New To Watch Repair

[PhilM]

Hi my name is Phil

 

I recently had a sort out in my home office and was surprised to find that I had a number of watches five in all, which I had accumulated over the years. A few of them were not working.

 

As I have had no watch repair experience at all and as I am in my 60's I thought I would like to learn how to go about trouble shooting and repairing my present watches.

 

The oldest is a Benson of London Automatic watch which belonged to my late father. A Seiko 6309 Automatic Day/Date. Both the Benson and the Seiko work then stop after a while.

I bought an Omega Constellation Automatic Dat/Date from an auction house in Southend a few years ago. That is similar to the first two in that it works then stops after a while.

i have a Seiko 7T32 battery powered Chronograph, which has given up the ghost, a new battery failed to kickstart it into life!

 

The watch I wear everyday is an Ollech & Wajs Day/Date Chronometer with a Valjoux 7750 movement which I love. (pictured)

 

Having thought about it I decided to check out YouTube for tutorials on watch repairing and I was impressed with Watch Repair Talk. So over the following months I hope to get some knowledge to be able to tackle some of my watch issues. I have taken the step of buying some rudimentary watch repairing tools and have dipped my toe in the water with the Seiko 7T32. 

 

 

 

 

 

[noirrac1j]

Hi Phil,

Welcome to the forum! I would suggest you start with a cheap watch (that works) before you dive into any of the watches you've talked about. All of them require a good knowledge base before even thinking of attempting an overhaul/repair. The Valjoux 7750 is a movement I have NOT attempted because although I've done watches from Omega, Bulova, Waltham, Seiko and many pin levers jewelled and unjewelled, I don't have the skill set to do a complicated chronographe--yet. Start with something very simple--no complications just a basic hour, minute and seconds watch. There are many knowledgeable guys on this site that will give you excellent pointers along the way.

 

JC

[Geo]

Welcome to the forum Phil, you have come to the right place to get encouragement and guidance on watch servicing. I strongly suggest that you study some of the videos made by the forums boss Mark.

They can be found here https://m.youtube.com/#/user/jewldood

I also suggest that you purchase a couple of cheap working watch movements from the likes of eBay and practice on these before starting on the ones you already have. You will make some mistakes along the way, and I is far better to make them on movements that are not important to you. Just ask if you need help, there are plenty of folk here to help you.

[PhilM]

Thanks for your good advice JC and Geo. There is nothing wrong with the Valjoux 7750, it is working fine at the moment JC. I will take on board your advice Geo about purchasing cheap working watch movements to practice on. I am already ploughing through Mark's videos.

[bobm12]

Welcome Phil, and yes, there is good advise here for us! Valjoux movements require some expertise to work on...but you don't need to yet! :)