Jump to content

1967 Bulova with 11AL movement

ManSkirtBrew
 Share

Recommended Posts

ManSkirtBrew Super WRT Addict

ManSkirtBrew

Posted
Posted

Got this interesting guy off eBay as a non-runner. It was fully wound to the point that I couldn't even disengage the click to let down the mainspring. I noticed the balance turned, but not easily, like it was glued in place.

Not wanting to force anything, I took it off, then noted the pallet fork snapped back and forth briskly, so I knew there was power through the train. Took off the balance jewels, and found out they were stuck together with goo, both top and bottom. You may have seen the photo in the "Stuck cap jewel" thread. It must have sat in a drawer for a reaaaaaaaaaally long time for the oil to turn to shellac like that.

I got the dried gunk off, put the jewels back in, and it sprung to life! What a fun feeling. It still needs a full service, and the hairspring looks a little suspect, but we're off to a good start.

I really love the face and case, even though it's a little small on my wrist. The movement is really slim, too. I dig it.

70a95b9f-937a-4ee3-aae9-6fa4414158f5.thumb.jpg.d73a0af2cdfce9cc178c9206bad88153.jpg

20221017_141755.thumb.jpg.7869f48e2ae7a6d4954cb1f461f90de4.jpg

20221017_141850.thumb.jpg.2f9008411e29e88228adbee75a5c7294.jpg

20221017_142108.thumb.jpg.6de691e1276c943de075930dcbe55504.jpg

20221017_143400.thumb.jpg.ddce9f5f7963cf2f06a9307e0e23f18c.jpg

108014607_RawPhoto.thumb.jpg.4bfaded884ec2f2fdd4a544098777cbc.jpg

image.png.df0f3c4d1eb85c9c1fb78b1719594d4e.png

Ready for cleaning. Such a nice, simple movement.

20221017_213459.thumb.jpg.f78094ab2a908cf7a43d662955a30f61.jpg

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ManSkirtBrew Super WRT Addict

ManSkirtBrew

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Got it cleaned up and back together! Did a preliminary run on the timegrapher after about 15 minutes after a full wind. I know amplitude is low, but I'm going to wear it around for a bit and see how it changes after a few days, then decide what to do with it. Maybe start by sourcing a new mainspring.

Gotta say, I'm pretty happy with the results. I paid a little more than I probably could have, but for something listed as a non-runner, it's not so bad.

Dial up:dialup.jpg

Dial down:dialdown.jpg

Crown up:crownup.jpg

Crown down:crowndown.jpg

 

I polished the original crystal, and of course didn't notice I put it back with the most noticeable scratch right at 12 o'clock...

20221019_221148.jpg

20221019_221048.jpg

Edited by ManSkirtBrew
Label photos
Link to comment
Share on other sites
mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted

Love the dial.

Unfortunately pics not showing yet, so don't know what the amplitude is. The amplitude will usually go up after a days running - you can see an extra 20° . Did you use 9415 on the pallet jewels?

I wouldn't bother with a new mainspring, apart from (maybe) not being exactly flat, it looks excellent. You could buy a new one that doesn't look that good.

My first step with low amplitude, is reclean and oil the balance cap jewels.

Is there any excessive play in the barrel arbor bushing in the bridge?

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ManSkirtBrew Super WRT Addict

ManSkirtBrew

Posted
  • Author
Posted
4 hours ago, mikepilk said:

Unfortunately pics not showing yet

Well that's strange. They were there when I made the post last night, but now they're all broken. I also can't go back and edit any of my posts for some reason. Hope I didn't break any rules. I'll try attaching them to this post again.

I just tried uploading the images again and got an "unknown server error." I'll have to try again later. In the meantime, I've made an Imgur album here with the images.

Last night, amplitude was 256 dial up, 233 dial down last night. This morning it's 264 and 268, respectively. Beat error of 0.1, and losing less than a second a day. Really shows what a difference letting it run for a while after servicing makes.

 

4 hours ago, mikepilk said:

Did you use 9415 on the pallet jewels?

I actually don't have 9415 yet, and have been using 9010 on the jewel faces. I've read that it's the best alternative.

 

4 hours ago, mikepilk said:

Is there any excessive play in the barrel arbor bushing in the bridge?

No, there was barely any side shake at all. I even remembered to check it this time 😉
 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted
36 minutes ago, ManSkirtBrew said:

Last night, amplitude was 256 dial up, 233 dial down last night. This morning it's 264 and 268, respectively. Beat error of 0.1, and losing less than a second a day. Really shows what a difference letting it run for a while after servicing makes.

 

I actually don't have 9415 yet, and have been using 9010 on the jewel faces. I've read that it's the best alternative.

 

No, there was barely any side shake at all. I even remembered to check it this time 😉
 

Those are excellent numbers - to get DD/DU so close shows you have got the balance pivots and jewels nice and clean !

9010 is fine on 18000/h pallet jewels - best to be sparing with it, as it can spread around.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Geotex
      Any tips to correct a sloppy error?

      By Geotex · Posted

      It's probably a cardinal rule for watch repair to never get distracted while at the bench. Yesterday, after finishing a tricky mainspring winding/barrel insertion (I didn't have a winder and arbor that fit very well) I mentally shifted down a gear once that hurdle was passed. There were other things going on in the room as I put the barrel and cover into the barrel closer and pressed to get that satisfying snap. But when I took it out I realized I never placed the arbor.  When opening a barrel, we are relying on the arbor to transfer a concentrically-distributed force right where it is needed at the internal center of the lid. However, when that isn't present it's difficult to apply pressure or get leverage considering the recessed position of the lid, the small holes in the barrel and the presence of the mainspring coils. It was a beat-up practice movement so I didn't take a lot of time to think it over and I pushed it out using a short right-angle dental probe placed in from the bottom, but that did leave a bit of a scratch and crease in the thin lid. I had also thought about pulling it using a course-threaded screw with a minor thread diameter smaller than the lid hole and a major diameter larger, but that may have done some damage as well.  Thinking about how this might have been handled had it been a more valuable movement, is there a method using watchmaking or other tools that should extract the lid with the least damage? 
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      🤔 what happens if lubrication is placed directly on top of epilame ? Making a small groove so the lubrication doesn't spread across the component but what if when lubing a little overspills and sits on the epilame .
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Setting lever spring

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      Why just the bottom mike ? Is it worth polishing the whole arm ?
    • mikepilk
      Setting lever spring

      By mikepilk · Posted

      The one thing I took time over was to round and polish the curves at the bottom of the jumper arm. The slightest mark (left over from cutting of filing) acts as a stress raiser, just where you don't need it. 
    • GuyMontag
      Movement holder made with 3D printer

      By GuyMontag · Posted

      I printed the base and it is a bit too large to fit on the base of the hand setter. The ring bumps into the column so it is unable to full seat on the central ring. I'm going to try removing some of the materal and see if I can't get it to go down.
×
×
  • Create New...