going to buy it but when it dropped to just £10 I couldn't resist! It's in quite a state but the cabinet has potential - love the window and the movement looks whole (it came with a bag of bits including the suspension spring and various bits of wood) but needs a lot of TLC. Maker appears to be HAC but I've not seen one like this before.

Just received my inheritance. My grandfather owned this. Has wonderful chimes but LOUD.

Bulova Seaking Automatic from 1975 I believe. Just restored and serviced this for my next door neighbour. It's 'on test' for the next day. He told me he got it for his tenth wedding anniversary and has been in a drawer for 25 years or so. Going to give it back to him tomorrow evening. I hope he will be pleased to wear it again.

Hello $0.50 butter knife from Walmart. I'm going to make you look like this piece.