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Just re-assembled my first watch to where it started running. Nothing to really to see here. I'm just super excited.

I didn't see the half stem before A stem extender on that would work nice. I have some old female split stems somewhere. But if they work i don't now? I can post one? PM?

I bought a nice staking tool for under £70 or about $92. Then i found a set off like new punches at a Swedish auction site. Ebay in Sweden Tradera.

ebay ug ! ebay tools and delivery errors are even worse. there is a need for a smaller, cheaper staking set. a lot of those punches and anvils can be made on a lathe. use drill rod and then harden it. vinn

Who amongst us has not mucked up something when we thought we were on the right path? If you want to practice case refinishing, by all means find some that don't matter and record your findings for the future. Outstanding job on the Seiko jdm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 600 EUS is probably heluva lot less than Rolex charges, so that's why folks make that decision. Dave

I think for someone that has developed the skills to work a peculiar movements like the Accutron, case refurbishment will be a relaxing and rewarding task. Polished / brushed cased are no problem, for the latter I use 600 grip papers on a buffing stick always applied in a single direction, and then follow with a "magic pad" from Ebay. I have stupendous results with that, on the watches below the turtle had pretty bad dings on the front lug and case edge by the bezel, the Alpinist was in indescrivibile conditions, I still wonder what the owner did to bring the case and bezel to not have more than 5mm between one damage and another. Investment is maybe 30 euro for a generic rotary tool (get one that can rotate slowly), 2.50 per Dialuz bar, same for and hard felt wheel and mandrel. I've heard that in my country "casecrafters" can extract 600 Euro from a Rolex owner.

I was also about to point out you can get vintage staking sets staggeringly cheaply, I got a bergeon star set, complete, with extra punches, in fine, precise working order for under £100, though I doubt I could get that good a deal again. However, yes you can do a lot without the actual anvil and just get a staking block and stakes cheaply and easily.

this would be better if the price stays low I can only see the international shipping postage on it but it may be cheaper in America. it has a revolving anvil with different hole sizes. You can also pick up punches cheap of the bay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-K-D-Watchmakers-Staking-Set-/282113586763?hash=item41af47b64b:g:fHAAAOSweXhXl1M1

Thank you guys for the warm welcome! So I figure I'd share a pic of my two prized chronographs that have completely turned me into a vintage watch addict :-) ~ Cheers, Zach

Well, instead of buying a set, you might try and find some individual pieces that are not that expensive to start. First, an anvil which can be as simple as a metal block with some holes in it. Better is an anvil that supports the punch and keeps it square to the work, I've seen serviceable ones sell on the bay for not much money. Unfortunately, the punches are very specialized, and I can't think of an alternative off the top of my head. They are, however, also available individually or in groups both new and used, and can be inexpensive if you are willing to clean them up yourself. I was patient, and finally found a serviceable set used that I purchased for a bit more than $50, you can probably do better than that if you take your time. My suggestion would be to download and study material that @tomcolson has so kindly made available here - http://kanddinverto.weebly.com/ and then hone in on the items you need to do the jobs that you have at hand.

Ok, guys, what's the point? No one is selling fakes here. In a general sort of way, If anyone like the fake he or she owns, and wants to wear it, so be it! Wear it with pride I would agree since it turns you on! If you agree or don't agree with fakes, that's your problem, do or don't wear it. I don't think anyone of us can actually promote or stop fakes so, what's the point? Yes, thieves and illusions, it is all part of our physical existence: don't worry, in the next life they might go away! As for starting to get pushy against one another because we think different...that is not allowed. As a matter of fact, difference of opinions are a good think...what we think about other's and their opinions may be taken in the wrong way so please, phrase your points so it won't affect another member and please, give the respect we all deserve. To me, attack to others and others' ways are a big infringement and when you turn around, it gets back to your own ways too. It is just relative to who is attacking who. So, live and let live! If you need to fight, do it at home. Life is too short, so try and enjoy it with a smile. Thank you very much! Cheers, Bob PS. Just a friendly "warning" from a friendly moderator...because I particularly care about good order, friends and friendly forums.

Jdm, you are over simplifying, easy to think that it's easy if you've learnt how to do it, can do it well or even if you haven't had trouble with it before. But I have a fair amount of experience restoring SS myself, I don't consider it overly difficult or complicated, but there's nuances and pitfalls, things you need to know. Some of these things you can only really know through experience. When I was first learning I damaged a fair number of scrap SS items and many people do the same, they end up effecting the symmetry of the piece, smoothing over hard edges, creating 'dents' etc. I would encourage anyone here to learn how, but not on a piece that has importance, I don't want to see someone do something that might cause damage to a piece they value, especially if it's a collectible and potentially valuable piece like a spaceview. A spaceview accutron is not a practice piece. Treating it as such would be reckless.

