Jump to content

Kranky Veteran in the Bluegrass State U.S.A.

ejlesher

By ejlesher
in Introduce Yourself Here

 Share

Recommended Posts

ejlesher New Member

ejlesher

Posted
Posted

Greetings all; brand new to this hobby - meaning I haven't even taken a watch/clock apart yet (other than the back plate, which I promptly put back on saying to myself "WTF am I thinking")...I am originally from the great State of Texas, but have since lived over half my current years on mother earth around the U.S. and abroad with the Army - so where am I from - the most recent place that has a good pub, beer and bourbon, cigars and people of course!

I live in Lexington, KY; home of the best spirit in the world, Bourbon, horses, and the University of Kentucky Wildcats; I graduated from University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas and my wife from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (RTR...if you know, you know).

I retired from the U.S. Army back in 2018 and have moved around a good bit trying to find a good foothold, and since retiring put one of my loves on hold until my wife and I find our 'forever' place (wondering if this is ever going to happen) which has required me to put one of my great tinkering past-times to the side - fixing old clunkers...no not classic cars, I've never had that kinda loot.

Anyway, since most of today's tele programming is complete garbage, I have found refuge in the YouTube netherworld and found videos on watchmaking / restoration...Houston we may have a problem...

After discussing with my wife, she has agreed to allow me limited reign to pursue and engage in this activity.

So here I am...scared to death of an old Seiko Automatic 7009 8079; 17 jewel 7009A movement just larger than the size of a quarter (25 cent piece for those unfamiliar with USD); I have already spent close to $200 USD on basic cheap watchmaking tools and I am pretty sure I am not even close to ready to tear it apart (again...WTF am I thinking).  Well going to give it my best shot and see if this will truly sate my need to tinker and repair until we find our forever home and I can get back into things with parts I can actually see with these crusty eyeballs.  

I hope 2023 finds everyone safe and well with many blessings!

Ev

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

    • Latetothegame
      Sovereign Case Back - How to Open

      By Latetothegame · Posted

      I have now successfully repaired 5 watches and I find it immensely satisfying.  See the picture of the 4 pocket watches.  The 2 Pocket Ben’s are Style 4 from 1939 and 1941.  They used screws, not rivets on these models  so I could disassemble them almost completely.  I disassembled, cleaned, reassembled and lubricated them and they are running well and keeping good time.   I also changed the mainsprings.  The gold pocket watch was my uncles and had issues in the keyless works that I was able to repair.  That was particularly rewarding as I can now pass that on down through the family.   Keeps great time.  The silver watch had a damaged hair spring that was not removable so I sourced a complete balance and replaced it. That has been running well also.  Finally, not pictured, I replaced the quartz movement in my 40 year old Chronosport Atlantis dive watch.  That has been my only wrist watch repair and I have been wanting to try some more .  So I purchased a vintage Sovereign man’s wrist watch with some issues to try my hand at restoring it.  Now for my question and this is embarrassing.  I can’t figure out how to open the case.  I have attached pictures.  I believe it is a snap on case but I cannot find anything looking like a tab or slot to insert a pry tool into.  I looked at pictures of Sovereign watches for sale that have the case back off and I don’t see any evidence of it being a screw on.  My simple question is how do I open this thing?  Thanks for your help!
    • Curare
      Bezel removal tool (chinese) problems

      By Curare · Posted

      Could you grind a scallop of material out of the two blocks that hold the blades to allow crystal clearance ? Or relocate two blades ? CJ
    • mbwatch
      Bezel removal tool (chinese) problems

      By mbwatch · Posted

      Mine like yours is mostly useless unless the crystal is flush and the bezel is plastic (which is easy enough to remove with a knife). A domed crystal as on a Vostok means the blades won't reach.
    • valleyguy
      Bezel removal tool (chinese) problems

      By valleyguy · Posted

      The crystal is facing down with the back facing up, it's just a design error with this chinese bevel remover, if i'd got it from another seller i may have got a chinese bezel remover made in another factory that passed QC and worked, this bezel remover will never work without modification. On the photos below you can see the differnce in blade layout the red tool looks like it's upto the job with blades contacting the bezel, the silver one is the one i got sent the blades are way too far apart and don't contact the bezel until the crystal is sat on the aluminium supports.
    • Razz
      Bezel removal tool (chinese) problems

      By Razz · Posted

      Turn it over as in the picture so the crystal side is down case back side is up. Some people put a plastic baggie so the bezel and crystal don't touch the large screws that move the tool dises in and out.
×
×
  • Create New...