Sicura Satellite Restoration

[FLwatchguy73]

In my perusals of eBay I became aware of the watch brand Sicura. I also learned that they were the company that rescued Breitling from oblivion in 1979. I came across the Sicura Satellite with it's large chrome plated case, metallic blue dial and its enormous seconds hand. I was able to acquire one that needed attention on eBay for a reasonable price. When it arrived I discovered the crystal was trash, they date wouldn't change and the watch would stall after a few hours. Inside beats a Swiss, Baumgartner, BFG 158 31/7. This is a manufacturer I personally never heard of but I would become very intimate with over the next few weeks.

I stripped the movement down and during disassembly of the date mechanism I discovered the Day/Date advance wheel pivot shaft had worked itself loose and the day advance wheel itself had dislodged and was wedged under the cover plate.

I continued the complete disassembly and found no further issues other than general filthiness with oil everywhere.

 

While disassembling the mainspring to clean and lubricate it, the arbor popped up and caused the spring to exit the barrel in a knot. Thankfully, no mainsprings were harmed in the restoration of this watch, although my nerves definitely were tattered.

During reassembly I pulled the Novodiac shock springs to clean and lubricate the balance jewels and the lower spring pinged off. Thankfully I found it a week later.

I ordered and installed a new crystal because the original shattered when removing it

I assembled and tested , disassembled, cleaned reassembled, rinse, and repeat no less than 5 times trying to get it to run correctly. I used the wrong oil and it was stalling the movement. It is currently running without any lube which I will correct after I take delivery of some Moebius, but at least it's running and keeping excellent time! I took delivery of a silicone strap last night with blue accent stitching and I really think it looks the Business.

Thank you for taking the time to read this long winded story. 

 

Edited January 15, 2020 by FLwatchguy73

[Chopin]

Nice job. You resurrected that watch. You will find Baumgartner movements on many if not most Sicuras.

They're not bad movements. Not as bad as the cheap and simple EB stuff but maybe not as good as some higher grade ETAs.

The quality of the watches themselves is alright but from my experience they often time didn't resist the test of time like other watches (sometimes from less known brands).

Edited January 15, 2020 by Chopin

[FLwatchguy73]

3 minutes ago, Chopin said:

Nice job. You resurrected that watch. You will find Baumgartner movements on many if not most Sicuras.

They're not bad movements. Not as bad as the cheap and simple EB stuff but maybe not as good as some higher grade ETAs.

Thank you. Was a very educational experience.

[Chopin]

To whom it may concern, be careful when working/cleaning the inner bezel/chapter ring. The old paint will come off/flake easily. I speak from experience.

[FLwatchguy73]

40 minutes ago, Chopin said:

To whom it may concern, be careful when working/cleaning the inner bezel/chapter ring. The old paint will come off/flake easily. I speak from experience.

On this watch the inner bezel/chapter ring sits in a shoulder in the crystal itself. I had to order one of those crystals with a tension ring inside the opening to accommodate the bezel. Because the original crystal was so stuck inside the case it crumbled while trying to press it out. I poked around with a screwdriver trying to pry out the remaining lip. You can see a scratch I made at the "55" position when the screwdriver slipped.  Just another page added to this watches story.

[canthus]

Nice job. I have some BFG 921autos which I got NOS for practice and they are easy to work on and reasonable quality. 

I like the strap, where did you source it from as I am interested in one for my own watch ?

Edited January 15, 2020 by canthus

[canthus]

Thanks FLWatchguy73 for the PM.  Could prove a little expensive for me to source from USA to UK.  I will use the info though to try and source nearer home, many thanks.  For the benefit of others using this forum  I have attached the link below, hope you are ok with this.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/Wristwatch-Bands/98624/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&_ssn=honcosstraps&_dcat=98624&Band%20Material=Silicone&rt=nc