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It sounds encouraging. However, *** start rant *** it defies belief that watchmakers will make drastic decisions regarding their jobs based on parts availability. I am not worried in the least. Ok, I enjoy working on modern calibers for sure, but there is still more than enough vintage watch work out there in order to make a living from watch repair. It is possible that the guys thinking of making these decisions are either too lazy to adapt or are just bored with their jobs. I don't know. But for sure, there is enough work out there for vintage repairs - if parts are not available, and you love your job, then adapt!! *** end rant *** :) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was asked to have a look at this family heirloom just handed to me from a friend of a friend as it was not working and they thought it may have some value. The quality of the movement did not inspire, to say nothing of the identity of the watch !!! As I had never done a pin-lever before I decided to have a go and get it running again. On inspection I found it be in reasonable condition but very dry and the balance was very stiff and not working. Once the balance and lever were out all ran freely, so I reckoned a good clean and lube would solve the problem. For those interested I have done a walk-through for the assembly as the strip-down is just the reverse basically. After a good clean of all the parts in lighter fuel (I'm only a hobbyist) and a strip and relube of the mainspring, the assembly followed First the gear train, block for stem gears and intermediate wheel were assembled and lubed Next the barrel was installed (sorry for quality of pic) Then the train wheel bridge/plate was added and checked for free running from barrel to escape wheel, and lubed The keyless works are added and lubed, note the yoke also acts as a spring against the setting lever and action checked The winding wheels and the unusual click spring are added and lubed and action checked. I forgot to take pic of this next stage but the assembly can be seen in the dial fitting below. The pin-lever was added and checked for kick The pins and escape wheel where epilame treated and oiled with M941, and the fork was wiped with M941 on a wedged end of pegwood, this is because they are all metal to metal contacts. Even the balance table jewel is metal !! The balance was added, lubed and checked for function. There are no balance pivot jewels (in fact there are no jewels at all !!!) just holes in the main plate and balance cock. The holes lie under the round plate on the mainplate and the regulator on the balance cock. These were removed/lifted to lube with M9010, the cock plate being a bit tricky/delicate. The canon pinion was added and lubed. This is not a friction fit but is driven by the intermediate wheel. The minute wheel and dial washer are added and lubed The dial has split posts which are just spread open (what technology !!) so this was fitted very carefully so as to avoid damaging the balance or lever which are very close by as shown in pics Stuck in on my timegrapher which showed a very noisy trace (not surprisingly) but managed to get it reasonably regulated despite iffy beat error and rates in some positions. I aimed at a reasonable rate when worn and it actually keeps fairly good time within 1 minute a day on average. The hands are fitted, and the movement put into the case-back and case-top/bracelet are refitted. AND NOW I CAN REVEAL THE IDENTITY OF THIS HIGH END WATCH Yes its a really awful 1970's fake !!!! So no family fortune here then !!

Glad you all enjoyed it. The movement was made by Wurthner, Germany as the heading says. It is commonly known only as Wurthner 10 1/2 ligne, beating at !8000 bpm It was first made in 1959 with 1 jewel in the balance and was developed to this model of about 1970 with NO jewels !!! Power reserve is about 33 hrs. They did not make many of this model as they ceased production shortly after introducing it, so oddly it is a bit of rarity !!! I agree it does look a bit like some BFG movements but there are differences (eg the shape of the click spring and balance position). Similar movements were often fitted to some Newmark and Ingersoll branded watches of the time. The watch is known as 'Highway Gold' and probably made in Europe somewhere rather than Asia. This and other copies were sold by road-side chappies in southern Europe (like they do today at holiday resorts!) in the 1970's and spreading much wider later. The case isn't plated but a polished brass-nickel alloy called 'pinchback' (ie probably made from metal scrap). It is a seriously bad fake, can't even spell 'Constellation' (the 'n' is missing).

I want a Rant as well !! It is often not clear how bad Swatch prices are and I understand why Mark is not particularly worried. As as far as I can see the real problem will exist only when todays watches become "Vintage" and I have separate views on that plus I will be dead by then. Swatch got their hands on some good brands like - Omega, Longines, Breguet, Tissot, Mido and Hamilton amongst a list numbering about 20 (which also contains some bling crazy stuff as well that I personally don't like but accept there is a market for) Whilst perusing the Omega site I came across the info on repairs which to use, you first have to define your watch category, however they kindly supply the categorisation grid. cs_price_list.pdf Complete Maintenance Service Prices.pdf So for my little old Omega Bumpers born in 1943 and 1946 that would be £680.00 for a maintenance service (for each one). The likelyhood of me ever paying that for watches that cost less than half the maintenance service cost is Zero. Swatch demand an extraordinary level of investment by a business before it is accepted into their "family" I totally understand where Mark is coming from and because of my rather nasty and suspicious nature, I could not trust a business that invested thousands and tooled up to join the gravy train. I would prefer to do my own research to look for a well reputed,skilled proper old fashioned watch repairer. End of my rant as well - I feel so much better now Cheers, Vic

A while ago in another posting I mentioned that I was getting some "Cuticle Sticks" as used by manicurists etc. My research had indicated that they are made from orange wood ie the same as our pegwood ! I have received them from the bay and total cost for a pack of 100 was £1.99 (with free P&P as well). They are 4½ inches or about 115 mm long, chamfered at one end and pointed at the other and seem to fit the bill. Just the right length for my hand. Just thought I would share - if you are thinking about getting some make sure orange wood is mentioned in the description. Cheers, Vic

I truly enjoyed your rant Mark! :)

I apprenticed with a very fine piano technician in Winnipeg, Bill W., who often had a couple of people working in his shop besides himself. We were working on key spacing on a grand and the other apprentice said, "We're spacing keys; I guess that makes us space men." Bill didn't say anything but he came back a little after noon and said, "Come on spacemen, it's time for launch."

Enjoy your trip Mark, and don't worry about us, we can hold on to our questions till you return. Have a safe trip

my last name is ramsey. when i started a new job back in 1996, one of the guys started calling me that. when i type in a user name on a new forum or something like that, you would be surprised at how many times it's already taken. at least you can be sure of one thing - if you are in an auction for timex watches, you have little competition. you're gonna win a lot of auctions.

Bench mod: I added some hobby craft 6mm foam to a piece of 3/4" plywood with 2way tape, then cut corners so it would fit across both arms and snug to benchtop. If foam gets mucked up, which it will, replace with new piece. Under I put anti-slide rubber squares to keep from moving about. You can really see even dial screws on the white foam. (hopefully not too many!) Note the blue home made post-it dial protector!

My desk, for now. Quite crowded...

I haven't been able to get in contact with mark to enquire about his watch repair service. :(

A fraction.. not really. A basic Grand Seiko cost like a basic Rolex or Omega, maybe a bit less depending on exchange rate and in-country taxes. A premium one.. like a premium Swiss one. Precious metals and one-off units, same story. Seiko savings is only in entry-level.

Best wishes Mark Better in the air than in a vice ! :bow: Cheers, Vic

Wish you all the Best Mark, i have been very busy with Valentines so i know the feeling. But i hope your other source of incomes starts pumping cash flow for you as well. Good Luck Omar

Mark, did you lose some weight?

This field is best learn, as it has been ever since, in a mentor-apprentice or senpai-kouhai setting. In this age of online forums and the likes, I consider Mark as my senpai. So just like Mark, I'll have some of my balls hang in the air. And so far I like the cool feeling. :D

Good source for parts too. http://www.obsoletewatchandclockparts.com/index.htm