a seized up movement ?

[Nikkie]

Hello everyone. I love watches. But a complete novice at repairing.

I recently bought a beautiful art deco cocktail watch that has lost its glass. The case is so lovely so I decide to rescue it. I got a replacement glass, so that part is sorted. 

But the movement doesn't run. The hands moves when you turn with the crown. I wonder if the movement is just seized up. What's the best way to clear the build up dirt without taking it apart? 

 

many thanks 

 

A novice 

Edited August 10, 2021 by Nikkie
add info

[jdm]

2 hours ago, Nikkie said:

I wonder if the movement is just seized up.

That is unlikely. Gently nudge the balance wheel with a toothpick. If it leans on a side you have a broken pivot. Otherwise it may start to oscillating feebly and that means it can probably be made to run acceptably. And you should post it good picture of the movement.

 

2 hours ago, Nikkie said:

What's the best way to clear the build up dirt without taking it apart?  

None really. Even if just hobbysts we struggle to do the right thing, that means no shortcuts to full stripping, inspection, cleaning and oiling.  Beside, if it doesn't run as mentioned above, it would still not run even if "bath cleaned" in petrol.

[Klassiker]

Hello Nikkie,

Well done for wanting to rescue it, and there is every chance that it will run again, but it does need a full service as @jdm describes. It has been said many times before, but ladies' watches are really hard to learn on, because the parts are all so tiny. My advice is to put this one aside until you are more competent and confident.

[watchweasol]

Hi  Its good that you feel inclined to rescue a watch but as has been explained earlier by jdm and Klassiker not the easiest watch for starters. So to be kind to the watch,   as Klassiler said put it aside and gain some skills first with larger pieces and then practice on a scrap ladies watch to get the feel of it , as has been said the parts are quite a bit smaller to manipulate and needs great care not to break pivots etc.      good luck and practice.

Attached a couple of Pdf's for your interest.

1831920544_ToolsfortheHobbyist.pdf TZIllustratedGlossary.pdf

[oldhippy]

You say you are a complete novice at repairing. My advice to you is you shouldn't undertake such a task as a  seized up small watch movement. Not only will you most likely have to obtain parts, but if parts are not available they will have to be made 

[Nikkie]

Thank you all so very much for all your replies. Much much appreciated. I wasn't sure what's best way to start. Watched a youtube video, the great watch repair man made it all looked so easy.

Thank you so much @watchweasel for the documents. They are gratefully received. 

I'll take many of yours' advice to start on a bigger watch as a learning /practice exercise. I have a half hunter, will have a go at that. It ticks happily which made me feel rather sorry that I'll have an "operation on it" soon. 

For @jdm's question, the balance wheel does not run. It moved when poked, but appears to hit something and swing back. Maybe it's what you said the pivot is broken. It's a Mido cocktail watch. I have found a website to sell Mido parts, but perhaps it does not stretch far back enough to include my watch. would it be possible to use a generic part? And how do I go about to find it? Do I just need the model number of my watch or do I need to give precise measurements?

I attach photos of my little patient for reference. 

 

Thank you all again for all your help. 

 

Nikkie

Edited August 11, 2021 by Nikkie

[jdm]

7 hours ago, Nikkie said:

I have a half hunter, will have a go at that.

When learning, please leave alone vintage, branded, heirloom pieces and any other that may have even a small sentimental or tangible value. We have a pinned topic about which movements are recommended to beginners, either get these or proceed at your own risk knowing that all odds are against you and the piece.

 

7 hours ago, Nikkie said:

 the balance wheel does not run. It moved when poked, but appears to hit something and swing back. Maybe it's what you said the pivot is broken.

If the balance wheel does not lean all around the pivots should be fine. It may have happened that the balance has overbanked due to shock and the impulse jewels is now out of the pallets fork horns. In that case it would be enough to loosen the balance cocktail screw, lift the wheel so slightly with tweezers into the direction where it hits. But it's a bit of a delicate manouver, sure you may get lucky but I recommend that you at least learn first what it what, and the logic of this stuff.

7 hours ago, Nikkie said:

would it be possible to use a generic part?

It depends on the watch, and on the part. About getting spare parts have a read below.

 

[watchweasol]

Hi  If you look under the balance wheel there is a number stamped into the plate, It looks like 858 can you confirm that it is so.  You may need the number should you require spares.  I checked one reference site, no tech sheets for Mido XXX, plenty for Mido but all mens watches.

As jdm mentioned likley over banked, first thing to look for.

[jdm]

4 hours ago, watchweasol said:

If you look under the balance wheel there is a number stamped into the plate, It looks like 858 can you confirm that it is so.  You may need the number should you require spares.  I checked one reference site, no tech sheets for Mido XXX, plenty for Mido but all mens watches.

I don't know for sure but I would bet that Mido didn't do anything about the movement except paying for a big lot of them from the actual manufacturer.

Back at the time the FHF, AS and Wilhelm Tell knows how many others, were the ETA, Miyota and SII of our times. They would sell movements in quantity to anyone who needed them, that was an easy task especially for ladie's, because back then as now, qualities of the movement were not important at all, as what made the finale sale was the bling factor, and a nice shop (or Internet) presence.

Anyway all that is immaterial to the OP, because first is not even know if any part is faulty, and even if it is, vintage ladies watch are so much unwanted that you can gate get big lots of donors for very little money.

[spectre6000]

I'm one of those people that serially takes on new and interesting skills. I can build engines, make stringed instruments from scratch, design and build electrical devices, code web applications, etc. etc. Watchmaking is almost certainly the most difficult skill I've ever tackled. Be aware of the girth and capsaicin content of the burrito from which you're taking a bite.

That said, check out the 404 club as another great way to get some inexpensive donors for learning on (destroying completely and irreparably). You WILL bork a hairspring. Your first watch almost certainly will not survive. The advice to set this one aside if it has any meaning to you should be heeded. Mido is a decent and respected manufacturer to boot, so doubly so. 

Edited August 12, 2021 by spectre6000

[Nikkie]

Hello every one, thank you very much again for all your replies. Much appreciated. 

I certainly will set the small Mido watch aside and start on a bigger watch to try things out, and will watch the youtube again, and take photos while I'm dissembling the movement. 

@watchweasel, the number under the balance wheel is indeed 858. Thank you. Could you recommend a good make of screwdrivers? I suppose the bad one will definitely cause more accidents. I'm going through the document you sent through. I wonder if I can find more info on Omega watches. 

@spectre6000, thank you for your caution for the Mido watch. Yes, I have done a research on the company, and definitely wouldn't want to cause problem to it. 

@jdmThank you again for all your advice. I'll start slowly. Hopefully one day I will be able to be competent enough to repair the watches that I wish to preserve. I do love beautiful watches, I also appreciate the quality of the movements. I currently have two Omega, and one Longie in addition to my newly acquired Mido. I have to say in small voice that " they are all cocktail watches."  They are all very beautiful. To me they embodied both the height of technology  and the best design of the day. 

 

Thank you all again, and wish you all a good weekend, 

 

Nikkie

 

[jdm]

1 hour ago, Nikkie said:

Could you recommend a good make of screwdrivers?

Have a read into the topic below, especially the latest page.