Attic fresh

[Bearman]

Evening I thought I'd share my modest attic fresh finds less the nasty wrist bands. I bought them mainly for the Sekonda. Both not working, the Sekonda's balance was wrapped round it's rotor.

But the Timex really surprised me as it started to work as I adjusted the time. Stopped a bit, and after a bit of shaking and a gentle warming on a radiator I've got it to go. Though it does , run a little slow. The self winding side of it seems to work, however when I go to wind it manually it the crown winds back when you let go.  I guess this might be something to do with the click not engaging. 

[watchweasol]

Hi two nice looking watches, whats the number at the bottom of the timex dial as it gives quite a bit of information like model and date of manufacture.

[JerseyMo]

yes, the click is worn on the Timex. It is a model 106 movement.

[Poljot]

20 hours ago, Bearman said:

Evening I thought I'd share my modest attic fresh finds less the nasty wrist bands. I bought them mainly for the Sekonda. Both not working, the Sekonda's balance was wrapped round it's rotor.

But the Timex really surprised me as it started to work as I adjusted the time. Stopped a bit, and after a bit of shaking and a gentle warming on a radiator I've got it to go. Though it does , run a little slow. The self winding side of it seems to work, however when I go to wind it manually it the crown winds back when you let go.  I guess this might be something to do with the click not engaging. 

Take a look at this "sophisticated" click

 

[JerseyMo]

I like to call that the "bean counter click".   cut cost and make sure these damn watches don't last forever

[Bearman]

Thanks watchweasol. I've had another look and it says the following at the bottom of the dial:

Great Britain "46562 10878"

JerseyMo, the plucky little watch isn't done yet. The auto-winding is definitely working. I've been checking in on it periodically and giving it a shake. It's ticking away as it should and the date advances, even if it's running about 12-15 mins slow over roughly a 12 hour period. I've warmed to it for sure. The bean counters can't mark this one off their spreadsheet just yet.

Hello again Poljot. Is the "sophisticated" click just a piece of bent metal engaging the teeth? I think I'll have to investigate further and report back, after I've cleaned the DNA and grime from around the case back before I open it!

 

[watchweasol]

Hi    according to the list its a 108   manufactured in 78.  manual attached.      cheers

108 (2).pdf

[Bearman]

Thanks watchweasol that's fantastic. I've had a quick scan through, it's always good to have a manual. You don't happen to have the 104 manual it refers to for cleaning?

Off now to read and digest, thanks again.

[watchweasol]

Hi   104 manual attached.  a bit more reading.

104 (1).pdf

[Bearman]

Thanks again. They explain the process pretty well and are a great help. Took the back off the watch tonight for a quick look and thanks to the manuals confirming, I need to get my hands on a crystal lift tool before I go any further. 

[Poljot]

1 hour ago, Bearman said:

Thanks again. They explain the process pretty well and are a great help. Took the back off the watch tonight for a quick look and thanks to the manuals confirming, I need to get my hands on a crystal lift tool before I go any further. 

Do not get fooled  by simplicity of movement's agricultural look. Depending on how far you go with taking it apart, you may find soon that servicing Timex movements could be a royal pain, or simply irritating. Trying to fit all the wheels at once while holding two plates - can be challenging. Hairspring Wedge Pin - is also a "gift" from Timex, and so are V-conic bearings, and the balance screw. Good luck, but remember that preferred method of servicing such movements was Repair by Replacement with Timex refurbished movement.

[watchweasol]

Hi If you can dismantle a Timex and put it back together again and make it tick a conventional watch should be straight forward. Consider this as your apprenticeship.    all the best an good luck.  just be patient.

[Nucejoe]

14 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

Hi If you can dismantle a Timex and put it back together again and make it tick a conventional watch should be straight forward. Consider this as your apprenticeship.    all the best an good luck.  just be patient.

I am with weasol, when you see a non running timex, run and fast.

[Nucejoe]

2 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

I am with weasol, when you see a non running timex, run and fast.

correction , 

I agree with weasol.

[Bearman]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I've nothing to lose by investigating further, I'm in no rush and plan to take my time and it'll be another learning curve for sure. I've another project on the go at the moment, and I should really finish that first before embarking on the next challenge.

I saw the bit about the hairspring wedge, they make it sound so simple in the manual, I'm sure it's not......

[watchweasol]

Hi like I said before just take your time and don't get frustrated, because putting a Timex back together can be frustrating. Lining up all the wheels and dropping on the plate. Pinning the spring will be a bit daunting first time around but gets easier with practice.     all the best

[HectorLooi]

I love Timexes! It must have desiged to be an insult to the Swiss watch industry.

It's a real paradox. It's so simple yet so complicated. Anyone who is trained as a watchmaker would find them frustrating. 

Some are really ugly, some are simply elegant. Just look at their dials. Even after 50 years, some still look as good as the day it left the factory. And they are all held on by 4 metal tabs folded over the bottom plate.

Many of them have really taken a beating but just keep on ticking.

They may look like crap on a timegrapher but would still keep good time.

They are just great fun.

[HectorLooi]

What I'm wearing right now.

[Graziano]

I just have to find a strap but I would like a beads of rice bracelet. 

 

Edited January 22, 2021 by Graziano

[Poljot]

2 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

What I'm wearing right now.

Nothing wrong with this Timex. It looks solid! 21 Jewels!!

[Poljot]

1 hour ago, Graziano said:

I just have to find a strap but I would like a beads of rice bracelet. 

 

You will also need a crystal:

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-iic0hc/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/41441/70958/aluminum_box_tins_15.0252__38087.1477097411.jpg?c=2

 

[Graziano]

2 hours ago, Poljot said:

You will also need a crystal:

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-iic0hc/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/41441/70958/aluminum_box_tins_15.0252__38087.1477097411.jpg?c=2

 

Hey Poljot are they sapphire crystals? 

I agree don't get me wrong I'm just throwing in a bit of humour at my expense. But thanks for the link to the crystals 

[Poljot]

7 hours ago, Graziano said:

Hey Poljot are they sapphire crystals? 

I agree don't get me wrong I'm just throwing in a bit of humour at my expense. But thanks for the link to the crystals 

Definitely, custom made, just for your Timex and my Omega. I also keep one for MechanicMike You see how clear it is!

Edited January 22, 2021 by Poljot

[Bearman]

Good evening. I thought I just give you a little update as you were kind enough to share your wisdom. I had a interlude from Project Sekonda to look at the Timex as curiosity got the better of me.

JerseyMo, you were spot on with your diagnosis, yes indeed the click was worn. On close inspection there's a groove worn right into the click by the ratchet teeth. Is there a way to repair this or is it a case of looking for donor in the hope it's got a less worn click?

Many thanks again

[JerseyMo]

an NOS replacement click is the best solution.  These are not so easy to come by so the next best is to find a donor.  You can find them on many Timex movements from the late 1970's thru 1990's. models would be in the 100 range. 104,105,107, and so on.  I know some have tried to bend down the portion of the tip on the old click to get it to catch the ratchet gear.  But, this is more of a temp fix and likely not to last very long.