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A friend asked me last year if I could fix her 9kt gold Adaux cocktail watch that had been left to her by her mother. A quick look soon diagnosed a broken balance staff, so the Internet hunt began. The first complete balance that was sold as "new" had both pivot broken off, but luckily a refund was made quickly. The second came from the states and was NOS still in original blister pack. The movement is an FHF 60 and is slightly smaller than a new UK penny so this was going to be a challenge because of the size. I duly set about about dismantling it after dressing my smallest screwdrivers to ensure perfect fit with the tiny screws, particularly the one that hold on the cap jewels. The movement was thoroughly cleaned, lubed, reassembled and timed using my timegrapher. I am well pleased with the timekeeping. I refinished the case and crystal, installed the movement and fitted a new strap. It certainly made a change from working on these "massive"gents watches!

From a personal seller who ships the item from inside the EU, none. If sold by a VAT registered business (represented by the seller), you would have been liable for VAT if not already included in the price. The other tricky area is when a seller within the EU ships something to you from outside the EU - counts as an import subject to customs/VAT. This one sounds safe though!

This is an interesting question which, appart from the intrinsic build/design of the movement might have to do to what we hobbyists and watchmakers do "at the shop" with the timegrapher. As per watchmaker's class: " Different watch companies may adjust to different sets of positions, but the following are common: 1 position adjustment: DU (dial up) This watch can be said to be only regulated! 2 position adjustment: DU and PD (crown down) 3 position adjustment: DU, DD (dial down), PD 4 position adjustment: DU, DD, PD, PR (crown right, vertical position) 5 position adjustment: DU, DD, PD, PR, PL (crown left, vertical position) 6 position adjustment: add PU (crown up) to the above positions. Six position adjustments are difficult! First: equalize the horizontal positions: Rate difference between DU and DD can usually be attributed to differing friction in the two positions. Check pivots, jewels, lubrication, and rubbing of balance wheel or hairspring in one position but not the other. Second: equalize the vertical positions: Differing rates in the vertical positions are caused by the effects of gravity on the balance complete. Errors are caused by an out of poise balance wheel or a hairspring that has been deformed from its ideal shape. Third: equalize the horizontal and vertical positions: Very slight opening or closing of the regulator pins may be attempted. Careful so the pins don't pinch the hairspring. Rules: 1. Opening the distance between the regulator pins and hairspring slows the rates in all positions. But, the vertical position (crown down) is affected more than the horizontal (dial up/dial down). 2. Closing the distance between the regulator pins and the hairspring speeds the rate in all positions. But the vertical (crown down) is affected more than the horizontal (dial up/dial down). When all the rates are as close as possible, the regulator can be used so that all or most of the rates show a slight gain. If the actual wearing conditions cause the watch to gain or lose, the regulator can be used to achieve a rate to match the wearing conditions. This is sometimes called “adjusting to the wrist.” Once the watch is regulated for position, carefully replace the winding rotor. A careless bump against the regulator or the stud when installing the rotor can affect the timing. Once the watch has the case back on, recheck the timing again." So that's all there is to it, easy as pie!