Advice wanted on Grandpa's Watch!

[rozcoeb]

Hello!

Just wondering if people can give me some help about my grandpa's Belinda Nautilus 20 ATU Superautomatic. I can't find very much about it online, so any information would be valued. Its been in grandpa's hands for many decades, and a while ago it stopped working, and fell into a state of disrepair. I was wondering if there are any decent watch repair shops that know what they are doing, as I would like to keep all original exterior parts the same, for memories sake, and I don't want to had it to some poor quality shop that might ruin it. Maybe it could be a youtube restoration video for Mark!

[RichardHarris123]

Hello and welcome from Leeds, England. 

Knowing where you are located would help. 

[rozcoeb]

53 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Hello and welcome from Leeds, England. 

Knowing where you are located would help. 

Hello!

I'm from Reading, England.

[RichardHarris123]

The BHI have a list of accredited watch repairers. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

Watches like this are often better in the hands of a good amateur. The average watch servicing and repair shop can be reluctant to take things like this on. Parts if needed can sometimes be difficult to source, that is all time that a business might not want to lay down. Richard's suggestion is likely going to be the best or a recommendation from someone that has found a reliable repairer. Shame we can't see inside it to evaluate the situation better, I'm doubting that you will want to tackle removing that screwdown caseback. 

[rozcoeb]

2 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Watches like this are often better in the hands of a good amateur. The average watch servicing and repair shop can be reluctant to take things like this on. Parts if needed can sometimes be difficult to source, that is all time that a business might not want to lay down. Richard's suggestion is likely going to be the best or a recommendation from someone that has found a reliable repairer. Shame we can't see inside it to evaluate the situation better, I'm doubting that you will want to tackle removing that screwdown caseback. 

OK thanks, I've messaged a repair shop so I'll see what they say. Even if they can't repair it, at least I'll be able to see all that is wrong.

[RichardHarris123]

I found a photo of what I think is inside but I  can't make out the caliber. 

[rozcoeb]

42 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

I found a photo of what I think is inside but I  can't make out the caliber. 

Yeah ok, thanks for finding that

[Neverenoughwatches]

[rozcoeb]

5 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Awesome, would you be able to put the link of that here please?

[RichardHarris123]

6 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

How did you make that out? 

[AndyGSi]

1 minute ago, RichardHarris123 said:

How did you make that out? 

It's under the balance.

[Neverenoughwatches]

2 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

How did you make that out? 

Just zoomed in under the balance and took a couple of cracks at the caliber. 

[RichardHarris123]

1 minute ago, AndyGSi said:

It's under the balance.

Yes, but I really must need new glasses as I couldn't read it. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

2 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Yes, but I really must need new glasses as I couldn't read it. 

I know you've seen the tattoo on my right arm .

11 minutes ago, rozcoeb said:

Awesome, would you be able to put the link of that here please?

https://www.emmywatch.com/db/movement/eta--2472/

[rozcoeb]

Do you reckon I should contact Mark for a possible repair? Could make for a interesting youtube video!

[RichardHarris123]

None of us can speak for Mark but I personally I wouldn't bother him. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

Mark doesn't appear to make many videos these days, it would at least have to be something special. 

[Nucejoe]

 Try winding the watch manually by winding crown,  does it run?  do the seconds hand move and for how many seconds. 

Shake the watch for about two minutes, does it run?  After winding pull the crown out to time set position and advance the hands, does it run then? 

If it runs 30 seconds or more,  your balance pivots are likely to be in good shape, so a new mainspring & clean might be all it needs.

2 hours ago, rozcoeb said:

Do you reckon I should contact Mark for a possible repair? Could make for a interesting youtube video!

      Not a good idea

Rgds

 

 

 

 

[rozcoeb]

6 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

 Try winding the watch manually by winding crown,  does it run?  do the seconds hand move and for how many seconds. 

Shake the watch for about two minutes, does it run?  After winding pull the crown out to time set position and advance the hands, does it run then? 

If it runs 30 seconds or more,  your balance pivots are likely to be in good shape, so a new mainspring & clean might be all it needs.

      Not a good idea

Rgds

 

 

 

 

OK thanks for that, the watch runs and kept time for the time I ran it which was about 1 hour. Do you reckon I would be able to replace the mainspring myself? I suppose I could watch some YouTube tutorials! Also, the hands are misaligned, about half an hour out. I guess that's just a simple fix of taking the hour hand and taking it off and adjusting it.

[VWatchie]

58 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Mark doesn't appear to make many videos these days, it would at least have to be something special. 

What a paradox! Something that couldn’t be more special to one person means nothing to another. (Just a reflection!)

3 hours ago, rozcoeb said:

Do you reckon I should contact Mark for a possible repair? Could make for a interesting youtube video!

 

5 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Watches like this are often better in the hands of a good amateur.

So true! My assessment is that it would take at least a full day’s work to restore this watch, and significantly more depending on what might need repairing. Sure, a professional could handle it, but would the customer be willing to pay?

Edited December 28, 2024 by VWatchie

[RichardHarris123]

4 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

 

3 minutes ago, VWatchie said:

What a paradox! Something that couldn’t be more special to one person means nothing to another. (Just a reflection!)

Pretty sure @Neverenoughwatches meant Mark would have to find something unusual in the watch to showcase in a new video but yes, everything is only worth the value you put on it.

[rozcoeb]

Bit of a rookie ordering vintage parts, what one of these mainsprings do I buy? Or do I need to see inside the watch first.

[Klassiker]

7 hours ago, rozcoeb said:

I would like to keep all original exterior parts the same, for memories sake, and I don't want to had it to some poor quality shop that might ruin it

If this is true, please do not even consider attempting the work yourself as a first ever watch repair project.

[Neverenoughwatches]

13 minutes ago, VWatchie said:

What a paradox! Something that couldn’t be more special to one person means nothing to another. (Just a reflection!)

object attachment belongs solely to its owner. It's the same when we are suffering inside ourselves for whatever reason, yet people around us are happy and completely unaware of our pain.