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Finished my first pocket watch repair

aitaita
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aitaita Member

aitaita

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Just finished up my first repair attempt on an 1939 Omega 38.5LT1 GSTP watch.

Bought it as a non working watch for $80 Usd and was pretty happy I just had to replace the mainspring with one from a parts watch (Still took 3 hours though)

The barrel had some very rusty looking oil on the arbor, so I cleaned it and the mainplate/bridge pivots with Naptha.

Took me a about 2 hours just to rewind the donor mainspring. my conclusion is the 3D printed winders Aren't the best for pocket watch mainsprings. So I'm going to buy a bergeon winder Since I expect to be working with this calibre quite a bit.

Once I get some proper oils and cleaning fluids I'll go through again and clean everything. And probably replace the crystal once I decide how I'll deal with the lume.

But for now I managed to get a watch to run within 10 sec/day without causing more damage, so I'm perfectly happy with it as is.

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aitaita Member

aitaita

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19 hours ago, Razz said:

Source a new crystal! That would really make it pop!

17 hours ago, nevenbekriev said:

Be aware that the lume is radioactive. Take adequate measures to avoid inhaling or swallowing  particles of it

Yeah, I noticed the lume when I was buying the watch, I'm gonna wait until I have the supplies to fully service and replace the crystal before I go through and finish the watch.

aitaita Member

aitaita

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I attempted using denture cleaner to hide some of the hairline cracks in the dial, Worked great but also removed all the lume (I knew the risk at least)

Which is great because it now gives me an excuse to try reluming a dial and hands!

 

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rehajm Super WRT Addict

rehajm

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That’s going to be quite attractive when complete. Do you know the calibre size? The movement resembles the classic Omega 30t2 in a larger size…

Edited by rehajm
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aitaita Member

aitaita

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I just finished my first attempt at servicing the watch.

I'm pleased with the results. I did not expect such a good improvement with the amplitude. Found a crack in the balance bridge jewel which is now also on my list of things to fix.

My oiling skills probably need work, and new oil is now on my endlessly growing shopping list.

 

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Edited by aitaita
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  • 2 weeks later...
aitaita Member

aitaita

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New Crystal has been fitted! managed to get the profile and size perfect on the first try.

N Sternkreuz 43.8

placeholder dial while I'm waiting on some lume to be delivered.

IMG20241025195349.thumb.jpg.7853f5d982181bb3e24610959b4312ff.jpg

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aitaita Member

aitaita

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Four Weeks later, it finally looks finished, Luming the dial went well, the finish is a bit too goldy was hoping for more of a brown.

Looks great compared to how it started though, the hairline cracks in the dial cleaned out well.

Now to find a new watch to work on (Before I decide to have a second go at the lume).

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Edited by aitaita
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