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It is highly unlikely to be gold, or even gold plated to any significant degree. The watch is based on probably the lowest spec EB8800 movement. Anything with even modest gold plating will generally have some indication on it that it is plated. Anything that is solid gold will, in my experience, invariably have a hallmark of some description. You can verify that it isn't gold in a number of ways, but most of them will be mildly destructive, if, as in this case, the body of the watch is a base metal. Non omne quod nitet aurum est.

http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/longarm.html Have a look at these....I'm in the UK but I'm sure I have seen the advertised in the US

Elliott made there own clock movements. Myself I have two Elliott clocks, I have never know them to be made in Franch. Sure I can help you with your clock. Just ask when you want to start.

I'm a bit of a sucker for anything with a blue dial. (Who am I kiddin', I'm a sucker for anything with a dial.. or even without).. .. so today we have two sunburst blue dials. The square one is an EB88XX 17 jewel Newmark day/date, probably from the late seventies or early eighties judging by the design, and the second is an Accurist Accu2 quartz. The Newmark needed the usual clean, service and polish (I still need to do the crystal, but it has a small crack, so I may look at finding a replacement). The Accu2 needed a battery, but that was the easy bit. Persuading the back to open, without damaging it was far more tricky, especially since there wasn't a mark on it, and I didn't want to spoil that. I eventually resorted to super-glueing a large stainless steel nut to the back, and holding that in the bench vice, while gently twisting the watch body. I got to the stage where I was convinced the nut was going to part company with the back, before it yielded to my efforts. I little blunt force, and some acetone, removed the evidence of the nut, and the back has escaped undamaged. The Accu2 looks unworn, not a mark on it. Both watches are now ready to join the club.

If you have a look for the Ronda winding stem replacement you should look for one called RONDA 1362, sometimes it's easier to get those. cousinuk obviously says they are obselute but a romainian ebayer has them, bought some odd stuff from him before. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cyma-Tavannes-watch-stem-1pc-NEW-many-calibers-1-13600-aufzugwellen-tige-NOS/392155509345?hash=item5b4e4a3261:m:mPeA9Xj8u9nYtzZ60NQMzog

PaulnKC....Your only a youngster...Its personal preference I know but I use a long arm microscope. I prefer it to anything else. Plenty of working space between the lens and the watch and possibly less eye strain. More expensive than most but hell you only have to buy it once.

Hi I read in an old book some where the gentle use of a soft pencil rubber can help but try it on a part or old dial that does not matter, steer away from spirtit based fluids as they can remove paint and decals on dials usually mild soap and a gentle rub will do. Becarefull not to remove the patina as its is part of the watches history.

One of the biggest problems due to modern living, which can cause trouble with any clock, is the type of heating we have in our homes. Dry heating can cause the lubrication to congeal or evaporate which will cause wear to any mechanical movement. With carriage clocks, it is most important to make sure all the glass panels are in good condition, you do not want dirt or dry heat getting in. I disagree with nickelsilver about 5 years. I used to tell my customers providing you look after it bring it back in 7 to 8 years for an oil but do not leave it as long as 10, that went for Longcase clocks as well. What you are doing with your watches is fine. Giving them a wind now and then is very good, it keeps the oils and parts moving.

Talk to a microsurgeons secretary or even your dentist, ask what company sells them optical supplies, ask company's representative for free examination of your eyes, your eye glasses, combination of your eye glasses with the device and free trial period at home. You pay more for just the piece at stores. Prices are not so high to shy away from.

I use a magnifying lamp. It is pretty effective, but good ones can be a little pricey.

I am 59, My peepers are not as bad as yours , I use various strength off the shelf reading glasses , depending on how close I need to get to the work.I use a bausch and lomb 10 x loupe for really small stuff.Recently I purchased a jewelers eye loop (their spelling) item 94364 from harbor freight. It isn't half bad.

you would be my hero if you could do that

Try this - I have about the same eyesight and this has two lenses and a white led light for each. The light makes all the difference. Quality is excellent, too. Steve This is on Amazon. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Please ignore my post as only two words at end got printed, I have no idea where the rest of my post is, perhaps the dog got it.

