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Bulova Seaking Automatic


steve1811uk

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Hi, Need a little help with this watch. Got talking to my neighbor who is in his 80s. Told me he had an old American watch sat in his drawer for the last eighty years. To cut a long story short it turned out to be a Bulova Seaking Automatic. Looks to be 50s or 60s to me. Just need a little help regarding servicing. Any idea what the movement is? Just days 11BLACD on the rotor. Also how to get the rotor off? Watch is running but needs a clean and service. Looking forward to presenting this back to my neighbor as it was an anniversary present all those years ago.

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Hi there are references to this watch on the dr Roland Ranff web site, google Ranfft Bulova 11blacd to bring up the page. also attached id the parts sheet. actualservice data is scarce un less some member has a copy of the service douments available to share.  If you move the rotor round I think there is a screw and plate to remobe allowing the rotor to lift off.

Bulova_Bulova 11BLA etc.pdf

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28 minutes ago, watchweasol said:

Hi there are references to this watch on the dr Roland Ranff web site, google Ranfft Bulova 11blacd to bring up the page. also attached id the parts sheet. actualservice data is scarce un less some member has a copy of the service douments available to share.  If you move the rotor round I think there is a screw and plate to remobe allowing the rotor to lift off.

Bulova_Bulova 11BLA etc.pdf 1.03 MB · 0 downloads

Thank you. Any idea how to remove this wheel, to deattach it from the wheel on the other side of the bridge?

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Thanks everyone for the help. I don't have the puller tool but I think that I can proceed without pulling the two apart. I'm going to first fit the centre wheel to the underside of the top bridge (with the driver wheel in place, not separated). Then drop that down over the escape wheel and fourth wheel. Better that then risk trying to separate them without the correct tools.

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Well, I have an update. After cleaning and rinsing in the ultrasonic the two wheels have separated by themselves. So now I have another question. How are they fixed back together? Can a simple hand pusher be used, same one that would be used for fitting the seconds hand? How tightly should the wheel be fitted, how hard to push? Should the wheel be pushed as far as it will go and then rely on the end shake clearances on the underside of the bridge? Thanks in advance.

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On 9/20/2021 at 10:10 AM, steve1811uk said:

Well, I have an update. After cleaning and rinsing in the ultrasonic the two wheels have separated by themselves. So now I have another question. How are they fixed back together? Can a simple hand pusher be used, same one that would be used for fitting the seconds hand? How tightly should the wheel be fitted, how hard to push? Should the wheel be pushed as far as it will go and then rely on the end shake clearances on the underside of the bridge? Thanks in advance.

Well, I gave it a firm push from above with the bridge fitted (train wheels already in place below). Same kind of pressure as fitting a seconds hand, well maybe a bit more for luck. Seems to be on OK and there is a bit of clearance below the wheel.

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    • Yes, I was referring to the (jewelled) gear train with HP (most of the time, I use 1300, but when Rolex says 1000, I'll use 1000).
    • did I miss the update of the message of something changing?      
    • I suppose it would depend upon what your lubricating with those? for instance what does the manufacturer say about those lubricants? I have a PDF from the manufacture and a rather peculiar statement found on the bottom of the chart. my suspicion is the reason the recommending would be without epilam the HP oils like the spread except when they're in Ruby jewel's with steel pivots. tableEN lubrication 2020.pdf
    • These types of hairsprings become weak with age and very fragile. Which I expect it is that giving you trouble, and that wheel is not the correct one, if it were not bent I don't think the movement would run as the teeth are not the correct height. The problem you have is price which depends on you. It can be repaired but is it worth it to you, because there is little value in the clock. A wheel can be made and hairspring replaced. Or hang on to it and keep looking on ebay which is your best bet for replacement parts or even a complete movement but it will be like finding a needle in a haystack. 
    • I did that also for a few movements - well, mainly in/around the train jewels. I made big efforts to epilame the mainplate WITHOUT getting Epilame into the Pallet fork jewels (where it's not supposed to be, right?). I made litte barriers with Rodico around that jewel and used drops from a syringe to apply on the rest.  However, I've now stopped doing this. For three reasons: 1. It's a hassle and consumes more of this liquid gold. 2. I didn't see the need when using HP1000/HP1300 lubricants and grease for most part. The two places where I'd use 9010 (i.e. escape wheel and balance) receive Epilame in specific places... or the cap-jewel-setting of the balance suspends the oil sufficiently be capillary action (see my "conflict" about using Epilame on the balance jewels).  3. Lastly, and here I really wonder about yours and others' experiences: I felt that applying Epliame to the train jewels left them looking hazy (borderline dirty) compared to the (painstakingly achieved) sparkly clean results of my cleaning process. I just can't help but think that the Epilame residuals would mix with the oil and cause more friction/wear. I don't know.    simple: it'll stay there. It won't move any further. That's exactly what is happening if you epilame a cap stone. You end up placing the 9010 right on top of the epilame and the oil will sit nicely on that spot.
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