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Posted

I have a Record 525 which is in a pretty bad way. From what I can see it is based on a cal 650 with an automatic bridge and centre seconds pinion under the rotor retaining stud.  There are additional bearings in the train bridge for the bottom pivots of the automatic works. Of these, on has come out of the bridge completely, one is a bit mangled with an egg shaped pivot hole and one is half in, half out.

I've made bearings from scratch on the lathe before, but only for pocket watch pivots (i.e. considerably bigger than these!) and these bearings are either plated or not brass, to match the bride plate, I would guess.

I could not find a bridge on eBay so I started digging. I checked new Ranfft site (not help, but the new one seldom is) then the cousins download centre but I could not find a document for a cal 525. I did, however find one for the 650 and, scribbled on the page are the words "= Longines 701". So, obvious next step (or so I thought) would be to check the docs for Longines cal 701 and then see if there is maybe a cal close by, based on that cal with a rotor. I checked, no 701 in the downloads section. 

I did find some Longines 701 parts on eBay, which look similar to the 650 (i.e. the train bridge looks to be the same) but I feel I have hit a dead end. I have added some pictures that you may find helpful and I have photographed the entire strip down so I have more, if needed. 

I feel I have few options:

1. Close the brewing holes up and reinsert the loose bearings. Close up the pivot hole on the 3rd bearing and hope that does the trick.

2. Make some new bearings (doable but tricky and will look wrong)

3. hold out for a 525 bridge to come up online. I get the feeling this is a rare movement though (all the more a shame it is in such a bad condition)

5. See if there is a Longines equivalent and either use that, or transplant the bearings from that bridge to the Record.

Any help identifying the Longines equivalent (if it exists) would be appreciated.

Any suggestions on the alternatives I have discussed are also welcome

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Posted

Hi. I think that in view of your problems the best way to tackle it is to procure a donor movement working or not then evaluate the situation as to whether you utilise the donor as a replacement or dismantle it for the parts you need. It may be a waiting game for the spares from the net though. Some parts/movements take some finding.

Closing up the holes my work but it requires a built af skill, getting them concentric and tight enough to receive the bearing will take a lot of care. Looks like a long term project.

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