Jump to content

Help Identifying This Vintage Watch


Recommended Posts

Hello,

 

Hoping to get some help identifying this watch. This was my wife's grandmother's watch, which most likely she received from someone as a gift (she was a gynecologist and people tend to get really excited about giving birth and want to present their delivering doctor with all sorts of gifts). It was in a pretty bad shape and not running. The face of it is pretty scratched up and I can't make out the name of the brand. I can possible make out something like "CRE 17 Rubis" on it. The bridge inside says "Swiss Made 17 jewels". 

I am hoping to try to restore it as I didn't notice anything wrong with except it was pretty dirty. So hopefully, it just needs some cleaning and lubrication. This is my first restore/repair job, so wish me good luck 🙂

 

image.thumb.png.d8b0331e898ee9f6332970267541dcd1.pngimage.thumb.png.06928f445f5356a9c14b8ef46910cab2.pngimage.thumb.png.1377a81671a7ea44e308515e6c53f1eb.pngimage.thumb.png.74803ad3762f1d41dcca3587a5a7f1ee.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

28 minutes ago, 0812 said:

Thank you. I did take a bunch of pics in the process of disassembly. So here are a few. I didn't see any other inscriptions anywhere else except "AV41".  Thank you!

 

image.thumb.png.514baab721abfd4ad99f9a3d4570ef5c.png image.thumb.png.2fa86e711c36f2eeb9eb26475cb6745d.pngimage.thumb.png.e20543840453f36a98ac0cdf235d8b9c.pngimage.thumb.png.ee8c3a1f3f37ea78932572a8c9d6935c.pngimage.thumb.png.b9825dccdb4bcee4b580698821c7a5b2.pngimage.thumb.png.dcb04ae09ada3bf366b0a00164680f69.pngimage.thumb.png.0821700c7ac417639239b468e2e25213.pngimage.thumb.png.c9b91f72a9136c8f06883e5e8f5a5402.png

Don't know the movement but the trademark is. 

 

34 minutes ago, 0812 said:

Thank you. I did take a bunch of pics in the process of disassembly. So here are a few. I didn't see any other inscriptions anywhere else except "AV41".  Thank you!

 

image.thumb.png.514baab721abfd4ad99f9a3d4570ef5c.png image.thumb.png.2fa86e711c36f2eeb9eb26475cb6745d.pngimage.thumb.png.e20543840453f36a98ac0cdf235d8b9c.pngimage.thumb.png.ee8c3a1f3f37ea78932572a8c9d6935c.pngimage.thumb.png.b9825dccdb4bcee4b580698821c7a5b2.pngimage.thumb.png.dcb04ae09ada3bf366b0a00164680f69.pngimage.thumb.png.0821700c7ac417639239b468e2e25213.pngimage.thumb.png.c9b91f72a9136c8f06883e5e8f5a5402.png

 

Screenshot_20230401_152924_Chrome.jpg

Screenshot_20230401_153700_Chrome.jpg

6 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Don't know the movement but the trademark is. 

 

 

Screenshot_20230401_152924_Chrome.jpg

Screenshot_20230401_153700_Chrome.jpg

The check spring has snapped off.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, thank you. You guys are good! 

So do you suggest I change the mainspring? Is this what you mean by "Cousins"? 

https://www.cousinsuk.com/search?searchTerm=GR4077

Also, "The setting lever spring on the set bridge (part #445) is broken" - which of my pictures do you see it on?  

Sorry for the noob questions, I am new to this. And thanks a lot!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, 0812 said:

So do you suggest I change the mainspring? Is this what you mean by "Cousins"? 

https://www.cousinsuk.com/search?searchTerm=GR4077

That's the spring you need, but you will be able to buy one in the US.

The set spring is the part arrowed below. You can see yours has broken off at the arrow.

 image.png.e3c82a3b4663b9b28468e15bdbf0f00c.png 

image.png.e0101231e268a6a6ee85b7e3fe8e81b3.png

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, mikepilk said:

That's the spring you need, but you will be able to buy one in the US.

The set spring is the part arrowed below. You can see yours has broken off at the arrow.

