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Posted

Hello 👋

Newish watch repair hobbyist here, programmer by trade.

Decided to wet my beak by starting with Marks first three courses before deciding if this was seriously something I was interested in.

Well, I've finished the courses, purchased tools, and started dismantling my own watches before shopping around.  I picked a Junkers (Miyota 9132) as my first victim, many lessons learned.  Next watch was a vintage Rospin (EB 1332), and now on to a Raketa which feels much more familiar.

Here to share my successes, and failures that eventually turn in to questions and learning.  See ya 'round!

Best, Matt

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Posted

Welcome Matt!

With a couple under your belt and Mark's first three courses you should be good to go (unlike me, still struggling with shooting jewels and screws into never-neverland).

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Posted

This is the first post I read on this forum   I read killerfred's intro and that increased my confidence, then scrolling down I read grsnovi's reply and I was promptly bought back to reality.  Flying bits!   I'll intro later, but I am also seeing if this is something I want to continue on with.  Sounds good.  

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Posted

Welcome Fred. Keep us updated on your progress along this journey.

  On 7/13/2022 at 9:41 AM, Yande said:

This is the first post I read on this forum   I read killerfred's intro and that increased my confidence, then scrolling down I read grsnovi's reply and I was promptly bought back to reality.  Flying bits!   I'll intro later, but I am also seeing if this is something I want to continue on with.  Sounds good.  

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Fear not. There are ways to deal with flying springs—baggies. For me, after 1.5 years, I don’t use baggies any more and never lose anything...takes time, patience, and attention to detail...

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Posted
  On 7/13/2022 at 12:04 AM, killerfred3000 said:

Hello 👋

Newish watch repair hobbyist here, programmer by trade.

Decided to wet my beak by starting with Marks first three courses before deciding if this was seriously something I was interested in.

Well, I've finished the courses, purchased tools, and started dismantling my own watches before shopping around.  I picked a Junkers (Miyota 9132) as my first victim, many lessons learned.  Next watch was a vintage Rospin (EB 1332), and now on to a Raketa which feels much more familiar.

Here to share my successes, and failures that eventually turn in to questions and learning.  See ya 'round!

Best, Matt

Expand  

Good man Matt and nice to meet you. A Raketa, you'll find this great to work on. Lacking finesse but robust, practical and reliable. Theres a few fans here of the old Russian movements  inc. Watchie and me. Theres a couple of videos kicking around recently posted about their factory and manufacturing, a little eye-opening if you are interested in that side of watchmaking young fella. And great to have some young blood join the group matey 👍 

Posted

Thank you for your introduction and welcome to this friendly forum.

We all look forward to your contributions and continued involvement. 

  • Like 1
Posted
  On 7/13/2022 at 10:13 AM, LittleWatchShop said:

patience, and attention to detail...

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I feel this, sometimes my eagerness to make progress leads me to mistakes!  Like some dial scratches removing the sub second hand on my Raketa :sigh:

 

  On 7/13/2022 at 10:36 AM, Neverenoughwatches said:

Theres a couple of videos kicking around recently posted about their factory and manufacturing, a little eye-opening if you are interested in that side of watchmaking young fell

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Sounds interesting, I'll definitely check it out when I get a chance.

 

  On 7/13/2022 at 10:36 AM, Neverenoughwatches said:

And great to have some young blood join the group matey

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Thank you, cheers!

Posted (edited)
  On 7/13/2022 at 8:35 PM, killerfred3000 said:

I did that with the hour and minute hands but I found it was hard to get the bag and the tools underneath the tiny sub second hand.  

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You maybe need to take the thickness of the levers down where they fit under the hands. Most dials will scratch very easily some even with a very soft sponge if they are laquered. Hand levers should always be used with either a poly bag or some kind of dial protector. Try to reign your keenness in, can be difficult i know when you are engrossed with a particular task. I've made some horrendous mistakes while rushing to get something finished. Never a good idea. 

Edited by Neverenoughwatches
  • Like 1
Posted

Hi  The bit of bag I use is very thin but tough and the hand levers I made my self and the tips are thin but strong enough for the job and made of copper rod fitted to a brass tube handle.

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