First Men's wristwatch project completion

[Razz]

This is a fairly inexpensive Hong Kong special from the late '60s or early '70s. I don't know for sure as the movement is just 1 jewel and has a stylized stamp AP C364-1 that I cannot find info anywhere. Picked it up for $4 on Friday at a swap meet. Not running but the mainspring was fully wound. Time and date changing was functional. I really liked the root beer color of the dial. Pretty successful disassembly, had a rusted dial screen on the top that ended up breaking in half so the dial could come off. But I ended up scratching the dial when taking of the hands. Oh well, learning lesson on hand removal. 

I did not open the mainspring barrel because of the plastic wheel, but seems that it is fine because the amplitude is quite good. Rate is a bit fast, but the amplitude and beat error are acceptable after 24 hour

 DU amplitude was over 300 with a lift angle of 52 degrees. But that could be artificially high if the lift angle setting on the timegrapher was wrong. This is after about 20 hours on a full wind. I will try to adjust the rate in a bit. A little all over the place on the rate and amplitude but no pallet jewels or any others except on the balance.

Edited February 13, 2023 by Razz
Added more photos

[Razz]

Found the movement on Ranftt after searching for Remex. Came up as Parrenin and they showed an exact match ca. 1975. Research show lift angle of 42.0 degree and put back on the time Grapher. Lost about 60 degrees of amplitude but was able to dial in the rate a lot better. Still jumps around a bit but not bad considering I did nothing the the barrel. DD I actually went up from 177 to 234 in amplitude.

[watchweasol]

Hi looks a robust movement,  like the dial colour. Quite striking.

[rehajm]

Economical movements can be frustrating to work with but I appreciate some of the design solutions the makers devise to money. This one has some unusual features. Did they save money by not slotting the crown wheel screw? 

It does have kind of a 70s HK vibe 

Edited February 19, 2023 by rehajm

[JohnR725]

7 hours ago, rehajm said:

Did they save money by not slotting the crown wheel screw?

It's a problem with the inexpensive watches yes they did save money. They would've saved more money if they just pushed it in and didn't have a screw at all.

[RichardHarris123]

On 2/13/2023 at 6:17 PM, Razz said:

This is a fairly inexpensive Hong Kong special from the late '60s or early '70s. I don't know for sure as the movement is just 1 jewel and has a stylized stamp AP C364-1 that I cannot find info anywhere. Picked it up for $4 on Friday at a swap meet. Not running but the mainspring was fully wound. Time and date changing was functional. I really liked the root beer color of the dial. Pretty successful disassembly, had a rusted dial screen on the top that ended up breaking in half so the dial could come off. But I ended up scratching the dial when taking of the hands. Oh well, learning lesson on hand removal. 

I did not open the mainspring barrel because of the plastic wheel, but seems that it is fine because the amplitude is quite good. Rate is a bit fast, but the amplitude and beat error are acceptable after 24 hour

 DU amplitude was over 300 with a lift angle of 52 degrees. But that could be artificially high if the lift angle setting on the timegrapher was wrong. This is after about 20 hours on a full wind. I will try to adjust the rate in a bit. A little all over the place on the rate and amplitude but no pallet jewels or any others except on the balance.

Use a clear plastic bag over the hands so you don't scratch the dial. 

[Razz]

I did use the plastic but pressed too hard. When in doubt stop and reassess. I just pressed too hard. Even with a plastic shield you can damage a dial, as I found out the hard way. Not really noticeable without magnification, but I know it's there.

Edited February 19, 2023 by Razz

[Razz]

5 weeks later still pretty decent for $4 bucks and some fun learning!