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gemmyintl

By gemmyintl
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gemmyintl New Member

gemmyintl

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My name is Jimmy Flynn.  I am a retired jewelry designer and graduate gemologist who has always had a fascination with mechanical watches.  About ten months ago I stumbled on the Watch Repair Channel on Youtube and watched episodes from time to time.  I noticed that the workflow and toolbox was somewhat similar to jewelry making, though tidier, more precise, and certainly requiring tighter discipline.  So around August I jumped in and started buying some inexpensive watches on ebay to practice on.  I now have close to a hundred watches, mostly Bulova; Elgin; Croton; Gruen; Benrus; Baylor; Hamilton; etc., with maybe a half dozen karat gold examples, and a Certina, a couple of Omegas, and about four Longines to boot. 

My experience with repairing so far has been confined to a couple of teardowns [without re-assembly yet], changing out a couple of movements, and/or dials, and of course new crystals.  I have purchased some of the basic tools that are unique to watchmaking, such as hand presses, back presses, crystal compressors, etc.  I am into this just for fun currently, but if I can gain proficiency at my advanced age I might try some commerce as well.  Not in a hurry, just wish to look back month after month and see some advancement in my experience.

I will start photographing some of my more interesting items in the future, such as a Pie Pan dial 23 jewel Swiza, and a 41 jewel Olympic Superautomatic.

I found this site searching for information on how to get the broken stem out of a stainless steel Nirva crown, and am awaiting some Alum that I ordered so I can finish off this beautiful insane green dial automatic Nirva that I stumbled on.

Always willing to participate, and offer a hand if needed

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      Welcome to the group Stirky. You can search for just about every subject in the craft here. Don't be afraid to ask if you can't find the answer that may have already been covered ( some ad nauseum LOL ). You don't have to buy Bergeon to get good quality. There are many decent mid-range tools available that will last you a lifetime. Cousins would be a good place to start . Cheers from across the pond ! Randy
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