Herewith mvt photo:

My watch owes me £7 plus a battery plus a bit of time. So would £15 inc p&p be any help or if not what would you want for your case etc? My main objective is to try and keep another elderly watch working and hopefully subsequently fund another "resurrection". I will open the case up in the morning and let you have some photos of the movement.

Today I'm road testing the black dialed Citizen Eagle 7 - 21 jewel automatic I cleaned up yesterday. It has had a hard life, and has a plethora of battle scars, but is still keeping good time. The sapphire crystal responded quite well to the long tedious process of polishing out the worst of the scratches. I will probably eventually replace the crystal, but it was a worth while test of my polishing skills as this one was about as bad as they get. Best I can tell it is from September '93 - which at 25 years old, makes it a relative youngster in the 404 club.

I believe the 6530 has been obsolete since the late 90s. An "equivalent replacement" was apparently a Pulsar VX20, however that is now obsolete with no listed replacement as far as I can tell. My 6530 came to me as a non runner but after a bit of attention it is now running fine, but the case, dial and glass are not the best. I can sense a deal forming.....

On this side of the pond they seem to be quite abundant. Here's at least one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Seiko-6530A-Quartz-Watch-Movement-with-Dial-and-Hands-For-Parts-or-Repair/113668585813?epid=5004511682&hash=item1a772cf955:g:GGwAAOSweYtbJXps&frcectupt=true The seller notes that he will ship worldwide.

Mine for today, (yesterday also). Roamer.

I don't wear this one since it is NOS...but maybe one day.

Today's watch is a microbrand. Never before have we had so many choices concerning watches. Literally, anyone can source cases, movements, dials, even display boxes for a minimum investment. There's no need to do the expensive design and development, just use standard off the shelf components with the exception of whatever branding you choose to add. Some suppliers have such a low minimum that as few as 100 watches of a particular model can be assembled and sold for profit. This has produced some outstanding examples of good component selection, coupled with savvy marketing. Many of these microbrands are destined to be a 'one and done' effort. Most have little or no service support after the warranty period. I'm encouraged to think that this means more work in the future for watchmakers. Most of these microbrands don't use ETA movements so parts aren't all that difficult to come by. Thanks to the power of the internet, virtual storefronts can be built quickly and easily to display and sell these watches. Overall value, if any, is in the eye of the beholder. This is an Aquatico Pilot, Blue Angels model. It is powered by one of my favorite movements, the Seiko NH35 which features hacking and winding plus date but no day wheel. It is a robust, fairly accurate movement that is widely available. The watch features a stunning blue dial with C-3 lume on the numerals and hands. You can almost read a newspaper with the emitted light in the dark. The case back is the display type with an etching of an airplane on the inside. The watch came with two different straps, one vintage leather and one solid nylon. I like both but have the nylon strap on it most of the time. I purchased this from a previous owner who tired of it after only wearing it a few times. The watch was essentially new with no faults at all, yet I paid slightly over half the cost of a new one. Everyone loves a bargain, including me.

Thank you Sean for your introduction and welcome to this friendly forum.

Level one of Mark's watchrepairlessons goes through in nice detail what basic tools are required as well as giving you a nice grasp of what is involved in watchrepair. Judging from the fada, I don't suppose you are in Ireland Seán? Sent from my Redmi 4X using Tapatalk

Just for fun today, two watches (or more) in one. This animal from the subcontinent, was purchased in the full knowledge of its franken genes, and obviously it came well within the self imposed budget. Free shipping from Mumbia too. What's not to like. Its a Seiko 5, well sort of, and its an Alwyn at heart.. kind of.. and its.. well who knows what else its Indian creator stirred in to the mix. One surprising thing is that it is actually quite an accurate little piece. Perhaps we can put that down to hybrid vigor, a product of its many origins. I'm sure that is not how you spell Seiko.. and I'm sure the rust wasn't factory fitted. That doesn't look right to me either.