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Help Identifying This Vintage Watch


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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

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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.

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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!

 

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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

 

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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 ?

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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

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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. 

 

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  • 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

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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

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  • 3 months later...

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