Jump to content

Bespoke Watch Assembly Help

canthus
 Share

Recommended Posts

canthus Super WRT Addict

canthus

Posted
Posted

As a great fan of this forum and the openness and frank opinions of the members I would like to seek your advice on my next project. 

 

Craftsmanship and engineering is in the family blood and my very young grandson is already showing these trends with his curiosity and wanting to take things apart !   I have excellent hand-made items by each generation back to to his great-grandfather and would like to add my own. 

I have a few bits but nothing that he would set great stall to, so I have decided to assemble a good quality watch for him as he does like messing with my nominal value ones. My son also appreciates fine watches and would be a good custodian and would add his own timepiece no doubt.

Unfortunately I do not have the skills or equipment to make from scratch but have been fixing and servicing watches since retiring over 10 years ago, so I have sufficient skills to build a watch from parts. 

 

I want to build a 'new' watch that will be unique to me and not refurbish an old one (I've got a couple of those already).

I am currently looking at an Ickler Case (stainless/gold with sapphire glasses) which will fit an ETA 2824-2 movement, adding my own choice of dial and hands, and finish with a good brand quality strap or bracelet. Don't want chrono just simple time and date or day/date.

 

My main concern is the movement re the ETA future parts/service issues.  Do I go for the brand name/quality and live with the lack of parts etc issue, or go for something that has similar quality and parts availability into the future. I will probably get some spares in hand such as mainspring/stem etc.  An alternative I am considering is Sellita SW200-1 or Sellita SW220-1 which can directly replace the ETA without case modification.

 

Your views/comments/suggestions would be most appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
canthus Super WRT Addict

canthus

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks stroppy,  Nice site and some interesting stuff.  I still plan to go new as I want it to be of 'today' not of a past era.  I already have some vintage Omega, Seiko, Rotary etc but I want something more unique that nobody else will have or will have had (just like the other stuff from my past family).  Thanks for your interest and I hope you understand my thinking.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

Hi canthus,

 

I would go for the ETA. If anything will stand the test of time is the movement you have in mind: ETA 2824-2. This is by no means a new movement but one that has stood the test of time. It is not as finicky as the 2892A2 which makes it easier to fix and worst case scenario, being so popular, will have one way or another many parts available even if ETA goes under (let's hope it never happens)...and then you have the other clones that in a pinch may supply the needed part when/if it ever needs it. So, there you have it: my 2 cents on the matter! 

 

I would suggest that if at all possible, being for the purpose you stated, try to get the best version you can -- they come in 4 finishes -- and of course, brand new.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites
canthus Super WRT Addict

canthus

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Hi bobm12,   Thanks for your reply. 

I have heard of these different finishes but have no idea what they actually represent, any info ? 

I am also looking for a possible source other than Cousins in UK which have them available, but I don't know what finish it is other than it is in a sealed pack (ie not loose packed)?

Edited by canthus
Link to comment
Share on other sites
canthus Super WRT Addict

canthus

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Thanks bobm12, Will have to scout around and see what i can find.

 

Thanks jdm, These are the Ickler cases I fancy as they seem to be very good quality with sapphire glasses.

 

For those interested Here is a link I also found which shows many options for ETA cases, dials and hands.

 

http://shop.sk-watchparts.com/epages/Starck_Andreas44894456.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Starck_Andreas44894456/Categories/Edelstahlgeh%C3%A4use

Edited by canthus
Link to comment
Share on other sites
bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

Thank you both: jdm and canthus for the links.

 

My opinion is that both links for watch cases are fine but in my mind they are both essentially 5 atm cases. Other than design, I would love to have more input about case choices and materials employed for this special watch you are making (maybe higher atm rating?)...

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Neverenoughwatches
      Pallet jewel

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      The entry and exit stones have different impulse face angles  murks.
    • Waggy
      First Project Already A Bit "Sideways"

      By Waggy · Posted

      Depending on how much of the screw is left, you may be able to screw it further in and it may fall out of the hole that the dial foot sat in. To do this I rough up the tip of the good screw and screw it in, often the rough surface of the good screw and the rough surface on the broken screw get enough of a bite to transmit the torque into the broken section and force it out the other side. Like I said the size of the broken screw needs to be in your favor, but you never know you may get lucky.... or if you get it moving you may be able to then back it out with a screwdriver taking a bite on the rough surface. worth a try
    • DDean
      First Project Already A Bit "Sideways"

      By DDean · Posted

      I will try this weekend.  I've tried several times with my cell phone and it's just too small and recessed to get a good picture.  I need to get my macro lens and tripod out and then figure out how to get enough light down the hole in the side of the man plate to  actually show the top of the broken screw. I appreciate the effort and will try and get that pic this weekend.
    • RichardHarris123
      Simeon from Down Under

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      Hello and welcome from Leeds, England. 
    • Simeon
      Simeon from Down Under

      By Simeon · Posted

      Hi,   My name is Simeon I am based in Sydney, Australia and have recently got into watch repair / watch making.  I am very much a learner having serviced multiple forgotten watches, some of which were actually successful!   I have a slowly growing collection of watches, mainly old Soviet, a few Japanese and (not pictured) some Raketas, a Poljot Alarm, an Omega Speedmaster Reduced and a vintage (1972) Tissot Seastar.  I like unloved vintage watches, with quirky faces and enjoy bringing them back to life through the simple(!) act of disassembly, clearing and reassembly. I am an Electrical Engineer who also undertook a trade apprenticeship so I am reasonably handy - It's fair to say, I know just enough to get myself in trouble. 
×
×
  • Create New...