Jump to content

Latest acquisition.. Movado Kingmatic, now a gentleman

anilv

By anilv
in Your Watch Collection

 Share

Recommended Posts

anilv Distinguished Member

anilv

Posted
Posted

I have a fondness for Movado, especially Kingmatics. I had previously bought on off ebay but that had a bad main-plate https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/2439-fellow-wrt-what-are-you-repairing-currently/?tab=comments#comment-24655 . I ended up buying a donor movement from a guy in Spain and the watch was back in service.

Whilst browsing ebay I cam across this example. Advertised as not running with missing automatic weight. I got it for USD 40. Usually I would have steered away from it as parts for these movements are difficult to come by but I figured I had a good chance to get it running as I had a mostly complete movement with a good balance and more importantly an automatic weight!

Pic from the ebay listing as below.

Capture.thumb.JPG.f5868e89f68b396646eb430e425dc289.JPG

Sellers pic of the dial..dial has patina but it can be re-sued as its pretty even, a bit of degradation around the edges. Date-disc looks home-made though!

335519738_s-l1600(1).thumb.jpg.e7d383c324642450855903b6ee8f957e.jpg

Movement is pretty grotty..These movements have a nice silverish plating which is part of the allure.. hopefully this will clean up.

23540282_s-l1600(2).thumb.jpg.1f37ca4bdbf785c0bbfcae890a4f9cf5.jpg

Broken crystal... simple enough to fix.

1802889169_s-l1600(3).thumb.jpg.c814d95eab1f94f7ec0211364da6942e.jpg

s-l1600.thumb.jpg.05621cfbe4c83e44f8113baad9641bbf.jpg

Well the watch arrived and first impression is good. The balance staff is good but it wont tick.. the train is stuck. When I try to set the time I hit a dead spot, looks like a teeth is missing somewhere. Then I removed the balance but the pallet fork doesn't swing. On close inspection it seems to be broken. Hmmm.. so far I'm still ok as these parts are available on my donor movement.

IMG20181027083822.thumb.jpg.a822238bda2211e52544211f50094d6a.jpg

Well I ended up using the following from the donor movement. The cannon-pinion (missing a tooth), pallet fork (broken pivot), clickspring (wasn't original), automatic weight (missing), dial (better condition) and date-disc (better condition). The dial was signed 'Gentleman' instead of 'Kingmatic' and has a slight defect in the 'gentleman' but it looks nicer. The crown on this watch is original but worn through. I'm hoping that the autowind can cope!

The movement plates were cleaned but this is the best I could achieve. The silver plating is quite thin and aggressive polishing can wear through. The bent lug will stay as it wont be so noticeable with a leather strap. Personally, I think this is one of the best looking automatic weights around!

IMG20181110083941.thumb.jpg.ad75d42b46447d6bb8228d6b78c9630f.jpg

IMG20181110083954.thumb.jpg.1fcc4ab008c945f26da45533ac859507.jpg

IMG20181110222212.thumb.jpg.9944777ee0c70b3939a32a624ac2672f.jpg

The automatic module makes a nice 'zzzz' sound when it spins.. part of the charm of its watch.

Mechanically its pretty straight forward with no surprises. The only thing a bit different from other automatics is the mainspring does not slip. Instead there is a clutch built into the ratchet wheel and the crown wheel winds through a spring-loaded secondary wheel.

Anilv

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Neverenoughwatches
      Without Our Forum

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I have it, so until we get a lunch one day , nearly everyday is with my mum at the moment.
    • RichardHarris123
      Without Our Forum

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      In the meantime whilst awaiting a better plan, please drop me a quick hello on my email. 
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Without Our Forum

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I looked at it like this, I've built a lot of stuff in my time, building structures and furniture,those are my creations and they will still be here way way after I'm gone. Traditional watchmakers felt the need to pass their knowledge on, ideas that they created . I assume with them as it is with me, leaving their mark on the earth, a way of being remembered. This creation of Mark's has brought thousands of people together to pass their knowledge around,  ideas that will continue to be used for lifetimes. Ideas that should continue to be procured. If for whatever reason the forum ceased to exist, not quite like Ranfft's, that didn't disappear but much less usable. Then that is sad, such a massive loss of communication between good people and a wealth of knowledge lost. There should be something in place for when that happens which could be next week, next year or in 10 years. Might not be a topical subject for a lot of folk or boardering on controversy, i did say i talk about stuff other people dont. But if you dont talk about it and something happens then you've lost it and you ain't gonna fix it .
    • Waggy
      Without Our Forum

      By Waggy · Posted

      I've remained silent on this thread, and at the risk of upsetting everyone, the thing that worries me the most the the apparent absence of Mark. The moderators do a great job and the members also pitch in, and the site seems to run itself, but it is a concern for the future of this forum when the owner is absent for all intents and purposes. Like many of the comments above I would hate to log in one day and things be closed down as I rely on this site for ideas and knowledge and also cheer me up. maybe the Moderators could reach out to him, assuming he does not read this thread, and express our concerns and let us know the plans going forward? some kind of WRT ark
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Without Our Forum

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      That was the exact reason for me starting this thread watchie. Still we haven't worked out how the regulars are going to hook up if it goes tits up. I honestly think something should be arranged to stay in contact, we all help each other so much. 
×
×
  • Create New...