Great job! Remember to buy the timegrapher, the staking tool set, the jeweling set and the escapement tester. Do not waste your money on cheap, disreputable tools, buy witschi, Bergeon, Seitz, and Bergeon respectively....It is only a few dollars...like US$10K....more? PS. I have to make a living somehow, remember to tell them I sent you!!! Cheers, Bob PS2. No, seriously, great job and just have fun!! I remember my first one: I was so happy then, I threw away my only time keeping devise I had before: a solar alarm clock. You know, the one with the blade sticking up...in the garden... always making this sound in the morning: cock-a-doodle-doo, oh well!

Welcome to the forum Zach! Yes, mechanicals are also my thing, but after the manuals you kind of go to the autos and eventually start thinking chronometers....it is a normal progression I guess! Cheers, Bob

Hey Zach, welcome. Once you start tinkering, you'll be hooked, for sure. Have fun!

welcome Zach; how is the election going? vinn

Welcome Zach I'm sure you'll find what you need to know here.

Ah there's nothing like your first. Good job my man keep it up it looks to be running well. Do you own a timegrapher yet it will help a lot with regulating and help with fault finding. But with the amount of oil you bought I should let your funds replenish unless of course money is no object in which case get one ordered

jdm, I would respect what alastair said about not being able to do it himself, if he doesn't feel confident with it it's probably best not attempted, you are right in that it is something anyone can learn with the right equipment, time, experience and advice, but I believe even the guy in the perplxr video said you can easily do more harm than good. Alastair, I don't know if you were looking for someone on the forum to do the work (of which there are some people that might, I'm sure) or if you wanted to know where to look to find where you live, it shouldn't be that rare a skill to find amongst jewellers and watch repair shops if there are many around you, they may not have someone who can do it onsite, but i would imagine most places would be able to offer you that service through a central workshop if nothing else. It may end up costing you a fair amount through any professional business and you'll have to be prepared that some people will be weary of doing anything to it, given what it is. whoever does it, I hope they de-case the watch before polishing it, knowing how temperamental accutrons are, I would expect the vibrations might effect the movement.

Congrats. Looks like it has good amplitude, but can you take pics on the timegrapher or equivalent application? That will tell if the watch is running properly.

Hello Zach and very mutch welcome to this friendly forum. The best there is....Im into Seiko Divers from 60 to 90. And one or two old vintage Honda motor bikes....

szbalogh... these 'flea bites' can correct some end shake but if the cock is visibly bent then it needs to be brought back so that it's at least in the ballpark. In this case the pivots don't even reach the jewel holes. Scouseget, I just had a thought.. did you check if the balance jewel settings were correct..ie not too deep in the plate? Anil

Great job, you now are in possession of a skill which is getting rarer day by day. Anil

Welcome to the forum Zach. Lots of very keen enthusiasts & pros here to advise. Enjoy this friendly forum.

Congratulations on your achievement so give yourself a pat on the back.

Hello Zach and welcome to this very friendly forum. Plenty of info on here for you. Your like me I like the old stuff.

Third and last part of the dissassembly videos: Enjoy.

That I can learn to repair watches online because the videos are so well filmed and narrated the actual list would involve making a bullet point list of everything he has said

I've put so many mainsprings back by hand I bet I'm not far off the speed of a winder I usually get one coil in then press down on top of the spring using alternate thumbs the spring just follows its natural route around the inside its simple when you've done a few.

True, I guess i don't know what I'd call patek phillip or lets go even higher, say R.W.Smith if I'm calling Omega high end, though I do have respect for Omega and their standards.

Thanks for the useful replies....that link is very good, Don. Andy, this happened before I got my staking set, and no hammers were involved...I was using tweezers,but must have been a bit over enthusiastic...still, never mind, it's all part of the learning curve...must try your method of putting the bridge back in place. I've got several more old scrappers to practice on.....

Replacing the cannon pinon I never used a Staking set. I would remove the minute wheel, place the cannon pinon over the center wheel turn my tweezers over and use the the flat side at the very top and press down. Job done.

I am still trying to figure out if I need a staking set. What are they most used for in watch repair? Sorry for the stupidity but I have not had the occasion to use one yet, however, as I get more into old pocket watches, I know I may find a use. Advise? Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk