Leaderboard

Work in progress - Smiths Streamline, Smiths Deluxe A558, Smiths Astral National 15 and a Seiko Sportsmatic 828960. Just completed a Smiths Deluxe A352: Before- After-

Alfa 156 2.0TS

Whilst you mention Quartz, here's a few photos of one of my quartz watch restorations. Luckily I have a great contact at Citizen SC in Germany, so managed to get some rare parts from them to complete this restoration, its my own Aqualand Diver. Untitled by Micky Aldridge, on Flickr Untitled by Micky Aldridge, on Flickr Untitled by Micky Aldridge, on Flickr Untitled by Micky Aldridge, on Flickr Untitled by Micky Aldridge, on Flickr Untitled by Micky Aldridge, on Flickr German Aqualand 4 by Micky Aldridge, on Flickr

If you are getting blurry/foggy end result after any compound it means it is ready for a wash. Always thoroughly clean parts after each buff or polish in a degreaser ( fairly liquid will suffice if you have no chrono clean or related cleaners ). The compounds are binded using oils so the film they leave needs to be removed. It really is crucial to clean between each stage, the best results come from patience and knowing your compounds. Just to note there is a big difference between polishing and buffing, they are not one and the same and require different techniques. I could write a book on it but i have nee the time :) Im much like Geo, i prefer hand polishing using traditional techniques with various oils, woods, burnishers, and fine powders, the results are far superior ( Geo knows what i mean ;) )

This is what I am repairing currently Vauxhall Vectra rear brakes. I heard that ominous scraping sound yesterday so bought and fitted new pads this morning. Luckily it was only the crusty rust out with braking area that touched the metal on the pad, so all is well. :)

It's nice to see all those bits and pieces brings back a few memories. How do you guys keep your bench so clean mine was always in a mess bits of watches and clocks all over the place. When I did have a cleanup which would be about twice a year I could never find anything. I thrived on mess.

Hello Bobby, Welcome to the forum, good looking collection you have there, I am sure you will find help if needed and interesting watch conversation. Noticed the bikes and you will find quite a few members who share that interest - some young and some not so young, not that it makes a difference (spoken by one of the latter category) but all like fixing watches as well. Cheers, Vic

Currently i am half way through restoring a Tudor Auto Princess which had attempted to be open by previous owner with wrong tools and then soaked in........yep WD40 GRrrrrrrrrrrrrrr It may be an oyster case but it is not WD40 proof, as you can see from dial, it needs work. So i am currently waiting to hear back from David Bill...... The movement looked like it was dipped in goop and snot, but luckily the movement cleaned up ok and is running very well considering. I have done about 50% of the case re polish which is looking quite nice. So now i just wait for news if DB can refresh the dial. Though this past week alone i have done 2 x Omegas PW 1 x Longines PW 1 x Lanco , plus im waiting for tools to finish my antique Omega wristwatch. Never been so busy :) Oh and SSteel that Aqualand is looking awesome, quartz does not usually do anything for me but the watch is superb, really good job there :thumbsu:

As mentioned above, another vote for the Optivisor, I have a few different lens too, but find the best sense for general purpose is No'3, which gives plenty of working distance, and enough magnification for working, plus it has a 3.5% loupe which flips down and away easily. Don't go for those cheap Chinese ones though, they are heavy, and very uncomfortable. Ask me how I know :) Untitled by Micky Aldridge, on Flickr

Here we go, I hope it's all self explanatory and can help you decide on what's best for you. Any questions just fire away. Cheers Jim

Looks like fun! Btw, how do you wind one of those automatic mainsprings? I have a winder but only used it on a PW mainspring. Now to keep to the subject. Nothing major here. Nice old Waltham that is running nice. Just has a broke stem and waiting on one to get here from the netherlands. Lol

Great resource Jim, thanks for posting. :)

I had to modify the link slightly. Here is the link. http://www.windingstems.com/ebosa.php