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French Benrus Mark IV


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Need some help with this one, my neighbor gave this to me, said it was his grandpa's retirement gift from Marathon Oil co, probably in 60's?, its a FU14 14 jewel, I searched the bay for similar and found a few. This one has minor H2O intrusion, (yeah says waterproof!) batt was not leaking, but confirmed water mark, coil screw has rust, I guess my question is, is it worth fixing? Hands are loose, when you try setting they catch, second hand also winds when stem is turned. (no big deal) Overall watch is in great shape, no repair marks in caseback, have not tried batt yet, appreciate any help/info. Dig that crazy lightning bolt sweep hand!

Thanks, Dave

DSCF0196.JPGDSCF0197.JPGDSCF0198.JPGDSCF0199.JPG I would

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I  personally would like to service/repair this watch as it is a movement I have never encountered before. So for me it would be a yes it,s worth it. Parts will be a challenge but that,s part of the fun.

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3 hours ago, clockboy said:

I  personally would like to service/repair this watch as it is a movement I have never encountered before. So for me it would be a yes it,s worth it. Parts will be a challenge but that,s part of the fun.

Me too, any idea on maker? I looked on Ranff and Gleaveandco, but no luck unless I missed it, (highly possible). The rusty coil screw has me a bit worried. Thanks

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6 hours ago, Cad101 said:

Thats an impressive piece of information youve provided there syfre. I'm excited to see this project finished.

so would I,:startle: seller of parts movement has not accepted my reasonable offer,..... yet. Think they're waiting for auction to end, I'll update when I get confirmation, they said it works, so that's a plus!

Thanks again syfre, I am indebted for your info.

 

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UPDATE: Good news, seller accepted my offer and while it's an 11J model, (second generation with blue diode), it just might work for parts. Seller stated that movm't was tested and second hand advances. I translated syfre document to get all the other particulars about this truly unique movement.

Sovereign-Electronic-11J-Q-Watch-11W-1K-France-Movement

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That's excellent news, things are progressing nicely if new movement works I would probably just change parts with a name attached to them like the train bridge just to keep a hint of its originality.

Mick

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  • 2 weeks later...

UPDATE: installed new batt yesterday in parts movement, (11j) did not work as seller described, put batt in 14j movement and nothing.... back to square one, :pulling-hair-out:

as I mentioned, original watch has minor rust on movement case screw and coil screw, case screw is pretty bad, don't think I can get out without wasting it, I'll get updated pics soon and suggest Moderator move to repair forum???

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22 hours ago, Cad101 said:

I would be having serious words with that seller that's for sure and asking for at least some kind of refund.

 

yeah , fleabay generally sides with buyer on issues, I sent message to seller to let them know it didn't work, I don't expect a response,

got rusty case screw out,:woohoo-jumping-smiley-emoticon: now trying figure out retention/case ring, gently trying to separate but seriously not budging, movement will rotate easily, here is update screw pic.... pretty uglyDSCF0210.JPG

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Last chance for this one, got back on bench this a.m. before hitting finger with hammer and getting stung by honeybee on same finger working on house, (figured I'd better quit before something really bad happens)swapped out coil and blue diode, maybe newer version parts may have better chance of working???, still nothing, coils look good, no obvious nicks, but you can't tell by looking, don't really want to get into balance assembly. This might be a cut losses project, unless there is something on dial side I can't see yet that's holding up the operation, because I can't get the fargin' thing out of case! Okay I feel better now, IF and WHEN I get back to this, I will update only if successful. Thanks for all your help.DSCF0219.JPG

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    • I have removed the stem and open the case. The Movement can't drop out but it can be rotate Anyone has idea THANK YOU
    • Not a family member, and yes, it no way near as good, as some information got lost from original site and some information got incorrectly copied. The original site is available as iOS app here: https://apps.apple.com/fi/app/ranfft-watch-movements-archive/id6502008939
    • Outstanding, Marc! Your information is really helpful and clears this up, especially given that yours were purchased as sets. Thanks, man. So, it appears I jumped the gun on this one, but I am relieved. I will say, though, that all of my reamers and concave pushers are number-stamped and appear to be of better quality.  Also, the bayonets on my pushers are actually the same color as the steel.  The next thing to do is restore the heads of these pushers with some polishing paper.  Alex at the Watch Repair channel has a nice little video on this.   I appreciate your help! Frank      
    • Just installed it on my iPhone (my only iOS device) and it appears to be intact and functional. I may have to go out and buy myself an ipad just for this app.
    • I have two Seitz sets, one ancient (with the 3mm anvils) and one just old (with 4mm anvils) plus a collection of spare pushers of assorted vintage. Not one of them is marked with it's size. Something which I have found very irritating when I have been using the tool and not returning pushers to their correct place in the tray every time as it means that I have to get the calipers out and measure them. These were bought as sets and collectively I have over 100 pushers so it would seem highly unlikely (if not inconceivable) that they are all cheap knock offs, especially as they are old enough to pre-date the prevalence of the Chinese knock off industry (at least as applied to watch making tools). I therefore believe them to be original Seitz parts. And there is no numbering. The shape of the bottom of the pump pushers is the same as your photo. The only thing that may not be the same is that the slotted insert (looks like a screw but is in fact a bayonet) should be brass. Yours looks the same colour as the steel but that could just be the lighting.
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