  

 

 

oh wow, I see. Thank you. How would I go about looking for it? Should I look for Aurore Villeret setting lever spring on the set bridge part #445 ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

41 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Can you make out what it says on the dial?  Please post photos when the dial is cleaned and let us know how your progress. 

I can't unfortunately. Any recommendations on how to clean it? It looks like someone tried to scratch off a layer off of it, thinking that it's dirt or rust. Very unfortunate. I used an ultrasonic cleaner and a swab with alcohol to clean it, but definitely needs more work. 

image.png.5bed4f5fc8f73f0ae744873688d72878.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

25 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Not sure there's anything more you can do.  I think it says Acre 17 rubis.

These are meant to be good. Can buy cheaper options. Won't remove the scratches. 

Screenshot_20230403_222533_Chrome.jpg

Thanks. From what I understand Ancre 17 Rubis is a generic term for "With 17 rubies". So no brand name on the dial as far as I can see. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Guys, I am starting to reassemble this watch back together after receiving some of the parts that were broken. I came across this part that fell out during the the disassembly and i didn't capture where it belonged. Any ideas? image.thumb.png.17a2f601459e995ab6977e4067b12826.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Klassiker said:

That's the setting lever. It goes on the dial side and is part of the keyless works. It is held in place by a long screw with a short thread, which is fitted from the movement side.

Thank you. can you tell me where on this picture would it sit? image.thumb.png.90691a252cd9f162d125cef62e8158b1.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

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.



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • But it also makes it seem less susceptible to gravity. If you place a droplet of oil on an epilame-treated surface the droplet of oil will still stay in place even if you then flip the surface from a horizontal to a vertical position. That is, the oil droplet remains anchored, and that's the purpose of epilame. If it was just a matter of creating an oleophobic surface we could probably use other, less expensive, methods!? I don't know @Waggy but my gut feeling tells me you're spot on (pun intended!). I believe the oleophobic property is a side effect of epilame which is designed to keep the oil anchored.
    • Saturday morning 27/4 Sunday evening 28/4 Monday evening 29/4 Floor has a drain in the middle so I am hoping that there is very little fall on it, if any. Room is about 2.5 x 2.5 metres square. Can only use about 1/2 of one wall on the right of the pictures which has a sliding glass door in it. And only about 3/4 of the wall to the left of the pictures as it has the door to the house in it. Progress. 🙂 
    • This makes much more sense now, the oil is withdrawing itself to make as little contact with the epilame as possible. Same principle as wax on a car creates a hyrophobic surface that makes the cohesive properties of water molecules pull together.  The water beads run off only when under the influence of gravity but still remain cohesively beaded up. And as mentioned earlier a pivot would keep the oil in place on a cap jewel.  Epilame on an escapement would be a different scenario, there is nothing to hold the oil in position if gravity tugs at the bead to move, plus the escape teeth pull the oil about Maybe this is why its suggested to run the watch for a short while to remove the epilame to make two oleophobic surfaces either side of the oil, creating a ring of fire 🔥 around it 😅 The oil is repelled by every surface of the epilame even that which it sits upon. So the oil pulls together to make as little contact with it as possible, but the oil cant float above that area, it can only sit there on top of it. Under gravity the oil could potentially run away as an oil bead, unless the epilame has an adhesive property which i dont think it does ? So something else keeps it in position ie a pivot under a cap jewel . But that isn't the case in a pallet jewel situation. 
    • As with every skill it watchmaking, it takes practice. Notice at the top of the document it says, "Practical work - 40 hours".  I can get the balance wheels 'close enough' to flat, but never seem to get them perfect. Same with gear wheels. Guess I need more practice.
    • Has it got a beat adjustment on the platform or is it a fixed hairspring? in short what you are looking at to get it just about in beat is to get the roller jewel sitting dead centre between the banking pins. So remove the platform and take of the pallet fork and escape wheel to give you clear line of site, sit the platform with the balance in place and with it level look between the banking pins and see if the roller jewel is sitting between them, if it is nice and central its there or there abouts in beat, if its not the the position of the pinned end of the hairspring needs to be adjusted to move the roller jewel into the correct position, thats why I asked if it has an adjustment on the platform or not, if it has its an easier job. 
×
×
  • Create New...