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DouglasSkinner

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DouglasSkinner last won the day on September 15 2017

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About DouglasSkinner

  • Rank
    WRT Addict
  • Birthday January 16

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  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, USA
  • Interests
    Restoration of vintage watches. Servicing watches. I also worked as a scientist (chemical physics) and statistician. I have recently tied my love of science with watchmaking by undertaking a mathematical study of the Archimedes spiral which forms the hairspring in most watches.

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  1. DouglasSkinner started following France Ebauches 140-1c, Lord Nelson Wristwatch, Eta 7750 Service Walkthrough - The Industry Standard Chronograph and 2 others
  2. DouglasSkinner
    I have a Lord Nelson wrist watch whose movement bears the name Michael Z Berger. The movement is junk but it's probably a knock off of a cheap Swiss movement so I'm trying to figure which one it is. The dial is quite elegant so I'd like to swap out the movement which is in it, and doesn't work, with a better one that works. The dial and case are in good condition, only the movement works sporadically; specifically in dial up or dial down, even stem up/down but not on my wrist! Something to do with the gear that drives the second hand which is not the usual configuration for such a gear. (se
  3. DouglasSkinner
    Just came across this! Thanks for all the effort you put into it. I was unable to download the PDF. Something may have happened to break the link. Again, thanks!
  4. DouglasSkinner
    I don't quite understand. You said the hairspring was severely twisted. Did you straighten it before putting the old balance back in? If not, how does it run at all even when you apply pressure to the wheels? What do you mean when you say the balance is skewed? Are the pivots bent?
  5. DouglasSkinner
    Just acquired this from a buyout. Anybody recognize it and know what it is used for and how to use it?
  6. DouglasSkinner
    I have a France Ebauches 140-1C movement and I need a new winding stem for it. I know that it is probably part of the Ronda system. Anybody know the number? Also is there a Bestfit, Quickfit, Schwartchild or Newall equivalent? What numbers would they be? Background: The movement is in a Caravelle N9 watch. Don't know much about later Caravelle's. It appears this watch is from the late 70's. Anybody know when Caravelle began to use France Ebauches movements? Thanks in advance!
  7. DouglasSkinner
    Yes, I didn't say what merit there might be in it. Part of the question has been answered by others to this thread in the case of non-jeweled pallet bushings. When dealing with jeweled pallet bushings for vintage watches the rationale seems to be--short of repivoting--to be that lubrication is necessary to compensate for wear. Honestly, I can't think of any other reason which is why I put my question. I was seeking other reasons. Perhaps there are none, which would be fine. I'm just interested in hearing different points of view.
  8. DouglasSkinner
    My instructor absolutely says we should lubricate the pallet pivots. But he's coming from the world of vintage watches, especially old pocket watches. Personally, per instruction I've received at AWCI and other places outside where I originally went to school, I don't lubricate the pivots on non-vintage movements such as modern ETA. But there seems to be some merit to lubricating them with working with vintage. Interested in some feedback as to whether we should?
  9. DouglasSkinner
    Thanks, guys! I don't oil the pallet pivots but having endstones threw me. I'm not going to oil them (or the hole jewels either).
  10. DouglasSkinner
    I have been taught that one should not lubricate the pallet arbor jewels. I have a watch in which the pallet arbor jewels have endstones. In that case should I lubricate the endstones the way one should, say, the balance staff endstones? Or should I not? Thanks!
  11. DouglasSkinner
    Yes, I think I'm gonna do that. Thanks!
  12. DouglasSkinner
    Just to let you know, I got a mainspring from Jules Borel. Thanks again!
  13. DouglasSkinner
    One problem I've had with that is that after I file it to a "D" it's difficult to hold in a pin vise.
  14. DouglasSkinner
    Mark has done a video on this. I followed his approach and I've been successful so far--though I'm variable on getting it right the first time. Key is to get the right consistency: neither too thick or too runny. (Hope it's okay if I post a link to the video?)
  15. DouglasSkinner
    I have an old Waltham pocket watch movement which is missing the impulse pin (roller jewel). I have a limited number of actual jewels and since this is just a practice movement I thought I'd try to make one out of brass. I've seen this several times in old pieces--usually a very sloppy job. So I got some brass stock of the same diameter as the "D" in the roller table, filed it and burnished it to a high gloss. Then I took a small, very fine diamond file and filed it half flat to form the "D" I then polished the face using progressively finer sandpaper on a steel block. This works fine--s
  16. DouglasSkinner
    Horosolv looks to be the same as One Dip, which is what I have. Both are a modified carbon tetrachloride. I think it should be ok. I've soaked balance completes in it and haven't had any problems. Don't soak in any alcohol because that will dissolve the shellac. I also use Zenith hairspring cleaner which doesn't leave a residue like One Dip. https://timesavers.com/i-22336011-zenith-hair-spring-cleaner.html
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