Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hi There, I'm totally new to the world of watch making. I've been a builder / fixer my whole life. I grew up with a grandfather that owned an auto shop, one uncle was a plumber the other was an electrician and my best friends dad ran a construction company. I worked summers and holidays with them all and have enjoyed anything mechanical ever since. Professionally I am in the Software industry so I'm always looking for ways to work with my hands off hours. 

Like most people I utilize YouTube a lot when needing to fix something new. I ended up stumbling onto Marshall's Wristwatch Revival channel and was instantly hooked. I have purchased an ST36 movement and some basic tools to start messing around. Would love to get to the point where I felt comfortable servicing my own watch. I have a Rolex 16610 Submariner Date which I love. I've been into watches forever. Always fascinated by the mechanics and complications. I never imagined that I could be able to service one on my own but thats my current goal. 

I've had my ST36 apart fully and reassembled a few times (minus the main spring barrel as I dont have a winder yet) and I already have some questions. I'll be sure to find the right forum and post them soon. 

Thanks! 

  • Like 3
Posted

Hello. Welcome to the great forum. All you will get from the members is guidance and information. 

"Would love to get to the point where I felt comfortable servicing my own watch. I have a Rolex 16610 Submariner Date which I love".

If you love it, don't touch it. Set yourself a date to learn enough to do a service. I have been learning for 2 years now. Could I do your Submariner. Yes? That is my skillset at present. 

However, I set myself 2 years for my own Breitling. It has flown by. Can I do it now? Probably. Will I do it now? No. It's a chronograph and I'm still learning. This hobby is flipping brilliant. I feel that I have some way to go. 

Take your time. Enjoy yourself.

 

  • Like 2
Posted
2 hours ago, rossjackson01 said:

Hello. Welcome to the great forum. All you will get from the members is guidance and information. 

"Would love to get to the point where I felt comfortable servicing my own watch. I have a Rolex 16610 Submariner Date which I love".

If you love it, don't touch it. Set yourself a date to learn enough to do a service. I have been learning for 2 years now. Could I do your Submariner. Yes? That is my skillset at present. 

However, I set myself 2 years for my own Breitling. It has flown by. Can I do it now? Probably. Will I do it now? No. It's a chronograph and I'm still learning. This hobby is flipping brilliant. I feel that I have some way to go. 

Take your time. Enjoy yourself.

 

Absolutely spot on Ross. 

  • Thanks 1
Posted

I really love Marshal's videos and cannot wait for his next installment... 

I hope to get to the point I can service my old Seiko automatic wind date models, but I know that is a distant goal.  Seiko needs (apparently) specials oils and greases, especially for the autowind feature.  one day!

Nice to see someone else in my spot.  All the best to you!

Posted
22 hours ago, rossjackson01 said:

Hello. Welcome to the great forum. All you will get from the members is guidance and information. 

"Would love to get to the point where I felt comfortable servicing my own watch. I have a Rolex 16610 Submariner Date which I love".

If you love it, don't touch it. Set yourself a date to learn enough to do a service. I have been learning for 2 years now. Could I do your Submariner. Yes? That is my skillset at present. 

However, I set myself 2 years for my own Breitling. It has flown by. Can I do it now? Probably. Will I do it now? No. It's a chronograph and I'm still learning. This hobby is flipping brilliant. I feel that I have some way to go. 

Take your time. Enjoy yourself.

 

Great advice I recently had mine serviced and the lack of complications puts it in a different category than a chrono. All that being said I hope in 5ish years I feel comfortable enough cracking it open. Time will tell thats for sure. I love it enough to not ruin it lol

Thanks again. 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1

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

    • Thanks for this post MikePilk, I just came across a similar problem with an Omega 1022.  The problem I had was the seconds pinion spring was bent out of shape and did not even engage with the wheel properly, so the seconds hand was not moving at all. (no power loss though :) I removed the automatic module so I could access the spring and work on it. Once I bent it back close to the right shape, I experienced the same problem you reported about power loss.  Many tweaks later, and the seconds hand is moving properly again, with amplitude back to good numbers again. Cheers
    • After cleaning up the pivots, I made bushes on the lathe. At this point I've pressed in 6 bushes (3 sets) and the wheels turn smooth. What I can also tell you, is that I'm not looking forward to final assembly. Getting the pivots aligned seems to get exponentially more difficult with each wheel that is added.
    • Islands are interesting places to live depending upon their size and other factors. This is a bigger island and it has a bridge to get there at least on one end. It's also big enough that you don't have to go someplace else to get things typically. It can be a problem if you get a job in Seattle though. Yes I've known of people who commuted from the island to Seattle for a job and I don't quite remember how many hours it took but it took a long time. So basically islands are nice if you don't have to leave very often.
    • Thanks @JohnR725! Everything you say makes a lot of sense and is encouraging to read.
    • isn't it nice to have a decent case open or when the case doesn't want to be opened? In the case of a Rolex watch that supposed to pass specific water resistant testing you probably do need to tighten the back down. But they shouldn't be tightened so much that they risk stripping the threads out. Then the other problem that comes up is the gaskets can start to disintegrate and then getting the back off can be quite a challenge unless you have a really good tool and perhaps some penetrating oil to loosen things up. Yes really nice case marking. When I was in school we were taught to mark the cases and  the American watch and clockmakers Institute even had a? So if you joined at one time they would give you an identification number. They were explaining or giving an example of if the watches ever found in you have a unique number they can perhaps figure out the history of the watch or identify the body it's attached to for instance not that that probably comes up that often. So you got a unique number and even made a special metal stamp that you can purchase. It wasn't a super big aggressive stamp but still it left a mark in the back of the case. Then I heard from people at work on Rolex watches they were using a felt pen indelible but later on they decided that was bad because apparently the ink could release  chemicals although it seems like once it's dry that shouldn't be an issue. Then of course today was nice is you can keep computer records sealed have to mark anything at all I personally find it's best to leave no reference behind that you were even there. Especially when you have a beautiful watch that has no markings at all and now it has your scribbling all over it not good typically if there is a typical and watch repair?  a lot of minor repairs you don't need to do a complete servicing. But beyond a certain point you're going to have to take apart a lot of stuff you're going to disrupt the lubrication even if it looks perfect right now and yes you might as well just go ahead the service the whole thing. also in a watch like this where a lot of things seem to be going on the complete service would be better then you'll know exactly where you stand versus dealing with unknown mysteries for prior repair.
×
×
  • Create New...