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Wintex - cannot open

Charette
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Charette Watch Enthusiast

Charette

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Hi all.

Alright - what am I missing with this Wintex in terms of opening it up? I cannot find much online about the brand.

I can spin the back with a rubber ball, but there are no points to put a case knife to be found. I have even looked under the microscope.

Any input appreciated.

edit - if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. I found the opening for a case knife - it was filled with crud and/or case metal. Picked it out with tweezer end and I’m in business now. Feel foolish but I can’t seem to delete the thread.

 

51059C84-5A73-4588-87C6-712A070C50D6.jpeg

F33A8E33-D6D2-401A-8618-A5266A5A8DC3.jpeg

EA2E38B7-82B8-4CD3-BCC9-76DD12F0757B.jpeg

Edited by Charette
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Charette Watch Enthusiast

Charette

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37 minutes ago, ManSkirtBrew said:

Don't feel foolish. We've all been there. I'd love to see pictures of what you find inside!

Thanks.

Looks like we have a AS 1130 inside, looks to be nice condition. No service marks inside the case back but has definitely been opened before judging by some case damage.

I like the patina'd dial but the case is pretty beat up. I'll have to see if this is one I learn about plating on.

Wintex1.jpg

Wintex2.jpg

Wintex3.jpg

Wintex4.jpg

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Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

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Posted
5 hours ago, Charette said:

Hi all.

Alright - what am I missing with this Wintex in terms of opening it up? I cannot find much online about the brand.

I can spin the back with a rubber ball, but there are no points to put a case knife to be found. I have even looked under the microscope.

Any input appreciated.

edit - if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. I found the opening for a case knife - it was filled with crud and/or case metal. Picked it out with tweezer end and I’m in business now. Feel foolish but I can’t seem to delete the thread.

 

51059C84-5A73-4588-87C6-712A070C50D6.jpeg

F33A8E33-D6D2-401A-8618-A5266A5A8DC3.jpeg

EA2E38B7-82B8-4CD3-BCC9-76DD12F0757B.jpeg

Haha. Deleting would be unjust lol . You have to take it on the chin matey. We all make mistakes, some of mine have been spectacular lol. Take the shame along with the glory that shows a genuine person. Case openings are easily missed, sometimes you have to go around and around to find them. Even then on old watches there are no entry points and you have to make your way in, Tom Cruise mission impossible style 😉. I'm pleased you found it,  saves resorting to TNT.

4 hours ago, Charette said:

I like the patina'd dial but the case is pretty beat up. I'll have to see if this is one I learn about plating on.

Good for you Charette.  I like your style, doing whatever is necessary to restore to the best of your ability.  Something that I'm looking into,  just a couple of aquisitions i need to make and a motorised rig to set up .  Not a particularly difficult process once youve figured out the refinements you will enjoy the researching and learning 👍

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Charette

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18 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Good for you Charette.  I like your style, doing whatever is necessary to restore to the best of your ability.  Something that I'm looking into,  just a couple of aquisitions i need to make and a motorised rig to set up .  Not a particularly difficult process once youve figured out the refinements you will enjoy the researching and learning 👍

I've done a bit of research so far and ordered a nickel anode today, as well as went a bit fancy and got a variable dc power supply. Lots of fun!

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Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

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3 hours ago, Charette said:

I've done a bit of research so far and ordered a nickel anode today, as well as went a bit fancy and got a variable dc power supply. Lots of fun!

Any dc supply is usable, phone and device chargers, car battery chargers but i did the same as you as the variable voltaage and amperage  gives you more control. You will need 2 anodes charette for the ion transfer, one for the anode and one for the cathode. A tub of vinegar to create the electrolyte solution from and also a small low rpm dc motor. The motor is to give the case motion while it is in  the solution which helps to evenly plate it, that was my logic for it anyway. You may be on with it sooner than me 🙂 as i have no anodes yet, i was hoping to make use of something else.

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Charette Watch Enthusiast

Charette

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11 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Any dc supply is usable, phone and device chargers, car battery chargers but i did the same as you as the variable voltaage and amperage  gives you more control. You will need 2 anodes charette for the ion transfer, one for the anode and one for the cathode. A tub of vinegar to create the electrolyte solution from and also a small low rpm dc motor. The motor is to give the case motion while it is in  the solution which helps to evenly plate it, that was my logic for it anyway. You may be on with it sooner than me 🙂 as i have no anodes yet, i was hoping to make use of something else.

Off topic from the original thread now, hope that is ok, but re the anode the one I ordered is an inch wide - I hope to cut it in half and save for cost of a second 🙂

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Neverenoughwatches

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53 minutes ago, Charette said:

Off topic from the original thread now, hope that is ok, but re the anode the one I ordered is an inch wide - I hope to cut it in half and save for cost of a second 🙂

I would think its ok Charette you were the original poster, its not like the thread has been high jacked. And a lead on to discuss your project once you achieved getting the back off. Good money saving tactic mate but you will likely need more in due  course. If you want to help me think of something in everyday use that is nickle the input would be appreciated.  I was thinking nickle cans or coins ?

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Charette

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On 10/22/2022 at 2:21 PM, Neverenoughwatches said:

I would think its ok Charette you were the original poster, its not like the thread has been high jacked. And a lead on to discuss your project once you achieved getting the back off. Good money saving tactic mate but you will likely need more in due  course. If you want to help me think of something in everyday use that is nickle the input would be appreciated.  I was thinking nickle cans or coins ?

Can’t say for certain but my guesstimate is that anything used in the day to day would be an alloy or just have a nickel plate itself, so it would pollute your solution. They don’t make things like they used to eh. 
I ended up ordering a second anode, they were 13.99 each CDN from Amazon. The first came and it was a bit thicker than I thought so didn’t feel like going at it with tin snips. 
I think the same product is on aliexpress for around $6, once you add 2 it automatically goes from free shipping to $9, and then there is the time. 

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Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

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6 hours ago, Charette said:

Can’t say for certain but my guesstimate is that anything used in the day to day would be an alloy or just have a nickel plate itself, so it would pollute your solution. They don’t make things like they used to eh. 
I ended up ordering a second anode, they were 13.99 each CDN from Amazon. The first came and it was a bit thicker than I thought so didn’t feel like going at it with tin snips. 
I think the same product is on aliexpress for around $6, once you add 2 it automatically goes from free shipping to $9, and then there is the time. 

Thanks Charette, i was struggling aa well to come up with something. I think some old americam coins are pure nickel. I wondered if anything from engineering was usable and even thought about zinc plating. I will probably do the same as you to get started. If you watch some of nekkid watchmaker's videos Jo does plating sometimes, there will be a tip or two on the process from there.

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