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Showing content with the highest reputation on 12/26/15 in all areas

  1. This is a bit of a departure for me as I usually like to play with stuff a little more vintage and a little more Swiss. That being said I have done a few vintage Russians in the past and this is a watch that I had been curious about for some time. I picked this one up at a car boot sale last summer for just £3 in a less than wonderful state. As you can see, the seconds hand was off and it was described a not running. It turned out that it did run, just not too well and the hour and minute hands didn't move. Canon pinion anyone? First impression with the back off is pretty encouraging. Still looking good with the rotor off. This is a 31 jewel movement, 10 of the jewels are inside those reverser wheels. Somewhat minimalist under the dial. With the calendar wheel retaining plate off you can access the motion works, the calendar works, and the keyless works. Flipped back over and with the auto-wind bridge out of the way. This is an indirect driven centre seconds hand which has a tension spring to hold the seconds hand pinion in place. This has to be supported when installing the seconds hand otherwise the hand simply pushes the pinion against the spring and won't install. Balance cock removed with the shim that the soviets are so fond of for adjusting end shake. Hair spring is in good shape. With the train and barrel bridges out of the way the going train is revealed in all its glory. Flipped over again to strip out the bottom plate and a problem comes to light. There is some damage to the minute wheel (marked in red ink). Maybe the canon pinion isn't the problem after all? In close up you can see the damaged minute wheel tooth. This I didn't think would be a problem, just replace it..... I thought. Not so easy as it turned out as I couldn't find anyone that could supply a new wheel, and a donor movement proved elusive unless I wanted to spend a fortune on a complete, working watch, which I didn't, so I had to wait for eBay to come up with a spares or repair victim at the right price, which it eventually did. The stripped out main plate with the balance and cock, minus jewels, ready for the cleaning machine. The bottom plate back together again after a good wash cycle in the Elma. At this point I did check the canon pinion anyway and it was as well that I did. There was virtually no transfer of power through to the hands at all so a suitable adjustment was made and a tighter fit achieved. Back in the case and ticking like a champ. The rotor and massive case back gasket back in place. And a much improved trace on the timer. This is with the original mainspring which turned out to be in very good shape requiring just a clean and relube. The trace isn't perfect by any means, but compared with other Russian watches that I have played with (and with it's starting trace), it's pretty good. There is still a hint of a periodic variation that I may investigate at some point but for now I shall just wear it and enjoy it. And here it is on the wrist after a bit of a cosmetic brush up. These are available with many different dial designs, apparently this one is referred to as a "SCUBA Dude". I have worn it for two days now and it has gained about 5 seconds a day so there is a little fine tuning to do to get it right "on the wrist". All in all I'm very pleased with this one. I had been curious about the Amphibia for some time having read a couple of articles detailing its history and design. It also has quite a large following of avid enthusiasts who rate it for both value and robustness. On the value front I can't complain with this one as the total cost to me was just £11 (including the donor). As for ruggedness only time will tell, but the performance so far is very impressive.
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  2. Can't even find a picture of the movement . Are you sure it is a AS 177? Have been looking four three years for a escape wheel to a Alpina 355 . No luck yet? So i now what it's like?
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  3. Greetings, salutations, and Happy Holidays! I also have a pile of Seikos that I am gradually (very gradually) bringing back to life.
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  4. Good result Schtozo, it's a great feeling when you manage to sort something yourself.
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  5. Sent a query to both, fingers crossed! Thanks for the searching!
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  6. Spares are always a challenge & I dare say you have looked at timesavers or there is another guy who,s worth emailing John Wardle see his web site below: http://www.johnwardle.co.uk another link. https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/longcase-clock-parts ​There are guys who specialise in making parts & they advertise in the BHI mag every month. It depends on how much your budget stretches as they are not cheap.
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  7. Congratulations - I am impressed by your result. To set the hands: simply wind the date forward until it just changes and then set the hands at 12:00. You seem to be pretty close anyway as I guess that you used this method.
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  8. That's great. I know you will get it done. Cheers! That's a nice watch. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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  9. Sorry couldnt wait for a responce!! I proceeded with the hands, came up to around 11:45 :( but well thats an easy fix for later on! Here are pics of watch in all its glory on my wrist.
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  10. That's a handsome watch CW. Is the case stainless steel or plated? With any luck it will need no more than a COA to get it up and running. If mine is representative of the calibre then you will end up with an excellent time keeper.
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  11. Try these guys. I know perrinwatchparts used to supply new barrels http://www.perrinwatchparts.com/cat_name/clock_parts.aspx http://www.ycbclocks.co.uk/index1.html?lang=en-uk&target=d114.html&gclid=CK66o7i-mbsCFZHItAodlSwA2g http://www.clockworks.com/clock-parts/clock-parts.html
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