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Start of a collection......


mcass

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I have always loved watches. I've never really had anything worth calling a "collection" before. Rather they were all just quartz "beaters". They wouldn't last long at all and I'd toss one and get another. I've always said I wanted to start collecting watches as well as learn how to work on them. Mechanical watches have always been my favorite even though I had never had one. They are absolutely amazing. Now at 45 I have finally begun. Since February I have gotten 3 watches that I really like. They aren't Omegas or Rolex, maybe someday but definitely out of my price range right now. The first one was actually an estate find and was the fuse that made me finally start something I had talked many years about doing. Some of you have probably seen it on another thread I have had going. It is a 1968 Bulova Oceanographer Super Waterproof that I have just finished restoring. I bought it for $12.00 and have about another $20.00 in it. I don't have any idea what it's worth but I am very pleased with it. The 2nd is a Russian Zarja with a Poljot 3105 movement that I found on eBay. It grabbed my eye right away namely because of the subdial, and red hands on black face. I've come to find out that the red hands were actually colored with a felt tip pen because the gold began showing through just a couple of weeks after I got it. I started to sit down the other night and paint the hands permanently  but found a small amount of rust on the dial screws. I have since torn it down and it is now my second project. The third one is a Vostok Kommendirski. After getting the Zarja, I began reading up a little more on Russian watches and find their history interesting. Love the look of this Vostok I found on eBay as well. The previous owner was selling as is for parts or repair and I thought I could maybe figure it out. Turned out that the main spring winding gear head come loose. Tightened the screw down and she is ticking like a charm.  So with all of that, here is my collection....

Bulova Oceanographer AFTER.JPG

Zarja 3105.JPG

Vostok Kommandirskie.JPG

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Ive really enjoyed this one. Thinking about getting an Amphibia too. I wish I could figure out what year this one is. I think its fairly new but really don't know enough about them yet to tell. Also from what I have understood is many people that have these and amphibias like to change dials, straps, and bezels. I dont think that has happened to this one though but it does seem like customizing them happens quite frequently.

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    • I've also heard it called the "top side" and the dial side the "bottom side", which should make any non-repairer very confused. There are many examples and sometimes it comes down to personal preference. Personally, I like to say "dial train" whereas most other people would use the term "motion works".
    • Is magnetism such a major problem that we (as home hobbyists) need to spend $$$ on a fancy demagnetiser? I use one of the cheap blue Chinese demagnetisers (£10 from ebay). It works, and has never failed to demagnetise a movement, or my screwdrivers. Magnetometer - who needs one?  Take a very small screw. If it sticks to the clean part, it is magnetised 🤣
    • My overall preference is to use traditional names and terms, that became my habit when i was taught joinery by old boy chippies 2 generations older than me , that had their time in the 40's. But what i often do is adjust the names and terms i use according to who I'm talking with. Sometimes i will say trainside and occasionally watchmaker's side. I try to find a balance between accommodating other folk ( there's no point speaking a foreign language to someone who doesn't understand it ) and using a name that appears to me to be more relevant as to its use or description. But using the name lever can be quite confusing,  some watches might have parts that are also levers, release levers, which in effect is what the pallet fork is, an escapement release lever. 
    • Then put the case number in here https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/filter/search-seiko-case-parts and it should give you the crown 
    • I come across to replace the crystal of a 7734 chronograph.  What make it special there a printed chapter ring  which fits inside the recess of crystal before inserting into the case. I am thinking of a high dome crystal such as Sternkreuz ATCH, fitting diameter OD332/ID320.  For this purpose, tension ring will be removed and fit in the chapter ring.  I understand the crystal size may not perfectly fit these two dimension.  Should aim to find the right ID, then OD can be grinded to reduce without much difficulty.  To find the right crystal, the easiest way is to get know of the OD/ID relationship of Sternkreuz ATCH/ATCG (otherwise the OD of the crystal and tension ring).  I hope you are able to help to minimize the trial and errors.
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