Is It Ok To Re-Model A Movement

[Legarm]

I have a Mido D9i7, that has had a mishap and lost one of the pinions. I have tried everywhere and also bidded upto £40 for a movement for spares. Didn't get it....... :(

 

Is it ethical, to make a new part to lower the jewel hole, in the bridge, to get the watch going in a condition not as the original?

[Geo]

Hi Keith, are you intending to turn a new pinion on the original shaft then make a new jewel setting that will sit lower to match the shortened pinion? A couple of really tricky operations!

On the subject of ethics, if it's your watch do what makes you happy. The only thing is if you sold it, you should really tell the buyer that the movement has been modified.

[Maurice]

Personally I think that's ingenious and par for the course when repairing old watches! If you can't find or make a new part adapting what you have is the next best thing. Be interesting to see how you achieve this. 

[Geo]

It might be worth sending this company and email first. http://oldswisswatches.com/Spares/Mido_Mechanical_Movements.htm

[Legarm]

It might be worth sending this company and email first. http://oldswisswatches.com/Spares/Mido_Mechanical_Movements.htm

 

Thanks Geo,

forgot about this company. email sent...... :)

[clockboy]

Was told last year by a pro who repairs Rolex that it is acceptable to turn down a pivot that is scored & fit a new jewel with a smaller pivot hole. Having said that, easier said than done.

[Legarm]

Hi, this was my method. Be it right or wrong, it worked. Took absolutely ages. Just to lower a jewel 0.3mm. Jeez

 

This was the problem.

 

 

Top pivot totally gone. Tried everywhere for one ..... even India, Philipines etc.

 

 

This is the Jewel I am going to install......

 

 

Had to make a hole to take the new bush to allow reaming as the bush is 1.9 mm...... this is an old Gash plate

 

Let the reaming begin............

 

 

Jewel in new bush....

 

 

Inserting Jewel into Bush

 

 

Removing Bush from Plate

 

 

Jewel in Bush

 

 

Now the Bridge...... Preparing to Ream....

 

 

 

Used reamers in steps of 0.1mm to increase aperture for Bush.....

 

 

Bridge & Jewel in Bush.......

 

 

Insert Bush into Bridge.......

 

 

Bush in Bridge.......

 

 

 

Phew, all done and back on watch............

 

Laborious, but saves another watch. Overall, the finished works look no worse than the patina on the watch already

 

 

[Geo]

Excellent job Kieth, and very well illustrated. :)

[Legarm]

Excellent job Kieth, and very well illustrated. :)

 

Thanks Geo, thought it might be interesting.....................

[Mark]

Very, very well done. :)

 

Just yesterday, I had to reduce the seating level in an old no name movement to take a donor end stone setting. It had to be done and another watch is saved from watch heaven. 

 

If nothing else is available, it's perfectly acceptable to make modifications to enhance/save a watch - that is the nature of the job, and what keeps the job interesting to be fair.

[Legarm]

Very, very well done. :)

 

Just yesterday, I had to reduce the seating level in an old no name movement to take a donor end stone setting. It had to be done and another watch is saved from watch heaven. 

 

If nothing else is available, it's perfectly acceptable to make modifications to enhance/save a watch - that is the nature of the job, and what keeps the job interesting to be fair.

 

Thank you Mark. Your praise goes a long way ............... :)

[Maurice]

Well done Legarm, Very well done!

[bobm12]

Excellent job Legarm!